The effect of natural land conversion to agricultural land on some soil physical and chemical properties (Case study: Vavsar-Kiasar, Mazandaran province)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of converting natural lands to agricultural lands in Vavsar village of Kiasar city. For this purpose, a rangeland use, along with three other uses, including lentil, wheat, and potato cultivation, were selected as the study area. Soil sampling was performed at a depth of 30-0 cm from each soil surface. A total of 40 soil samples were collected. Then the physical and chemical factors of the soil were measured including soil texture, aggregate stability, bulk density, total organic matter, total nitrogen, potassium, absorbable phosphorus, calcium carbonate, pH and EC. The results of variance analysis showed that the conversion of rangeland to the three mentioned uses had no effect on the overall soil texture and the soil texture in all four uses was Lummi. However, in the comparison of the average of the three factors that make up the soil texture (silt, clay and sand), it was found that there is a significant difference between the percentage of sand and silt at the level of 0.05. The results also showed that other factors such as aggregate stability, total organic matter, total nitrogen, calcium carbonate were significantly reduced as a result of this conversion. So that in the use of lentils, potatoes and wheat, the stability of the soil is 50.95, 20.44 and 8.86 percent, respectively, the total organic matter is 41.94, 24.73 and 22.44 percent, respectively, the total nitrogen is 42.86, respectively. 21.43% and 7.14% and calcium carbonate levels decreased by 72%, 62% and 88%, respectively. While phosphorus increased by 55.91, 86.39 and 24.39, respectively, and potassium increased by 44.05, 71.88 and 8.45%, respectively. But this conversion did not have a significant effect on pH, EC and bulk density. The results of this study showed that land use change can have different effects on soil quality characteristics. Therefore, it is suggested that continuous monitoring and evaluation of the fertility status and quality of the cultivated lands be done.