Evaluations of NPS Reduction using the Rice Straw Mats and Soil Amendments from Steep Sloped Field

The objective of the research was to describe the effect of straw mat cover and soil amendments on the reduction of runoff and non-point source load from steep sloped highland agricultural fields. Four m plots on sandy loam soil with 28 % slope were prepared. Experimental treatments were bare (control), rice straw mat cover (3,000 kg/ha) (S), PAM (5 kg/ha)+Gypsum (1 ton/ha) (PG) and rice straw mat cover+PAM+Gypsum (SPG). A variety of lettuce was cultivated and runoff was monitored during a growing season in 2011. Natural monitoring was conducted to three times. Runoff rate of S, PG and SPG plots were significantly lower than those of control plot. Especially, the runoff rate is zero in SPG plot at a first rainfall events. The reduction rate of runoff from the S, PG and SPG plots was 30.8 %, 29.0 % and 81.8 % compared to control plots, respectively. The reduction rate of NPS pollution load of S, PG and SPG was ranged of 50~90 %, 30~70 % and 90~100 %, respectively. Yield of lettuce from S, PG and SPG plots was respectively 400 (567 kg/ha), 320 (453 kg/ha) and 760 (1,067 kg/ha) that of compared to control plots greater than that from control plots (140 kg/ha). We speculated that the experimental treated plots could hold more nutrients and moisture than the control and helped the crop grow healthier. When analyzing the above results, in terms of reduction of runoff and NPS pollution load and crop yields, SPG experimental treatment had the best effect. It was concluded that the use of rice straw mats cover and soil amendments on soil surface could not only reduce the NPS pollution loads in receiving waters but also help increase the crop yield.