Showing 16 results for Soil Quality
F. Nourbakhsh, A. Jalalian, H. Shariatmadari,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (10-2003)
Abstract
Cation exchange capacity (CEC) is one of the most important chemical characteristics which influences soil quality from different aspects. At the same time, CEC is an input parameter of many computer models being applied in soil science and agriculture. Methods of CEC determination are always time-consuming and laborious. Therefore, developing a model for CEC estimation from other soil properties is essential. The objective of this study was to understand the associations between CEC (as a dependent variable) and sand, silt, clay, organic matter and pH (as independent variables). In this study 464 soil samples from A, B, and C horizons of different soils were used. Results revealed that CEC is negatively correlated with sand (r=-0.389***) and is positively correlated with organic matter (r=0.772***), clay (r= 0.391***) and silt (r= 0.233***). No significant correlation was observed between CEC and pH. Stepwise regression analysis showed that both organic matter and clay enter the model and that coefficients of determination (r2) for the multiple models are higher than those of simple linear correlations. Other parameters could not increase the r2 considerably. Correlation analysis on data from A, B, and C horizons revealed that the CEC of organic matter in different horizons are not the same. Separation of Aridisols could not increase the r2 of the model and the accuracy of the estimations. Correlation studies in acid soils showed that the contribution of organic matter in CEC is much higher than that of clays.
H. Khademi, H. Khayyer,
Volume 8, Issue 2 (7-2004)
Abstract
Understanding the variability of pedological properties as well as the soil quality attributes on different landscape positions in hummocky terrains would result in a better land management in such areas. Despite the importance of such studies, no research has been couducted on the landscape-scale variability of soil quality indices in Iran and most researchers have so far focussed on pedological aspects of soil variability. The objective of this study was to understand the variability of selected soil quality indices at different landscape positions. A systematic grid including 120 points (12x10) with a distance of 30m was laid out in a hummocky rangeland around the city of Semirom. Surface soil samples were taken from 120 points on grid nodes and their organic carbon, microbial respiration rate, phosphatase activity, pH and EC were measured. Also, the thickness of A horizon and the soil moisture content were measured on grid nodes in the field.
The results indicated that the lower slope positions including footslope and toeslope had the highest amount of phosphatase activity, microbial respiration, A horizon thickness, organic carbon, and EC. In contrast, soils occuring on shoulder had the least amount of the above-mentioned properties. Soils on summit and backslope seem to have been moderately degraded. Soil pH showed the opposite trend, as compared to other properties studied. The presence of a great variability in soil quality attributes at the landscape scale can be attributed to differenes in effective moisture that various landscape positions receive, as well as the differenes in soil erosion and deposition rates. This can also be an indication of a severe land degradion due to poor management practices. Since applying different management practices on different landscape positions are practically impossible, to be on the safe side, it is highly recommended to plan conservation practices based on soil quality of the most degraded landscape positions.
F. Kiani, A. Jalalian, A. Pashaee, H. Khademi,
Volume 11, Issue 41 (10-2007)
Abstract
To investigate the degree of forest degradation and the effect of land use change on selected soil quality attributes in loess-derived landforms, samples were taken from different land uses including forest, rangeland, degradated rangeland and farmland in Pasang watershed located in the Galikesh area of Golestan province (37°16'N, 55°30'E). The annual average temperature and mean precipitation of study area were 15°C and 730 mm respectively. Organic matter, pH, EC, CaCO3 and nutrients (N, P, K) as chemical indicators, hydraulic conductivity, bulk density and porosity as physical indicators and soil respiration as biological indicator were measured. The results showed that the amount of organic matter decreased three percent when it was turned from forest to farmland, and increased two percent from farmland to rangeland. The amount of CaCO3 in surface layer of deforested area was more than in the forest soils. The amount of soil N in forest and soil P and K in rangeland were higher than in other land uses. Bulk density and porosity in forest and MWD in rangeland were higher than in other land uses because of the decrease in organic matter due to farming activities. Soil respiration in forest was highest as compared to in other land uses. Difference of enzymes activities (L-asparaginase and Dehydrogenase) compared to microbial respiration indicates that enzymes activity is related to specific biological processes while soil microbial respiration basically depends on the general activity of soil microbial population. It could be concluded that amount of organic matter, soil N, bulk density, porosity, MWD, soil respiration and enzymes activities are suitable indicators for soil quality evaluation in this area.
