IJERD ± International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2018) 9-2

Research article
erd

Erosion Control by Amending Soil with Gypsum inthe Dawlatzai Village of Gardez District, Afghanistan
ABDUL MALIK DAWLATZAI
Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
Email: abduldawlatzai@gmail.com

MACHITO MIHARA
Faculty of Regional Environmental Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan

TAKAHIKO NAKAMURA*
Faculty of Regional Environmental Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
Email: ntaka@nodai.ac.jp

SHAFIQULLAH RAHMANI
Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
Received 31 December 2017

Accepted 15 October 2018(*Corresponding Author)

Abstract Minimizing soil and water loss in agricultural land, particularly in arid and semiarid climatic conditions, is indispensable for environmental protection and agriculturalproduction. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of gypsum
application in reducing sediment concentration in runoff and total soil loss. A field
experiment was conducted in the village of Dawlatzai in Gardez District, Paktya,
Afghanistan. Using a portable rainfall simulator, four erosion plots; gypsum-treated, clover,maize, and control were designed and applied in two replications. Surface runoff
experiment using sandy loam and loamy soil textures was conducted in the Laboratory ofLand and Water Use Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture. Gypsum mineral wasapplied at a rate of 5 t ha-1 for both experiments. The results of field experiments showedthat the gypsum-treated, clover and maize fields reduced total soil loss by 67.28%, 92.04%
and 54.45% compared to the control, respectively. Likewise, surface runoff was reduced by
19.62% in the gypsum-treated field compared to the control field. Similarly, the results oflaboratory experiment showed that with application of gypsum, surface runoff was reduced
by 38.83% and 37.07% from sandy loam and loamy soil textures with total soil loss
reduced by 60.25% and 81.86% compared to control, respectively. Percolation wasincreased by 2.31 and 2.29 times in sandy loam and loamy soil textures, respectively.
Moreover, the application of gypsum significantly reduced sodium adsorption ratio (SAR)
and boosted the calcium content and flocculation phenomena. Based on these results, it canbe suggested and recommended that farmers in Paktya should apply gypsum mineral totheir farmlands to enhance water infiltration and minimize surface runoff and soil loss.
Keywords gypsum, infiltration, soil loss, village of Dawlatzai

INTRODUCTION
Gypsum mineral is generally used mostly because of its availability and low-cost. Gypsum has anability to minimize clay dispersion, thereby permeability of the soil and increases the stability
aggregates at the soil surface. However, the major benefits of gypsum mineral related to agriculture
includes; source of calcium and sulphur for plant nutrition, improves acid soils and treats aluminum
toxicity, enhances soil structure, increases water infiltration and reduce runoff and soil loss
(Greenleaf Advisors, 2015; US-EPA, 2008; Hopkins, 2013).
Gypsum mineral from by-product of industrial processing called synthetic gypsum. It is
composed of calcium sulphate dihydrate and similar in characteristics to natural gypsum and isⒸ ISERD1

IJERD ± International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2018) 9-2

environmentally friendly. Ameliorating saline-sodic soils are indispensable for suitable agriculture
and clay dispersion. Therefore, gypsum is used for sodic soil reclamation, because it is calciumrich, dissolves at high pH and replaces of sodium from an exchange site (Horneck et al., 2007).
Gypsum mineral is able to improve soil hydraulic conductivity and significantly increases
infiltration conditions (Miller, 1987). Gypsum dissolves quickly and releases electrolytes thus
flocculate the soil particles and lower tendency of clay to disperse (Shainberg et al., 1989). The
objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of gypsum application in reducing sedimentconcentration in runoff and total soil loss.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Site
The research was conducted in the Dawlatzai Village of Gardez District, Paktya Province,
Afghanistan (Fig. 1). The village is about 5 km from south of Gardez city, which is the capital ofPaktya Province. About 1,850 families live in the village and 80% of the population depends onagriculture and animal husbandry for livelihood.

Afghanistan

Paktya Province

Fig. 1 Dawlatzai Village in Gardez District, Paktya Province, AfghanistanField Experiment
A field experiment with four erosion plots; gypsum-treated, clover, maize, and control weredesigned and applied in two replications. Using a portable artificial rainfall simulator; raindrop
sizes approx. 3.42 mm, kinetic energy about 1.6×10-5 J and Marriotte bottle generated constantpressure at 981 Pa (Maore and Mihara, 2017). Gypsum mineral was applied at the rate of 5 t ha -1.
Runoff collector was installed on the downstream side, depending on the direction of sloppy field.
The soil was pre-wetted for 24 hours before application of artificial rain (Fig. 2). Surface runoff
was collected at an interval of 5 minutes for a duration of 30 minutes. It was analyzed for chemicaland physical properties in laboratory of Land and Water Use Engineering, Tokyo University ofAgriculture.
Laboratory Experiment
Similarly, the surface runoff experiment was conducted in the laboratory of Land and Water Use
Engineering using a triangular erosion plot. The length was 91.0 cm, and width 3.0 cm and heightare 2.5 cm. The slope of a plot was arranged as 8.0° (Fig. 3). Soil was used for the erosion plot
compacted under a dry density of 1.61 g/cm3 and 1.47 g/cm3 for sandy loam and loamy soil
textures, respectively. Marriotte bottle with constant pressure was used to supply water during 30
minutes. Surface runoff and percolation water were collected at 5 minutes interval. Two treatments
were applied; control and gypsum-treated. Gypsum was applied at the rate of 5 t ha-1. Soil wasⒸ ISERD

