Soil Tillage, Land Preparation and Conservation Topic 2061 Soil Erosion Developed by Amanda R. Moore

Erosion Erosion is a process that removes soil layers from a farmer’s field to bodies of water or other land.

Erosion Productive layer of soil is called humus or topsoil When this layer is eroded, ground can become very unproductive

Types of Erosion Wind Erosion Water Erosion Tillage Erosion

Wind Erosion Occurs where land is flat or dry Wind blows and spreads soil particles across the land In the Midwest much of wind erosion occurs during the winter when ground is frozen but upper most layer is dry and loose

Water Erosion May occur gradually May occur suddenly during floods During rainfall When winter snow melts May occur suddenly during floods Generally occurs on slopes

Tillage Erosion Caused by the way a farmer tills the land Equipment used Frequency of tilling Management during the winter

Methods to Reduce Soil Erosion Contour Tillage No-Till Agriculture Windbreaks Conservation Tillage Forage Rotation Cover Crops Grassed Waterways Strip Cropping

Contour Tillage Reduces water erosion Produces furrows perpendicular to the slope of the field Breaks up flow of water

No-Till Agriculture Reduces erosion by keeping plant residue on surface longer Stirs only 2” of soil rather than the 8” in traditional plowing http://topaz.kenyon.edu/projects/farmschool/types/soil.htm

Windbreaks Used to reduce wind erosion Planting trees along the borders of fields Often practiced in flat areas

Conservation Tillage Leaving crop residue in field after harvesting For example: Corn stalks left in field all winter to reduce erosion and fertility decline

Forage Rotation Crops such as alfalfa included in rotation with corn

Cover Crops Plant crops that will grow during most erosive months For example: Fall rye or winter wheat act as ground cover to protect from soil erosion

Grassed Waterways Planting grassy strips in natural land depressions prone to water run-off Excess water absorbed by grass instead of eroding soil

Conclusion Soil conservation is critical to agriculture It also creates need for heavier doses of pesticides and herbicides Long term soil conservation must be balanced

Resources Soil Erosion Soil Erosion in Agricultural Systems http://topaz.kenyon.edu/projects/farmschool/types/soil.htm Soil Erosion in Agricultural Systems www.msu.edu/user/dunnjef1/rd491/soile.htm

Strip Cropping Alternate a field with strips of different crops or fallow http://topaz.kenyon.edu/projects/farmschool/types/soil.htm