|
Effect of Cereal–Forage Crop Rotation on Soil Erosion Control and Drought Resilience: A Case Study of Ardabil Province
|
Reza Talaei *   , Davoud Hassanpanah , Bayramali Beyrami , Hamid Mohammadi |
|
|
|
Abstract: (35 Views) |
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Rainfed lands in arid and semi-arid regions are highly vulnerable to soil erosion due to limited water resources, steep slopes, intense rainfall events, and shallow soils. Simultaneously, the decline in rangeland productivity and the growing demand for forage have highlighted the need for efficient and sustainable cropping systems. This study evaluated the effects of cereal–forage legume rotations, rainwater harvesting systems, and tillage methods on soil erosion control, productivity, and production sustainability over two cropping seasons at the Kandaragh Research Station in Ardabil Province, Iran. The experiment was conducted as a split-split plot design with three replications, including three factors: rainwater harvesting (two levels), tillage method (conventional and minimum tillage), and five crop species (rainfed wheat, Medicago sativa L., Vicia villosa roth., Pisum sativum L. and Lathyrus sativus L.). Results showed that all main factors and their interactions significantly (p < 0.01) reduced runoff and sediment. Vicia villosa, Lathyrus sativus and wheat were most effective in reducing sediment concentration across all rainfall events. Crop rotation in the second-year reduced sediment concentration by 2.54 g l-1 and increased dry forage yield of Vicia villosa, Lathyrus sativus by 15.5% and 13.4%, respectively. The highest forage yields were obtained under rainwater harvesting and conventional tillage. A positive correlation was observed between plant morphological traits and grain/forage yield, confirming the role of proper species selection in resource-use efficiency and soil protection. Overall, the integration of biological and mechanical practices offers an effective, climate-resilient strategy for improving the resilience and sustainability of rainfed agroecosystems in drylands.
Materials and Methods
The study was conducted in the Kandaragh watershed, located in the south of Ardabil Province, Iran, a semi-arid region with an average annual precipitation of 250 to 300 mm. The experiment was performed over two consecutive years using a split-split plot design with three replications. The main factors included rainwater harvesting (with and without harvesting), tillage type (minimum and conventional), and five crop species (rainfed wheat, Medicago sativa L., Vicia villosa roth, Pisum sativum L. and Lathyrus sativus L.). A two-year field experiment was conducted using a split-split plot design with three replications. The main factor was rainwater harvesting (with and without harvesting), the sub-factor was tillage type (minimum and conventional), and the secondary sub-factor was five crop species. A total of 60 plots were established each year, summing to 120 plots across two years. Soil was prepared according to the tillage treatments, and crops were grown under dryland conditions. Runoff and sediment samples were collected after significant rainfall events. Plant growth traits and crop yields were recorded in five growth stages. Data were analyzed using multifactorial ANOVA (analysis of variance), with means compared by Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at five percent significance. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS and R-Studio software.
Results and Discussion
The study results indicated a decrease in runoff volume across all treatments over five rainfall events, with vegetation cover development playing a significant role in reducing surface runoff and soil erosion. Minimum tillage combined with the absence of rainwater harvesting (RWH) structures resulted in the greatest runoff reduction. Leguminous crops such as Lathyrus sativus and Vicia villosa were highly effective reducing runoff (up to 87.89%) and sediment yield due to their dense canopy and robust root systems, while Medicago sativa showed the lowest efficiency. Statistical analyses confirmed that crop type, tillage practice, and presence of RWH structures significantly influenced runoff and sediment reduction (p < 0.001). The integration of minimum tillage, protective vegetation cover, and optimized RWH design proved an effective strategy for controlling runoff and erosion in rainfed agricultural systems of arid and semi-arid regions. Agronomic year, tillage type, presence of RWH, and crop species notably affected canopy cover percentage, especially during peak vegetative growth, with significant multifactor interactions highlighting the need for multidimensional management. Although upstream RWH structures increased incoming runoff in some plots, the best vegetation performance was observed in the combined treatment of minimum tillage, RWH, and leguminous crops, which enhanced soil moisture retention, reduced evaporation, and improved infiltration. Legumes exhibited rapid growth and dense coverage, effectively controlling runoff and erosion. Morphological and yield analyses demonstrated significant improvement in agronomic traits in the second year, with combined management practices exerting the greatest positive impact on crop performance and soil stability. Overall, this study shows that integrating soil management, water harvesting, and suitable crop selection offers a viable strategy to enhance vegetation cover, reduce erosion, improving resilience and increase both economic and environmental productivity in rainfed agroecosystems.
Conclusion
This study highlights the critical role of integrated management practices including the use of native leguminous species, minimum tillage, and rainwater harvesting (RWH) in enhancing water use efficiency and soil conservation in rainfed systems in arid and semi-arid regions. The interaction of factors such as crop species, tillage method, RWH systems, and cropping year significantly reduces surface runoff (by up to 88%) and soil erosion. At the same time, it improves vegetation cover and crop yield. Native legumes like Lathyrus sativus L. and Vicia villosa Roth exhibit dense root systems and extensive canopy cover, which stabilize soil and increase infiltration capacity, thereby mitigating runoff and sediment loss. A significant negative correlation between canopy cover and sediment production underscores the importance of vegetative cover in erosion control. Integrated approaches combining conservation tillage with rainwater harvesting optimize the performance of legumes and enhance both ecological and economic outcomes. Climatic variability and inter-annual differences further influence treatment efficacy, necessitating adaptive management and continuous monitoring. Economic assessments reveal that fast-growing, high-yielding legume species reduce the reliance on chemical fertilizers, increase farmer income, and promote system sustainability. Future research should focus on assessing the long-term impacts of integrated soil and water management, exploring root architecture and soil infiltration capacity, conducting economic and environmental evaluations, and utilizing modern technologies such as remote sensing and artificial intelligence. Overall, this research confirms that integrated management and selection of resilient native legumes are essential strategies for sustainable agriculture and effective soil erosion control in water-limited dryland environments |
Article number: 3 |
| Keywords: Soil erosion control, Rainwater harvesting, Crop rotation, Cereals and legumes, Dry forage, Arid and semi-arid regions |
|
|
|
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/08/17 | Revised: 2025/09/20 | Accepted: 2025/09/20 | Published: 2025/09/20 | ePublished: 2025/09/20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Send email to the article author |
|
|
|
| Add your comments about this article |
|
|
|
|
Talaei R, Hassanpanah D, Beyrami B, Mohammadi H. Effect of Cereal–Forage Crop Rotation on Soil Erosion Control and Drought Resilience: A Case Study of Ardabil Province. jwmseir 2025; 19 (69) : 3 URL: http://jwmsei.ir/article-1-1205-en.html
|
