Archives of Current Research International

Soil is a vital ecosystem resource that supports primary production, but it forms very slowly, requiring 200–400 years to develop 1 cm of topsoil. Therefore, understanding soil erosion and sedimentation is essential for effective soil and water conservation. Assessing soil loss sensitivity helps predict erosion risks and select suitable management practices for sustainable land use. Estimates of soil loss, supported by field studies, are important for planning and implementing conservation measures. The experiment was conducted in runoff plots for precise measurements of both runoff and soil loss. Eight plots of the same size and shape were selected. Rainfall data for 2020 and 2021 were collected. Runoff depth under the different treatments was monitored for all storm events occurring during the kharif season. The pooled data revealed that the highest runoff values, 101.6 mm and 102 mm, were observed in the fallow control treatments T₁ and T₈, respectively, whereas the lowest runoff, 68.3 mm, was observed under across-slope soybean cultivation (T₂), followed by 77.9 mm under across-slope mung cultivation (T₆). Overall, the greatest reduction in runoff, 32.91%, was observed under across-slope soybean cultivation compared with fallow land. During 2020–2021, the highest soil losses, 3.74 ton/ha and 3.05 ton/ha, were recorded in the fallow control treatments T₁ and T₈, respectively, whereas the lowest soil loss, 1.94 ton/ha, was recorded under across-slope soybean cultivation (T₂). All other treatments recorded lower soil loss than the fallow land treatments. The greatest reduction in soil loss, 42.86%, was observed under across-slope soybean cultivation (T₂) compared with fallow land.