Soil and water conservation practices aim at improving the rate of water infiltration into the soil by reducing the water velocity and reducing runoff loses.
1. Strip cropping
The practice involves growing erosion resisting and erosion permitting crops in alternating strips. Crops that resist erosion are majorly legumes such as groundnuts and saw bear. They prevent soil from being washed along with running water. Crops that permit erosion include cotton and bajara. They allow water to run on the surface of the soil freely.
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2. Mulching
Mulch is either artificial or natural layers of plants put on the surface of the soil with the aim of conserving moisture, preventing surface compaction, reducing run-off or eventual erosion, improving soil structure, controlling the soil temperature and weeds. Artificial mulch includes sawdust, husk or paddy straw, and stables. They conserve moisture by reducing evaporation and increasing water absorption. They conserve the soil by reducing surface runoff.
3. Rotation crops
Crop rotation involves growing certain crops in succession on a field for a specific period of time. The continuous growing of plants that allow surface runoff accelerates the rate at which the soil erodes. However, rotating the crops with those that do not allow surface runoff to carry away the soil reduces the rate at which soil is eroded. Rotational cropping removes and adds nutrients to the earth in a uniform manner which maintains the soil fertility and other essential spill properties.
4. Planting grass
Grassroots grow in a way that improves soil structure and reduces soil erosion. Land that is not being cultivated for crop farming can be put into other use by planting grass. Grass provides pasture for livestock as it conserves the soil by retaining moisture and reducing soil erosion. it is advantageous to plant a mixture of grass and legume plants, to prevent soil erosion in the earlier stages of planting grass.
5. Afforestation and re-afforestation
Planting trees is an effective water and soil conservation practice. Afforestation is planting trees where they have never existed before. Reforestation is planting trees where they have existed previously and got cut down. Trees reduce the velocity of surface runoff reducing the rate at which soil is carried away hence conserves the soil. Falling leaves form mulch at initial stages which retains the water moisture. When they rot, they form organic matter which improves the soil’s water retention capacity. Farm forestry which is the planting of trees around a farm is also vital in breaking the wind and reducing crop damage.
6. Cashew nut plantation
Cashew nut plantation is a soil and water conservation technique used in the coastal areas where more than 1250mm of rainfall is received. The cashew nuts are planted on the hills as they do not require regular attention. The crops are planted in trenches on the contours after being transferred from polythene bags in the nursery. They help check surface runoff hence conserving the soil.
