Soil and water conservation engineering is one of the part
of agricultural engineering. Soil and water conservation department offers the
course in different areas such as soil and water conservation measures and
structure, watershed management, non-point source, source of pollution etc
.
Importance
Soil and water conservation engineering is important mainly
for two reasons.
- In our country water is poorly managed and at a times good supply may not be there sustain irrigation practice and human computation when needed.
- Soil and water conservation is important because it is necessary to leaving things to sustain life.
Effect on crop productivity
Organic matter seems to be the
upper most layer of the soil with approximately 15% of plant available Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K). These
factor loosen the soil grip and contribute to its erosion.
It also contributes the loss of
valuable nutrients which will cause the yield to decline over time so one
should keep the check the on organic matter and maintain them on the top soil
to increase the yield and built up the soil organic matter.
Two Natural Factor causes the
soil erosion
1.Soil Errosion- Water erosion is
generally, of more inferior quality in summer. When the summer storm events
occur. Heavy rain that have been captured within landscape can create torrent
of water thus eroding the surfaced of soil this result in formation of the deep
gullies.
2.Wind Errosion- The wind erosion generally produced more inferior
quality in winter because during this season he soil are early dry and also the
wind is high.
Factor Contributing To Water erosion-
Factor Contributing To Water erosion-
1. Length Of Slope- If longer
slope, the more water built up and disperse the soil particle
2. Steepness of soil-More Energy
required washing out soil from the ground surface.
3. lack of surface cover-surface
residue intercept rain droplets and show down the water moving across the
field.
Method of soil and water conservation
- Contour farming
- Direction of tillage
- Check dams
- Strip cropping
- Mulching
- Crop rotation
- Control of stream and river banks
- Gully control
- Terracing
- Planting of grass for stabilizing bunds
- Planting of tree
