Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Scientific Board, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, Zanjan, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Institute, Iran
3 BSc, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, Zanjan, Iran
Abstract
In arid and semi-arid regions, operating the plough on slope direction, specially, in rain falling with more intensity, results in soil loss and erosion. In such areas, undesirable effects can reduce with operating suitable management. For this purpose, the effect of perpendicular plough to slope direction and application of straw mulch in 1.8 * 22.1 meter erosion plots on three slope classes of 0-12, 12-20, and 20-40 percent with 3 replicates and RCB design in two different years were tested in Sohrain floodwater spreading research station. In the half of plots in 2003, the perpendicular plough to slope direction and in the others, plough on slope direction were operated. In 2005 at first, the plough on slope direction was done in all of the plots and then, straw mulch were used after wheat cultivation in half of plots. During the study period, the amount of soil loss was monitored after any rain fall by the tanks that located at the end of each plot. The results showed that operating of perpendicular plough to slope direction reduced soil loss about 10.1, 11.5, and 10.4 time relate to parallel plough to slope direction. Also, application of straw mulch reduced 36.9, 10.8, and 55.4 time relate to mulch application in three slope classes respectively. These results show that both perpendicular plough to slope direction and straw mulch application can reduce soil loss and thus, increase the infiltration rate and soil fertility.
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