Roller –chopping and water infiltration in soils of the western chaco region

  • C. Kunst INTA, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santiago del Estero. Santiago del Estero, Argentina
  • R. Ledesma INTA, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santiago del Estero. Santiago del Estero, Argentina
  • P. Tomsic INTA, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santiago del Estero. Santiago del Estero, Argentina
  • J. Godoy INTA, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santiago del Estero. Santiago del Estero, Argentina

Keywords:

Water cycle, Mechanical treatments, Hydrology

Abstract

Roller chopping is widely used in the Chaco region as a means to increase standing forage and accessibility. By modifying vegetation structure, roller-chopping may affect water infiltration in soils, a key attribute of the ecosystem. During 2006-2007 soil water infiltration was assessed using the double ring infiltrometer in four ranches of the western Chaco(EST), in controls and roller-chopped paddocks (TRAT). Data were adjusted to the Kostiakov equation, and the m and k parameters were analyzed using ANOVA with EST and TRAT as independent variables. The coefficient m was not statistically affected, but k was significantly modified by EST (P > F = 0,0001) y EST*TRAT (P > F = 0,0022). Controls showed a larger mean k than the treated paddocks, but in a ranch recently roller-chopped. Results are attributed to the severity and intensity of the roller-chopping and to the post-grazing management, rather than to the mechanical operation itself.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Arshad M. & S. Martin. 2002. Identifying critical limits for soil quality indicators in agro-ecosystems. Agric. Ecosys. Environ. 88: 153-160.

Dunne T., D. Western & W. Dietrich 2011. Effects of cattle trampling on vegetation, infiltration and erosion in a tropical rangeland. J. Arid Environ. 75: 58-69.

Fulbright T. 2004. Disturbance effects on species richness of herbaceous plants in a semiarid habitat. J. Arid Environ. 58: 119-133.

García Hernández M., M. García Hernández, I. Castellanos Vargas, Z. Cano Santana & C. Peláez Rocha 2008. Variación de la velocidad de infiltración media en seis ecosistemas inalterados. Terra Latinoamericana 26: 21-27.

Hester J., T. Thurow & C. Taylor. 1997. Hydrologic characteristics of vegetation types as affected by prescribed burning. J. Range Manag. 50: 199-204.

Kunst C., R. Ledesma, M. Basan, G. Angella, D. Prieto & J. Godoy. 2003. Rolado de fachinales e infiltración de agua en el suelo en el Chaco occidental argentino. RIA. 32: 105-122.

Naeth M.A., D.S. Chanasyk & A.W. Bailey. 1991. Applicability of the Kostiakov equation to mixed prairie and fescue grassland of Alberta. J. Range Manag. 44: 18-21.

Pellant M., P. Shaver, D. Pyke & J. Herrick. 2005. Interpreting indicators of rangeland health. Version 5. United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, National Science and Technology Center, Technical Reference 1734-6

Pluhar J., R. Knight & R. Heitschmidt 1987. Infiltration rates and sediment production as influenced by grazing systems in the Texas rolling plains. J. Range Manag. 40: 240-243.

Teague W., S. Dowhower, S. Baker, N. Haile, P. DeLaune & D. Conover. 2011. Grazing management impacts on vegetation, soil biota and soil chemical, physical and hydrological properties in tall grass prairie. Agric. Ecosys. Environ. 141: 310-322.

Thurow T. 1991. Hydrology and erosion. En: Grazing management an ecological perspective (R. Heitschmidt & J. Stuth eds.). http://cnrit.tamu.edu/rlem/textbook/textbook-fr.html Consultado 1/10/2012.

Published

2020-03-26

How to Cite

Kunst, C., Ledesma, R., Tomsic, P., & Godoy, J. (2020). Roller –chopping and water infiltration in soils of the western chaco region. Semiárida, 22, 43–49. Retrieved from https://cerac.unlpam.edu.ar/ojs/index.php/semiarida/article/view/4506