Journal of Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers ISSN:1738-3692(Print) 2093-7709(Online) 한국농공학회논문집

This study conducted a series of field experiments using soil conditioners, Polyacrylamide(PAM) and gypsum, to evaluate their effects in reducing sediment loss and surface runoff. In addition, the correction factors (K-alpha) for the erodibility factor (K) were determined to reflect the effects of PAM and PAM+gypsum in applying the USLE equation. Experimental erosion plots individually sized 10 ㎡(5 m long, 2 m wide and 1 m deep) have different slopes (10, 20 and 30%). Erosion plots were prepared for one control (C; no PAM and gypsum) and two treatments (P; PAM 20 kg/ha, PG; PAM 20 kg/ha+ gypsum 3,000 kg/ha). The amounts of soil eroded and runoff were continuously monitored from July 1 ^st to Oct. 31 ^st in 2010 and compared to each other. The amount of sediment loss from a control plot was 399.2 ton/ha and the relative reduction of sediment loss were 11.4% and 33.4% for PAM-treated and PAM+gypsum treated plots, respectively. This study also determined the K-alpha factors in the USLE equation to account for the erosion control effectiveness of PAM and gypsum application. The K-alpha factors were calculated as 0.92 for PAM-treated plot and 0.69 for PAM+gypsum-treated plot. The findings of this study revealed that soil conditioners (PAM and gypsum) could play a significant role in controlling soil erosion. In addition, the modified USLE equation using the K-alpha could provide valuable information to make better decision on establishment of best management practice for soil erosion control in agriculture.