Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Dryland Agricultural Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension (AREEO), Maragheh, Iran.
2 University of Maragheh, Maragheh, Iran.
Abstract
Introduction: Water erosion poses a fundamental challenge to sustainable agriculture and threatens the stability of natural ecosystems. Vegetation cover and land management play an important role in controlling water induced soil erosion. Soil erosion by water is a major challenge to sustainable agriculture and a serious threat to the stability of natural ecosystems.
Methodology: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different tillage methods on controlling water erosion, using a randomized complete block design with three replications on slopes of 6–12% over two cropping years (2022–2023) at the Maragheh Dryland Agricultural Research Station, Iran. The treatments included five tillage systems: (1) reduced tillage along the slope (using a roller-chisel plough), (2) reduced tillage perpendicular to the slope, (3) conventional tillage along the slope (moldboard plough + disc), (4) conventional tillage perpendicular to the slope, and (5) no-tillage. Rainfall was simulated at a constant intensity of 45 mm h⁻¹, and runoff volume, sediment weight, sediment bulk density, and the concentrations of available phosphorus and potassium in the sediments were measured.
Research findings: The results showed that conventional tillage along the slope produced the highest runoff (2222 ml) and sediment (148 g), while no-tillage resulted in the lowest values (350 ml and 11 g, respectively). Tillage perpendicular to the slope significantly reduced runoff and sediment (ranging from 1142 to 1498 ml and 29 to 53 g, respectively); however, their efficiency declined in the second year, except for conventional tillage perpendicular to the slope, which performed better in the second year. Sediment bulk density was highest under conventional tillage along the slope (1.17 g cm⁻³) and lowest under no-tillage (1.01 g cm⁻³). Likewise, available potassium loss was significantly higher under conventional tillage along the slope (121 mg kg⁻¹) compared to no-tillage (46 mg kg⁻¹). Overall, no-tillage was identified as the most effective practice for reducing runoff, sediment, and nutrient loss, while tillage perpendicular to the slope may serve as an intermediate strategy for erosion management in dryland sloping areas.
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