JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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In order to evaluate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and Pseudomonas fluorescens bacteria on phosphorus fertilizer use efficiency, mycorrhizal dependence and grain yield and dry matter yield of maize under water deficit conditions, a field experiment was conducted as split-split plot arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments in this experiment were included as follows: irrigation (normal irrigation and water deficit stress based on evaporation from class A pan evaporation) combined different seed inoculations with AM and Pseudomonas fluorescens and treatment of chemical phosphate fertilizer (non- consumption of phosphate fertilizer, consumption of 50 percent of triple superphosphate fertilizer needed, and consumption of rock phosphate, based on the quantity of consumed phosphorus of triple superphosphate source). The results showed that effects of irrigation, seed inoculation with AM and Pseudomonas fluorescens biological phosphate fertilizer and chemical phosphate fertilizer were significant on yield and yield components, dry matter yield, relative agronomic efficiency and root colonization. Mild stress significantly reduced grain yield, relative agronomic efficiency and fertilizer agronomic efficiency compared to optimum irrigation. Results showed that grain and dry matter yield are highly correlated with root colonization under mild stress condition. Maximum mycorrhizal dependence was obtained in mild stress condition. Maximum relative agronomic efficiency, fertilizer agronomic efficiency, yield and yield components was related to seed inoculation with AM and Pseudomonas fluorescens. The use of triple superphosphate fertilizer were increased grain yield in comparison with rock phosphate along with inoculation of phosphate solubilizing microorganisms. However, maximum root colonization and mycorrhizal dependence was achieved in non- consumption treatment of phosphate fertilizer.

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Free and uncontrolled pasture grazing by animals may decrease soil aggregate stability through reductions in plant cover and subsequent soil organic C, and trampling. This could expose the soil surface layer to degradation and erosion. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of pasture management (free grazing, controlled grazing and long-term non-grazing regimes) on aggregate-size distribution and aggregation parameters by wet and dry sieving methods in two native pastures, protected areas in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province. The studied pastures were 1) SabzKouh pastures protected from grazing for 20 years, and 2) Boroujen pastures protected from grazing for 25 years. Soil samples were collected from 0-15 cm depth during the grazing season in summer 2008. Samples (finer than 2 mm) were analyzed for aggregate-size distribution and aggregation parameters by wet and dry sieving methods. Results showed that pasture management had a significant influence on aggregate-size distribution and aggregation parameters in the two areas. The two methods indicated that macro-aggregates in non-grazing and controlled grazing regimes were higher than those in free grazing regime, whereas in free grazing management micro-aggregates showed an opposite trend, and were greater compared with the other grazing regimes. Similarly, soil aggregate stability indices (i.e. mean weight diameter, aggregate geometric and ratio mean diameter) were all improved by non-grazing regimes, suggesting that animal grazing and trampling break down large soil aggregates due largely to compaction and reduced plant coverage. However, the extent to which grazing affects soil aggregation depends in large part on grazing intensity and duration, and the area involved.

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Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element for plants as well as for animals and humans. There is a significant relationship between soils, plants and humans Zn status in a certain agro-ecosystem. The objectives of this study were to assess Zn status of soils in 3 arid and semiarid provinces of Iran and to model the relationship between wheat grain Zn and agro-ecosystem parameters. About 137 soil and wheat samples were collected randomly from the agricultural soils of Fars, Isfahan and Qom and were analysed in laboratory. Modeling the relationship between wheat grain Zn and agro-ecosystem parameters was done using least square based and robust methods. The results indicated that total Zn concentration of soils (range, 21-149 mg kg-1 mean, 75.2 mg kg-1) was in normal ranges. The DTPA-extractable Zn concentrations were below the critical level (0.8 mg kg-1) in 16% of the surveyed fields. The Zn concentration in 80% of wheat grains was sufficient (more than 24 mg kg-1) with respect to plant nutrition (range, 11.7-64 mg kg-1 mean, 31.6 mg kg-1). However, Zn bioavailability for consumers was generally low in more than 75% of the samples. This is because of high phytic acid to Zn molar ratio (more than 15). Soil DTPA-extractable Zn and available P were entered in to most of regression models significantly. Regression analysis showed that most of models fitted to wheat grain Zn concentration and soil Zn and influenced by agro-ecosystem parameters had a weak prediction power, despite their high determination coefficient. This means that factors other than those considered here have a strong influence on the uptake of Zn by wheat in these soils.