M. Yoosefi, H. Shariatmadari, M.a. Hajabbasi,
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2008)
Abstract
Adopting proper agricultural management and conserving soil organic matter are important components of sustainable agriculture. Soil organic matter content is a key attribute in soil quality. Labile organic matter pools can be considered as suitable indicators of soil quality that are very sensitive to changes in soil management practices. This research was carried out to investigate some organic carbon labile pools as an indicator evaluating the effects of different managements on some quality parameters of two calcareous soils. The study was conducted in 2 locations: 1- plots that receiving 0 (C1), 25 (C2), 50 (C3) and 100 (C4) Mg/ha of manure for five years successively with a cropping rotation of wheat –corn every year and plots under three cropping rotations (C5, C6 and C7) at Lavark experimental farm and 2- inquiry research station of Fozveh at different plots with three different cropping rotations (C8, C9 and C10) with a given cropping history recorded for the last 5 years. Soil samples were taken from the center of each plot and the depths of 0-5 cm and 5-15 cm. Their organic carbon, hot water soluble carbohydrate, particulate organic matter (POM), organic carbon and hot water soluble carbohydrate of POM, mean weight diameter of water stable aggregates were determined. Different managements consisting of different levels of manure and types of cropping rotation had significant effects on the soil characteristics measured. The greateast amount of carbohydrate and aggregate stability was obtained in the plots of 100 Mg/ha of manure in Lavak and in alfalfa plots in Fozveh station. Also, the results showed that aggregate stability has a better correlation with hot water soluble carbohydrate in comparison with other soil organic pools. Therefore, the carbohydrate extracted by hot water may be used as an index to assess the impacts of different agricultural management systems on soil quality.
J. Fallahzade , M. A. Hajabbasi,
Volume 15, Issue 55 (4-2011)
Abstract
The salt–affected lands in arid regions of central Iran are characterized by low rainfall, low fertility, high evaporation and salinity. The cultivation of salt–affected lands may have a major influence on soil quality. The aim of this study was to determine the response of soil quality indicators to reclamation and cultivation of salt–affected lands occurring in Abarkooh plain, central Iran. Soil quality indicators were evaluated in three land use systems including salt-affected land, wheat, and alfalfa fields. Composite soil samples were collected at 0–10, 10–20, 20–30, and 30–40 cm layers and analyzed for soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, carbohydrate, particulate organic carbon in macro-aggregates (POCmac) and micro-aggregates (POCmic), organic carbon mineralization and wet aggregate stability. The cultivation of salt–affected land caused a significant decrease in electrical conductivity at all layers and increased the amount of soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, carbohydrate, POCmac, POCmic, and organic carbon mineralization. At all layers, the POCmac/POCmic ratio in the alfalfa fields was higher than that in the wheat fields. The cultivation of salt-affected land caused a significant increase in soil aggregate stability (MWD) at all layers. In most cases, the amounts of soil organic matter and MWD were greater in alfalfa than in the wheat fields, reflecting a better soil quality and thus higher potential for increasing soil organic carbon sequestration in the alfalfa fields
Majid Vahdatkhah, Mohammad Hady Farpoor, Mehdi Sarcheshmehpoor,
Volume 17, Issue 64 (9-2013)
Abstract
Study of land use effects on soil quality indicators leads to sustainable management and preventing progressive land degradation. The TM (1987) and ETM+ (2000 and 2005) data were used to study land use change effects in Mahan-Joopar area on soil quality indicators. Fifty random soil samples from 0-30 cm depth of each land use were taken using provided maps. Organic matter, microbial respiration potential, bulk density, pH, EC, and soil texture were investigated as soil quality indicators. Eight land uses including fruit orchards, woodlands, pistachio orchards, cultivated, barren, bare land, fallowed, and haloxylone land were detected. Results showed overall accuracies of 89.4, 95.2, and 91.7 % with kappa coefficients of 85, 92, and 88% for maps provided in 1987, 2000, and 2005, respectively. Generally, the investigated quality indicators showed that woodlands, fruit orchards, cultivated land, and pistachio orchards enhanced soil quality better than other land uses.
