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Soil Water Evaporation: Reduction by Simulated Tillage¹

ABSTRACT

Soil water loss with time as affected by simulated tillage to depths of 2.5 and 7.5 cm was measured from soil columns in a constant temperature room. The 60-cm soil columns were initially wetted from the top to about 33% by volume and then covered for 2 days to prevent evaporation. Tilling was done at 1, 4, 7, and 18 days after the columns were uncovered. Tillage effectively terminated first stage drying, and evaporative losses were reduced by tilling. The highest reduction of evaporation was associated with earliest tilling, which showed over 50% reduction in evaporative loss for more than 22 days after tilling. The reduction in water loss was reflected in higher soil water content throughout the column length below the tilled layer. Evaporation reduction was only slightly better with 7.5-cm than with 2.5-cm tillage.

¹ Contribution from the Northern Plains Branch, Soil & Water Conservation Research Division, ARS, USDA.

² Soil Scientists, USDA, Mandan, North Dakota.

Received for publication January 14, 1971. Accepted for publication March 2, 1971.