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The Impact of Petroleum Mulch on Vegetation and Soil in Sandy Deserts: Soil Quality Improvement and Vegetation Recovery

March 08, 2025

This article investigates the effects of petroleum mulch on vegetation and soil in the sandy deserts of Samad Abad, Sarakhs, in Khorasan Razavi province. Petroleum mulch is a common method for stabilizing mobile sands in Iran, but its effects on vegetation and soil have been less studied. In this research, sampling was conducted in both mulched and control areas to assess vegetation cover and soil attributes. The results showed that while there was no significant difference in total vegetation cover and the density of dominant species such as Astragalus squarosus and Convolvolus hamadae between the mulched and control areas, the total volume and green matter of plants were significantly higher in the mulched area. Additionally, the organic matter content in the soil at a depth of 20-80 cm was significantly higher in the mulched area compared to the control. These findings suggest that petroleum mulch can improve plant growth conditions and increase soil organic matter.

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