Roller –chopping and water infiltration in soils of the western chaco region

  • C. Kunst INTA, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santiago del Estero. Santiago del Estero, Argentina
  • R. Ledesma INTA, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santiago del Estero. Santiago del Estero, Argentina
  • P. Tomsic INTA, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santiago del Estero. Santiago del Estero, Argentina
  • J. Godoy INTA, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santiago del Estero. Santiago del Estero, Argentina

Keywords:

Water cycle, Mechanical treatments, Hydrology

Abstract

Roller chopping is widely used in the Chaco region as a means to increase standing forage and accessibility. By modifying vegetation structure, roller-chopping may affect water infiltration in soils, a key attribute of the ecosystem. During 2006-2007 soil water infiltration was assessed using the double ring infiltrometer in four ranches of the western Chaco(EST), in controls and roller-chopped paddocks (TRAT). Data were adjusted to the Kostiakov equation, and the m and k parameters were analyzed using ANOVA with EST and TRAT as independent variables. The coefficient m was not statistically affected, but k was significantly modified by EST (P > F = 0,0001) y EST*TRAT (P > F = 0,0022). Controls showed a larger mean k than the treated paddocks, but in a ranch recently roller-chopped. Results are attributed to the severity and intensity of the roller-chopping and to the post-grazing management, rather than to the mechanical operation itself.

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Published

2020-03-26

How to Cite

Kunst, C., Ledesma, R., Tomsic, P., & Godoy, J. (2020). Roller –chopping and water infiltration in soils of the western chaco region. Semiárida, 22, 43–49. Retrieved from https://ojs.unlpam.edu.ar/index.php/semiarida/article/view/4506