The Effects of Organic Conditioner Applications on Some Physical Properties of Soils and Their Relations with Soil Loss in Artificial Rain Conditions

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of farmyard manure, rice husk and municipal waste compost on soil quality indicators that are used for assessing susceptibility to erosion and soil loss by surface runoff. Two different soil groups, Entisol and Inceptisol, from the Minöz Basin of Samsun province were used. Organic conditioners were applied to the soils per dry weight basis in three different doses (2, 4 and 6%) in the simulation and incubation experiments conducted under greenhouse conditions. The results show that the organic conditioners improved the soil physical characteristics and reduced erodibility and soil loss. Effectiveness of the organic conditioners depend on the application dose. The least amount of soil loss was observed at the maximum dose. Municipal waste compost was more effective than rice husk compost and farmyard manure in reducing soil loss by surface runoff. It has been determined that the erosion susceptibility indices are more effective predictors at low rainfall intensities.

Keywords

• Organic amendments
• physical characteristic
• soil loss