Role of Grasses in Soil Conservation

Abstract

The importance of soil erosion and the need to control it by suitable conservation practices is well known. Among the specific purposes of soil conservation, the improvement of soil structure and maintenance of organic matter to make it resistant to detachment and trans- portation by wind and water is of paramount importance. The usefulness of grass jn improving soil structure and maintaining organic matter has been extensively demonstrated in temperate climate. But knowledge is lacking on the type of grass which would be stiitable and give the desired effects in the different soil conservation broiects. No study seems to have been made on the effect of cutting on the physical properties of soil, particularly" structure and organic matter.

Hence to find out a suitable grass for the above purpose this study was undertaken.