Effect of No-Till Practice on Runoff and Nonpoint Source Pollution from an Intensively Farmed Field in Korea

Yonghun Choi, Chulhee Won, Minhwan Shin, Woonji Park, Suin Lee, Yongchul Shin, Jaeyoung Shin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

A 2-year runoff plot study was conducted under simulated rainfall to explore the effects of no-till (NT) practice on the runoff ratio and NPS pollution in an intensive farming region of Korea. Eight 5 × 30 m runoff plots, four each on 3 and 8% slopes, were prepared in existing loamy sand fields. Cultivation in two plots on each slope followed conventional practice (CT). Six rainfall simulations were conducted during the study, each of a nominal 1 h duration and 30 mm h-1 intensity. The runoff ratio of the NT plots decreased 64.9% compared with that of the CT plots. The reduction of NPS pollution load by the NT treatment was 88.3% (SS), 79.0% (CODCr), 86.4% (CODMn), 66.4% (BOD), 67.6% (TN) and 73.6% (TP) compared to losses from the CT plots, with no reduction in average crop yield. Runoff reduction was a key factor in the reduction of pollution loads. The study demonstrated that agricultural NPS pollution loads can be significantly reduced by the application of no-till practice without harming crop productivity. Furthermore, NPS pollution loads can be controlled better if management practices are targeted for runoff reduction rather than concentration reduction.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)175-181
Number of pages7
JournalIrrigation and Drainage
Volume65
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2016

Keywords

  • intensive farming
  • no-till
  • NPS pollution
  • rainfall simulation
  • runoff ratio

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