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Dept. of Soil Science and Engineering, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran , p_alamdari@znu.ac.ir
Abstract: (16 Views)
The results clearly demonstrate that long-term conversion from intensive annual cropping to perennial horticultural systems significantly enhances soil quality in this saline-prone semi-arid environment. Reduced tillage, continuous canopy cover and high organic inputs in horticultural led to improved soil structure, greater carbon sequestration, enhanced biological activity and substantially lower risks of salinization and sodification. Conversely, conventional agricultural management exacerbated soil degradation through compaction, salt accumulation and depletion of organic matter and microbial functions, posing a serious threat of irreversible soil sodification. The absence of significant differences in available phosphorus and lime reflects the slow turnover of these pools and their strong dependence on parent material and long-term fertilization history rather than recent landuse change. In conclusion, transitioning from annual cropping to perennial horticulture emerges as one of the most effective land-management strategies for rapid soil restoration, carbon buildup, biodiversity enhancement and salinity mitigation in the Lake Urmia basin. Policymakers and agricultural extension services should prioritize incentives for establishing salt and drought-tolerant horticultural on high-risk agricultural lands. Future research should focus on integrated soil quality indices, long-term carbon and nutrient budgets, to refine sustainable landuse policies for the ecological rehabilitation of this critically endangered region.
Received: 2026/02/22
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