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The type and intensity of soil erosion in a region generally depend on climatic conditions, ups and downs, soil and land use. Of these, land use is most important. Using different systems of ploughing after unconscious and non-scientific change of land use affects soil physicochemical characteristics. This fact especially in marginal lands and mountainous regions is more visible. In order to investigate sensitivity to soil loss and erosion in various land uses of Aghajary deposits, part of Margha catchment with an area of 1609 hectares in Izeh city was selected. This was to determine the relationship between soil loss by rain simulator and some soil physicochemical characteristics like percentage of very fine sand, sand, clay, silt, pH, Ec, moisture, Calcium Carbonate and organic materials in different land uses. Then, sediment sampling in 7 points, three replicates and in various intensities of 0.75, 1 and 1.25 millimeters in minute in range, residential and agricultural land uses was done using rain simulator. In order to investigate effective factors in sediment production and erosion, samples of soil layers (in depth range of 0-20 cm meters) equal to the number of sediments were taken. For statistical analysis, EXCEL and SPSS 11.5 software were used. In total, the amount of runoff in residential land use was highest and in agriculture land use was lowest. The amount of sediment in agriculture land use was highest and in residential land use was lowest. Then, the most important factors in sediment yield were diagnosed by multi regression. The results showed that sediment yield and erodibility in land uses have meaningful differences in various intensities of precipitation. Regression models showed that in the production of sediment in various land uses, from among the measured factors, silt, sand very fine, lime, Ec, organic materials and pH had the greatest role. Sand percentage in the residential land use, and very fine sand and organic matter in agriculture land use had the most important role in sediment production. But in range land use, moisture percentage and pH had the biggest role in sediment production.

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Application of sewage sludge has been considered as an organic fertilizer in arid and semi-arid regions of Iran. This study was conducted to investigate cumulative and residual effects of sewage sludge on soil inorganic fractions and their relation to phosphorus (P) availability. Two levels of application (50 and 100 Mg ha-1) and three consecutive times of sewage sludge application (1, 3 and 5 years) with a control treatment were studied in a randomized complete block split plot design with three replications. Composite soil samples were collected from 0-30 depth at the end of 5th year of application. Increasing the rate and application year of sewage sludge enhanced dicalcium phosphate (Ca2-P), octacalcium phosphate (Ca8-P), apatite (Ca10-P), aluminum phosphate (Al-P), iron phosphate (Fe-P) and available P but decreased occluded P (OC-P). Residual effect of sewage sludge application resulted in increased inorganic fractions in blocks treated for 1 year compared to control. Positive correlations were observed between inorganic P fractions and Olsen P, wheat yield and P uptake (except OC-P). We concluded that inorganic P fractions and P availability increased in sewage sludge amended soil.

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The modeling of yield response to water is expected to play an increasingly important role in the optimization of crop water productivity (WP) in agriculture. In this study, the CropSyst model was used to simulate two local rice varieties yield response under five irrigation treatments consisting of continuous flooding irrigation and irrigation at 0, 3, 6 and 9 days after the disappearance of water from the soil surface. The experiment was conducted at Rasht region during two growing seasons of 2003 and 2004. The model was calibrated using the first year data and validation of that was done using the second year data set. The result of F test shows that there was not a significant difference between the measured and simulated yield at confidence level of 99%. The relative errors of yield estimation were obtained between -0.81 to 12.58% and -2.4 to 19.42% for Binam and Hasani cultivars in 2003, respectively. These values were 0.83 to 16.4% and -2.82 to 21.27% in 2004, respectively. The results showed that due to the CropSyst model ability in simulating yield of rice under different irrigation regimes, this model can be used to explore management optimum options to improve rice water productivity

