Using a Rainfall Simulator to Define the Effect of Soil Conservation Techniques on Soil Loss and Water Retention
2023
Jakub Stašek | Josef Krása | Martin Mistr | Tomáš Dostál | Jan Devátý | Tomáš Středa | Jan Mikulka
In the Czech Republic, the Universal Soil Loss Equation provides the basis for defining the soil protection strategy. Field rainfall simulators were used to define the actual cover-management factor values of the most extensively seeded crops in the Czech Republic. The second purpose was to assess rainfall-runoff ratio for different crops and management to contribute to the debate of water retention effectiveness during approaching climate change. The methodology focused on multi-seasonal measurements to cover the most important phenological phases. The rainfall intensity was 60 mm·:h&minus:1 for 30 min and a plot size of 16 m2. More than 380 rainfall simulation experiments provided data. Soil conservation techniques proved to have a significant effect on runoff reduction. Conventionally seeded maize can reduce the runoff ratio to around 50%. However, cover crops combined with reduced tillage or direct seeding can reduce the runoff ratio to 10&ndash:20% for &lsquo:dry&rsquo: conditions and to 12&ndash:40% for &lsquo:saturated&rsquo: conditions. Conventionally seeded maize on average loses 4.3 Mg·:ha&minus:1 per 30 min experiment. However, reduced tillage and direct seeding reduce soil loss to 0.6 and 0.16 Mg·:ha&minus:1, respectively. A comparison with the original USDA values for maize showed that it is desirable to redefine the crop cover factor.
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