Surface hydraulic properties of a red earth under continuous cropping with different management practices

Soil Research ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
KY Chan ◽  
DP Heenan
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Wagga Wagga ◽  
Continuous Cropping ◽  
Soil Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Earthworm Population ◽  
Red Earth ◽  
Water Repellence

Differences in surface soil hydraulic properties after 10 years of different tillage (direct drilled (DD) versus conventional tillage (CT)) and stubble management practices (stubble retained (SR) versus stubble burnt (SB)) were measured in a lupin/wheat rotation on a red earth at Wagga Wagga, NSW. Sorptivity and hydraulic conductivity measurements using a disk permeameter under negative matric potential (-40 mrn) was complicated by water repellence found under SR as compared to SB treatments. Using water, K-40 of SR/DD was only 40% of SB/CT. However, using a wetting agent instead of water increased K-40 of SR/DD by >400% but did not significantly change that of SB/CT such that K-40 was similar for the two treatments. Despite similar bulk density, hydraulic conductivity under ponded infiltration of SR/DD was 4.1 times that of SB/CT. Differences in hydraulic conductivity between -40 mm and under ponded conditions suggest the presence of significantly more transmitting macropores >1.5 mm in diameter under direct drilling. Dye infiltration results indicated that tillage significantly reduced the number of transmitting macropores (>1 mm) even though the total number of macropores remained similar amongst the different treatments. 65% of the macropores were transmitting under SR/DD compared to 1% under SB/CT. A significant correlation (r2=0.82**) was found between transmitting pores (>1.0 mm) and the earthworm population. Tillage but not stubble burning significantly reduced earthworm population.

Organic carbon and associated soil properties of a red earth after 10 years of rotation under different stubble and tillage practices

Soil Research ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 71 ◽  
Author(s):  
KY Chan ◽  
WP Roberts ◽  
DP Heenan
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Wagga Wagga ◽  
Continuous Cropping ◽  
Carbon Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Red Earth ◽  
Stubble Burning

Differences in soil organic carbon level as a result of different tillage and stubble management practices under continuous cropping were studied in a 10 years old wheat/lupin rotation experiment on a red earth at Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. Stubble burning and tillage had a similar impact in reducing the total amounts of organic carbon in the top 0-2 m of soil. There was no significant difference between the conventional cultivation (3 cultivations) and reduced cultivation (1 cultivation) systems. A 31% difference in organic carbon in the top 0.1 m (2.42% v. 1.68%) was found between the extreme management practices, i.e. direct drill /stubble retained treatment and the conventional/stubble burnt treatment. These results highlight the important effect of management practice on soil organic carbon level under continuous cropping. Tillage had the additional effect of changing the distribution of organic carbon resulting in higher level in the 0.10-0.15 m layer. The reduction in organic carbon was accompanied by significant losses in total nitrogen, exchangeable calcium and magnesim, as well as reduction in biological activity and aggregate stability. Loss of 1% organic carbon resulted in a loss of 2-97 cmole(+) kg soil-1 of negative charge. However, C/N ratio remained constant at 12-1 under different tillage and stubble treatments. Finally, while stubble burning resulted in pH increase, tillage led to a significant reduction in soil pH (5.38 to 4.98) in the 0 - 0.05 m layer due to increased exchangeable A1 brought to the soil surface as a result of an inversion action.

Hyphal colonization of Rhizophagus irregularis increases unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of a loamy sand distant from roots

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Bitterlich ◽  
Richard Pauwels
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Volumetric Water Content ◽  
Rhizophagus Irregularis ◽  
Loamy Sand ◽  
Soil Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Soil Hydraulic ◽  
Root Exclusion

