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The Effects of Different Methods of Cornstalk Residue Management on Runoff and Erosion as Evaluated by Simulated Rainfall¹

ABSTRACT

The effects of three methods of cornstalk residue management on runoff and erosion were studied in the field on a Warsaw loam of 4 to 4% slope and a Russell silt loam of 3 to 3% slope. These methods were: (1) cornstalks as left by a cornpicker (check), (2) cornstalks shredded after corn was picked, and (3) cornstalks shredded and disked once. Simulated rainstorms at a constant intensity of 2.4 inches per hour were applied on each of two successive days by the rainulator, a field-plot rainfall simulator. Infiltration, runoff, soil content of the runoff, and total soil loss were determined for both locations. Soil losses from the shredded treatment were < the losses from the check treatment for both soil types. Since runoff from the two treatments were nearly identical, the reduction in soil loss was due to the lower soil content of the runoff. Soil losses from the shredded-plus-disked treatment were between those of the check and shredded treatments. Conclusions were (1) that shredding cornstalks in the fall can reduce soil losses significantly during the winter months and (2) that disking shredded cornstalks is undesirable from a soil conservation standpoint.

¹ Contribution from the Soil and Water Conservation Research Division, ARS, USDA, in cooperation with the Purdue Agr. Exp. Sta. Purdue Journal Series Paper No. 1684. Presented before Div. VI, Soil Science Society of America, Dec. 7, 1960, at Chicago, Ill.

² Soil Scientist and Agricultural Engineer, respectively, ARS, USDA, Lafayette, Ind.

Received for publication January 16, 1961. Accepted for publication March 20, 1961.