SOIL EROSION

Soil erosion
Literally means weathering away.
It is defined as , “removal of fertile soil layer from the original place and
carrying away be agencies such as wind, water , ice or gravity to some other
places”
Detachment of soil particles
Water and wind factors are important
 Water erosion
Removal of fertile layer of soil by water
Also called soil washing
Types of water erosion:
1. Splash erosion:
 when rain drops strike to surface, soil particle become loose.
This water bounces back to air carrying soil particles mostly silt and clay.
Splashed material scatter uniformly on surface in all directions.
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2.Sheet erosion.
The uniform removal of surface soil by the action of rainfall and runoff water
Occurs along smooth slope
3. Channel erosion.
When large amount of water provide force for detachment of soil particles and
their transportation
it is further categorized in to:
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a) Rill erosion: small shallow finger like channels are formed.
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b) Gully Erosion: when water attain more velocity, rills become enlarged.
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c)Stream erosion: removal of soil from stream bed, and cutting of stream
banks by the force of running water.
 Control of water erosion
1. Contouring: refers to raising ridges and making furrows with all ridges at
the same level. It increase crop yield up to 10% and reduce soil loss by
50%.
2. Cropping system: Crops reduces the soil erosion and build up soil fertility
Certain crops such as green manures crops and grasses conserve the soil
It is good source of maintaining fertility, improving nutrients and protecting
soil
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3.Mulching: it refers to straws, stubbles, sawdust and wood chips.
Left over crop residues
Protect the soil during the period when crop is not there
Reduces the splash erosion by reducing the direct contact of water to soil
Retard soil surface flow or run off of water
4. Diversion drains:
Channel constructed across the slope to conduct water to safe outlet
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Intercepts or diverts the water from gullies in to safe outlet.
 Wind erosion
• Soil blowing
• Wind removes the fertile layer of soil
• Usually occur in arid and semi arid regions
• Accelerated when soil is loose and dry
• Influenced directly by wind velocity
 Transportation of soil particles
1. Saltation
Direct pressure of wind causes soil particles to colloid with other particles, as result
soil particles pushed along the surface of ground and then suddenly leaps vertically.
2. Suspension
Very fine dust particles rises when the soil is bombarded by the saltation movement
and are carried by wind
Can be seen in dust storms
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3.Surface creep
 movement of soil particles on the ground due to impact of particles
descending and hitting during saltation
 Wind erosion control
1. Windbreaks and shelter belts
 barrier for protection form winds commonly associated with homestead
gardens called windbreaks
Shelterbelt is longer barrier consisting of shrubs and tress for the protection
of field crops and soil conservation
Reduces the velocity of wind
Trees for this purpose are neem, sheesham, safeda, beri, imli etc.
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2.Vegetation cover
Traps saltating articles
Add organic matter to soil
Bind the soil
Grasses and leguminous species may be planted for this purpose
 3. Mulching
Crop residues
Maintaining the soil moisture level and soil makes aggregates
Residues provide effective trap for saltating particles
 4.Tillage practices
Deep ploughing on sandy soil
5. Irrigation during dry season:
Kept the soil moist
Water hold and binds the soil particles
Removal of wet soil is difficult for wind