Wind Erosion: The Protective Role of Simulated Standing Stubble

ABSTRACT WIND-TUNNEL studies indicated that for standing stubble uniformly spaced or in rows normal to wind direction, critical friction-velocity ratios (CFVR) were 1.4 to 2.0 times larger than those for stubble in rows parallel to the wind—the larger the CFVR, the more effective the stubble in preventing wind erosion of the soil. On a weight basis, 5.5 and 8.7 times more standing grain sorghum and corn stubble, respectively, than standing wheat stubble were required to provide the same wind-erosion protection. Equations presented here may be used to determine if soil will erode and the total amount that will erode for a given wind-soil-stubble condition.