Change in soil infiltration associated with leys in south-eastern Queensland

Soil Research ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1057 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Connolly ◽  
D. M. Freebairn ◽  
M. J. Bell
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Soil Infiltration ◽  
Infiltration Capacity ◽  
Soil Matrix ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Surface Sealing

Cropping systems in south-eastern Queensland have led to degradation of soil physical properties and loss of infiltration capacity. Pasture leys are favoured for ameliorating soil physical properties because they add organic matter to the soil, create macroporosity, and help to re-aggregate soil. We measured change in hydraulic conductivity with period of ley for 5 major soil groups in south-eastern Queensland (Sodosols, light and heavy Vertosols, Red Ferrosols, and Red Chromosols/Kandosols). We characterised 2 soil layers that are susceptible to degradation when cropped: surface soil exposed to raindrop impact, and the layer immediately below the cultivated layer (0·1-0·2 m deep). A rainfall simulator was used to measure hydraulic conductivity of surface seals under high intensity rainfall. Disc permeameters and pressure plate apparatus were used to measure hydraulic conductivity of the soil matrix in the 0·1-0·2 m layer. Hydraulic conductivity of both soil layers improved with period of pasture for all but the light-textured Red Chromosols/Kandosols. The estimated period of pasture required to return hydraulic conductivity to pre-cultivated levels ranged from 5 to 40 years, depending on soil type and layer. This is about 2-3 times the period of cultivation that caused the degradation. Grazing reduced the effectiveness of pasture in ameliorating surface sealing on Sodosols. Beneficial effects of a 2·5-4·5 year, ungrazed ley pasture on surface soil persisted for up to 5 years after recultivation, but were lost in the 0·1-0·2 m layer within 1 year. These rates of decline in hydraulic conductivity were faster than observed on previously uncultivated soils. The APSIM model was used to predict the effect of measured improvements in soil hydraulic conductivity on average runoff from summer fallows. The model predicted that most benefits for fallow runoff would be achieved with 2-5 years of ley. The surface seal was the major limitation to infiltration when the soil was bare. Subsurface soil layers limited infiltration if surface sealing was reduced by ameliorating soil properties or maintaining cover on the soil surface. The results suggest that despite amelioration of soil structure with leys, appropriate tillage and cover management is still required to maintain high infiltration rates.

Forest ecosystem responses to artificially induced soil compaction. I. Soil physical properties and tree diameter growth

1986 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 750-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Donnelly ◽  
John B. Shane
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Infiltration Capacity ◽  
Ecosystem Responses ◽  
Resistance Surface ◽  
Soil Penetration Resistance ◽  
Induced Changes

Soil and vegetation responses to artificially imposed surface compaction and the effects of bark mulch on these responses were monitored for a 5-year period within a Quercusalba L. – Quercusvelutina Lam. – Quercusrubra L. forest growing on a loamy sand in northwestern Vermont. Compaction resulted in significant changes in vegetation and soil physical properties. Soil bulk density, soil penetration resistance, surface soil moisture, and soil temperature increased following compaction; infiltration capacity and the radial growth of Acerrubrum L. and Q. velutina decreased. Application of bark mulch prior to compaction tended to reduce compaction effects. Postcompaction additions of bark mulch did not result in noticeable amelioration of compaction-induced changes 2 years after application.

Change in infiltration characteristics associated with cultivation history of soils in south-eastern Queensland

Soil Research ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1341 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Connolly ◽  
D. M. Freebairn ◽  
B. J. Bridge
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Soil Water Storage ◽  
Soil Infiltration ◽  
Soil Matrix ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
History Of ◽  
Plough Layer ◽  
Water Holding ◽  
Soil Groups

