Work

Response of soil erosion to rainfall during different dry periods following drip irrigation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Drip irrigation, a widely adopted water-saving technique, has received limited attention regarding its indirect effects on soil erosion. This study investigates soil erosion characteristics at varying intervals following drip irrigation using simulated rainfall experiments and an unirrigated control (S0) subjected to identical rainfall simulation procedures. The results showed significant hydrological differences between drip-irrigated and unirrigated treatments. Irrigated soils exhibited reduced runoff (mean reduction = 23.19%; p < 0.05) and sediment yield (mean reduction = 24.33%; p < 0.05) compared to S0, except for runoff in S24. Erosion mitigation was attributed to enhanced rainwater retention via surface irrigation-formed crusts and desiccation cracks generated during extended drying periods. These results highlight a previously under-characterized interaction between water-saving irrigation practices and soil erosion processes. The temporal evolution of soil surface characteristics following drip irrigation appears to influence hydrological responses during subsequent precipitation events, providing new insights for optimizing irrigation strategies in erosion-prone situations.

Source: Frontiers in Environmental Science

DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2025.1526066

Authors: Jinxin Zhang, Dongdong Zhang, Bin Zhang, Shuyuan Zeng, Zhen Han

Institutions: Chinese Academy of Forestry, Guizhou University

Language: English

Topic: Soil erosion and sediment transport

Subfield: Soil Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Life on land, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801