<p>Hydraulic properties of mycorrhizal soils have rarely been reported and difficulties in directly assigning potential effects to hyphae of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) arise from other consequences of AMF being present, i.e. their influence on growth and water consumption rates of their host plants that both also influence soil hydraulic properties.</p><p>We assumed that the typical nylon meshes used for root-exclusion experiments in mycorrhizal research can provide a dynamic hydraulic barrier. It is expected that the uniform pore size of the rigid meshes causes a sudden hydraulic decoupling of the enmeshed inner volume from the surrounding soil as soon as the mesh pores become air-filled. Growing plants below the soil moisture threshold for hydraulic decoupling would minimize plant-size effects on root-exclusion compartments and allow for a more direct assignment of hyphal presence to modulations in soil hydraulic properties.</p><p>We carried out water retention and hydraulic conductivity measurements with two tensiometers introduced in two different heights in a cylindrical compartment (250 cm³) containing a loamy sand, either with or without the introduction of a 20 µm nylon mesh equidistantly between the tensiometers. Introduction of a mesh reduced hydraulic conductivity across the soil volumes by two orders of magnitude from 471 to 6 µm d<sup>-1</sup> at 20% volumetric water content.</p><p>We grew maize plants inoculated or not with Rhizophagus irregularis in the same soil in pots that contained root-exclusion compartments while maintaining 20% volumetric water content. When hyphae were present in the compartments, water potential and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity increased for a given water content compared to compartments free of hyphae. These differences increased with progressive soil drying.</p><p>We conclude that water extractability from soils distant to roots can be facilitated under dry conditions when AMF hyphae are present.</p><p> </p>

Differences in the properties of a red earth after ten years of wheat-lupin and wheat-subterranean clover rotations

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 539 ◽  
Author(s):  
KY Chan ◽  
DP Heenan
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Rooting Depth ◽  
Wagga Wagga ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Organic Carbon Concentration ◽  
Average Grain Size ◽  
Earthworm Population

2 different rotations, wheat-lupin (WL) and wheat-subterranean clover (WC) were compared under 2 different tillage systems, direct-drilled (DD) and conventional tillage (CT) at a 10-year-old experimental site in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. Significant differences in soil organic carbon concentration between the 2 rotations were found only under the DD systems; soil under WC rotation had a significantly higher organic carbon in the top 0.05 m than the WL soil. No such difference was detected under CT. Under both tillage systems, WC soil had lower pH (by 0.32 unit), with accompanying lower exchangeable magnesium but higher extractable aluminium than the WL soil in the top 0.05 m. Despite similar earthworm population and surface macroporosity, there was evidence suggesting that, under direct drilling, 10 years of WC rotation had reduced the subsoil water storage after summer fallow and reduced the effective rooting depth of wheat when compared with the WL rotation. These had not resulted in difference in wheat yield between the rotations even though a smaller average grain size was found under WC rotation in the 1990 season.

Soil structure, soil hydraulic properties and the soil water balance

Soil Research ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 265 ◽  
Author(s):  
HP Cresswell ◽  
DE Smiles ◽  
J Williams
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Water Balance ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Structure ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Rainfall Regime ◽  
Soil Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Matric Potential ◽  
Moisture Characteristic

We review the influence of soil structural change on the fundamental soil hydraulic properties (unsaturated hydraulic conductivity and the soil moisture characteristic) and utilize deterministic modelling to assess subsequent effects on the soil water balance. Soil structure is reflected in the 0 to -100 kPa matric potential section of the soil moisture characteristic with marked changes often occurring in light to medium textured soils' (sands, sandy-loam, loams and clay-loams). The effect of long-term tillage on soil structure may decrease hydraulic conductivity within this matric potential range. The 'SWIM' (Soil Water Infiltration and Movement) simulation model was used to illustrate the effects of long-term conventional tillage and direct drilling systems on the water balance. The effects of plough pans, surface crusts and decreasing surface detention were also investigated. Significant structural deterioration, as evidenced by substantially reduced hydraulic conductivity, is necessary before significant runoff is generated in the low intensity rainfall regime of the Southern Tablelands (6 min rainfall intensity <45 mm h-1). A 10 mm thick plough pan (at a depth of 100 mm) in the A-horizon of a long-term conventionally tilled soil required a saturated hydraulic conductivity (K,) of less than 2.5 mm h-1 before runoff exceeded 10% of incident rainfall in this rainfall regime. Similarly, a crust K, of less than 2.5 mm h-1 was necessary before runoff exceeded 10% of incident rainfall (provided that surface detention was 2 or more). As the crust K, approached the rainfall rate, small decreases in Ks resulted in large increases in runoff. An increase in surface detention of 1 to 3 mm resulted in a large reduction in runoff where crust K, was less than 2-5 mm h-1. Deterministic simulation models incorporating well established physical laws are effective tools in the study of soil structural effects on the field water regime. Their application, however, is constrained by insufficient knowledge of the fundamental hydraulic properties of Australian soils and how they are changing in response to our land management.

