Wind erosion from cropland in the USA: a review of problems, solutions and prospects

Agricultural practices dominate over climatic variability in determining temporal variability in dust blowing on cropland in the USA. Farming operations that increase wind erosion and dust emissions include plowing, leveling beds, planting, weeding, seeding, fertilizing, mowing, cutting, baling, spreading compost or herbicides and burning fields. Methods of controlling sediment loss include planting windbreaks and special crops to alter wind flow; retaining plant residue after harvesting; tilling soil to bury erodible particles, create aggregates that resist entrainment, and increase surface roughness; improving farm equipment; and stabilizing soil surfaces using water or commercial products. Government programs prescribe air quality standards, provide education programs, and cost-share and incentive payments to assist farmers in controlling erosion and dust production. Problems continue because farmers do not consider wind erosion a significant problem. Dust events have nevertheless decreased in some areas, indicating that improved management practices may be effective where accepted by farmers.