Management of Nonleguminous Green Manures and Crop Residues to Improve the Infiltration Rate of an Irrigated Soil

The effects of nonleguminous green manures and crop residues on the rate of infiltration were studied in field experiments on an irrigated soil. The increase in infiltration rate resulting from the green manure species was inversely related to their nitrogen concentration at the time of incorporation. The effect of the low nitrogen green manures persisted throughout the 28‐month trial period. Nitrogen fertilization of crop residue reduced infiltration rate in one experiment, but had no significant effect in another. Barley ( Hordeum vulgare ) crop residue and the resultant increase in infiltration rate were associated with an increase of 7 cwt of sugar produced/acre by the following crop of sugar beet ( Beta vulgaris ).