Assessment of soil quality indicators in different rice rotation systems in Dasht-Sar district, Amol, Mazandaran Province

Soil quality as a concern for sustainable global development was defined to conserve soil productivity and water, air and human health under sustainable land uses. Soil quality investigations are needed to provide information for management and regulatory decisions. Soil quality indicators usually are used to assess soil quality in an ecosystem. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of three crop rotation systems in paddy soils of Dasht-Sar district, Amol, Mazandar province. Three adjacent sites which managed over 8 years similarly were selected. The study area located 8 km far away of Amol in Mazandaran province. Soil sampling was performed on a regular systematic pattern in three selected plots with 100 in 15 m dimensions and in depth of 0-30 cm of soil in forty locations. Statistical Results showed that frequency distribution of most data was normal. The lowest CV% was related to pH. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and comparison test showed that there were the significant differences in soil quality indicators between understudy crop rotation systems. Results of multivariable regression analysis revealed that soil respiration and microbial biomass carbon had high correlation coefficients with soil organic matter and MWD. Overall results indicated that the rice rotation with legumes such as bean and clover over a long time improved soil quality in compared to rice-follow rotation.