The Effect of Crop Rotation on Some Soil Properties in Dry Lands (Case Study Roknabad Maybod)

This study aimed to investigate the effect of crop rotation on some soil characteristics at Roknabad in Yazd province. Five kinds of crop rotation [1- Alfalfa- Alfalfa- Alfalfa- Alfalfa, 2- uncultivated (fallow), 3- Wheat-fallow-Wheat-fallow, 4- fallow-Alfalfa- Mix (Alfalfa- Beet) and 5- Wheat - Melon- Turnip] were investigated in three replications. The effect of rotation on some soil properties such as texture, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, nitrogen, organic matter, phosphorus, pH, EC as well as SAR were studied. The results showed that the kind of rotations significantly affected the amounts of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, nitrogen, organic matter, phosphorus and EC. texture, SAR and pH were not affected by the type of rotation. Results also indicated that (Alfalfa- Alfalfa- Alfalfa- Alfalfa) and (fallow-Alfalfa- Mix (Alfalfa- Beet)) were much more influential on nitrogen, organic matter and soil salinity when compared to other treatments. Overall results indicate that the inclusion of legume plants in rotation can improve soil quality. The results of this research can determine the suitability of common rotations and introduce the best combination planting in the studied region.