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Improper properties of sewage sludge include odors, trace elements concentration, and presence of pathogens limit its use in agriculture. Composting and using of earthworms in this process is one of the most suitable methods for stabilization and removal of unsuitable properties of sewage sludge. To investigate the effects of kind and mixing proportion of bulking material and sewage sludge decomposition stage on vermicompost quality, an experiment was carried out in a split plot design with three replications. In this experiment, the stage of sewage decomposition (raw sewage, digested sludge in digester, dewatered sludge in lagoons, and final dried sludge in lagoons) was main factor and kind of bulking materials (woodchips, three leaves, and wheat straw) and mixing proportion of bulking materials to swage sludge (0, 15, 30, and 45 %, V/V) were as subordinate factors. Chemical properties of sewage in different decomposition stages and bulking materials were determined. After 5 months of incubation in the controlled moisture and temperature condition, and in the presence of earthworms, the pot's contents were harvested, and nutrients and heavy metal concentration of vermicomposts were measured. Vermicomposts had relatively low pH and EC. Their nutrients content especially N, P, Fe, and Zn were high. These properties showed vermicompost suitability for use as a soil amendment and organic fertilizer. Heavy metals concentrations of vermicomposts, except for Zn, were lower than recommended values by EPA. Despite no significant difference between the kinds of bulking materials, mixing of these materials with sewage sludge decreased pH, N, and Pb content of produced vermicompost. According to the results, 30% (v/v) mixing of bulking material and sewage sludge is recommended

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Studying the distribution of Zn in the soils allows investigating their mobility and bioavailability. In this research, 10 calcareous soil samples were selected, and sewage sludge-amended (1% w/w) and -unamended (control) soils were incubated for 1 month. Before planting, fractions of Zn were determined, three seeds of wheat were planted in each pot and after 8 weeks, they were harvested. Results showed that all Zn fractions were increased by sewage sludge addition. Results of pot experiment indicated a significant correlation between Zn concentration in wheat with exchangeable (r=0.92**) and Zn associated with Fe and Mn oxides (r=0.76*) in control soils. In addition, significant correlation coefficient was found between Zn associated with Fe and Mn oxides and Zn uptake index (r=0.86**). Moreover, wheat responses were significantly correlated with Zn exchangeable (r=0.71*- 0.84**) in amended soils. Yield was correlated with Zn associated with carbonates and Zn associated with Fe and Mn 0.69 and 0.75, respectively. Zn uptake index was correlated with Zn associated carbonates (r=0.64*). Therefore, the exchangeable and Zn associated with Fe and Mn oxides in control soils and the exchangeable and Zn associated carbonates and Zn associated with Fe and Mn oxides in amended soils could be used as available fractions of wheat.

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Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the most important oilseed crops in the world. Drought stress is one of the environmental factors limiting sesame production. The effects of water deficiency can be reduced by inoculation of plant roots with mycorrhiza fungi. In this experiment, the objective was to determine the effects of different levels of water application (60, 80 and 100% of soil moisture depletion) using surface drip irrigation method and inoculation of plants with mycorrhiza on WUEag of sesame. The experiment was arranged using a factorial design based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm of Isfahan University of Technology in 2011. Results showed that the effect of irrigation regime on WUEag of seed yield was not significant. However, the effect of mycorrhiza on WUEag of seed yield was significant. The highest WUEag (0.74 kg/m3) was related to irrigation regime of 80% and mycorrhiza. The effect of irrigation regime and mycorrhiza on WUEag of oil yield were significant. The highest WUEag (0.43 kg/m3) was related to irrigation regime of 100% and mycorrhiza inoculation.

