Miscanthus Vegetative Barriers for Soil Conservation: Case Study in a Michigan Corn and Soybean Production System.

Grassed waterways (NRCS 412 Standard) are a recommended conservation practice for healing ephemeral gully erosion.  Waterways convey concentrated-flow water, reduce gully erosion, prevent flooding, and limit sediment and/or nutrient loss to surface water.  However, recent increases in commodity prices effectively discourage farmers from using grassed waterways.  Vegetative barriers, a less land-area extensive conservation practice, could be used.  A designed narrow vegetative barrier (NRCS 601 Standard) of Miscanthus sinensis was evaluated for its effectiveness as an alternative to a grassed waterway.  Five years of upslope soil deposition data from three vegetated Miscanthus barriers installed across a concentrated flow within a small watershed is presented.  Technology used for establishing the Miscanthus vegetative barriers is also presented.