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)

AMP04 01

Long-duration trashlines

Long-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.

 

»WOCAT technology 990

AMP04 02

Mobile trashlines

Mobile trashlines are laid out anew annually or biannually. Partially non-decomposed, the material from the old trashlines continues to perform a role as mulch.

 

»WOCAT technology 1735

AMP04 03

Squared trashlines

Trashlines 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.

 

»WOCAT technology 1387
»WOCAT technology 974


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.