H. Kashi, H. Ghorbani, S. Emamgholizadeh, S. A. A. Hashemi,
Volume 18, Issue 67 (6-2014)
Abstract
Change in land use and tillage practices has great influence on soil physical and chemical properties. The present study has focused on the effects of converting undisturbed soil to agricultural lands. Chemical and physical soil properties, infiltration, cation exchange capacity (CEC), electrical conductivity, pH, bulk density, porosity, sodium, potassium, total Ca + Mg, organic matter percentage, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and lime percentage were measured using standard frequently used methods. Fifty soil samples from agriculture land and other 50 soil samples from undisturbed land were collected from 0 – 30 cm depth and different statistical analysis were performed. Agriculture land is Cultivated for more than 20 years. The results showed that change in land use from undisturbed to disturbed soil did not significantly changed soil organic matter content. Also, soil electrical conductivity showed a huge increase whereas pH showed non-significant changes due to land use change. Unlike pH, SAR, organic matter percentage and lime percentage, some other soil parameters showed significant decrease in quality through land use change. Correlation coefficients of the effective factors were calculated to explain the main reason for lowering soil quality. The results showed that sodium in EC bulk density in porosity and CEC sodium and Ca+Mg in SAR EC in soil infiltration and Ca+Mg in organic matter showed the most correlation.
S. Rahimi, M. Afyuni, A. H. Khoshgoftarmanesh, M. Noruzi,
Volume 19, Issue 71 (6-2015)
Abstract
Management of organic and inorganic treatments may have positive or negative effects on soil quality, plant growth and human nutrition. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of organic and inorganic zinc fertilizer application on soil quality indicators and wheat yield. This research was conducted at Agricultural Research Station Roudasht, Isfahan, Iran. Sewage sludge and cow manure (5 and 10 t/ha), ash rubber (1 t/ha), powder rubber (200 kg/ha), ZnSO4 (40 kg/ha) were applied and wheat was cultivated. Soil samples were collected at tilling and harvest stages. After taking samples and measurements of the soil parameters, we determined the critical limits for each category and class rating for the each soil parameters, and the soil quality index was calculated. The results showed sewage sludge and rubber ash were significantly effective in increasing soil bioavailable Zn compared to other treatments. Application of sewage sludge and cow manure at 10 ton/ha improved soil quality. The expanded soil quality index can help better understand the effect of fertilizers on soil. A positive and significant relationship between soil quality indicators and Zn uptake and wheat yields was also observed. Our results indicate that addition of 10 t/ha sewage sludge as fertilizer can significantly improve soil quality, supplying the necessary amount of Zn for wheat growth.
V. Moradinasab, M. Shirvani, M. Shamsaee, M. R. Babaee,
Volume 19, Issue 74 (1-2016)
Abstract
Mobarakeh Steel Complex has been using treated industrial wastewater for irrigation of green space to combat water shortage and prevent environmental pollution. This study was performed to assess the impact of short-, middle-, and long-term wastewater irrigation on soil quality attributes in green space of this complex. Soils were sampled from the wet bulb produced by under-tree trickles in three depths of forested lands irrigated with treated wastewater (for 2, 6 and 18 years) or groundwater. Several chemical, physical and biological characteristics of the soil samples were determined in the laboratory and compared to those of the native unirrigated soils as the controls. The results showed that pH was significantly reduced in the wastewater-irrigated soils as compared to the control. Organic matter content and cation exchange capacity significantly increased in the irrigated soils due to the incorporation of tree leaves into soil. Soil salinity also increased as the irrigation period increased because of the relatively high salinity of water and wastewater used for irrigation. Microbial basal respiration and arginine ammonification were greater in the irrigated soils in comparison to the control. In general, forestation and irrigation management have improved most of the soil quality indexes in the Mobarakeh Steel Complex green space, but some soil characteristics, such as salinity, need to be monitored and improved in future.
M. Shamsalddin Saied, A. Ghanbari, M. Ramroudi, A. Khezri,
Volume 21, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Cover crops, conservation tillage systems and organic fertilizers have played an important role in maintaining or enhancing soil quality. In order to assess the combined effects of these techniques on soil quality an experiment was conducted as split Plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications at Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman in 2011-2012.