Soil hydraulic properties of an Orthic Black Chernozem under long-term tillage and residue management

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baldev Singh ◽  
D. S. Chanasyk ◽  
W. B. McGill
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Pore Size ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Residue Management ◽  
Soil Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Transmission Characteristics ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
No Till ◽  
Soil Hydraulic

The effects of tillage on soil hydraulic properties are unclear from the literature and residue effects are little reported. The hydraulic properties of an Orthic Black Chernozem under three tillage-residue systems in central Alberta — tillage with straw incorporated (till+straw) or removed (till−straw) — and no tillage with straw on the surface (no till+straw) — were studied for 2 yr. Measurements began in the 9th year of continuous barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).Plant-available water capacity differed among treatments only in the 0–2.5 cm layer, due to differences in water retention at −1500 kPa. Pore size partitioning revealed relatively high macroporosities (14–18% of total porosity) and residual porosity (34–41% of total porosity), but no treatment differences in the tillage layer. Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), infiltration rate and cumulative infiltration at 1 h followed the trend: no till+straw > till+straw > till−straw. Infiltration characteristics and hydraulic conductivity had considerable temporal variation. Interestingly, field and laboratory measurements gave the same order of magnitude of transmission characteristics. The common similarity of the no till+straw and the till+straw treatments and their usual difference from the till−straw treatment, especially in the water transmission characteristics, indicate the importance of the return of residue to the soil. The influence of straw on soil hydraulic properties does not appear to depend on whether it was incorporated or not. Key words: tillage, straw, residue, soil hydraulic properties, infiltration, pore size distribution

scholarly journals A global data set of soil hydraulic properties and sub-grid variability of soil water retention and hydraulic conductivity curves

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 529-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carsten Montzka ◽  
Michael Herbst ◽  
Lutz Weihermüller ◽  
Anne Verhoef ◽  
Harry Vereecken
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Soil Texture ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Hydraulic Parameters ◽  
Soil Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Soil Water Retention ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Global Data

Abstract. Agroecosystem models, regional and global climate models, and numerical weather prediction models require adequate parameterization of soil hydraulic properties. These properties are fundamental for describing and predicting water and energy exchange processes at the transition zone between solid earth and atmosphere, and regulate evapotranspiration, infiltration and runoff generation. Hydraulic parameters describing the soil water retention (WRC) and hydraulic conductivity (HCC) curves are typically derived from soil texture via pedotransfer functions (PTFs). Resampling of those parameters for specific model grids is typically performed by different aggregation approaches such a spatial averaging and the use of dominant textural properties or soil classes. These aggregation approaches introduce uncertainty, bias and parameter inconsistencies throughout spatial scales due to nonlinear relationships between hydraulic parameters and soil texture. Therefore, we present a method to scale hydraulic parameters to individual model grids and provide a global data set that overcomes the mentioned problems. The approach is based on Miller–Miller scaling in the relaxed form by Warrick, that fits the parameters of the WRC through all sub-grid WRCs to provide an effective parameterization for the grid cell at model resolution; at the same time it preserves the information of sub-grid variability of the water retention curve by deriving local scaling parameters. Based on the Mualem–van Genuchten approach we also derive the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity from the water retention functions, thereby assuming that the local parameters are also valid for this function. In addition, via the Warrick scaling parameter λ, information on global sub-grid scaling variance is given that enables modellers to improve dynamical downscaling of (regional) climate models or to perturb hydraulic parameters for model ensemble output generation. The present analysis is based on the ROSETTA PTF of Schaap et al. (2001) applied to the SoilGrids1km data set of Hengl et al. (2014). The example data set is provided at a global resolution of 0.25° at https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.870605.

