Reduction of water consumption in landscape using wood, sand and tire-chips mulches

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

In arid and semi-arid regions, evaporation from the soil surface represents the major water balance component that causes losses of water. Urban landscape (particularly grass cover) consumes a large amount of water in urban areas. Using mulch is a proper method to reduce the cost and volume of irrigation. This field experiment was completely randomized blocks design with eight treatments and three replications. The experiment consisted of wood, sand and tire-chips mulches of 2.5 and 5 cm thickness. Three plots were planted with grass, three plots had no mulch or grass cover (control) and the remaining 18 plots were covered with mulches. In each plot, Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum Pompona) was planted and conducted during 70 days. Results indicated that the treatment with a thickness of 5 cm of sand mulch had the best performance on saving water. Then sandy mulch with a thickness of 2.5 cm, the tire-chips mulch with a thickness of 2.5 cm, wood-chips mulch with a thickness of 2.5 cm, the tire-chips mulch with a thickness of 5 cm and wood-chips mulch with a thickness of 5 cm had the best performance on reducing water consumption, respectively. The plots of grass and control consumed the greatest volume of water during the experimental period. Water consumption from the soil covered by woody chips mulch (5 cm) and sandy mulch (5 cm) decreased 50% and 87%, respectively compared to the grass cover. Also, the sand and woody chips mulch with a thickness of 5 cm decreased the water consumption volume, 26% and 78%, respectively compared to the control plot (no mulch).

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