t M an a g e m

es
Strip Cropping
osphorus B

P
en t
Practic

Author: Dennis Carman, P.E., USDA-NRCS, Little Rock, Arkansas

Ph

s
Definition:
Protecting Growing crops in a sys-
Water Quality
tematic arrangement of
strips across a field. Types
of strip cropping include
Author’s email contour, field or buffer.
Dennis.Carman@ar.
usda.gov
Purposes:
• Reduce soil erosion from
Editing and Design:
Forbes Walker water
• Reduce the transport of
Wanda Russell
sediment and other water-
Gary Dagnan
Anne Dalton borne contaminants
• Reduce soil erosion from
University of
wind
Tennessee Extension
• Protect growing crops
from damage by wind-
borne soil particles
• Improve water quality
Developed by SERA-17, How Does
Minimizing Phosphorus This Practice Work?
Losses from Agriculture
Strip cropping is ef-
http://sera17.ext.vt.edu/
fective due to the precise
arrangement of the alternat-
ing strips in the field. The
crops are arranged so that a
strip of grass or close-grow-
ing crop is alternated with
a clean-tilled strip or a strip
with less protective cover.
Generally, the strip widths
are equal across the field.
Where sheet and rill
erosion is a concern on slop-
ing land, the strips are laid
out on the contour or across
the general slope. Where
wind erosion is a concern,
the strips are laid out as
closely perpendicular to the
prevailing erosive wind di-
rection as possible.
Strip cropping is a multi-
purpose practice that has
one or more of the following
effects:
• Reduced sheet and rill
erosion
• Reduced wind erosion
• Increased infiltration and
available soil moisture
• Reduced dust emissions
into the air
• Improved water quality
• Improved visual quality of
the landscape
• Improved wildlife habitat
• Improved crop growth
• Improved soil quality
Where This Practice
Applies and Its
Limitations:
This practice is used on
cropland and certain rec-
reation and wildlife lands
where field crops erosion
from water or wind is a re-
source concern. It is most
effective when grasses and
legumes can be rotated with
crops requiring more inten-
sive cultivation. Strip crop-
ping will not be effective
when land slopes are lon-
ger than the critical slope
length, unless supported by
other practices that reduce
slope length below critical
(i.e., diversions, terraces).
Effectiveness:
Strip cropping is most
effective when used in a
planned conservation sys-
tem that includes a combi-
nation of practices consider-
ing tillage, crop rotations
and field borders. The effec-
tiveness of this practice is
maximized when the strips

NRCS are as close as possible to

the contour. Primary factors
This project was funded in affecting erosion include cli-
part under an agreement matic conditions, land slope,
with the USDA-NRCS. cropping intensity, tillage
practices and soil erodabil-
ity. Strip cropping is ex-
tremely effective in reduc-
ing erosion within the field,
as well as soil particle transport winds when wind erosion is a re- strips and grassed waterways until
off the field. Including alternating source concern. after the nesting season.
strips of increased soil cover, ei- Strip Width. Base strip widths Sediment accumulations along
ther through more intense vegeta- on the planning objective and the strip edges should be smoothed
tion such as grasses and legumes erosion prediction technology, con- or removed and distributed over
or increased residue, reduces ero- sidering water erosion and wind the field as necessary to maintain
sion from detachment, reduces soil erosion where applicable. practice effectiveness.
particle transport from the more Arrangement and Vegetative All farming operations should
intensely vegetated strip, and Condition of Strips. Strips suscep- be conducted parallel to the strip
intercepts soil particles from the tible to erosion should be alter- boundaries, except on end rows
more intensely cultivated strips. nated down the slope with strips with gradients flatter than the cri-
It effectively acts as a buffer strip. of erosion-resistant cover. Erosion- teria set forth in this standard or
Phosphorus particles may be at- susceptible strips are generally where the end rows have at least
tached to soil particles and are defined as row crops or fallow 75 percent residue cover.
effective trapped and used within with less than 10 percent surface
the cropping system. residue cover and minimal surface References:
roughness when erosion potential Chepil, W.S. and N.P. Woodruff.
Cost of Establishing and is greatest. An erosion-resistant 1963. The Physics of Wind Erosion
Putting the Practice in Place: strip generally consists of dense and Its Control. Adv. Agron., 15:
Strip cropping is one of the grasses and/or legumes, hay crops 211-302
least costly conservation practices nearing the end of the first year
to install. This investment normal- or row crops with surface cover NRCS Website:
ly includes the cost of labor and/or greater than 75 percent during http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/
fuel, and in some instances may heightened periods of erosion.
involve a change in planned crop- A strip-cropping layout should NRCS-Conservation Practice
ping sequences. The primary cost not occur on a slope longer than Standard 585, Strip Cropping.
for installation could include the the critical slope length unless http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/techni-
cost of establishing grasses and le- supported by other practices that cal/efotg
gumes in a long-term crop rotation. reduce slope length below critical
(i.e., diversions, terraces). USDA Agricultural Research
Operation and Maintenance: Strip cropping may need to be Service, Agricultural Handbook
Vegetative Cover. Vegetation used in combination with other No. 703. 1997. Predicting Soil
in a strip-cropping arrangement conservation practices to meet the Erosion by Water, A Guide to
consists of crops and/or for- goals of the resource management Conservation Planning with
ages grown in a planned rotation. system. the Revised Universal Soil Loss
Erosion-resistant strips should be Design and install the strip Equation (RUSLE 97). Cropland
crops or crop residues that provide layout to best facilitate opera- Cover-Management Conditions,
the needed protective cover dur- tion of machinery used on the Chapter 6, Table 6-4.
ing times when erosion is expected strips. To avoid point rows and
to occur. Acceptable protective partial machine passes, lay out Woodruff, N.P., L. Lyles, F.H.
cover includes a growing crop, strip widths with some multiple of Siddoway and D.W. Fryrear.
including grasses, legumes or full-width passes of seeding imple- 1972. How to Control Wind
grass-legume mixtures; standing ments or sprayers. Erosion. USDA., Agricultural
stubble; residue with enough sur- The conservation crop rotation Research Service. Agric. Inf.
face cover to provide protection; on strip-cropped fields should be Bull. No. 354
or surface roughness sufficient to consistent with the farm enter-
provide protection. prise crop mix and/or associated For Further Information:
Alignment of Strips. Strip livestock operation. These will Contact your local conservation
boundaries should run parallel influence the proportion of row district, USDA-NRCS or
to each other and as close to the crops, close-growing crops and Cooperative Extension Service
contour as practical. Additional meadow crops. office. Cost share may be
consideration should be given to Wildlife benefits are enhanced available. Contact your local
the prevailing direction of erosive by delaying mowing on sod turn- USDA offices.
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