Effects of Bahia Grass Cover and Mulch on Runoff and Sediment Yield of Sloping Red Soil in Southern China

Rainfall, runoff (surface runoff, interflow and groundwater runoff) and soil loss from 5 m × 15 m plots were recorded for 5 years (2001-2005) in an experiment with three treatments (cover, mulch and bare ground) on sloping red soil in southern China. Surface runoff and erosion from the Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) cover plot (A) and mulch plot (B) during the 5 years were low, despite the occurrence of potentially erosive rains. In contrast, the bare plot (C) had both the highest surface runoff coefficient and the highest sediment yield. There were significant differences in interflow and surface runoff and no significant difference in groundwater runoff among plots. The runoff coefficients and duration of interflow and groundwater runoff were in the order plot B > plot A > plot C. Effects of Bahia grass cover were excellent, indicating that the use of Bahia grass cover can be a simple and feasible practice for soil and water conservation on sloping red soil in the region.