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IJERD ± International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2018) 9-2

saturated for 24 hours before the experiment. The surface runoff was analysed for calcium,magnesium, sodium, and soil loss. In addition, flocculation and dispersion experiments wereconducted; using loamy soil texture and gypsum mineral was applied at rates of 2.5 t ha-1, 5 t ha-1,
7.5 t ha-1, and 10 t ha-1. Soil and gypsum were put into tubes and added 100 ml deionized water,then shaken mechanically for a minute. Samples were taken after an interval of 1 hour andexperiment were run for 4 hours.

Fig. 2 Diagram of field experimentFig. 3 Diagram of surface runoff experiment

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The results of field experiments showed that, the total surface runoff fo all ea men g p mtreated, clover, maize and control fields was at 3.40 L, 3.06 L 4.01 L and 4.23 L, respectively.
Statistical analysis showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) between gypsum-treatedand clover fields, and control and maize fields (Fig. 4). Application of gypsum reduced surface
runoff 19.62%. Total soil loss of gypsum-treated, clover and maize fields were reduced by 67.28%,
92.04% and 54.45% compared to control, respectively (Table 1). Gypsum has been used for
reducing and controlling crust formation on the soil surface and improving water infiltration as well
as stabilizing sodic soil (Agassi et al., 1981; Miller, 1987).
Table 1 Soil loss in each field
Average soil loss (t ha-1)
4.11
1.00
5.72
12.56

Total soil loss, reduced from control (%)
67.28
92.04
54.45

1.40

Gypsum4

1.20

Clover

1.00

Maize

3Control

SAR

Cumulative
surfacerunoff
runoff(L)(L)
Cumulative
surface

Treatment
GypsumCloverMaize
Control

20.80
0.60
0.40

10.20
0.00

001020Time (min.)Gypsum Clover Maize Control

30

Fig. 4 Changes in surface runoff with time

Fig. 5 SAR of surface runoffⒸ ISERD3IJERD ± International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2018) 9-2Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) expresses the relationships between sodium content andcalcium plus magnesium contents (Eq. 1). This ratio reflects the amounts of sodium adsorbed onto
clay and soil organic matter exchange surfaces, hence the potential for flocculation or dispersion
processes within the soil (Keren, 1991). These processes influence the hydraulic properties of thesoil, runoff and soil erosion (Lavee et al., 1991). The higher the SAR, the more likely the soil is todisperse, but low SAR soils tend to flocculate. In dispersed soils, water infiltrates and drains slowly,
the water runs off the soil, increasing the potential for erosion and limiting amount of the water
available for crops and soil become very poorly aerated due to inadequate of the large pores.
However, the application of gypsum significantly red ced SAR al e. SAR al e fo all ea men
gypsum-treated, clover, maize and control fields were as of 0. 59, 1.00, 1.19 and 1.07 (Fig. 5).
SAR ൌሾே௔ శ ሿ(1)శమ శ ಾ೒శమ ሿටሾ಴ೌమTable 2 shows that the application of gypsum mineral slightly increased EC of soil solution
because the gypsum mineral is sparingly soluble salt. However, it did not change the pH of the soilsolution. Gypsum improves chemical properties of soil such as aluminium toxicity caused bysubsoil (Chen and Dick, 2011). Gypsum is a neutral salt and not a liming agent, therefore, does notneutralize the hydrogen ion in the soil solution (Fisher, 2011).
Table 2 Electrical conductivity and pH of surface runoff
No1234Treatment
GypsumCloverMaize
Control