Change in soil infiltration characteristics with cultivation can result in reduced soil water storage, increased runoff and erosion, and reduced crop production. We measured changes in infiltration characteristics associated with years of cultivation for 5 soil groups in south-eastern Queensland. Soils were grouped according to soil type and texture into Sodosols, light and heavy Vertosols, Red Ferrosols, and Red Chromosols/Kandosols. Soil infiltration characteristics were determined from measurements of permeability and water-holding properties of the cultivated layer (0–0·1 m deep) and the layer immediately below the plough layer (0·1–0·2 m deep). A rainfall simulator was used to measure the hydraulic conductivity of surface seals and infiltration of bare, tilled soil in the field. Hydraulic conductivity of the soil matrix and macropores and water-holding properties of the 0·1–0·2 m layer were measured with disc permeameters and pressure plate apparatus. Hydraulic conductivity of surface seals decreased exponentially in all soil groups with period of cultivation; half of the decline occurred within 2–6 years of first cultivation. Hydraulic conductivity, macroporosity, and moisture characteristic of the 0·1–0·2 m layer were similarly affected by longer periods of cultivation in all but light-textured soils. Cultivation of light-textured, hardsetting soils (18% clay) did not adversely affect hydraulic conductivity or macroporosity of the 0·1–0·2 m layer and the loosening effect of tillage was somewhat beneficial for the water-holding properties of this layer. The low hydraulic conductivities of the surface or 0·1–0·2 m layer after long periods of cultivation reduced infiltration of rainfall in the field.

scholarly journals Stabilization of soil hydraulic properties under a long term no-till system

2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 1281-1292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Alberto Lozano ◽  
Carlos Germán Soracco ◽  
Vicente S. Buda ◽  
Guillermo O. Sarli ◽  
Roberto Raúl Filgueira
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Water Retention Curve ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Tillage System ◽  
Crop Sequence

The area under the no-tillage system (NT) has been increasing over the last few years. Some authors indicate that stabilization of soil physical properties is reached after some years under NT while other authors debate this. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the last crop in the rotation sequence (1st year: maize, 2nd year: soybean, 3rd year: wheat/soybean) on soil pore configuration and hydraulic properties in two different soils (site 1: loam, site 2: sandy loam) from the Argentinean Pampas region under long-term NT treatments in order to determine if stabilization of soil physical properties is reached apart from a specific time in the crop sequence. In addition, we compared two procedures for evaluating water-conducting macroporosities, and evaluated the efficiency of the pedotransfer function ROSETTA in estimating the parameters of the van Genuchten-Mualem (VGM) model in these soils. Soil pore configuration and hydraulic properties were not stable and changed according to the crop sequence and the last crop grown in both sites. For both sites, saturated hydraulic conductivity, K0, water-conducting macroporosity, εma, and flow-weighted mean pore radius, R0ma, increased from the 1st to the 2nd year of the crop sequence, and this was attributed to the creation of water-conducting macropores by the maize roots. The VGM model adequately described the water retention curve (WRC) for these soils, but not the hydraulic conductivity (K) vs tension (h) curve. The ROSETTA function failed in the estimation of these parameters. In summary, mean values of K0 ranged from 0.74 to 3.88 cm h-1. In studies on NT effects on soil physical properties, the crop effect must be considered.

scholarly journals Comparison of wheat and safflower cultivation areas in terms of total carbon and some soil properties under semi-arid climate conditions

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1007-1024
Author(s):  
B. Turgut
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Arid Climate ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
Semi Arid

Abstract. The aim of this study was to compare the soils of the wheat cultivation area (WCA) and the safflower cultivation area (SCA) within semi-arid climate zones in terms of their total carbon, nitrogen, sulphur contents, particle size distribution, aggregate stability, organic matter content, and pH values. This study presents the results from the analyses of 140 soil samples taken at two soil layers (0–10 and 10–20 cm) in the cultivation areas. At the end of the study, it has been established that there were significant differences between the cultivation areas in terms of soil physical properties such as total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), total sulphur (TS) contents and pH, while only the TN content resulted in significantly different between the two soil layers. Moreover significant differences were identified in the cultivation areas in terms of soil physical properties including clay and sand contents, aggregate stability and organic matter content, whereas the only significant difference found among the soil layers was that of their silt content. Since safflower contains higher amounts of biomass than wheat, we found higher amounts of organic matter content and, therefore, higher amounts of TN and TS content in the soils of the SCA. In addition, due to the fact that wheat contains more cellulose – which takes longer to decompose – the TC content of the soil in the WCA were found to be higher than that of the SCA. The results also revealed that the WCA had a higher carbon storage capacity.

