LECTURE 6: SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION

1.0 Introduction

Soil is the foundation of crop production. It provides mechanical support to plants and serves as
the medium through which water and nutrients are supplied. Once the topsoil is lost or degraded,
productivity declines rapidly and recovery is slow and costly.

Water is equally critical. Both water deficit and water excess reduce crop yield. In rain-fed systems,
erratic rainfall, high runoff, and low water retention are major constraints. In poorly drained areas,
waterlogging reduces root respiration and nutrient uptake.

Soil and water conservation therefore aims at maintaining soil structure, preventing erosion,
improving water infiltration and storage, and ensuring sustainable crop production. These practices
are particularly important in regions where agriculture is predominantly rain-fed, as is the case in
much of sub-Saharan Africa.

2.0 Expected Learning Outcomes

By the end of this topic, the learner should be able to:

• Explain the principles of soil and water conservation

• Describe methods of conserving soil moisture

• Discuss agronomic measures used to control soil erosion

• Evaluate the role of tillage in soil conservation

• Outline measures used to control wind erosion

• Analyse the advantages and limitations of different conservation methods

3.0 Main Content

3.1 Principles of Soil and Water Conservation

The core objective of soil and water conservation is to:

• Reduce surface runoff

• Increase infiltration

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 • Minimize evaporation losses

• Prevent soil detachment and transport

• Improve soil moisture storage in the root zone

Effective water management involves three broad approaches:

1. Conservation of natural rainfall (especially in arid and semi-arid areas)

2. Drainage of excess water in poorly drained or wet areas

3. Supplementation of rainfall with irrigation where feasible

The guiding principle is simple: retain as much rainfall as possible where it falls and protect the
soil surface from erosive forces.

3.2 Methods of Water Conservation

Water is the most limiting factor in rain-fed agriculture. Even in humid regions, dry spells within
the growing season can cause moisture stress. Since the majority of agricultural land globally is
not irrigated, improving rainfall use efficiency is essential.

3.2.1 Mulching and Green Manuring

Mulch is any material placed on the soil surface to reduce moisture loss and protect the soil.

Examples:

• Crop residues

• Straw and grass

• Sawdust

• Green manure crops

• Plastic or paper mulch

Benefits of mulching:

• Reduces evaporation by lowering soil temperature

• Protects soil from raindrop impact

• Improves infiltration
• Reduces runoff
• Suppresses weeds

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 • Enhances soil organic matter (when organic mulch is used)

Green manure crops, when incorporated or left on the surface, improve both moisture conservation
and soil fertility.

3.2.2 Runoff Control

Runoff occurs when rainfall intensity exceeds the soil’s infiltration capacity. The extent of runoff
depends on:

• Soil texture and structure

• Organic matter content

• Soil moisture before rainfall

• Rainfall intensity and duration

• Slope gradient and length

• Surface cover

Measures to reduce runoff:

• Retention of crop residues

• Contour farming
• Terracing

• Strip cropping

• Ridging

• Maintaining vegetative cover

Improving soil aggregation and pore continuity enhances infiltration and reduces runoff losses.

3.2.3 Fallowing

Fallowing involves leaving land uncropped for a season or more to conserve soil moisture and
restore fertility.

In dryland farming systems, fallowing:

• Conserves residual soil moisture
• Breaks pest and disease cycles

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 • Allows accumulation of organic matter

However, continuous bare fallow increases erosion risk. Where possible, cover crops are preferable
to bare fallow.

3.2.4 Terracing and Contouring

These are structural measures used mainly on sloping land.

Contour Farming
Cultivation and planting are done along lines of equal elevation.

Benefits:

• Slows water movement

• Encourages infiltration

• Reduces soil erosion

• Low-cost and easy to implement

Terracing

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Terraces convert steep slopes into a series of level steps.

Benefits:

• Reduces slope length and steepness

• Controls runoff velocity

• Prevents severe soil erosion

Limitation: High construction and maintenance costs.

3.2.5 Strip Cropping

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Strips of erosion-prone crops are alternated with strips of protective crops.

Types:

• Field strip cropping – across the slope

• Contour strip cropping – along contour lines

• Wind strip cropping – perpendicular to prevailing wind

Protective crops (e.g., grasses or legumes) reduce erosion by slowing water and wind movement.

3.2.6 Ridging
Ridges improve surface drainage in high rainfall areas and conserve moisture in dry regions when
tied ridges are used.

Tied ridging creates small basins that trap rainfall, allowing it to infiltrate rather than run off.

3.3 Agronomic Measures to Control Soil Erosion

Agronomic measures are management practices that maintain soil cover and improve soil
structure.

These measures aim to:

• Maintain high infiltration rates

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 • Reduce runoff volume and velocity

• Protect the soil surface

• Improve soil aggregate stability

3.3.1 Tillage Practices

Conventional Tillage

Repeated ploughing may:

• Break down soil aggregates

• Reduce infiltration

• Increase erosion risk

Minimum Tillage

• Reduces soil disturbance

• Maintains surface residues

• Conserves moisture

No-Tillage

• Maximum residue retention

• Minimal soil disturbance

• Improved soil organic matter

• Reduced runoff and soil loss

No-tillage systems are effective but may require good weed management strategies.

3.3.2 Mulching and Stubble Mulching

Stubble mulching leaves crop residues on the surface after harvest.

Benefits:

• Protects soil from raindrop impact

• Reduces runoff
• Increases infiltration

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 • Improves soil structure

• Enhances biological activity

The effectiveness increases with the quantity of residue retained.

3.3.3 Crop Rotation

Continuous cultivation of wide-spaced row crops (e.g., maize, sorghum, cotton) increases erosion
risk.
Including:

• Grasses
• Legumes

• Close-spaced cereals

in rotation improves:

• Ground cover

• Soil structure
• Organic matter content

• Infiltration rate

3.3.4 Cover Crops

Cover crops provide continuous soil protection.

Benefits:

• Reduce erosion
• Improve soil fertility

• Increase organic matter

• Enhance infiltration

Steep slopes should preferably remain under permanent vegetation or tree crops rather than annual
cultivation.

3.3.5 Soil Conditioning

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Soil conditioners improve aggregate stability and reduce crust formation.

Examples include:

• Organic amendments

• Synthetic stabilizers
While effective, synthetic conditioners are often expensive and rarely practical for smallholder
farmers.

3.3.6 Crop and Field Management

Practices that promote early canopy cover reduce erosion.

Important factors:

• Early planting

• Adequate plant population

• Proper fertility management

• Mixed cropping systems

Mixed cropping often reduces soil loss compared to monocropping because of better ground
coverage.

3.4 Measures to Control Wind Erosion

Wind erosion is common in dry, sandy, and sparsely vegetated areas.

Control measures aim to:

• Increase soil moisture

• Improve surface roughness

• Reduce wind velocity

• Maintain vegetative cover

Recommended Practices:

• Minimum or no-tillage

• Ridging perpendicular to prevailing wind

• Early planting
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 • Strip cropping

• Mulching

• Stubble retention

• Establishment of windbreaks or shelterbelts

Windbreaks reduce wind speed and encourage deposition of soil particles in motion.

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