EC (mS/m)
77.88
67.13
59.11
55.03

pH
7.78
7.87
7.97
7.79

Total surface runoff for gypsum-treated plots was at 0.63 L and 0.73 L and for control plots
were 1.03 L and 1.16 L. The results showed the application of gypsum significantly reduced runoff
by 38.83% for sandy loam soil and 37.07% for loamy soil compared to the control (Table 3).
Likewise, the total percolating water for gypsum-treated plots was at 0.81 L and 0.35 L and forcontrol plots; 0.71 L and 0.31 L. The application of gypsum increased percolation rate by 2.31
times for sandy loam soil texture and 2.29 times for loamy soil texture compared to the control(Table 4). Mahardhika et al., (2008) reported, they applied gypsum mineral at a rate of 10 t ha -1,polyacrylamide (PAM) 40 kg ha-1 and combined application of both amendments (PAM + gypsum)at the same rates. Total soil loss was reduced by 39%, 43%, and 74%, compared to the control. The
application of PAM + gypsum more significantly was reduced soil to compare with othertreatments. The application of gypsum mineral was effective in considerably reducing total soil loss
from agricultural land.
Table 3 Changing surface runoff from the control
Soil texture
Sandy loam soil
Loamy soil

Treatment

Total discharge (L)GypsumControlGypsumControl

0.63
1.03
0.73
1.16

Total surface decreased fromcontrol (%)
38.83
37.07

The results in Table 5 indicated, the application of gypsum significantly reduced the total soil
loss by 60.25% and 81.86% for sandy loam and loamy soil textures, respectively compared tocontrol. As well, significantly reduced SAR value by 59% and 52% and increased the calcium
content for both soil textures (Fig. 6 and Fig. 7), although, the calcium concentration a slightly
more for loamy soil texture because of Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) of soil. Gypsum mineralboosted soil condition and improved crop yields as well as increasing the sulphur content which isⒸ ISERD4IJERD ± International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2018) 9-2

an essential nutrient for plant growth (Chen and Dick, 2011). Calcium ion is very important for cell
walls, membrane and developing root growth (Fisher, 2001).
Table 4 Changing percolation from the control
Soil texture
Sandy loam soil
Loamy soil

Treatment

Total percolation (L)GypsumControlGypsumControl

0.81
0.35
0.71
0.31

Total percolation changed fromcontrol (time)
2.31
2.29

Table 5 Soil loss from sandy loam and loamy soil textures
Soil
Sandy loam soil

GypsumControlGypsumControl

Average total soil loss(t ha-1)
16.98
42.72
5.34
29.50

0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.50.40.30.2
0.1
0Concentration (mg/L)

SAR

Loamy soil

Treatment

Gypsum Control Gypsum Control
Sandy loam
soil texture

60.25
81.86

450400350300250200150100500CaMg

NaGypsum Control Gypsum Control

Loamy soil texture

Fig. 6 SAR of surface runoff

Total soil loss decreased fromcontrol (%)

Sandy loam
soil texture

Loamy soil texture

Fig. 7 Cation concentration in surface runoff
a*

b*
c*

Fig. 8 Flocculation and dispersion resultsc*c*Fig. 9 Effects of gypsum on suspended soil

Flocculation is the process by which clay particles, individual coagulate or aggregate, water
easy moves mostly in large pores between in aggregates. The dispersion is the reverse action offlocculation clay plug soil pores over enhances surface runoff and reduces water infiltration anddrainage thereby increases soil erosion (Bratby, 1980). Gypsum is known to flocculate the soil andⒸ ISERD

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IJERD ± International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2018) 9-2

pull together clay particles an aggregate. The results indicated the addition of gypsum mineral at
the rates of 2.5 t ha-1, 5 ha-1, 7.5 ha-1, and 10 ha-1 significantly (P<0.05) flocculated soil particles
compared to the control. Furthermore, there is a negligible differential between high and low rates
of gypsum application (Fig. 8 and Fig. 9). It means the application of high rate gypsum mineralsimilar affected as medium rate and the application high-rate of gypsum is uneconomical forfarmers.
CONCLUSION
The results could be concluded that the total soil losses from gypsum-treated field, clover field andmaize field were reduced by 67.28%, 92.04%, and 54.45% compared to the control and reduced
surface runoff by 19.62% for gypsum-treated field compared to the control field. Similarly, itsignificantly reduced surface runoff by 38.83% for sandy loam soil and 37.07% for loamy soil
compared to the control, increased the percolation rate by 2.31 times and 2.29 times and the totalsoil loss was reduced by 60.25% and 81.86%, from sandy loam and loam soil textures, respectively.
By the application of gypsum mineral significantly reduced SAR value and boosted the calcium
content. It was considered that gypsum mineral addition is effective in enhancing flocculation andaggregated of soil clay particles and reduce soil loss. The improved surface conditions in thegypsum-treated soil contributed towards reduction in sediment concentration in surface runoff andtotal soil loss. Accordingly, it is suggested and recommended that farmers in Paktya Province apply
gypsum mineral into their farmlands for reducing surface runoff and soil loss.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors are profoundly grateful to Department of Agriculture Engineering, Tokyo Universityof Agriculture and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
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