Page 124 - Soil Degradation, Conservation and Remediation

112 4 Wind Erosion

3. Reduce field width along the prevailing wind direction.
4. Roughen the soil surface.
Again, Woodruff et al. (1972) mentioned the following principles: producing a rough,
cloddy surface, reducing effective field width with barriers, and establishing and
maintaining sufficient vegetative cover.

4.6 Wind Erosion Control Measures

Many conservation practices can be implemented to control wind erosion. Conservation
practices are designed to either reduce the wind force at the soil surface or create
a soil surface more resistant to wind forces. Some practices also trap saltating
particles to reduce the abrasion of soil surfaces downwind.

4.6.1 Stabilization of Soil

Various soil stabilizers have been employed for the control of wind erosion (Chepil
et al. 1963; Armbrust and Dickerson 1971; Lyles et al. 1974; Armbrust and Lyles
1975). Many of these products successfully control wind erosion for a short time.
However, easy and inexpensive stabilization may also be obtained by vegetative
measures such as wheat straw anchored with a rolling disk packer (Chepil et al.
1963). Often, chemical soil-stabilizing agents are used with varying success. The
criteria for surface soil stabilizers according to Armbrust and Lyles (1975) are as
follows: (1) 100 % of the soil must be covered, (2) the stabilizer must not adversely
affect plant growth or emergence, (3) erosion must be prevented initially and reduced
for the duration of the severe erosion hazard, usually for at least 2 months each
season, (4) the stabilizer should apply easily and without special equipment, and
(5) cost must be low enough for profitable use. They found five polymers and one
resin-in-water emulsion that met all these requirements. These were Coherex, DCA-70,
Petroset SB, Polyco 2460, Polyco 2605, and SBR Latex S-2 105. These stabilizers
may prevent wind erosion if applied to the total soil surface and at a sufficiently high
rate, but their costs are prohibitive. For applying soil stabilizers in agricultural land,
we need to develop (i) methods for applying large volumes rapidly, (ii) reliable
preemergent weed control chemicals for use on coarse-textured soils, (iii) films
strong enough to withstand raindrop impact and still allow water and plant penetration,
and (iv) films that at have no adverse effects on the soil–water–air environment.

4.6.2 Cover Crops

Cover crop means plants or a green manure crop grown for seasonal soil protection
or soil improvement. Cover crops help control soil movement and protect the soil
surface between crops. Cover crop reduces wind erosion by shielding the soil with