The method of return of cover crops to soil included reduced tillage (disc) and no-till (herbicide glyphosate + cutting) as the main factor and manure application management included cover crops (wheat, canola and peas) without the use of urea, cover crops with a consumption of 25 t/ha of manure, Cover crop with 75 kg of urea and fallow treatments (without cover crop) as subplots. The results showed that the highest concentration of nutrients (except N and P concentrations in the plant), the nutrient yield and biomass of cover crops belonged to wheat treated with urea fertilizer. Soil properties such as bulk density, pH, organic matter and soil nutrient concentrations (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) were significantly affected by fertilizer management and the method of return of cover crops to soil (except pH) and soil organic matter content and nutrient concentration were affected by their interactions. In wheat cover crop treatments with urea with %27.53 reduction in bulk density, %20.88 increase in the porosity, organic matter 2.4 times and nitrogen 1.5 times compared to the fallow treatment was the best treatment that wasn’t significantly different from the wheat treated with manure in low- tillage system. Wheat treated by manure had the highest phosphorus that was 3.5 times of the phosphorus concentration in the fallow treatment. So, in order to develop sustainable agriculture, reducing the use of synthetic fertilizers and environmental protection, the wheat cover crop treatments with manure and low- tillage cropping systems would be appropriate in Kerman.
A. H. Boali, H. Bashari, R. Jafari, M. Soleimani,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (8-2017)
Abstract
Appropriate criteria and methods are required to assess desertification potential in various ecosystems. This paper aimed to assess desertification levels in Segzi plain located in east part of Isfahan, with a focus on soil quality criteria used in MEDALUS model. Bayesian Belief Networks (BBNs) were also used to convert MEDALUS model into a predictive, cause and effects model. Soil samples were collected from 17 soil profiles in all land units and some of their characteristics such as texture, soluble sodium and chlorine, organic material, Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), Electrical Conductivity (EC) and CaSo4 of all soil samples were determined in soil laboratory. The effects of measured soil quality indicators on desertification intensity levels were assessed using sensitivity and scenario analysis in BBNs. Results showed that the used integrated method can appropriately accommodate uncertainty in the desertification assessments approaches created as a result of the influence of different soil characteristics on desertification. According to the results of MEDALUS model, 28.28 % and 71.72 % of the study area were classified as poor and moderate areas in terms of soil quality respectively. Sensitivity analysis by both models showed that soil organic matter, SAR and EC were identified as the most important edaphic variables responsible for desertification in the study area. Evaluating the effects of various management practices on these variables can assist managers to achieve sound management strategies for controlling desertification.
K. Nosrati, M. Majdi,
Volume 21, Issue 4 (2-2018)
Abstract
The soil pollution especially in urban soils is projected to increase drastically and its effects on chemical cycles are yet to be known. Approaches to measure air and water quality are well established, but urban soil quality assessment has received little attention. Soil quality assessment can help as a way to better understand the pollution increase outcomes in urban environments and to establish approaches and integrated soil quality assessment protocols in urban planning and landscape management. Considering lack of information in urban soil quality of Iran, the objective of this study was to assess soil quality under urban land use effect using minimum data set in western part of Tehran. In view of this, 56 soil samples were collected in three land use types of agricultural, parks and urban landscapes, and vacant urban lots and 12 physicochemical properties were measured. The results of analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) showed that under influence of the land use types, organic carbon, total nitrogen, lime, bulk density and sodium have significant differences. The factor analysis was used to select minimum data set and the results showed that two factors with eigenvalues more than one, explaining more than 68% of total variance, have the most loading factors on organic carbon and sodium. Finally, soil quality indicator (SQI) was determined and compared in different land use types. The results showed that SQI has significant difference in urban land use types and the least soil quality is related to vacant urban lots.
A. R. Vaezi, Y. Mazloom Aliabadi,
Volume 22, Issue 1 (6-2018)
Abstract
Water loss and nutrients loss are one of the important signs of natural resource degradation in the catchments. The amount of loss of these resources is affected by several factors including the characteristics of rainfall. In this study, the data of stream discharge (Q), total dissolve solids (TDS), and total nutrient loss ratio (NR) along with rainfall characteristics were analyzed for the events from1988 to 2002 in the Tahamchai catchment, which is owned by a regional water company. Moreover, soil properties were determined by soil sampling from different points in the catchment surface. Based on the results, there was a significant correlation between Q of the river and rainfall height (r=0.24, p<0.05), while its correlations with the rainfall intensity and duration were not statistically significant. On the one hand, this result was due to the inverse relationship between rainfall intensity and rainfall duration; on the other hand, due to the temporal variations in vthe egetation cover in the area, it controlled Q in the intensive rainfalls. The highest Q was in spring (1.68 m3 sec-1) and March (2.58 m3 sec-1). In this period, rainfall height was high and the rainfalls interval was short. Moreover, vegetation cover was weak, so it could not control surface runoff and reduce Q in the catchment. TDS and NR also significantly varied during the months and their highest values were observed in December (282.55 mg l-1) and (61.77 mg l-1), respectively. Mg2+ had the highest amount of water loss in the catchment area. A negative correlation was found between Q and TDS (r=0.41, p<0.001) and NR (r=0.31, p<0.001). This study revealed that spring and autumn were the sensitive period for water loss and nutrient loss in the catchment, respectively. Therefore, promoting the vegetation cover in early spring and reducing improper agricultural practices (tillage and fertilization) could be substantial strategies contributing to conserving the catchment’s resources.
