Labile soil carbon fractions as indicators of soil quality improvement under short-term grassland set-aside

Soil Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 364
Author(s):  
Jason M. Lussier ◽  
Maja Krzic ◽  
Sean M. Smukler ◽  
Katarina R. Neufeld ◽  
Chantel J. Chizen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Size Fraction ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Aggregate Size ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Soil C

Grassland set-asides (GLSA) are fields that are taken out of intensive annual crop production and seeded with a mixture of grasses and legumes for one to four years to improve soil quality. The objectives of this study were to evaluate (i) the relationships among soil organic carbon (SOC), permanganate oxidisable C (POXC), dilute-acid extractable polysaccharides (DAEP) and aggregate stability to determine if they may be used as proxies for one another, (ii) whether these indicators could be used to predict aggregate stability, (iii) if differences in soil quality after short-term GLSAs, detected with aggregate stability, could instead be detected with POXC or DAEP and (iv) potential use of diffuse Fourier transform spectroscopy (FT-MIR) to predict POXC, DAEP and aggregate stability in the Fraser River Delta region of British Columbia, Canada. There were strong relationships among SOC, POXC and DAEP, but the relationship between DAEP and SOC (R2 = 0.60, P < 0.0001) was less strong than that observed between POXC and SOC (R2 = 0.71, P < 0.0001). All three soil C fractions were significantly predicted with the 2–6 mm aggregate size fraction but the correlations for DAEP (R2 = 0.43) and POXC (R2 = 0.36) were stronger than that for SOC (R2 = 0.29). Predictions of soil quality indicators using FT-MIR produced R2 = 0.92 for POXC, R2 = 0.93 for DAEP and R2 = 0.62 for the 2–6 mm aggregate size fraction. These results suggest that FT-MIR holds promise as a low-cost method to determine labile soil C fractions that are better proxy soil quality indicators for aggregate stability than SOC.

scholarly journals Physical soil quality indicators for monitoring British soils

Solid Earth ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 1003-1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ron Corstanje ◽  
Theresa G. Mercer ◽  
Jane R. Rickson ◽  
Lynda K. Deeks ◽  
Paul Newell-Price ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variability ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
Soil Monitoring ◽  
Soil Water Retention

Abstract. Soil condition or quality determines its ability to deliver a range of functions that support ecosystem services, human health and wellbeing. The increasing policy imperative to implement successful soil monitoring programmes has resulted in the demand for reliable soil quality indicators (SQIs) for physical, biological and chemical soil properties. The selection of these indicators needs to ensure that they are sensitive and responsive to pressure and change, e.g. they change across space and time in relation to natural perturbations and land management practices. Using a logical sieve approach based on key policy-related soil functions, this research assessed whether physical soil properties can be used to indicate the quality of British soils in terms of their capacity to deliver ecosystem goods and services. The resultant prioritised list of physical SQIs was tested for robustness, spatial and temporal variability, and expected rate of change using statistical analysis and modelling. Seven SQIs were prioritised: soil packing density, soil water retention characteristics, aggregate stability, rate of soil erosion, depth of soil, soil structure (assessed by visual soil evaluation) and soil sealing. These all have direct relevance to current and likely future soil and environmental policy and are appropriate for implementation in soil monitoring programmes.

Soil and vegetation of ungrazed crested wheatgrass and native rangelands

2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 411-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Broersma ◽  
M. Krzic ◽  
D. J. Thompson ◽  
A. A. Bomke
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Soil Aggregates ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Size Fraction ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Slight Reduction ◽  
Crested Wheatgrass ◽  
Soil C

