WIND EROSION CONTROL USING CROP RESIDUE .1. EFFECTS ON SOIL FLUX AND SOIL PROPERTIES

Effects of millet stover residue (0,500, and 2000 kg ha-1) on wind ero sion and surface soil properties were determined from 1991 to 1993 at teh ICRISAT Sahelian Center in Niger, West Africa. Soil flux 0.1 m abo ve the ground was significantly reduced with 2000 kg ha-1 residue but not with 500 kg ha-1. Topographic measurements indicated that soil rem oved from the soil surface was less with either residue level than in the control. After 2 y, the soil surface (0-0.01 m) of both residue tr eatments had less coarse sand than the control, but more fine sand and clay, more organic carbon and an increased cation exchange capacity. The organic-C content of blown material was greater than that of surfa ce soil. An amount of 500 kg ha-1 residue can be considered useful for soil conservation, but 2000 kg ha-1 are required for a significant re duction of soil flux caused during severe wind erosion events.