Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Assistant Research Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources of East Azarbaijan
2 Associate Professor, Soil conservation and watershed management research institute, Agricultural Research and Education Organization, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the pitting and contour rainfall harvesting systems and their role in rainwater collection and forage production in rainfed conditions. This study was performed with five treatments of pitting with seeding (B), contour furrows with seeding (A), pitting without seeding (E), contour furrows without seeding (C) and control treatment (D) in three replications. FAO standard plots measuring 5x40 meters were considered for the project at Tikmehdash Research Station. In seeded treatments, Agropyron elongatum and local sainfoin were cultivated due to the effects of soil protection and forage production. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using SPSS software in the form of randomized complete blocks. The results of statistical analysis showed that the highest to lowest percentage of total canopy cover is related to contour furrows and seeding treatment with an average of 80%, pitting operations with an average of 78% and pitting and seeding with an average of 80%, respectively. Comparison of the canopy cover and forage production in the treatments showed that the canopy cover in A, B, C, D and E were not significantly different and were in the same group. Production of rangeland and succulent plants was higher in E treatment and was significantly different from A, B, C and D treatments. Also, Treatments A, B and C were not significantly different in rangeland production, but were significantly different from D (control). The highest and lowest forage production of 729.17 and 315.33 kg.ha-1 belong to pitting and control treatments, respectively.
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