Seeding of introduced forage grasses, such as crested wheatgrass [Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. and A. desertorum (Fisch.) Schult.], can lead to the reduction of species diversity and soil quality. This study evaluated the effects of crested wheatgrass on soil and vegetation relative to native rangeland dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass [Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) Scribn. & Smith] under ungrazed conditions. Three sites consisting of adjacent ungrazed stands of crested wheatgrass and native vegetation were sampled in June 1997. Total plant cover was 37% on native and 24% on crested wheatgrass rangeland. Species richness was lower for crested wheatgrass than for native rangeland. Quantities of root biomass and most soil properties were similar for the two rangelands. Native rangeland had a more stable soil structure with 1.7 mm mean weight diameter (MWD) and 38% of soil aggregates in the 2–6 mm size fraction compared to 1.4 mm MWD and 28% of soil aggregate in the 2–6 mm size fraction on crested wheatgrass rangeland. Greater soil penetration resistance was observed at the 6 and 7.5 cm depths for crested wheatgrass rangeland. Crested wheatgrass did not invade adjacent native rangelands and only a slight reduction in soil quality was observed on crested wheatgrass rangelands. Key words: Crested wheatgrass, soil C, soil N, penetration resistance, aggregate stability, species diversity

scholarly journals Use of an integrative soil health test for evaluation of soil management impacts

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 214-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.J. Idowu ◽  
H.M. van Es ◽  
G.S. Abawi ◽  
D.W. Wolfe ◽  
R.R. Schindelbeck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Silt Loam ◽  
Indicator Values ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
Corn Grain

AbstractUnderstanding the response of soil quality indicators to changes in management practices is essential for sustainable land management. Soil quality indicators were measured for 2 years under established experiments with varying management histories and durations at four locations in New York State. The Willsboro (clay loam) and Aurora (silt loam) experiments were established in 1992, comparing no-till (NT) to plow-till (PT) management under corn (Zea maysL.)–soybean (Glycine maxL.) rotation. The Chazy (silt loam) trial was established in 1973 as a factorial experiment comparing NT versus PT and the crop harvesting method (corn silage versus corn grain). The Geneva (silt loam) experiment was established in 2003 with vegetable rotations with and without intervening soil building crops, each under three tillage methods (NT, PT and zone-till (ZT)) and three cover cropping systems (none, rye and vetch). Physical indicators measured were wet aggregate stability (WAS), available water capacity (AWC) and surface hardness (SH) and subsurface hardness (SSH). Soil biological indicators included organic matter (OM), active carbon (AC), potentially mineralizable nitrogen (PMN) and root disease potential (RDP). Chemical indicators included pH, P, K, Mg, Fe, Mn and Zn. Results from the Willsboro and Aurora sites showed significant tillage effects for several indicators including WAS, AWC, OM, AC, pH, P, K, Mg, Fe and Mn. Generally, the NT treatment had better indicator values than the PT treatments. At the Chazy site, WAS, AWC, OM, AC, pH, K and Mg showed significant differences for tillage and/or harvest method, also with NT showing better indicator values compared to PT and corn grain better than corn silage. Aggregate stability was on average 2.5 times higher in NT compared to PT treatments at Willsboro, Aurora and Chazy sites. OM was also 1.2, 1.1 and 1.5 times higher in NT compared to PT treatments at Willsboro, Aurora and Chazy sites, respectively. At the Geneva site WAS, SH, AC, PMN, pH, P, K and Zn showed significant tillage effects. The cover crop effect was only significant for SH and PMN measurements. Indicators that gave consistent performance across locations included WAS, OM and AC, while PMN and RDP were site and management dependent. The composite soil health index (CSHI) significantly differentiated between contrasting management practices. The CSHI for the Willsboro site was 71% for NT and 59% for PT, while at the Aurora site it was 61% for NT and 48% for PT after 15 years of tillage treatments.

scholarly journals Seasonal Changes of Soil Quality Indicators in Selected Arid Cropping Systems

Agriculture ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Omer ◽  
Omololu Idowu ◽  
April Ulery ◽  
Dawn VanLeeuwen ◽  
Steven Guldan
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Crop Management ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
Soil Measurements ◽  
Wet Aggregate Stability

