Improving chemical and hydro-physical properties of semi-arid soils using different magnitudes of crumb rubber

Purpose Iran is located on the desertification strip where ithas faced water shortage and poor quality soils. So it isnecessary to improve the soil structure and increase irrigationefficiency. In this context, the use of industrialwastes can increase soil’s organic matter and improve itsstructure, also amend environmental problems related todisposal of industrial wastes. The objective of this studywas to survey the effect of crumb rubber (CR) applicationas soil amendment on soil water retention curve indices,soil aggregate stability and soil micronutrients.Methods In this study, different amounts of CR (0, 0.12,0.24, 0.36 and 0.48 g) were added to every kg of the twodifferent soil textures (loamy sand and silty clay). Potswere kept at FC moisture conditions for 6 months. At theend of incubation time, the different soil micronutrientavailability, soil structural stability and soil hydraulicproperties were measured.Results The results showed that application of CR as soilamendment had significant effects (p.001) onincreasing soil organic matter content and soil micronutrientavailability including Zn and Fe. Adding CR particlesby reducing the aggregate fractal dimension, soilpenetration resistance and bulk density, improves soilstructure in both types of soil. The results also demonstratedthat the use of CR particles can improve waterholding capacity in sandy soil and increased plant availablewater content and air capacity in clay soil (p.001).Conclusions According to our results adding CR particlescan be considered as a low-cost solution in order toimprove the hydro-physical and chemical properties ofsoils in these areas.