Effect of management practice on properties of a Victorian red-brown earth .1. Soil physical-properties

Soil Research ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 851 ◽  
Author(s):  
MS Lorimer ◽  
LA Douglas
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Fine Sand ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Continuous Cropping

The effects of five management practices (native forest, native pasture, Phalaris pasture, crop-pasture rotation, continuous cropping), that had been in place for 18 years, on some soil physical properties of a red-brown earth near Bendigo, Victoria, were studied. Particle size distribution, bulk density and hydraulic conductivity of soil in the A and B horizons at different, management sites were measured. Where cultivation had occurred, soil in the A horizon contained less silt and clay, and more fine sand and coarse sand. The bulk density of the A horizon of soil that had produced at least six wheat crops since 1969 was greater than that of soil used for pasture or forest, while the hydraulic conductivity of soil cropped every year since 1969 was much less than that of soil under native forest. Particle size distributions for soil from the B horizons at the five management sites were found to be similar. Where pastures and crops had been established, the hydraulic conductivity of the upper B horizon was lower, and the bulk density was higher, than that of soil in the native forest (Eucalyptus spp).

scholarly journals Further tests of the HYPROP evaporation method for estimating the unsaturated soil hydraulic properties

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camila R. Bezerra-Coelho ◽  
Luwen Zhuang ◽  
Maria C. Barbosa ◽  
Miguel Alfaro Soto ◽  
Martinus Th. van Genuchten
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Unsaturated Soil ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Richards Equation ◽  
Water Retention Curve ◽  
Soil Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Evaporation Method ◽  
Soil Hydraulic

AbstractMany soil, hydrologic and environmental applications require information about the unsaturated soil hydraulic properties. The evaporation method has long been used for estimating the drying branches of the soil hydraulic functions. An increasingly popular version of the evaporation method is the semi-automated HYPROP©measurement system (HMS) commercialized by Decagon Devices (Pullman, WA) and UMS AG (München, Germany). Several studies were previously carried out to test the HMS methodology by using the Richards equation and the van-Genuchten-Mualem (VG) or Kosugi-Mualem soil hydraulic functions to obtain synthetic data for use in the HMS analysis, and then to compare results against the original hydraulic properties. Using HYDRUS-1D, we carried out independent tests of the HYPROP system as applied to the VG functions for a broad range of soil textures. Our results closely agreed with previous findings. Accurate estimates were especially obtained for the soil water retention curve and its parameters, at least over the range of available retention measurements. We also successfully tested a dual-porosity soil, as well as an extremely coarse medium with a very high van Genuchtennvalue. The latter case gave excellent results for water retention, but failed for the hydraulic conductivity. In many cases, especially for soils with intermediate and highnvalues, an independent estimate of the saturated hydraulic conductivity should be obtained. Overall, the HMS methodology performed extremely well and as such constitutes a much-needed addition to current soil hydraulic measurement techniques.

Assessing the effect of soil crack dynamics on hydraulic properties of agricultural soil from reduced tillage and conventional tillage fields, Wallonia-Belgium

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Njaka Andriamanantena Ralaizafisoloarivony
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Soil ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Crack Formation ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Soil Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Disturbed Soil ◽  
Micro Cracks

