The value of improved land use as measured by preliminary data on relative infiltration rates
1947
Zwerman, P.J.
One hundred and one infiltration tests were made with the FA type infiltrometer. These tests were made on land suitable for cultivation and on land not suitable for cultivation. On land suitable for cultivation, improved practice of second year lespedeza was compared with the ordinary practice of row crops. The significantly different mean infiltration rates were 1.0% and 0.21 inch per hour, respectively. Land not suitable for cultivation was surveyed as forested and idle land. Poor forest management gave a mean relative infiltration rate of 1.12 inches per hour; good forest management gave a rate of 2.70 inches per hour. These values, however, were not significantly different at the 5% level because of the extreme variability of their relative infiltration rates. On idle sites, broom sedge and weeds was the ordinary practice and kudzu was considered the improved practice. The mean rates were 0.24 and 2.92 inches per hour, respectively. The surprisingly high mean rate of infiltration on land given over to kudzu production was associated with a high content of soil organic matter and a deep vertical penetration of soil moisture. Field examination of the soil on the kudzu sites indicated a marked improvement in physical structure. While the results reported here may not be considered conclusive they certainly are indicative that southeastern agronomists and farmers could quickly improve much idle land by means of kudzu. Lack of seed of improved varieties, and of practical "know-how" as to curing have been limiting factors in kudzu production.
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