Mulch Cover and Canopy Effect on Soil Loss

Abstract

ABSTRACT THE influence of simulated crop canopy cover, canopy height, and straw mulch cover on soil loss was studied in the laboratory. Runoff was significantly reduced by increased mulch cover but was unaffected by canopy cover or canopy height. However, soil loss was significantly reduced by increased mulch cover and also by canopy cover when the cover was less than one meter above the soil surface. Mulch cover reduced soil loss for all particle classes. However, with increased mulch cover, the percentage of small aggregates and primary clay in the sediment increased while that of large aggregates decreased.