SOIL WATER EROSION CONTROL USING NON – TRADITIONAL SOIL CONDITIONERS – IN SOME NORTH WESTERN COAST VALLEYS

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study included field and laboratory experiments. The laboratory experiments were conducted using rainfall simulator model (FEL3) to study the effect of rainfall intensity (5 - 10 - 15 - 20 - 40mm.hr -1 ), bulk density, slope factors (5%) and soil conditioners (ceramic, bokashi and coal ash) on soil loss and associated runoff under environment of soils at Wadi El-Raml and Wadi Magid, North Western Coast Zone of Egypt. Results of laboratory rainfall simulator reveal that the amount of both runoff and soil loss increased by increasing rainfall intensity for the two soils under study. Both runoff and soil loss from Wadi El-Raml soil was greater than that for Wadi Magid soil. The best rate of any soil conditioner for reducing the rate of runoff and soil loss is 80t.fed . The bokashi conditioner was more effective than ceramic or coal ash conditioners in reducing water erosion for all soil. Field experiments were conducted in 2015 – 2016 winter season, at wadi El- Raml area. Slope of the experimental site is about 5 percent in south – north direction. Thirty-three bounded plots having edges of soil with approximately 20 cm height were used to determine soil loss associated with runoff using Gerlash trough. The biological, straw and grain yield were recorded after growing season. Results of field study reveal that the average annual rainfall is 186.1mm. Eleven storms occurred, where six storms of them is effective (162.2mm) as they caused runoff and consequently soil loss, and represented about 87% of the total rain that fall. Runoff was reduced to 22.3% for traditional cultivation without conditioners as compared to bare soil. Using non- traditional conditioners, such as bokashi, ceramic or coal ash, with cultivation under environment of North Western Coast Zone of Egypt will combat the hazards of water erosion. The annual reduction in surface water runoff and soil loss reached 68 and 78%, respectively, with using bokashi conditioner at rate of 80t.fed -1 -1 as compared to that for traditional cultivation without soil conditioners. The highest straw and grain yields (3785kg.fed )