Evaluating Mulch Cover with Coir Dust and Cover Crop with Palma Cactus as Soil and Water Conservation Techniques for Semiarid Environments: Laboratory Soil Flume Study under Simulated Rainfall

Resumen

This paper aims to investigate the performance of mulch cover with coir dust (Cocos nucifera L.) and cover crop with Palma cactus (Opuntia ficus indica Mill.) as soil and water conservation techniques, in a laboratory soil flume under simulated rainfall. Palma cactus plants oriented at 90° and 30° angles with the slope direction were considered. Simulations comprised uniform advanced and delayed rainfall patterns. Runoff hydrographs and soil loss were monitored at the downstream end of the flume. Soil moisture and flow velocity were measured, and several hydraulic parameters of runoff were estimated. Results show that both mulch cover with coir dust and cover crop with Palma cactus were effective in reducing runoff and soil loss and increasing soil moisture content, thus being both suitable soil and water conservation techniques for semiarid environments. Coir dust was more effective than Palma cactus. Palma cactus oriented at a 90° angle was slightly more effective than Palma cactus oriented at a 30° angle. Differences between advanced and delayed rainfall patterns on the hydrological and erosive response were more pronounced for the mulch cover condition, where no runoff and soil loss were observed at the downstream end of the flume for the advanced rainfall pattern.