Effects of different mulches on soil and plants in the desert of Iran

The objective of this research was to evaluate various non-petroleum mulches, including resin, mineral, polymer, and biopolymer, on soil properties, plant growth promotion, and sand dune fixation. A field experiment was conducted in the Aran va Bidgol Desert, Central Iran. Three Barchanoid dunes were selected for each mulch treatment and three as the control (15 total). Electrical conductivity (EC), pH, organic matter (OM), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), total nitrogen (T-N), sodium absorption ratio (SAR), and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) were determined at the beginning and end of the field test. Haloxylon persicum seeds and plants were planted in both a plot and a field to study the effect of mulches on seed germination and plant establishment. Scaled indicators placed in different parts of the dunes were monitored monthly to calculate the fixation effect coefficient, and the amount of sediment and sand removal were recorded. One-way ANOVA results showed that, except for the phosphorus, different mulches had a significant effect on all soil properties. According to the results, resin and polymer mulch improved some of the soil properties (regarding fertility and nutritional status). Considering the salinity and pH of the soil, it is observed that increasing the ESP and SAR of the mineral mulch caused soil salination and alkalization. In general, the findings of this study showed that none of the mulches examined for stabilization of sand dunes were recommended.