Simulation study of anisotropic flow resistance of farmland vegetation

Abstract

Farmland vegetation is commonly cultivated with uniform planting spacing and heights. The effect of these features on resistance to hydraulic erosion is unclear. Hydraulic model experiments with the angle between the crop rows and the water flow direction set at 15°, 30°, 45° or 90° were conducted to analyze variation in the law of water flow resistance under partial or complete submergence of the crop. Cultivation can impact the flow resistance on slopes and this effect was greater when the crop was partially submerged. When planting spacing, slope, and water depth were constant, the change of the water flow Darcy-Weisbach resistance coefficient f with crop row-water flow angle was f₁₅° > f₃₀° > f₄₅° > f₉₀°. This suggests that flow resistance of farmland vegetation is anisotropic. The water flow resistance coefficient of crops that were partly submerged increased with water depth, but decreased with water depth when the crop was completely submerged. At the critical change from partial submergence to complete submergence, the water flow resistance coefficient was the highest when water depth was equal to crop height. These results may be useful for optimizing farmland planting and soil and water conservation.