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RESEARCH PRODUCT

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE MANAGEMENTS TO CONTROL SOIL EROSION

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[EN] High rates of soil erosion compromise sustainable agriculture. In rainfed agricultural fields, erosion rates several orders of magnitude higher than the erosion rates considered tolerable have been quantified. In Mediterranean rainfed crops such as vineyards, almonds and olive groves, and in the new sloping citrus and persimmon plantations, the rates of soil loss make it necessary to apply measures to reduce them to avoid collapse in agricultural production. Managements such as weeds, catch crops and mulches (straw and pruning remains) are viable options to achieve sustainability. This work applies measurements through plots, simulated rainfall experiments and ISUM (Improved Stock-Unearhing method) to quantify the loss of soil at different temporal and spatial scales in fields of traditional management (herbicide or tillage) and under alternative management (mulches and plant covers). The work carried out at the experimental station for the study of soil erosion in the Sierra de Enguera and those of Montesa and Les Alcusses provide information on erosion plots under natural rain. Experiments carried out with simulated rain in fields of olive, almond, citrus, persimmon, vineyard and fruit trees report the hydrological and erosive response under low frequency and high intensity rains. And finally, the ISUM topographic method report the impact of long-term management, from the plantation. The results indicate that the loss of soil is greater (x10-1000) in soils under traditional management (tillage and herbicide) due to the fact that they remain bare for most of the year. The use of straw mulch immediately reduces soil erosion by two orders of magnitude. Also mulches from chipped pruned branches remains are very efficient but require more years to reduce soil loss. Weeds and catch crops are very efficient in controlling erosion.