Soil Wind Erosion Hazard of Spring Wheat–Fallow as Affected by Long‐Term Climate and Tillage

Abstract

We hypothesized that drought accelerates wind erosion by increasing plant and soil factors of erodibility together, compounding the erosion hazard. Erodibility factors measured in biennial spring wheat–fallow on Pachic and Typic Haploborolls soil were (i) soil‐inherent wind erodibility (SIWE) by rotary sieving, (ii) surface roughness by pin meter and chain methods, (iii) standing residue profile, and (iv) residue coverage photographically. Four tillage treatments ranged from low residue (LR) to no‐till (NT). The erodible fraction of surface soil (a SIWE measure) changed from 53% during a dry period (1989–1990) to a less erodible 26% during a wet period (1992–1994). Median erosion protection values calculated from flat and standing residue measurements made after seeding were, respectively, 16 and 43% in 1989 to 1990, and 80 and 76% in 1992 to 1994. Soil losses estimated by RWEQ model equations were 11 to 6100 times greater during 1989 to 1990, compared with 1992 to 1994. No‐till was protective, and estimated soil losses on LR were up to 3000 times greater than those on NT. However, low residue yields in 1988 (930 vs. 3640 kg/ha avg.) resulted in inadequate protection after seeding in 1990, even in NT; and soil losses in LR and NT were 13 and 8 Mg/ha, respectively. Results indicate biennial small grain–fallow is nonsustainable in the long term from a soil‐erosion perspective.

Impacts of Organic Zero Tillage Systems on Crops, Weeds, and Soil Quality

“…Changes in soil condition associated with conservation tillage intensity and increased plant residue retention include increased SOC [118], improved surface physical conditions and plant nutrient status [119,120], and enhanced microbial biomass and activity [121,122]. Such changes in soil condition improve soil function-and thereby soil quality-by reducing erosion, increasing soil water storage potential, and improving nutrient-use efficiency [123][124][125].…”

Crop and Soil Responses to Using Corn Stover as a Bioenergy Feedstock: Observations from the Northern US Corn Belt

“…Even where water erosion risk is minimal due to level topography, exposed soil is at risk to wind erosion. Soil aggregates <0.84 mm in diameter, determined by rotary sieving dry soil, have been positively related to soil wind erodibility [11,12]. An increase in small aggregates due to residue removal is indicative of structural changes associated with increased potential risk for wind erosion.…”

Tillage and cropping effects on soil quality indicators in the northern Great Plains

“…These changes in soil condition have improved the functioning of cropping systems in the northern Great Plains by increasing water storage (Deibert et al, 1986;Tanaka and Anderson, 1997;Peterson et al, 1996), reducing soil erosion (Merrill et al, 1999), and enhancing mineral N conservation (Follett and Schimel, 1989).…”