The effect of soil physicochemical properties under different land use on aggregate stability in some part of Khuzestan province

The effects of physicochemical properties of soil and land uses were studied on aggregate stability in some part of Khuzestan province. Therefore, 56 samples were collected from 0-20 cm depth under different land uses including noncultivation, rotation cropping and sugarcane. Mean weight diameter (MWD) and physicochemical properties of soil such as organic carbon, sodium absorption ratio, electrical conductivity, CEC, texture, gypsum, bulk density and pH were determined. Multiple linear regressions (step by step method) were applied to determine the effect of soil properties on aggregate stability. The results showed that organic matter contents had maximum effect on MWD for all soils. Organic mater content were minimum in uncultivated lands due to high salinity, low rain, and weak drainage, therefore minimum aggregate stability were observed in uncultivated lands. The highest salinity was determined in uncultivated Abadan soils with minimum aggregate stability. Both artificial drainage and cultivation reduced soil salinity and increased organic matter and consequently increased aggregate stability. This changed 0.67, 1.2 and 1.4 MWD for uncultivated, rotation cropping, and sugarcane respectively in north region the Khuzestan province.