Effect of Nano, Bio and Organic Fertilizers on Some Soil Physical Properties and Soybean Productivity in Saline Soil

2021 ◽  
pp. 44-57
Author(s):  
Kh. A. Shaban ◽  
M. A. Esmaeil ◽  
A. K. Abdel Fattah ◽  
Kh. A. Faroh
Keyword(s):  
Humic Acid ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Saline Soil ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Soil Conditions

A field experiment was carried out at Khaled Ibn El-waleed village, Sahl El-Hussinia, El-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, during two summer seasons 2019 and 2020 to study the effect of NPK nanofertilizers, biofertilizers and humic acid combined with or without mineral fertilizers different at rates on some soil physical properties and soybean productivity and quality under saline soil conditions. The treatments consisted of: NPK-chitosan, NPK-Ca, humic acid, biofertilzer and control (mineral NPK only). In both seasons, the experiment was carried out in a split plot design with three replicates. The results indicated a significant increase in the soybean yield parameters as compared to control. There was also a significant increase in dry and water stable aggregates in all treatments as compared to control. The treatment NPK-Chitosan was the best in improving dry and stable aggregates. Also, hydraulic conductivity and total porosity values were significantly increased in all treatments due to increase in soil aggregation and porosity that led to increase in values of hydraulic conductivity. Values of bulk density were decreased, the lowest values of bulk density were found in NPK-chitosan treatment as a result of the high concentration of organic matter resulted from NPK-chitosan is much lighter in weight than the mineral fraction in soils. Accordingly, the increase in the organic fraction decreases the total weight and bulk density of the soil. Concerning soil moisture constants, all treatments significantly increased field capacity and available water compared to control. This increase was due to improvement of the soil aggregates and pores spaces which allowed the free movement of water within the soil thereby, increasing the moisture content at field capacity.

scholarly journals Thinning Improves Surface-Soil Physical Properties of Coniferous Forest Plantations

2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 17-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bam Haja Nirina Razafindrabe ◽  
Venecio U. Ultra ◽  
Osamu Kobayashi ◽  
Mitsuo Fujiwara ◽  
Shoji Inoue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Forest Plantations

Spatial variation in soil physical properties and effects on soil NO3– production on forest hillslopes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomoki Oda ◽  
Megumi Kuroiwa ◽  
Naoya Fujime ◽  
Kazuo Isobe ◽  
Naoya Masaoka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Spatial Variation ◽  
Volcanic Ash ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Slope Position ◽  
Surface Soil Moisture ◽  
Slope Bottom

<p>Ammonium (NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>) and nitrate (NO<sub>3</sub><sup>–</sup>) concentrations and production rates in forest soil vary by hillslope position due to variation in ammonia-oxidizing microorganism concentrations, soil chemistry, and surface soil moisture. These spatial distributions have a significant effect on nutrient cycles and streamwater chemistry. Soil moisture conditions significantly restrict microbial activity, influencing the spatial distribution of NO<sub>3</sub><sup>–</sup> concentrations on forest hillslopes. However, studies linking forest hydrological processes to nitrogen cycling are limited. Therefore, we investigated the determinants of spatial variation in soil moisture and evaluated the effects of soil moisture fluctuations on spatial variation in NO<sub>3</sub><sup>–</sup> concentration and production rate.</p><p>The study sites were the Fukuroyamasawa Experimental Watershed (FEW) and Oyasan Experimental Watershed (OEW) in Japan. The two have similar topographies, climates, and tree species. In each watershed, a 100 m transect was set up from the ridge to the base of the slope, and soil moisture sensors were installed at soil depths of 10 cm and 30 cm at both the top and bottom of the slope. We collected surface soil samples at a depth of 10 cm at the top, middle, and bottom of the slopes using 100 cm<sup>3</sup> cores, and measured soil physical properties, particle size distribution, volcanic ash content, chemical properties (pH, NO<sub>3</sub><sup>–</sup>, NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>, nitrification rate, and mineralization rate), and microbial content (archaeal content). Spatial and temporal changes in soil moisture on the hillslope were calculated using HYDRUS-2D to examine contributing factors of soil moisture.</p><p>At FEW, high NO<sub>3</sub><sup>–</sup> concentrations and nitrification rates were observed only at the slope bottom and middle, and no NO<sub>3</sub><sup>–</sup> concentrations were detected at up slope. By contrast, at OEW, high NO<sub>3</sub><sup>–</sup> concentrations and nitrification rates were observed at all points. NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> concentrations were similar at all points in both watersheds. At FEW, 10 cm surface soil moisture fluctuated within 25–40% at the slope top but was within 40–50% at the slope bottom. At OEW, surface soil moisture was 30–40% at both the slope top and bottom, with no significant differences according to slope position. It was confirmed that soil moisture was significantly involved in NO<sub>3</sub><sup>– </sup>concentration and nitrification rates. Model simulations showed that the difference in soil moisture fluctuations between FEW and OEW was mainly explained by the spatial variation in soil physical properties. In particular, volcanic ash influenced soil moisture along the entire slope at OEW, resulting in high water retention, but only influenced soil moisture at the slope bottom at FEW. These findings indicate that spatial variability in soil physical properties has a significant effect on soil moisture fluctuation and leads to a spatial distribution of NO<sub>3</sub><sup>–</sup> production.</p>

