Effects of biochar and powdery maize on soil properties and reducing wind erosion

Dust release from wind erosion is a widespread phenomenon, which has significant consequences for ecosystems and human health. Addition of active ingredients to degraded soils is a suitablegood method to create and stabilize aggregates that can reduce fine dust production. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of powdery maize residues and maize biochar on soil properties and wind erosion of Shahrekord plain. In this study, in addition to powder obtained from maize plant residues, maize biochar was prepared in a size of less than 2 mm and added to the studied loam soil in a ratio of 5% by weight. During the experimental period, soils were sampled at 5, 20, 45 and 60 days after addition of biochar and powder from maize residues, to evaluate changes in soil properties over time. Simulations were also performed over a 60-day period in a wind tunnel to show how soil remediation can indirectly control wind erosion potential. Experimental results showed that the use of powder of maize cob residues caused a significant increase (probability level< 0.05) in organic matter and aggregate stability compared to maize biochar. The use of powder of maize cob residues increases soil organic matter by 1.17, 1.27, 1.77 and 2.1 times on days 5, 20, 45 and 60, respectively, compared to the control sample. Eroded soil on day 5 and 60 of biochar treatments were 184.24 and 65.15 g / m2, respectively, and on days 5 and 60, for powder of maize cob residues were 171.84 and 49.49 g / m2, respectively. Finally, the use of powder of maize residues caused soil stability, increasing soil stability and ultimately led to a significant reduction in (p <0.05) soil wind erosion.