EFFECT OF MULCHING ON SOIL NUTRIENT LOSS REDUCTION, CASE STUDY OF WESTERN LANDS KHUZESTAN PROVINCE, IRAN

One major negative effects of wind erosion is the loss of fertile soil which reduce the soil productivity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of wind erosion on the loss soil fertility and organic matter. Further, the effect of mulching on the reduction of soil erosion was also studied in present study. Study was conducted at the West Khuzestan province of Iran and soil loss situation was created by using simulator. Results of study revealed that average soil wind erosion was 26.73, 24.58 and 16.36Kg/m(2)/h in Borvayeh, Alvan and Hoveyzeh, respectively. Significant difference was reported between the control (without use of any stabilizer) and samples treated with polymer. Average soil erosion is very high in soil without any stabilizer but the rate of erosion, compared to the control sample. The results of study showed that wind erosion causes loss of nitrogen in soil and it was reported maximum (0.008 kg/m(2)/h) in the soil of Hoveyzeh. Further maximum loss in phosphorus (1.1 kg/m(2)/h) and organic matter (0.49 kg/m(2)/h) was reported from the soil of Alvan. This nutrient loss may cause serious environmental and economic problems in the land exposed to long term erosion. The use of polymer and vegetable-based mulch with structural stability, on an average, reduced 99.5% loss soil elements (except in concentrations 15% vegetable-based mulch that reduced 13.2 % loss of soil elements). Use of polymers enhanced the stability and connections aggregates in surface soil through the formation of the surface layer and resistant to corrosive force winds prevent the dust, soil loss and nutrient loss.