Spatial relationship between soil hydraulic and soil physical properties in a farm field

2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Biswas ◽  
B C Si
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Shape Parameter ◽  
Spatial Relationship ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Hydraulic Parameters ◽  
Curve Shape ◽  
Scaling Parameter

The relationship between soil properties may vary with their spatial separation. Understanding this relationship is important in predicting hydraulic parameters from other soil physical properties. The objective of this study was to identify spatially dependent relationships between hydraulic parameters and soil physical properties. Regularly spaced (3-m) undisturbed soil samples were collected along a 384 m transect from a farm field at Smeaton, Saskatchewan. Saturated hydraulic conductivity, the soil water retention curve, and soil physical properties were measured. The scaling parameter, van Genuchten scaling parameter α (VGα), and curve shape parameter, van Genuchten curve shape parameter n (VGn), were obtained by fitting the van Genuchten model to measured soil moisture retention data. Results showed that the semivariograms of soil properties exhibited two different spatial structures at spatial separations of 20 and 120 m, respectively. A strong spatial structure was observed in organic carbon, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), sand, and silt; whereas a weak structure was found for VGα and VGn. Correlation circle analysis showed strong spatially dependent relationships of Ks and VGα; with soil physical properties, but weak relationships of θs and VGn with soil physical properties. The spatially dependent relationships between soil physical and soil hydraulic parameters should be taken into consideration when developing pedotransfer functions. Key words: Spatial relationship, geostatistics, linear coregionalization model, principal component analysis, pedotransfer function

Influence of long-term feedlot manure amendments on soil hydraulic conductivity, water-stable aggregates, and soil thermal properties during the growing season

2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 421-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.J. Miller ◽  
B.W. Beasley ◽  
C.F. Drury ◽  
F.J. Larney ◽  
X. Hao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Properties ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Wood Chip ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Soil Thermal Properties

Long-term application of feedlot manure to cropland may change the physical properties of soils. We measured selected soil (surface) physical properties of a Dark Brown Chernozemic clay loam where different amendments were annually applied for 15 (2013), 16 (2014), and 17 (2015) yr. The treatments were stockpiled (SM) or composted (CM) manure with either straw (ST) or wood-chip (WD) bedding applied at three rates (13, 39, and 77 Mg ha−1) and an unamended control. The effect of selected or all treatments on selected properties was determined in 2013–2015. These properties included field-saturated (Kfs) and near-saturated hydraulic conductivity or K(ψ), bulk density (BD), volumetric water content, soil temperature, soil thermal properties, and wet aggregate stability. The hypotheses that selected soil physical properties would improve more for treatments with greater total carbon in the amendments (SM > CM, WD > ST) was rejected. The exceptions were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) lower soil BD for SM than CM and WD than ST for certain dates, and lower soil thermal conductivity for WD than ST. Most soil physical properties generally had no response to 15–17 yr of annual applications of these feedlot amendments, but a few showed a positive response.

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