Runoff capture through vegetative barriers to reduce soil erosion: A crirical review

The vegetative barriers in combination with small trench-cum-bund can be used for reducing the runoff, soil and nutrient losses, building up soil fertility and enhancing soil moisture retention and crop yield. The obvious yield loss in the short distances from the barrier can be overcome by the yield grains from the remaining area of the plot. The benefits of vegetative barriers in terms of resource conservation make these barriers a suitable conservation technology to prevent water erosion and impart natural sustainability to the production potential of land for a long-term. Among the three grass barriers under study, Sambuta (a local grass) barrier proved more effective than vetiver and lemongrass in the sub-humid region having predominance of red lateritic soils. This barrier in combination with a trench-cum-bund resulted in significantly less runoff, soil and nutrient losses and produced higher crop yield compared to other two barriers.