An efficient method for the collection of root mucilage from different plant species-A case study on the effect of mucilage on soil water repellency

Abstract Soil water repellency (SWR) can influence many hydrological soil properties, including water infiltration, uneven moisture distribution or water retention. In the current study we investigated how variable SWR persistence in the field is related to the soil microbial community under different plant species (P. halepensis, Q. rotundifolia, C. albidus and R. officinalis) in a Mediterranean forest. The soil microbial community was determined through phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA). The relationships between microbiological community structure and the soil properties pH, Glomalin Related Soil Protein (GRSP) and soil organic matter (SOM) content were also studied. Different statistical analyses were used: Principal Component Analysis (PCA), ANOVA, Redundancy Analysis and Pearson correlations. The highest concentrations of PLFA were found in the most water repellent samples. PCA showed that microorganism composition was more dependent of the severity of SWR than the type of plant species. In the Redundancy Analysis, SWR was the only significant factor (p<0.05) to explain PLFA distributions. The only PLFA biomarkers directly related to SWR were associated with Actinobacteria (10Me16:0, 10Me17:0 and 10Me18:0). All the results suggest that a strong dependence between SWR and microbial community composition.

Download Full-text

Soil water repellency in sandy soil depends on the soil drying method, incubation temperature and specific surface area

Geoderma ◽

10.1016/j.geoderma.2021.115264 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 402 ◽

pp. 115264

Author(s):

Enoch V.S. Wong ◽

Philip R. Ward ◽

Daniel V. Murphy ◽

Matthias Leopold ◽

Louise Barton

Keyword(s):

Specific Surface ◽

Soil Water ◽

Surface Area ◽

Specific Surface Area ◽

Sandy Soil ◽

Incubation Temperature ◽

Water Repellency ◽

Soil Drying ◽

Drying Method ◽

Soil Water Repellency

Download Full-text

The use of visible and near-infrared spectroscopy for the analysis of soil water repellency

European Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.1111/ejss.12138 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 65 (3) ◽

pp. 360-368 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

I. Kim ◽

R. R. Pullanagari ◽

M. Deurer ◽

R. Singh ◽

K. Y. Huh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Infrared Spectroscopy ◽

Soil Water ◽

Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Water Repellency ◽

Soil Water Repellency

Download Full-text

Soil water repellency: Dynamics of heterogeneous surfaces

Colloids and Surfaces A Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects ◽

10.1016/j.colsurfa.2013.05.011 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 432 ◽

pp. 8-18 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

Dörte Diehl

Keyword(s):

Soil Water ◽

Water Repellency ◽

Heterogeneous Surfaces ◽

Soil Water Repellency

Download Full-text

Soil water repellency persistence after recurrent forest fires on Mount Carmel, Israel

International Journal of Wildland Fire ◽

10.1071/wf12063 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 515 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Naama Tessler ◽

Lea Wittenberg ◽

Noam Greenbaum

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Water ◽

Forest Fires ◽

Water Drop ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Water Repellency ◽

Mediterranean Ecosystem ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Soil Water Repellency ◽

Chemical Properties Of Soils

Variations in forest fires regime affect: (1) the natural patterns of community structure and vegetation; (2) the physico-chemical properties of soils and consequently (3) runoff, erosion and sediment yield. In recent decades the Mediterranean ecosystem of Mount Carmel, north-western Israel, is subjected to an increasing number of forest fires, thus, the objectives of the study were to evaluate the long-term effects of single and recurrent fires on soil water repellency (WR) and organic matter (OM) content. Water repellency was studied by applying water drop penetration time (WDPT) tests at sites burnt by single-fire, two fires, three fires and unburnt control sites. Water repellency in the burnt sites was significantly lower than in the unburnt control sites, and the soil maintained its wettability for more than 2 decades, whereas after recurrent fires, the rehabilitation was more complicated and protracted. The OM content was significantly lower after recurrent than after a single fire, causing a clear proportional decrease in WR. The rehabilitation of WR to natural values is highly dependent on restoration of organic matter and revegetation. Recurrent fires may cause a delay in recovery and reduced productivity of the soil for a long period.

Download Full-text