Cover crops and their erosion-reducing effects during concentrated flow erosion

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

DE BAETS, S.

Dep. Earth and Environmental Sciences, K.U. Leuven, Heverlee, Belgique

POESEN, J.

Dep. Earth and Environmental Sciences, K.U. Leuven, Heverlee, Belgique

MEERSMANS, J.

Inst. National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Centre de Recherche, Orléans, France

SERLET, L.

PROCLAM (Provincial Centre for Agriculture and Environment), Province of West-Flanders, Beitem, Belgique

Description :
Cover crops are a very effective erosion control and environmental conservation technique. When cover crops freeze at the beginning of the winter period, the above-ground biomass becomes less effective in protecting the soil from water erosion, but roots can still play an important role in improving soil strength. Therefore, root density distribution with soil depth and the erosion-reducing effect of these cover crops during concentrated flow erosion were assessed by conducting root auger measurements and controlled concentrated flow experiments with 0.1 m topsoil samples. The results indicate that fine-branched roots are most effective in preventing concentrated flow erosion. After frost, the erosion-reducing potential of some species decreased. Fine-branched root systems (such as ryegrass and rye) are less vulnerable to frost. Ryegrass, rye, oats and white mustard are suitable cover crops to prevent concentrated flow erosion.

Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Catena (Giessen), issn : 0341-8162, 2011, vol. 85, n°. 3, p. 237-244, nombre de pages : 8, Références bibliographiques : 42 ref.

Date :
2011

Editeur :
Pays édition : Allemagne, Cremlingen-Destedt, Catena

Langue :
Anglais