Description of practice
Trashlines are strips of crop residues and/or weeds laid in bands across the slope of annual crop fields to conserve soil and water and to incorporate organic matter into the soil. They form semi-permeable barriers that decrease the surface water runoff velocity and increase the infiltration while allowing passage of excess runoff.
| Examples of how to use trashlines | Further information (see Note below) |
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Long-duration trashlinesLong-duration trashlines are left in place for four seasons before being dug into the soil when they are significantly decomposed. New trashlines are then established between the former lines. |
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Mobile trashlinesMobile trashlines are laid out anew annually or biannually. Partially non-decomposed, the material from the old trashlines continues to perform a role as mulch. |
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Squared trashlinesTrashlines are placed to form a rectangular basin, with main lines constructed along the contour. The technique is multi-purpose including water harvesting, soil trapping, and soil fertility improvement. |
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Note: Most of the Further information links are to a full description of the example in the WOCAT database. However sometimes the link may be to similar practices or a research paper. Occasionally the link is to a commercial product in which case it should be understood that this does not imply any endorsement of the product by iSQAPER.