&lt;p&gt;Crack formation and development have been a general concern in agricultural science. Cracks contribute to soil aeration, aggregate formation, and easy root penetration. However, cracks facilitated water evaporation, accelerated soil desiccation, allowed deep infiltration of pesticides/pollutants through preferential flow, and polluted the shallow water-table in Belgium.&amp;#160; From many years, farmers reported the presence of cracks in their field; however, few studies investigated cracks formation from agricultural soil under different cultural practices. This research investigated the effect of cultural practices (conventional and reduced tillage) on crack formation and on soil hydraulic properties.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Soils were collected right from the agricultural field and processed (in laboratory) under evaporation experiment on a small drying chamber. Ceramic-IR-emitter heated the chamber while sensors (PT1000, DHT22) measured the temperature and relative humidity. Digital camera took photos of the soil surface at 30min interval. Balance and tensiometer commanded by a datalogger (CR800), recorded the soil hydraulic properties (water suction, water retention, evaporation rate etc.). Cracks were monitored and extracted using image analysis performed by ImageJ and PCAS software. The soil water retention curve (SWRC) was fitted with the bimodal models of Durner (1994) and Seki (2007). The output data were analysed statistically using appropriate software. Three treatments were considered including: disturbed soil, conventional tillage and reduced tillage.&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The results showed higher cracks formation on disturbed soil &gt; reduced-tillage &gt; conventional-tillage due to loose of soil cohesion, soil organic content, soil aggregation, biological activities, and soil porosity. Crack formed at low matrix suction for reduce tillage, but higher tension for conventional tillage and disturbed soil. The soil evaporation rate was also greater in reduced-tillage &gt; conventional tillage &gt; disturbed soil. The effect of cracks affected the SWRC for reduced tillage and disturbed soil. The result suspected the presence of pre-installing (or micro)cracks in the reduced-tillage samples. Future study is needed to assess the presence of pre-(micro)-cracks in soil using X-ray microtomography.&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;

Testing an infiltrometer methodology to investigate water impact effects on both soil sealing and hydraulic properties of a loam soil under conventional tillage and no-tillage

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirko Castellini ◽  
Simone Di Prima ◽  
Anna Maria Stellacci ◽  
Massimo Iovino ◽  
Vincenzo Bagarello
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Water Retention Curve ◽  
Soil Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Retention Curve ◽  
Soil Sealing ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Soil Hydraulic

&lt;p&gt;Testing new experimental procedures to assess the effects of the drops impact on the soil sealing formation is a main topic in soil hydrology.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this field investigation, the methodological approach proposed first by Bagarello et al. (2014) was extended to account for a greater soil infiltration surface (i.e., about 3.5 times higher), a higher range and number of heights of water pouring and to evaluate the different impact on soil management. For this purpose, the effects of three water pouring heights (low, L=3 cm; medium, M=100 cm; high, H=200 cm) on both no-tilled (NT) and conventionally tilled (CT) loam soil were investigated by Beerkan infiltration runs and using the BEST-procedure of data analysis to estimate the soil hydraulic properties.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Final infiltration rate decreased when perturbing runs (i.e., M and H) were carried out as compared with the non-perturbing (L) ones (by a factor of 1.5-3.1 under NT and 3.4-4.4 under CT). Similarly, the water retention scale parameter, h&lt;sub&gt;g&lt;/sub&gt;, increased (i.e., higher in absolute terms) by a factor 1.6-1.8 under NT and by a factor 1.7 under CT. Saturated hydraulic conductivity, K&lt;sub&gt;s&lt;/sub&gt;, changed significantly as a function of the increase of water pouring height; regardless of the soil management, perturbing runs caused a reduction in soil permeability by a factor 5 or 6. Effects on hydraulic functions (i.e., soil water retention curve and hydraulic conductivity function), obtained with the BEST-Steady algorithm, were also highlighted. For instance, differences in water retention curve at fixed soil pressure head values (i.e., field capacity, FC, and permanent wilting point, PWP) due to perturbing and non-perturbing runs, were estimated as higher under NT (3.8%) than CT (3.4%) for FC, and equal to 2.1% or 1.6% for PWP.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Main results of this investigation confirm that a recently tilled loamy soil, without vegetation cover, can be less resilient as compared to a no-tilled one, and that tested water pouring heights methodology looks promising to mimic effects of high energy rainfall events and to quantify the soil sealing effects under alternative management of the soil.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Acknowledgments&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The work was supported by the project &amp;#8220;STRATEGA, Sperimentazione e TRAsferimento di TEcniche innovative di aGricoltura conservativA&amp;#8221;, funded by Regione Puglia&amp;#8211;Dipartimento Agricoltura, Sviluppo Rurale ed Ambientale, CUP: B36J14001230007.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;References&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Bagarello, V., Castellini, M., Di Prima, S., Iovino, M. 2014. Soil hydraulic properties determined by infiltration experiments and different heights of water pouring. Geoderma, 213, 492&amp;#8211;501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2013.08.032&lt;/p&gt;

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document