Abstract—The study was conducted to introduce new natural fiber to be used in the production of geotextile net for mitigation of soil erosion. However, fiber extraction from the stalks is one of the major challenges faced during the process. Thus, an investigation on the extraction procedures of corn (Zea mays L.) stalk was first undertaken. Physical characterization of the developed corn stalk geotextile net resulted to average mass per unit area of 806.25g/m² and 241% water absorbing capacity. The effect of corn stalk geotextile net in mitigating soil erosion was evaluated in a laboratory experiment for 30^o and 60^o inclinations with three treatments: bare soil (A₁), corn stalk geotextile net (A₂) and combined cornstalk geotextile net and vegetation cover (A₃). Results revealed that treatment A₂ and A₃ significantly decreased sediment yield and an increase in terms of soil loss reduction efficiency. 
 

Index Terms—corn stalk, natural geotextile, sediment yield, soil erosion

Cite: Cristina S. Decano, Vitaliana U. Malamug, Melissa E. Agulto, and Helen F. Gavino, "Corn (Zea mays L.) Stalk Geotextile Net for Soil Erosion Mitigation," Journal of Advanced Agricultural Technologies, Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 276-280, December 2016. Doi: 10.18178/joaat.3.4.276-280