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efficiency was investigated during a 2-year period (2009-2010) in a silty clay loam soil in Tajarak Research Station (Kaboudarahang Township), Hamedan. The experimental design was a strip-plot within a randomized complete blocks design. The horizontal band, the irrigation water rate after flowering, included full and deficit irrigation (100% and 75% potato water requirement) and the vertical band, kind of inter-planting row tillage including 1- subsoiling to 30-35 cm soil depth, 2- chiseling to 20-25 cm soil depth, 3- sweeping to 5 cm soil depth and 4- no-till. During the growing season, soil mechanical resistance (cone index) in two stages and water infiltration into the soil were measured. At the end of the growth season (harvesting time), potato yield quantity and quality were measured. Result showed that the effect of inter-row tillage on soil mechanical resistance was significant. Subsoiling and chiseling had lower soil mechanical resistance and higher water permeability between treatments, respectively. The effect of inter-row tillage on potato yield was significant so subsoiling and chiseling had a higher potato yield between treatments, respectively. The effect of irrigation water rate on potato yield was not significant. The effect of inter-row tillage on water use efficiency wasn’t significant.

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As increasing of disaster such as drought and pest invasion in recent decades, it is essential to find out practical approaches in optimizing water use and water management for reduce the adverse effects of this disaster in agriculture. In order to study the effects of water stress and pest stress on corn yield, an experiment was conducted in the research farm of Isfahan University of Technology. In sprayed and non sprayed of the field, a factorial design, based on the completely randomized block, was carried out with three treatments of irrigation regimes including intensive stress (50% water requirement), moderate stress (75% water requirement) and no water stress in four stages of corn growth from seed germination until tasseling, from tasseling until milky, from milky until harvest and the whole period of corn growth, in four replications for one year (2005). The results showed that applying water stress on corn reduced seed yield between 6-62% and also decreased other agronomic characters except protein percentage. Water stress in non sprayed condition, reduced significantly more physiological characteristics of corn compared to the sprayed condition. Intensive water stress and pests stresses increasd 3 and 13% of percentage protein, respectively. In sprayed condition applying moderate stress in first stages of corn until the first of third stage is suggested in drought condition.

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Gully erosion and sedimentation have high priority in Fars Province due to the losses from destruction of lands, roads and civil structures. In the present study, in order to evaluate the threshold for the development and initiation of gully topography in Fars province, two regions were selected including Allamarvdasht, Lamerd and Fedagh, Larestan. 30 gullies were selected in each mentioned area. Morphometric parameters were measured and topography threshold was drawn. To evaluate the effect of measured parameters on topography threshold, each gully was clustered based on parameters and cluster analysis. To determine the effect of dominant hydrologycal processes on gully initiation and development, the multivariate analysis was employed using SPSS (version 14) software. Using the power relationship between watershed area and slope of each gully, the dominant hydrological processes in gully initiation and development were determined by means of Excel software and were compared with coefficients of foreign regional studies. The results showed that in the two studied regions, the most effective hydrologycal process was surface runoff. Results also demonstrated that in these regions changing the shape of upstream basin topography to circle and their expansion have increased the threshold of watershed topography of gully erosion. Increasing the sodium absorbtion ratio and removing the ground cover reduce the threshold of gully erosion topography. Increasing the depth of gullies and soil organic matters resulted in greater relative threshold of topography.

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Extensive tillage leads to the degradation of soil structure and aggregate stability. The effects of three different tillage implements including (combination tillage, chisel packer and disk), three levels of soil water content including (0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 plastic limit), three working speeds including (6, 8 and 10 km/hr) and two soil textures including (loam and silty clay loam soils) were studied. The study was carried out in Khuzestan Ramin Agriculture and Natural Resources University, in 2011. Soil aggregate mean weight diameter (MWD), geometric mean diameter (GMD) as determined by wet sieving method and soil surface roughness (SSR) were measured. Results showed that chisel packer with 0.744 mm MWD produced largest soil aggregates in both soils because of using narrow blade and shanks and small rake angles compared to other tillage treatments. Soil aggregate size was shown larger than other tillage treatments where chisel packer was employed but it was not suitable because of deep furrow shapes. Combination tillage was able to make a better soil condition to be used for seeding where the experiment was conducted.

