Evaluation of impact of cover materials on reduction of water erosion of soil in vineyards

Abstract

© 2018 Latvia University of Agriculture. All rights reserved. Water erosion is becoming one of the most serious problems in the global scale. It causes soil degradation and damage and reduces capacity of soil production. This paper work discusses and evaluates the results of the impact of several types of cover materials on soil erosion in vineyards in the Czech Republic. The experiment was based on four variants, where three types of cover materials were selected for the protection against soil erosion: grain straw (var. A, consumption of covering material was 1,200 g·m-2), wood chips (var. B, consumption of cover material was 4,000 g·m-2) and compost (var. D, consumption of cover material was 2,000 g·m-2). The fourth control variant (C) consisted of a cultivated interlayer without cover material. During the measurements, the soil was picked up by pockets specifically created and modified for retaining loose soil with the possibility of free flowing of remaining water. The conclusive results of the evaluation indicate the positive effect of the cover materials on the protection of soil erosion even when affecting the soil moisture. From the evaluated variants no trace was recorded using a grain straw cover. Moreover, the highest soil moisture content, during the whole vegetation, was also found when using this. When using wood chips, the value of erosive wash during the observed period was 1 g·m-2, when using compost, the value was 8 g·m-2. The results showed that the highest soil pitch 15 g·m-2 occurred, when the control variant without the use of cover material was applied. The use of cover materials can therefore be considered as a promising way of soil protection from water erosion. The experiments which have been carried out suggest, from the viticulture practice point of view, that the availability and price of individual cover materials, including the cost of their application, will play a significant role in the application of these anti-erosion measures.