Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » West Lafayette, Indiana » National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #122841
Title: CONTROLLING INTERRILL AND RILL EROSION IN A HIGHLY ERODIBLE VOLCANIC SOIL

Author
item VENTURA, E - UNIV. QUERETARO, MEXICO
item Norton, Lloyd

Submitted to: American Society of Agricultural Engineers Meetings Papers
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2001
Publication Date: 7/29/2001
Citation: Ventura, E., Norton, L.D. Controlling interrill and rill erosion in a highly erodible volcanic soil. American Society of Agricultural Engineers Meetings Papers. 2001. Paper No. 01-2074.

Interpretive Summary: Large areas of the Earth are covered or affected by volcanic deposits and many in semi-arid areas. Due to the nature of these materials the erosion hazard is great. We studied some typical volcanic derived soils to try to develop low cost methods to control sheet and concentrated flow erosion. We applied gypsum and an organic material (polyacrylamide, PAM) to control the two erosion processes. Gypsum application increased the amount of water intake of the soil and lower sheet erosion as measured from simulated rainfall. Application of PAM to simulated concentrated flow areas reduced soil loss to nearly zero under the flow conditions measured. The use of soil amendments, such as gypsum and PAM, used to control soil erosion appears to be a viable management method for reclaiming highly erodible volcanic soils at a lower cost. A further benefit in semi-arid areas is that runoff producing areas will have more water available for plant growth and further stabilization of the land.

Technical Abstract: Extensive areas in the Valley of Mexico are covered by highly erodible volcanic soils. The traditional methods of managing these soils with deep ripping and cultivation have increased soil erosion. Soil erosion is greatly influenced by the interactions between rainfall and soil characteristics and therefore, the study of interrill and rill erosion can be very helpful in developing new approaches for controlling soil erosion in order to maintain sustainable production and environmental integrity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of gypsum on interrill erosion and the effect of polyacrylamide on rill erosion in a highly erodible volcanic soil from the Valley of Mexico using rainfall and runoff simulation techniques. In the interrill area, surface application of gypsum increased infiltration and reduced runoff, soil erosion and surface sealing. Rill erosion caused by concentrated flow was practically reduced to zero when polyacrylamide (PAM) was applied in simulated rills. The use of soil amendments to control soil erosion appears to be a viable management method for reclaiming highly erodible volcanic soils at a lower cost.