Summary
The location comprises an agricultural field covered with a systematic olive grove. The field is located on a moderately steep slope (slope gradient 17%), moderately deep soil (soil depth 55-65 cm) and prone to surface water runoff and tillage erosion. Rills of water erosion were observed after a heavy rainfall occurring in the area in November 2008. Furthermore, changes in soil color on the surface horizon are present in the same field due to tillage erosion. Water stress to the growing plants is also a major issue in the area since water for irrigation is not available. SWCs tested in plots include: (a) no tillage, no herbicides application, (b) no tillage herbicides application for reducing soil erosion and increasing soil water availability. The control plots have been tilled perpendicular to the contour lines which is the normal ploughing direction. An automatic monitoring system for soil erosion, soil moisture content, and soil temperature has been installed in the field for the above mentioned SWCs techniques. Meteorological variables are measured at the same field using an automatic station. The experimental station is remotely controlled from the laboratory of Soils in the Agricultural University of Athens.