Improving the soil quality in arid agro-ecosystems requires a greater understanding of how the time-of-sampling and management affect the soil measurements. We evaluated the selected soil quality indicators on samples collected at a 0–0.15 m depth, and at various sampling dates of the year, corresponding to the fall of 2015, winter of 2015/2016, spring of 2016, and the summer of 2016. The three crop management systems sampled included alfalfa (Medicago sativa), upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), and pecan (Carya illinoinensis). The soil properties measured included the wet aggregate stability (WAS), mean weight diameter of dry aggregates (MWD), dry aggregates greater than 2 mm (AGG >2 mm), dry aggregates less than 0.25 mm (AGG <0.25 mm), available water capacity (AWC), soil organic matter (SOM), permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC), soil bulk density (BD), soil electrical conductivity (EC), pH, nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N), extractable potassium (K), extractable phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and micronutrients (zinc, iron, copper, and manganese). Out of the 21 soil measurements, 15 varied significantly with the time-of-sampling within a year, although there were no consistent trends in variability. However, only a few measurements differed significantly with the crop management practices tested. Wet aggregate stability, MWD, AWC, and BD were significantly higher in the summer, while POXC and SOM were significantly higher in the fall and winter, respectively. Soil quality indicators such as NO3-N, K, and P decreased significantly during the spring. This study shows that the seasonal variability of the soil measurements can be significant in the arid agro-ecosystems, with the magnitude of variation depending on the measurement type. The soil managers in the region need to account for this variability, in order to be able to assess the changes in the soil quality. Also, because of the variability that can occur across the different sampling dates within a year, it is advisable to sample during the same period every year, for a consistent interpretation of the directional changes of the soil quality indicators.

scholarly journals The Effect of Land Management Practices on Soil Quality Indicators in Crete

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8619
Author(s):  
Orestis Kairis ◽  
Chrysoula Aratzioglou ◽  
Athanasios Filis ◽  
Michel van Mol ◽  
Costas Kosmas
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Soil Structure ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Infiltration Rate ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Exchangeable Potassium ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators

The effects of four main practices tillage versus no-tillage, and intensive grazing versus extensive grazing, applied in characteristic agricultural and grazing lands of Crete Island were evaluated in situ using nine soil quality indicators. The following nine representative indicators of soil quality assessment were assessed using the rapid visual assessment methodology adopted at European level in the context of the EU research project iSQAPER: susceptibility to water and wind erosion, surface ponding (under cropping), formation of tillage pan, soil color, soil porosity, soil structure, susceptibility to slaking, infiltration rate, and biodiversity status. These indicators were measured in 48 agricultural field-plots to adequately represent the four above-mentioned practices and the different types of geomorphological patterns existing in the area. Additionally, 38 agricultural fields were sampled in the topsoil to assess cultivation practices (tillage, no-tillage) on soil organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, exchangeable potassium, available phosphorous, and soil aggregate stability. Based on the indicators rating methodology, the appropriate statistical tests were applied and the soils under different managements were characterized in terms of their potential quality and their general agricultural value. The obtained data showed that in agricultural areas, significant differences were detected between tillage and no-tillage management practices for the indicators of soil structure and consistency and infiltration rate. In grazing land, significant differences were found for the soil quality indicators of susceptibility to erosion and infiltration rate for the corresponding practices of intensive and extensive grazing. Organic carbon content, exchangeable potassium content and aggregate stability were greatly affected in tillage versus no-tillage management practices.

Short-term effect of cultivation and crop rotation systems on soil quality indicators in a coastal newly reclaimed farming area

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1335-1350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong-Jiang Yao ◽  
Jing-Song Yang ◽  
Tong-Juan Zhang ◽  
Peng Gao ◽  
Shi-Peng Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Term Effect ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Short Term Effect ◽  
Farming Area

The response of soil quality indicators to conservation management

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Bolinder ◽  
D. A. Angers ◽  
E. G. Gregorich ◽  
M. R. Carter
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Conservation Management ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Light Fraction ◽  
Sensitivity Index ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
Soil C

