Alternatives to Bench Terraces on the Hillsides of Jamaica: I. Soil Losses

Abstract

A study aimed at determining appropriate soil conservation measures other than bench terracing was conducted in an Ultisol in Jamaica for 2 crop years. Mean annual soil losses for 2 consecutive years, from check plots planted to yellow yams (Dioscorea sp.) on individual hills without a hillside ditch, amounted to 192 t/ha/yr. Hillside ditches and intercropping yam with Irish potato decreased soil losses by 35%. A further reduction was achieved by intercropping yam with Irish potato on continuous contour mounds interrupted by a hillside ditch. The best erosion control was attained on yam plots intercropped with Irish potato on continuous contour mounds with a grass buffer strip.