Showing 6 results for Soil Conservation
M. A Hajabbasi, A. F Mirlohi, M. Sadrarhami,
Volume 3, Issue 3 (10-1999)
Abstract
A two-year study (1996-97) was conducted to verify tillage effects on several soil properties and corn yield. The soil (fine loamy, Thermic, typic Haplargids) was treated by conventional (CT) and no-till (NT) systems. Soil organic matter (OM), mean weight diameter (MWD), penetration resistance (Cl), bulk density (BD), total nitrogen (TN) and aggregate size distribution at depths of 0-20 and 20-40 cm were measured.
No-till system caused the OM to be twice as much as that in the conventional tillage system. Total nitrogen in the NT and at depths of 0-20 and 20-40 cm were higher by 30% and 20%, respectively. No differences obtained in bulk density and penetration resistance, but MWD in the NT was 20% and 10% higher than CT in the 0-20 and 20-40 cm depths, respectively. Mean weight diameter of the aggregates in the CT was smaller than that in NT. Aggregates of less than 0.25 mm at 0-20 cm depths were almost 25% higher in CT compared to NT system. The yield in the NT system was significantly lower than CT. Although reduced cultivation could bring a better soil physical condition, low initial organic matter, weak structure and heavy-textured soil produced unsuitable conditions for the crop roots and, consequently, resulted in low yield. Therefore, no-till system in this region would not be recommended.
A. Mirlohi, M.a. Hajabassi, S.j. Razavi, E. Ghanaati,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (4-2001)
Abstract
Soil loss due to erosion is a common problem in most parts of Iran. Reduced soil organic matter and lack of proper agricultural management have intensified the problem in recent years. Conservation tillage systems are becoming more widely used in corn production in other parts of the world because of soil losses due to wind and water erosion and energy inputs. Changes in tillage methods, however, create different environments for the germination, development and maturation of corn plants. Most corn hybrids have been selected and developed under conventional tillage systems but these hybrids mayor may not be well adapted to both systems. This study aims to evaluate the performance of five locally grown corn hybrids under zero and conventional tillage methods. The experiment was conducted for 2 years on a plot of land specified for this study. Experimental design was a split plot with randomized complete block arrangement and four replications.
Seedling and juvenile plant growth were not affected by tillage method and were similar for all hybrids. Plant dry matter was affected significantly by the cropping system and was lower in no-till method. Plant leaf area index and stem diameter reduced significantly in the no-till system. Reduction was greater in the second year of the experiment. Also grain yields were significantly different among years, tillage method and plant genotypes. Yield reduction was highest in the second year of the experiment under no-till cropping system. There was no interaction between tillage method and corn genotypes, indicating that, usually genotypes perform similarly with regard to grain yield under both tillage methods. The results suggest that corn production under no-till system in Isfahan is probably associated with yield reduction.
N. Sakenian Dehkordi, B. Ghobadian, S. Minaei,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (7-2001)
Abstract
A suitable instrument capable of inserting mulch into soil is needed to improve soil water holding capacity. The goal of this research is to design and manufacture an instrument with a blade and mechanism that can insert rice mulch into the soil. All the parameters in sub-soiling operation were taken into account, and the technique presented can be recommended as a special method of injecting rice husk. The instrument designed was easy to use on a tractor. Sub-soiling operation and husk injection were carried out satisfactorily using various amounts of husk and at different soil depths. This method was added to the conservation chart presented by Morgan as an integrated technique.
M. Ajami, F. Khormali,
Volume 15, Issue 57 (10-2011)
Abstract
Biological soil covers such as lichens have critical roles in soil stability and prevention of erosion. In order to study the effect of lichen biological covers on aggregate stability and soil conservation, loess hills covered with lichen and uncovered ones were selected in Northern Golestan Province. Five samples were taken from the depth 0 to 5 cm of both two areas for physico-chemical analyses. The undisturbed soil samples were taken for micromorphological studies, too. Analyses of soils revealed that soil organic carbon content increased markedly, compared to uncovered soils. Mean weight diameter also increased about three folds in soils covered with lichen. Fungal hyphae and polysaccharides excretions bind soil particles together and increase size of aggregates. Micromorphological study of thin sections showed that uncovered soils had a weak and massive structure, but soils covered with lichen had a crumb granular and also well -separated angular block and higher proportion of voids. Due to the effect of lichen on upward movement of calcium carbonate, crystallitic b-fabric appeared in the surface layer of covered soils and speckled b-fabric underneath. Excremental pedofeatures are the most common pedofeatures in the covered soils.
Engineer H. Talebikhiavi, Engineer M. Zabihi, Dr. R. Mostafazadeh,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (8-2017)
Abstract
Effective soil conservation requires a framework modelling that can evaluate erosion for different land-use scenarios. The USLE model was used to predict the reaction of appropriate land-cover/land-use scenarios in reducing sediment yield at the upland watershed of Yamchi Dam (474 km2), West Ardabil Province, Iran. Beside existing scenario, seven other land-use management scenarios were determined considering pattern of land-use through study area within a GIS-framework. Then, data inputs were prepared using terrain data, land-use map and direct observations. According to the model results, the generated erosion amount was 3.92 t/ha/yr for the current land-use (baseline scenario). For this purpose, conservation practices in dry farming slopes and implementing the scenario 5 (contour farming and remaining crop residuals) can reduce the sediment to 2.02 t/ha/yr. The lowest and highest decreases in sediment yield are projected to be through implementation of scenario 6 (irrigated farming protection with plant residuals) and 7 (biological soil conservation in dry and irrigated farming). The results indicated that, implementing scenario frameworks and evaluating appropriate land-use management scenarios can lead to the reduction of sediment entering the reservoir, and prioritizing soil conservations in the studied area.
A.r. Vaezi, S. Rezaeipour, M. Babaakbari, F. Azarifam,
Volume 27, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Improving soil physical properties and increasing water retention in the soil are management strategies in soil and water conservation and enhancing crop yield in rainfed lands. This study was conducted to investigate the role of tillage direction and wheat stubble mulch level in improving soil physical properties in rainfed land in Zanjan province. A field experiment was done at two tillage directions: up to the downslope and contour line, and five stubble mulch levels: zero, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of land cover equal to 6 tons per hectare. A total of 30 plots (2 m×5 m) were created. The results indicated that water infiltration and water content were considerably affected by tillage direction, whereas its effect on water holding capacity was not significant. This physical property of the soil was influenced by the inherent properties of the soil, including particle size distribution. The change of up to down tillage direction to the contour line increased soil infiltration to 11% and water content to 6%. The physical soil properties were wholly influenced by mulch consumption. Soil water content increased in mulch treatments along with water holding capacity and infiltration rate. The highest volumetric water content was at 100% mulch level (10.62%) which was 11% more than the control treatment. However, there was no significant difference between 100% and 75% mulch treatment. This revealed that the application of 75% stubble mulch in contouring tillage is a substantial strategy for improving soil physical properties and controlling water loss in rainfed lands of semi-arid regions.
