Narrow stiff grass hedges for erosion control

Concentrated flow erosion is a major concern in agricultural areas around the world. Many methods have been used to reduce or slow soil loss from areas of concentrated flow erosion. Narrow, stiff grass hedges have been used to slow runoff and reduce soil loss caused by concentrated flow erosion in many countries. However, few quantitative data are available on the effectiveness of these hedges. This study was developed to study the effectiveness of narrow, stiff grass hedges for reducing soil loss from agricultural fields. Miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis Andress) and eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides L.) were used to establish stiff grass hedges on the contour across concentrated flow erosion areas in agricultural fields. Miscanthus hedges were established in 1991 and 1992 using transplants. Eastern gamagrass hedges, used to supplement the miscanthus hedges, were established In 1994 from seed. The miscanthus grew rapidly and formed dense hedges within two years that slowed runoff. Comparison of land survey measurements made in 1991 and 1995 found 8 to 15 cm of sediment deposition above miscanthus hedges. Deposition patterns were related to the original topography with low areas having the greatest deposition. Crop yields were reduced in the two rows closest to the hedge in two of three years. This study found that stiff grass hedges were an alternative conservation practice for reducing soil loss and dispersing runoff from areas of concentrated flow erosion in agricultural fields.