Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Graduate University of Advanced Technology

Abstract

This research was done to investigate the effects of change in land use on chemical soil properties in Jamalabad region of Baft county of Kerman province. The experiment was conducted in six  sites with the same ecological condition as non grazed site (NG) for 10 years, a moderately grazed site (MG) and a heavily grazed site (HG), a dry farming site of barley and wheat (D), a long time fallow site for 5 years (F)  and a plowed Glycyrrhiza glabra site (Gl T). Soil samples were collected from two soil horizons (0-15 and 15-30 centimeters) based on a randomized complete blocked design with six replications from each horizon in 2013. Samples were sent to laboratory for soil chemical properties as organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, PH and electrical conductivity. The results indicated that Land use change significantly decreased organic carbon, potassium content, available phosphorous and nitrogen content as 58.2, 21, 23.5 and 71 percent in dry farming site and 58, 17.3, 19 and 60 percent in plowed Glycyrrhiza glabra site compared to non grazed site. A decreasing trend of organic carbon was seen in moderately and heavily grazed sites in comparison to non grazed site as 42 and 56 percent, respectively. Available potassium of moderately and non grazed sites were maximum. Total nitrogen of soil in moderately and heavily grazed sites was decreased in comparison to non grazed site as 0.035 and 0.04 percent. PH of soil was significantly changed only between non grazed and plowed Glycyrrhiza glabra site (Gl T). Electrical conductivity of soil was increased in dry farming site (165 percent) and heavily grazed site (140 percent) in comparison to non grazed site. According to negative effects of land use change on soil quality and remaining this harmful effect after release of dry farming lands, our recommendation to natural resources offices are programs preventing rangeland occupying, minimizing giving off rangelands, rehabilitation of released dry farming by pioneer plants and improvement of soil qualities in root collection designs of Glycyrrhiza glabra. 

Keywords