Publications

Mitigation of surface runoff from agricultural fields by micro-dam technology

On sloped agricultural fields, water and sediment can be transported downhill as runoff and erosion. These processes cause loss of valuable soil...

Mitigation of surface runoff from agricultural fields by micro-dam technology and conservation tillage results from maize field trials

1Stephan Sittig, 2Dirk Baets, 3Robin Sur
1 knoell Germany GmbH, Germany
2 Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, Diegem, Belgium,
3 Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, Monheim, Germany

On sloped agricultural fields, water and sediment can be transported downhill as runoff and erosion. These processes cause loss of valuable soil, nutrients and plant protection products (PPP) into adjacent surface water bodies. In European and US risk assessment for the registration of PPP, runoff is numerically calculated with the simulation model PRZM which uses the USDA runoff curve number (CN) concept for the water movement. Farmers apply mitigation measures to reduce runoff, e.g. the micro-dam technique or conservation tillage. Both allow for an improved water infiltration. Conservation tillage additionally helps binding CO2 in the soil. Results from run off field trials are used to estimate the effect of the dedicated management practices of micro-dams and conservation tillage in maize on model input parameters. The mitigation effects in terms of runoff water are quantified by deriving a CN reduction. The derived parameter values can in turn be used in the simulation model to quantitatively consider the effect of mitigation on the surface water exposure.

For additional results, have a look at the Stephan's previous publication on this topic.

Event: ACS Fall 2020 National Meeting & Expo