How does crop residue enhance water conservation under dryland cropping systems?
Crop residue performs a multitude of functions for water conservation: First it protects the soil surface from sealing caused by raindrop impact; it can provided small pockets or dams of crop residue to provide temporary water reservoirs during precipitation events; it captures snow – particularly effective with standing crop residue; and it reduces evaporation by shading the soil surface from the sun and reducing the wind velocity at the soil surface.
