Effect of BT53 polymer on soil conservation and erosion control

One of the important problems is erosion and soil degradation in watershed areas. Polymer usage is a way for both erosion control and soil and water conservation. In this research the effects of the BT53 polymer application for moisture storage in soil, reduction of runoff and erosion and prevention of loss soil are studied for 1998-2001. The research plan was CRBD and factorial method. First factor included polymer levels of 0, 2 and 4 gr/m2. Second factor included Secale montanum species planted and not-planted. After every rainfall event both runoff volume and sediment amount were measured. Analysis of variance showed there was significant difference between polymer levels and sediments amount (P<0.01). Compression of averages by Duncan's method in first factor showed all polymer levels fall in one group from runoff volume point of view, and in three groups based on sediment amounts. The most effect of polymer usage was on sediment amounts reduction rather than runoff. This means that polymer BT53 is suitable more for soil protection besides runoff reduction. Polymer level 1 had most amounts and polymer level 2 had least amounts of sediment. So application of polymer BT53 in level 2 (4 gr/m2) was suggested for sediment control. Polymer level 2 with non-planted treatment had least effects on runoff volume and sediment amounts among six treatments of polymer levels and planted or non-planted.