The response of soil quality attributes to management practices across a diverse range of farming systems is key to identifying a robust minimum data set (MDS). The objectives of this study were to compare the response and consistency of different soil organic matter (SOM) attributes to changes in soil management practices in eastern Canadian agroecosystems. Soil samples (0–10 cm) were obtained at sites of several replicated experiments throughout eastern Canada, and 16 paired comparisons were selected to determine the effect of conservation (no-tillage, rotations, organic amendments) versus conventional (fall moldboard plowing, continuous cropping, no organic amendments) management practices. A sensitivity index was calculated for each of the attributes by dividing the values for conservation treatments with their conventionally managed counterparts (i.e., Conservation/Conventional). The index showed that light fraction (LF) N (1.58) and macro-organic matter-N (MOM-N) (1.54) were the most sensitive SOM attributes to conservation management practices. Light fraction-C (LF-C), macro-organic matter-C (MOM-C) and microbial biomass-C (MB-C) also showed high sensitivity to conservation management (1.48, 1.34 and 1.44, respectively). The sensitivity index for carbohydrates, whole soil C and total N were 1.23, 1.16 and 1.17, respectively. However, the Friedman two-way analysis of variance test indicated that the sensitivity of the different attributes to conservation management was site specific. For example, although LF-N was highly ranked, it did not respond as frequently as most of the other attributes. A non-parametric sign test showed that whole soil C and N provided the most consistent response to conservation management. The average sensitivity index was highest for the amendment (1.82) followed by the tillage (1.26) and rotational (1.14) conservation management practices, suggesting that organic amendments had the greatest impact on most of the attributes. These results suggest that for eastern Canadian soils, use of MOM-C and MOM-N, MB-C and whole soil C would provide a useful, easy to measure and robust MDS. Key words: Soil quality indicators, response, conservation management

scholarly journals Short-Term Effects of Changing Soil Management Practices on Soil Quality Indicators and Crop Yields in Greenhouses

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 582
Author(s):  
Jerónimo Salinas ◽  
David Meca ◽  
Fernando del Moral
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Soil Solution ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
Short Term ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mean Concentration

The short-term responses of soil quality indicators are important for assessing the effects of new management practices and addressing threats to crop yields in greenhouses. The aim of this study was to assess, during three consecutive cropping seasons, the effect of a sustainable management package (CRTMP)—which includes the on-site reuse of greenhouse crop residues and tillage—in comparison with conventional management, based on fertigation only (CMP), on certain biochemical soil quality indicators and crop yields. CRTMP significantly increased (p < 0.05) the values of total organic carbon (TOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), light fraction (LF), water soluble organic carbon (WSOC), and dehydrogenase (DH) and β-glucosidase (GL) activities at a depth of 0–15 cm, as well as the mean concentration of nitrates in the soil solution. In addition, a significant Pearson’s correlation (p < 0.01) found between the indicators suggested a balanced improvement of soil biological activity and nutritional soil state. Nonetheless, the significant (p < 0.05) increases in the mean concentration of chlorides in the soil solution and electrical conductivity (p < 0.05) increased the risk of salinization, which may have affected the concentration of nitrates in the petiole sap and total production in CRTMP, which were significantly lower than in CMP. Nevertheless, the proportion of premium product was significantly higher in CRTMP, while the proportion of non-commercial production decreased.

scholarly journals Spatial Variability of Physical Soil Quality Index of an Agricultural Field

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheikh M. Fazle Rabbi ◽  
Bina R. Roy ◽  
M. Masum Miah ◽  
M. Sadiqul Amin ◽  
Tania Khandakar
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variability ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Field Investigation ◽  
Agricultural Field ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
Soil Quality Index

A field investigation was carried out to evaluate the spatial variability of physical indicators of soil quality of an agricultural field and to construct a physical soil quality index (SQIP) map. Surface soil samples were collected using10  m×10 m grid from an Inceptisol on Ganges Tidal Floodplain of Bangladesh. Five physical soil quality indicators, soil texture, bulk density, porosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity (KS), and aggregate stability (measured as mean weight diameter, MWD) were determined. The spatial structures of sand, clay, andKSwere moderate but the structure was strong for silt, bulk density, porosity, and MWD. Each of the physical soil quality indicators was transformed into 0 and 1 using threshold criteria which are required for crop production. The transformed indicators were the combined into SQIP. The kriged SQIPmap showed that the agricultural field studied could be divided into two parts having “good physical quality” and “poor physical soil quality.”

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