Forage species and canopy cover effects on runoff from small plots

摘要: ABSTRACT: Studies have shown that the surface hydrology of a pasture system is influenced by its vegetative characteristics. As research continues on ways to prevent erosion and excessive nutrient loss from agricultural land, effect different forage species runoff requires further investigation. This study sought evaluate five at varying canopy heights (one day vs. six weeks growth post-harvest) infiltration 6.1 m × (20 20 ft) plots fertilized with poultry litter. The were: Alamo switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L), Caucasian bluestem (Bothriochloa caucasia (Trin.) C.E. Hubbard), Greenfield bermudagrass (CYNODON DACTYLON (L.) Pers.), Pete eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides Kentucky-31 tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Poultry litter was surface-applied annually 8.97 Mg ha−1 (4.0 ton/acre). Rainfall simulations (5.0 cm hr−1) (2.0 in were used produce events during spring, summer, fall examine seasonal variations. Although there no statistical differences volumes between cut full covers within single species, reduced canopies, for all seasons, an average 18% except bermudagrass. Comparisons showed had significantly lesser (30 mm) three four events. There other any event. Infiltration 19% greater events, compared species. Neutron probe data supported these results, consistently having profile volumetric water content 3 5 m3 m−3 (106 177 ft3 ft−3) lower 35 (7.9 13.8 in) depths. Results this show fescue, when directly forages study, more effective reducing increasing infiltration, thereby edge field systems.