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Zeolites are substances that have been renowned for their remarkable nitrogen adsorption capacity resulting of decrease in leaching rate of soil nitrogen. This research was conducted to study the effect of the zeolite dosage, zeolite particle size and the method of application on the nitrate leaching of the soil irrigated by treated wastewater (TWW). All of the adsorption tests were carried out in a 27 PVC columns with 11 cm diameter and 60 cm length. The experiments were consisted of 9 treatments and 3 replications including 2 zeolite application method (mixed and layered), 2 zeolite’s grain size (63-125 and <63 micrometer) and 2 zeolite dosage (2 and 4 percent). Zeolite powders were added to the soil in mixed or layered fashion. The soil columns were irrigated 13 times with TWW in a weekly period. In the 4th, 9th and 13th irrigation event, three samples were taken from input and output TWW introduced to columns to measure the change in nitrate concentration. The results were shown that nitrate absorption rate was increased by average of 164.3% and 350.7% in mixed and layered treatments, respectively compared to the control. The result showed that zeolite application method, irrigation event, zeolite’s grain size and dosage were statistically significant on nitrate absorption efficiency (P<0.01). It shows that as the zeolite size decrease the soil nitrate adsorption increases significantly. It increases when the zeolite percentage increases. The result show that the soil nitrate adsorption decreases as the irrigation event increase and soil adsorption potential degraded with irrigation events.

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The occurrence trend of floods in recent years shows that the most of Iran regions located in attacks of destructive floods and loss of life and property of flood damages is increasing. Watershed management practices (WMPs) are one of the superior and appropriate solutions for flood hazards mitigation. The impact of WMPs can be investigated using different approaches. In this study, the direct impact of WMPs was investigated using quantitative evaluation of flood characteristics for two periods, pre and post periods of measures implementation. Therefore, daily hydrograph of investigated periods and the results of flood analyses including number of floods occurrence, flood frequency percent in the different months and seasons were determined in Hajighoshan and Tamar hydrometery stations. Also, the mean continuing, rise and subsidence time of floods and maximum peak discharge of observed floods were investigated. The research results showed that the occurrence trend of floods had relatively increased. The number of floods has increased in post periods of measures implementation in two hydrometery stations, while WMPs effect on all flood characteristics were positive, as the continuing time of floods has increased with 0.5%, rise and subsidence time of floods and maximum peak discharge of floods have decreased with 7.9%, 21.98% and 70%, respectively. Totally, if WMPs volume pre watershed area isn't low, WMPs effect on flood characteristics will be positive.

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Organic carbon pools and carbon lability directly affect soil biological, physical and chemical characteristics. Besides, capacity of self-organization of soil is related to the organic carbon pools. Sand size fraction (> 50 µm) organic matter is more labile than silt+clay size fraction organic matter. Assessment of this organic carbon variation can be a suitable index to determine soil quality. The aim of present study was to evaluate the impact of land use change on particle size fractions of organic carbon and carbon pool index. In September 2010, soil samples were collected from the three major land use types including wetlands around the lake, wetlands converted to wheat, and alfalfa cultivations. Soil samples were collected from the 0-30, 30-60 and 60-90-cm depths in each of land use. According to the results of particle size fractionation of organic carbon in 0-30-cm layer, the highest and lowest amounts of sand size fraction organic carbon were obtained in wetland (67.01 g.C.kg-1soil) and wheat land use (24.57 g.C.kg-1soil), respectively. Land use change from wetland to alfalfa and wheat caused a decrease of silt+clay size fraction organic carbon in 0-30-cm by 48.39 and 45.14 t.C.h^-1, respectively. In the 30-60-cm layer of cultivated land, soil organic carbon storage in silt+clay size particle was more than sand size fraction organic carbon. Results showed that carbon pool index in alfalfa, and wheat land was decreased by 50 and 60% compared to wetland, respectively. And carbon management index in alfalfa and wheat was declined by 44.90% and 66.70%, respectively.

