The erosion control benefits of surface and shallow residue are well documented. In addition, surface and shallow incorporated residue affect soil characteristics in the first few inches of soil. Long-term, repeated additions of residue at or near the soil surface improves organic matter content, structural stability and soil tilth in this critical zone. Soil in this position has the greatest influence on erodibility, infiltration and evaporation. Soil improvements in the surface few inches will likely have greater benefit than similar improvements deeper in the profile.
Residue management is an important aspect of a conservation farming system.
Decomposition and interactions of surface applied wheat residue components. Ph. D. dissertation Washington State University, Pullman. Douglas, C. L., R. R. Allmaras, P. E. Rasmussen, R. E. Ramig and N. C. Roger. Wheat straw composition and placement effects on decomposition in dryland agriculture of the Pacific Northwest.