IMPACTS OF SOIL MOISTURE AND TILLAGE ON SHORT-TERM EROSION IN AGRICULTURAL LANDS OF NORTH CENTRAL MEXICO

<p><strong>Background</strong>: Soil erosion is a natural process accelerated by anthropogenic activities such as agriculture, leading to increased runoff and erosion, resulting in global environmental and economic losses. Addressing this issue through conservation agriculture is critical, particularly in arid regions where soil degradation is prevalent. This study adds value by evaluating the combined effects of tillage practices and antecedent soil moisture conditions (AMC) on runoff and soil erosion under controlled rainfall simulation. <strong>Objective</strong>: To assess the effects of tillage practices and AMC on runoff and soil erosion, hypothesizing that conservation-oriented practices would reduce erosion and runoff. <strong>Methodology</strong>: A randomized complete block design experiment was conducted in an arid zone of North-central Mexico. Four tillage treatments were evaluated: 1) no crop (NC), 2) maize with conventional tillage and crop residues (CTR), 3) maize with conventional tillage (CT), and 4) maize sown by handspike (HS). Each treatment was tested under two AMC scenarios: dry and wet. Runoff and soil erosion were measured, and results were analyzed using ANOVA. <strong>Results</strong>: Dry AMC significantly reduced erosion in HS (p ≤ 0.01) and CTR (p ≤ 0.05) compared to wet AMC. CT and CTR produced the lowest erosion under wet AMC (p ≤ 0.05). For total runoff, CTR and HS produced the lowest values under dry AMC. These findings highlight the effectiveness of crop residue cover in CTR and no-tillage cropping (HS) in reducing both erosion and runoff. <strong>Implications</strong>: The study demonstrates the importance of soil moisture conditions and tillage practices in managing erosion. Limitations include the use of simulated rainfall, which may not fully capture natural variability. However, the findings provide valuable insights for conservation agriculture in arid regions. <strong>Conclusion</strong>: Crop residue cover and no-tillage cropping are effective in reducing soil erosion and runoff, especially under dry AMC. These practices are crucial for sustainable soil management in arid agroecosystems.</p>