The technique of plot study to determine soil losses and runoff under field conditions due to fertilizer treatment

Abstract

For the past ten years certain experiment stations have conducted studies dealing with soil and water losses under a wide range of conditions, but no study has been conducted on plots under actual field cultural conditions. These investigations have been very valuable in that they have revealed much needed information but they have added very little knowledge of plot technique under field cultural conditions.

The size of the experimental plots for these studies has varied considerably from the small indoor laboratory plot to the complete watershed study. The indoor laboratory plot would exist under artificial conditions and could add little to methods and technique of the field plots, whereas the watershed investigation would take into account many factors not effecting field conditions. It is evident that a plot which would permit conduct of studies on the effect of fertilizer on soil and water losses under field conditions would be valuable. Such investigation is therefore undertaken in this thesis for a Master Degree.

lt is believed that the information obtained from this investigation will have special value because it is the first of its kind to be obtained on Virginia soil and because the experiment will furnish needed data regarding the measurements of soil and water losses under the special field conditions due to fertilizer treatment.

Objects In order to permit a more complete study of soil erosion and its causes some type of portable field plot is needed. Thus the objects of this investigation are as follows: (1) To develop and propose technical methods for studying soil and water losses on plots under field cultural conditions. (2) To test the practicality and usefulness of the methods developed by conducting studies on soil and water losses from plots of different fertilizer treatments.