H. Owliaie, F. Mehmandoost, E. Adhami, R. Naghiha,
Volume 23, Issue 4 (2-2020)
Abstract
The conversion of forests to agricultural lands generally has damaging effects on soil qualitative indices. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of land use change on the physico- chemical and biological characteristics of the soils of Mokhtar Plain, Yasouj Region. Five soil samples (0- 30 cm) were taken from three land uses of dense forest, degraded forest, and dry farming. The physical, chemical and biological analyses were carried out in a completely randomized design. The results showed that by following the change in the forest land use to dry farming, the EC (56%), organic matter (67%), total nitrogen (71%), exchangeable potassium (48%), Basal respiration (42%), exhaled respiration (63%), fungi community (23%), acid phosphatase (59%), and alkaline phosphatase (79%) were decreased in the dry farming land use. However, the bacterial community (20%) and pH (5%) were increased in the dry farming land use and the amount of available phosphorus did not show any significant difference, as compared to the dense forest. In general, it can be concluded that by following forest degradation and change in land use, soil organic matter and its related indices, especially biological ones, are more affected. So, in order to maintain soil quality, appropriate management practices such as managed land use change, avoidance of tree cutting, especially on steep slopes, preventing of overgrazing, and addition of organic matter should be carried out in dry farming land use.
P. Heidari, S. Hojati, N. Enayatzamir, A. Rayatpisheh,
Volume 24, Issue 3 (11-2020)
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of land use change (forest and rangelands to agriculture) on some micromorphological indices of soil quality in part of Rakat watershed, southwest of Iran. Accordingly, intact soil samples from 0-15 and 15-30 cm depths were collected from the above-mentioned land uses, and microstructure, type and abundance of voids, redoximorphic features, and humic substances were compared. The results showed that in the natural forest use, most of the voids are in the form of macropores, whereas after their conversion to agriculture, these types of voids have little development. In natural rangelands uses, voids were mainly oriented channels and of macropore type, but after switching from pasture to agriculture, they were mainly of vughy type. The results showed that natural forests (27.73%) and natural grasslands (22.28%) had more abundance of voids than forest to agriculture (19.01%) and grassland to agriculture (18.62%) land uses. In both natural forests and pasture land uses, various types of iron and manganese nodules, coatings, hypo-coatings, and quasi-coatings were significantly higher than agricultural land uses.
N. Moradian Paik, S. Jafari,
Volume 26, Issue 4 (3-2023)
Abstract
Changes in land quality factors were investigated according to the change in land use of two conventional cropping systems in Khuzestan (Dimcheh region, periodic cultivation system, sugarcane, forest, and deforesting in Zaras region). The results showed that by the change of forest land use, organic carbon from 0.93 to 0.55%, cation exchange capacity (CEC) from 19.6 to 13.3 cmol/kg, C/N from 7.4 to 3.8%, the mean weight diameter of aggregate (MWD) from 1.7 to 1.3%, and microbial respiration from 0.11 to 0.06 mg of CO2 /gr of soil per day decreased and in contrast, the dispersible clay from 4.6 to 19.3% increased. PCA analysis for the parameters showed that five factors justified more than 90% of the variance in the values of FC, PWP, AW, and AF. In the Dimcheh region, the average volumetric moisture content of FC from 31.3% to 27.3%, available water from 12.9% to 9.8%, dispersible clay from 56.1% to 12.3%, and bulk density reduced from 1.6 to 1.4%, organic carbon from 0.45 to 0.78%, C/N from 6.3 to 10.0%, microbial respiration from 0.01 to 0.04 mg of CO2 /gr soil per day and MWD of aggregates increased from 0.77 to 1.3 mm. Five factors including FC, AW, BD, DC, and OM explained more than 90% of the variance.
