Abstract

TAPIA, Raul  and  MARTINELLI, Mariana. Impact of Bulnesia retama (Zigofilácea) on the infiltration rate in a pilot site located in the southern area of the Bermejo basin, San Juan (Argentina). Multequina [online]. 2019, vol.28, n.1, pp.47-57. ISSN 1852-7329.

The influence of Bulnesia retama was studied on the infiltration rate in a pilot site of the Bermejo basin (San Juan). Infiltration is related to surface runoff. It is affected by the texture and structure of the soil, the content of organic matter, the initial humidity and the vegetation cover. The field data were taken by homogeneous units defined on the basis of the digital processing of an elevation model, participatory mapping and satellite image visual interpretation. Five linear transects of 50 m were made, measuring coverage with the line intersection technique. Infiltration tests were performed inside and outside the canopy, with a single-ring infiltrometer (21 cm diameter) and distrivariable loading. The data were adjusted according to the diameter of the infiltrometer. Soil samples were taken determining: content of organic matter, texture, total nitrogen, conductivity and pH. The average coverage of B. retama was 34%, that of bare soil, of 53.2%. The infiltration rate was higher under the canopy of B. retama compared to bare soil. The results suggest that the presence of B. retama favors the infiltration rate in the soil

Keywords : Bulnesia retama; Infiltration; Native forest; Monte.