Experimental studies on soil erosion in relation to the kind of the crop cultivated (preliminary)

Abstract

This experiment was carried out from June to October, 1952. Concerning the 9 kinds of crops we examined their effects on soil and water holding capacity in the experimental plots with a slope of just 15 degrees. The plants grown were as follows : weeping love grass, insect flower, lespedeza, peppermint, Hibisus Japonicus, sweet potato, maize ramie and soybean. l. Through the every stage of growth, soil erosion was slightest both in the love grass plot and insect flower plot, followed by the lespedeza plot and peppermint. 2. Through the every stage of growth soil erosion was heaviest both in the maize plot and in the soybean plot, followed by the ramie plot and Hibiscus plot. 3. The soil erosion in the sweet potato plot showed just the same degree as that in the maize plot and the soybean plot in the earlier stage of growth, but when once the coverage comes to surpass 50% 1evel the amount of soil erosion suddenly dropped and ih the later stages of growth the sweet potato plot showed the same amount of erosion as that in the love grass plot. 4. After smaller rainfall, the soil erosion was less in the ramie plot than in the Hibiscus plot, but after larger rainfall the tables were turned. 5. As d rule, regardless of the height of the plants and the coverage, crop plants having upright stalks caused heavier soil erosion.