Soils that have lost part or all of their surface layer are usually harder to till and have lower productivity. To compensate for this loss, better fertilization, liming, and other management practices should be used. Increasing the organic matter content of an eroded soil often improves tillage as well as water and nutrient holding capacity.
The principal causes of soil erosion in North Carolina are:
- Insufficient vegetative
or mulch cover.
- Use of cultivated crops
on soils not suited to cultivation.
- Improper equipment and methods used to prepare and till the soil.
Soil erosion can be held
to a minimum by:
- Producing crops to which
the soil is suited.
- Adequately fertilizing
and liming to promote vigorous growth of plants.
- Aligning rows to follow
the contour of the land.
- Using proper tillage methods.
- Mulching.
- Planting a winter cover
crop.
- Creating a water diversion, i. e. grass waterway
Consumer Horticulture | Quick Reference
Prepared by: Erv Evans, Consumer
Horticulturalist
Web Design by: Christa Johnson
Last updated: July 2000
© 2000 NC State University