Role of selected riparian herbs in reducing soil erosion and nutrient loss under simulated rainfall |
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| Authors: | Nishant Kumar Srivastava Lal C Ram R E Masto |
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| Institution: | (1) Environmental Management Division, Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, P.O. FRI, Dhanbad, 828108, Jharkhand, India |
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| Abstract: | The native riparian herbs such as Leonotis nepetaefolia (L.) R. Br., Cassia tora L., Ageratum conyzoides L., Parthenium hysterophorus L. and Sida acuta burm f., dominant on the bank of River Damodar in Eastern Jharia Area, Dhanbad (India), were selected to assess experimentally
their quantitative role in conserving the soil and reducing water runoff and nutrient (N and P) losses. A total of 42.5 mm
simulated rainfall were applied at 30 cm h−1 rain intensity on both vegetated and bare plots. The collected runoff water and eroded soil from each plot were determined
in terms of soil, water and nutrient conservation value (CV). Among the vegetated plots, soil CV ranged from 30 to 85% and
water CV from 20 to 48%. Nutrient (N and P) CV varied from 22 to 65% for total-N, 48 to 80% for ammonia-N and 50 to 86% for
nitrate-N. CV for total-P varied from 40 to 62%, inorganic-P from 42 to 60% and organic-P from 20 to 58%. In a stepwise multiple
regression equation comprising four independent variables (canopy cover, litter mass, soil moisture and plant biomass), canopy
cover explained 70–88% (P < 0.01) of variability in conserving soil, water and nutrient. The losses through runoff water and eroded soil from vegetated
plots were found to be minimized to a great extent as compared to bare plots. The role of these species in maintaining the
texture and fertility status of riparian soil is discussed. |
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