A Study on the applicability of some natural plant species for erosion control in the Çukurova Region

The aim of this study was to test some natural plants for erosion control in the Çukurova region. Experiments were conducted on 7.0 m X 3.0 m plots with 30% slope. Plants used in the study were Oryzopsis miliacea (L.) Benth, Rosmarinus officinalis, Medicago arbor ea, Hyparrhenia hirta (L) Stapfand Putoria calabrica. During the study period the measured total rainfall was 1859 mm. Out of 92 rainfalls 57 were described as erosive. 52 rainfalls in Putoria calabrica, 49 in Medicago arbor ea, 47 in Hyparrhenia hirta, 41 in Oryzopsis miliacea and 38 in Rosmarinus officinalis plots caused runoff and soil losses. Due to erosive rainfalls, soil losses measured in Oryzopsis miliacea, Rosmarinus officinalis, Medicago arborea, Hyparrhenia hirta and Putoria calabrica planted plots were 3529, 3013, 5319, 5481 and 9175 kg/da respectively. Additionally, runoff values for Oryzopsis miliacea, Rosmarinus officinalis, Medicago arborea, Hyparrhenia hirta and Putoria calabrica were 127, 113, 189, 179 and 372 mm respectively. However, in the control plot (not planted) the measured soil loss was 19418 kg/da along with 488 mm runoff. Results revealed that, plants tested in the study can all be successfully used for erosion control. However, Rosmarinus officinalis' and Oryzopsis miliacea's conservation abilities were superior to the other plants tested. Moreover Hyparrhenia hirta 's and Medicago arborea 's effects on erosion were similar. Key Words : Oryzopsis milacea, Rosmarinus officinalis, Medicago arborea, Hyparrhenia hirta, Putoria calabrica, Erosion, Runoff, Soil loss. n