Investigation of the Effect of Micro-Catchment Rainwater Harvesting Systems on the Amount of Green Water Retention in the Soil Profile

The present study aimed to determine the most appropriate methods to increase moisture retention in the soil profile. This research was designed in the form of a randomized complete block design with six treatments including three treatments using wheat straw with different compositions and methods, one treatment using sponge waste and gravel filter, one treatment using animal manure and natural soil treatment (control). The soil moisture content of the treatments was measured every 15 days by gypsum blocks for 3 years and their weight percent moisture content was compared to each other and the control treatment. The results showed that the treatment using sponge and gravel filter was significant and effective in increasing the soil moisture retention compared to the control treatment with values of 15.2 and 10.8 percent moisture at the 1 percent level of significance, respectively. It is worth to mention that between the three treatments using wheat straw with different compositions and methods, with a range of 12.3 to 12.8 percent moisture content, no significant difference was observed therefore none of them has a preference over the other in terms of maintaining soil moisture content.