The impact of maize canopy on splash erosion risk on soils with different textures under sprinkler irrigation

The kinetic energy of sprinkler irrigation water droplets is the source of the energy required to break up soil aggregates, detach particles, and splash in fields, which is detrimental to advancing sprinkler irrigation awareness and widespread application. However, it remains uncertain whether the influence of the crop canopy on the splash erosion rate in soils with varying textures under sprinkler irrigation conditions has any bearing. The response mechanism of the splash erosion rate of different textured soils to sprinkler water specific power was elucidated in this study. The influences of growing maize plants and irrigation features on the splash erosion rate were clarified. A relationship between the sprinkler water partitioning process and energy conversion was developed. The results showed that the specific power of the sprinkler water positively influenced the soil splash erosion rate. The splash erosion risk of the different textured soils was ranked as follows: sandy soil > loamy soil > clay soil. The threshold kinetic energy of the water droplet population was 0.0214, 0.0262, and 0.0361 Jm(-2)s(-1) for the three textured soils, respectively. The maize canopy significantly reduced the splash erosion risk of sprinkler water droplets. The reduction level increased as the maize plants grew. Sprinkler irrigation intensity and droplet size positively influenced the soil splash erosion rate under the maize canopy. However, contrary to the breakup and dissipation processes of water droplets with other sizes, the convergence behavior of small sprinkler water droplets on maize leaves resulted in a significantly higher splash erosion rate at some measured points under the canopy than without the canopy. Canopy interception and stemflow generated during sprinkler irrigation exerted a negative influence on the splash erosion potential of water droplets under the maize canopy, whereas throughfall formation exhibited the opposite trend. These findings provide valuable insights into the extent and impact of sprinkler irrigation on the hydrogeochemical cycle of agricultural ecosystems and facilitate greater awareness and widespread adoption of this technology.