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Effects of five various tillage systems on soil porosity, volumetric water content, diurnal and nocturnal soil temperatures, plant water uptake and dry matter yield was investigated using a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replications in Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources research farm located in Seyed-Miran during 2009-2010 growing season. Tillage systems were: moldboard plough followed by one discing (20-25 cm) rototiller (12-17 cm) double disc (8-10 cm) Chisel plow (25-30 cm) No-tillage. Results show that during all stages of wheat growth, the highest and the lowest soil porosities at 0-8 cm depth were obtained by moldboard plough and No-tillage treatments respectively. For all stages except before tillering and harvest, the highest soil porosity obtained by moldboard treatment at 8-16 cm depth. Increasing tillage intensity increased those porosity that keep water in potentials greater than -5 and those in potentials less than -15 bar. No-tillage and moldboard induced the highest and the lowest soil temperatures respectively before earring stage. Tillage intensification, increased soil porosity and root density. More roots reduced soil water content in response to increased water uptake by wheat, resulting greater dry matter accumulation.

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Improper use of rangelands may lead to their destruction. Therefore, the conversion of these degraded rangelands to agricultural lands and other land uses may improve their soil quality. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the impact of cultivation in the degraded rangelands on some soil characteristics in Safashahr region of Fars province. Four land uses including the rangeland with sparse vegetation (degraded rangeland), the rangeland converted to agricultural land over 17 years, the agricultural land converted to apple orchard for 4 years and also to an apple orchard for 40 years were selected. Samples were randomly taken from each land use at two depths (0-20 and 20-50 cm) with five replications. The results revealed that land use change significantly increased organic matter and MWD in both soil depths. Bulk density and water dispersible clay increased in agricultural land and new orchard while a decrease was observed for old apple orchard. It is suggested the traditional farming to be replaced with new cultivation methods like minimum tillage and no tillage. Overgrazing of the rangelands must also be avoided.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate soil properties changes in a soil toposequence series in Khuzestan province. Twelve soil profiles were dug in north to south direction in this province, according to the changes of the slope in Karoon’s alluvial deposits. The results showed that soil texture regularly changes to heavier form from north to south. It was slightly of redoxomorphic features in low land. Therefore, salic horizon was formed in this land. Despite high water table in this area, gray or mottle forms were few due to high soil salinity. The carbonates were eluviated from surface to subsurface horizon therefore, calsic horizon was formed due to illuviation. Secondary carbonate accumulation was maximum in the studied area. Both classic horizon and cambic horizon were formed in some pedons under long time cultivation in north regions. These developments were originated from organisms that grew under good drainage class. The smectite was seen in the south part of region. It may have been transported by river and deposited under high salinity and flocculated in contact to Persian Gulf’s saline water. The palygorskite was not seen in all patterns. This clay was removed in pedons under long time cultivation in the north area due to more leaching. High irrigation water can accelerate palygorskite transformation. Also, the XRD patterns showed that chlorite, illite, kaolinite and quartz were main clay minerals in the studied soils.

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The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of land use on soil quality parameters using multivariate statistical analysis. Soil samples (0-25 and 25-50 cm depths) were taken from three land uses in forest area of Marivan including forest, rangeland, and cultivated land. Soil characteristics of pH, EC, sand, silt, clay and CaCO3 content, water-stable aggregates and their organic carbon content were measured. Principal component, cluster and discriminant analyses were used to evaluate the soil quality. Principal component analysis classified soil properties into five factors. The most important factors were soil aggregates organic carbon content and aggregate stability indices. Schematic distribution of factors and also cluster analysis showed the same pattern. Soil aggregates organic carbon content, water-stable aggregates and aggregate stability indices were the most sensitive factors to land use changes. These soil properties and factors had the same pattern in forest and rangeland, but significantly reduced in the cultivated land use. Land use change from forest to cultivated land resulted in significant decrease of aggregates organic carbon content, water-stable aggregates and also an increase of pH. The results showed the usefulness of multivariate statistical methods for integration of the soil properties and determination of different soil quality indices.