Evaluating Mulch Cover with Coir Dust and Cover Crop with Palma Cactus as Soil and Water Conservation Techniques for Semiarid Environments: Laboratory Soil Flume Study under Simulated Rainfall

Abelardo A.A. Montenegro,João L.M.P. de Lima,Cleene A. de Lima,Thayná A.B. Almeida,João R.C.B. Abrantes

doi:10.3390/hydrology7030061

Abelardo A.A. Montenegro, João L.M.P. de Lima + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology7030061

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Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the performance of mulch cover with coir dust (Cocos nucifera L.) and cover crop with Palma cactus (Opuntia ficus indica Mill.) as soil and water conservation techniques, in a laboratory soil flume under simulated rainfall. Palma cactus plants oriented at 90° and 30° angles with the slope direction were considered. Simulations comprised uniform advanced and delayed rainfall patterns. Runoff hydrographs and soil loss were monitored at the downstream end of the flume. Soil moisture and flow velocity were measured, and several hydraulic parameters of runoff were estimated. Results show that both mulch cover with coir dust and cover crop with Palma cactus were effective in reducing runoff and soil loss and increasing soil moisture content, thus being both suitable soil and water conservation techniques for semiarid environments. Coir dust was more effective than Palma cactus. Palma cactus oriented at a 90° angle was slightly more effective than Palma cactus oriented at a 30° angle. Differences between advanced and delayed rainfall patterns on the hydrological and erosive response were more pronounced for the mulch cover condition, where no runoff and soil loss were observed at the downstream end of the flume for the advanced rainfall pattern.

Highlights

Soil and water loss are major global environmental problems in agricultural and rural lands of semiarid regions, characterized by soils with low infiltration rates and irregular storm patterns, with high-intensity and low-frequency rainfall events occurring mainly in the beginning of the rainy season when soil is more susceptible to evaporation and erosion [1,2,3,4]
Coir Dust and Palma Cactus for Soil and Water Conservation. In this laboratory soil flume study under simulated rainfall, mulch cover with coir dust and cover crop with Palma cactus were both effective in reducing runoff and soil loss and increasing soil moisture content
In the short-term, mulch cover with coir dust seems to be a more suitable option than cover crop with Palma cactus to mitigate runoff and soil loss and to promote soil restoration in degraded or vulnerable areas, such as badlands and forest lands following wildfire, and to enhance soil water content and improve agricultural soil fertility and crop productivity in semiarid environments

Summary

Introduction

Soil and water loss are major global environmental problems in agricultural and rural lands of semiarid regions (e.g., rainfed cropping systems of the northeast region of Brazil), characterized by soils with low infiltration rates and irregular storm patterns, with high-intensity and low-frequency rainfall events occurring mainly in the beginning of the rainy season when soil is more susceptible to evaporation and erosion [1,2,3,4]. Soil and water conservation practices have been used to reduce runoff and soil losses, prevent land degradation and to improve the fertility and productivity of agricultural soils Such subject has been addressed based on detailed hydro-meteorological measurements, monitoring campaigns and modelling activities in well-instrumented experimental rural catchments, such as the ones belonging to the Brazilian Semiarid Hydrological Network, REHISA [5,6,7,8,9]. Such field studies under natural rainfall provide for an excellent opportunity to improve the understanding of the actual impact of distinct agricultural conservation practices on water security and soil protection. Mulch cover [6,7,8,10,12,13,14]

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