Using simulated rainfall on a 0.12 m m-1-slope typic Hapludalf (Red Yellow Podzolic Soil), sandy-loam soil, erosion losses by water were evaluated during corn (Zea mays L.) that had followed oats (Avena strigosa Schieb) and bare-fallow in the winter. Field work was conducted at the Silviculture Experimental Station of the Secretary of Agriculture of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from 1994 to 1995. Conventional and no-tillage performed with animal and tractor traction were the main treatments studied. Rainfall was applied four times during corn development using the rotating-boom rainfall simulator at 64.0 mm h-1 rainfall intensity and duration varying from 60 to 105 min. Residue cover from the winter crop after conventionally-tilling the soil for corn planting was reduced by 90%, regardless of type of traction, presenting the highest soil and water losses; erosion was much lower under animal than under tractor traction, however. The form of traction did not influence erosion under no-till. These results can be explained in terms of physical conditions of the soil resulting from both tillage type and form of traction.
water erosion; simulated rainfall; tillage methods