Four Ways for Farmers to Prevent Erosion
Soil erosion, the gradual washing or blowing of soil particles to a lower elevation, presents a serious problem for farmers. Not only does erosion reduce soil quality and water retention, it can also prevent the emergence of seeds or even uproot and wash away young plants. You can use different methods to prevent erosion, depending on the landscape of your farm, its type of soil, and the cause of erosion. Does this Spark an idea?
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Cover Crops
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The technique of planting a non-food crop on fallow land not only replenishes nutrients in the soil but also holds soil in place, preventing erosion until a new crop is planted. Wildflowers and buckwheat are common cover crops, as are plants that spread and crawl across the ground rather than growing straight up. The root structure of these plants works like a lattice structure beneath the ground to hold soil in place against heavy precipitation and wind.
Fertilizer
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When the strong impact of falling rain displaces soil and causes runoff, spreading a layer of mulch or fertilizer over your soil can prevent erosion by allowing the water to soak slowly into the ground. Furthermore, soil that is regularly fertilized will be richer and have a neutral pH, which will help it retain moisture and its structure during the growing season. Any fertilizer, whether it be a layer of raw manure, seaweed or a packaged blend of nutrients, will have a positive effect on your land and its erosion problems.
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Trees
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Strategic placement of trees -- usually on the windward side of a plot of land -- can create a long-term solution to erosion. Rows of trees can be effective as windbreaks, lessening the force of strong winds moving across the fields that would otherwise carry off the top layer of soil, particularly during periods when the soil is dry. The root structure of trees also creates channels that trap and direct rainwater, allowing the water to soak into the ground rather than run downhill.
Contour Farimng
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If you are forced to contend with sloping land, you are especially likely to have trouble with erosion. Contour farming is a technique that uses the natural slope of land to your advantage. Planting rows of crops are perpendicular to a slope rather than up and down slows the downhill runoff of rainwater so that the rainwater has time to soak into the soil and nourish your crops.
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References
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