Effect of surface stones on erosion, evaporation, soil temperature, and soil moisture
1943
Lamb, J. Jr | Chapman, J.E.
This study to determine the effect of surface stones on soil erosion and soil moisture was carried out to save many farmers the labor of unnecessary stone removal. Soil and water runoff from field plots was collected and weighed, and soil moisture and soil temperature conditions were noted. Soil in special boxes was weighed to determine the water loss by evaporation from the surface. The removal of surface stones above 2 inches largest dimension on field plots approximately doubled the water runoff and increased soil loss as much as six fold. A 65% stone cover compared to the normal 18% stone cover over the soil in weighed boxes slightly reduced the loss of soil water by evaporation, increased water absorption, decreased soil loss, and maintained a relatively high water-holding capacity. A 6-ton per acre straw mulch cover over the soil in weighed boxes reduced the loss of water by evaporation, greatly increased water absorption, prevented soil loss, and maintained a high water-holding capacity. A 65% stone cover on field plots increased soil temperatures and maintained a higher content of soil moisture than the 18% stone cover. A 4-inch layer of stones maintained a higher content of soil moisture than the 65% stone cover. A straw mulch of 6 tons per acre gave soil temperatures at 1-inch depth as much as 24 degrees F lower than at similar depths under the 18% stone cover.
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