No abstract

A significant shift from pasture to a soybean. wheat double-cropping system of production has amplified an already serious soil erosion problem in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The area used for soybean production increased approxi. mately from 525,000 ha in 1969 to 3,300,000 ha in 1976. The Federal University of Santa Maria, estab. lished in 1960, has conducted some soil conserva. tion research. However, the university had not de. veloped a comprehensive research program to cope with the problems caused by the change in agricultural production. This paper describes plans for soil conservation research to be implemented by the university.Additional index words: Soil erosion, Research planning, Cropping systems, Soil management, Triticum aestivum L., Glycine max L. (Merrill).