This study aimed to assess the effects of integrated mechanical and biological practices such as pitting, ripping, contour furrow and broad base terrace to decrease runoff and sediments in Kohgiloye Va Boyerahmad province. Randomized complete block design with 3 repetitions was used to assess the effects of mechanical practices along with planting Vicia villosa and Bromous tomentellus in Maregone station. Run off, sediment yields, soil moisture and vegetation cover were measured in all the treatments at the end of each year. According to the results, the run off volume was significantly different between the treated sites and control site (α= 5%). Moreover, the sediment yields were significantly different between control and both pitting and contour furrow sites (α= 5%). Sediment yield in the control and other treatments did not show significant differences. The vegetation cover of the control site varied significantly compared to the treated sites. The mechanical practices lead to relatively similar vegetation cover and soil moisture among the sites. The vegetation cover of broad base terrace, contour furrow, pitting, and ripping sites were 3.5, 3.2, 1.5 and 1.4 times more than the control site respectively. The runoff in pitting, contour furrow, broad base terrace and ripping sites were decreased 1.8, 1.7, 1.6, 1.5 times compared to the control site respectively. Similarly, sediment yield in pitting, contour furrow, broad base terrace and ripping sites were decreased 12.3, 2.8, 1.7 and 1.3 times compared to the control site respectively. Overall, pitting and contour furrow practices can be recommended to enhance vegetation cover and decrease sediment and run of in the study area.
 

Keywords: Mechanical practices, Biological activities, Broad base terrace, Contour furrow, Pitting, Ripping.

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