Reference Curve Numbers and Behavior for Sugarcane on Highly Weathered Tropical Soils
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 137, Issue 11
Abstract
This work examines rainfall-runoff behavior and determines the reference curve numbers (CNs) on a highly weathered tropical clayey soil (Oxisol, or “latosol”) in Brazil for three conditions: (1) bare soil; (2) sugarcane with replanting each three years; and (3) near-permanent sugarcane without replanting. It compares findings with U.S. experiences and handbook values. Curve number and runoff behavior changed markedly after the seventh month of growth, and the profound influences of cover are clearly demonstrated. A surprising finding was that though these Oxisols are quite rich in clay, the rainfall-runoff results suggest that they should be classified as Hydrologic Soil Group B.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to register their sincere thanks to Instituto Agronômico de Campinas for supplying the data used in this work. Support thanks also go to Dr. Francisco Lombardi Neto, retired researcher of the IAC, for supporting this study with important information and explanations about the data set. The authors also thank Dr James V. Bonta of USDA-ARS, North Appalachian Experimental Watershed, Coshocton, Ohio, for some creative review and suggestions.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 137 • Issue 11 • November 2011
Pages: 705 - 711
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 24, 2009
Accepted: Jan 31, 2011
Published online: Oct 14, 2011
Published in print: Nov 1, 2011
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