Reduce Soil Erosion Soil conservation some methods Terracing

Reduce Soil Erosion • Soil conservation, some methods – Terracing – Contour planting – Strip cropping with cover crop – Alley cropping, agroforestry – Windbreaks or shelterbeds – Conservation-tillage farming • No-till • Minimum tillage • Identify erosion hotspots

Fig. 12 -24 a, p. 302

Fig. 12 -24 b, p. 302

Fig. 12 -24 c, p. 302

Fig. 12 -24 d, p. 302

Solutions: Mixture of Monoculture Crops Planted in Strips on a Farm

Conservation Tillage • Conservation-tillage farming: method of soil cultivation that leaves the previous year's crop residue on fields before & after planting the next crop – No-till: involve planting crops directly into residue that either hasn't been tilled at all – Minimum tillage: some residue has been removed, but at least 30 to 70% remains

No Till & Minimum Tillage • Planting into corn residue (no till) • Soybeans grown in striped rows between corn residue (minimum tillage)

Benefits of Conservation Tillage • Environmental benefits – Reduces soil erosion by 60%-90% from rain & wind – Improves soil and water quality by adding organic matter as crop residue decomposes – Conserves water by reducing evaporation – Conserves energy due to fewer tractor trips – Reduces air pollution from dust and diesel – Crop residue provides food and cover for wildlife

Benefits of Conservation Tillage • Practical benefits – Fewer trips across the fields saves time and money (lowers fuel, labor and machinery maintenance costs) and reduces soil compaction that can reduce yields – Optimizes soil moisture, enhancing crop growth in dry periods or on droughty soils