Light availability and soil compaction influence the growth of underplanted Nothofagus following partial shelterwood harvest and soil scarification

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (8) ◽  
pp. 998-1005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel P. Soto ◽  
Pablo J. Donoso ◽  
Christian Salas ◽  
Klaus J. Puettmann
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Basal Diameter ◽  
Heavy Machinery ◽  
Light Levels ◽  
Soil Scarification ◽  
Total Light ◽  
Nothofagus Dombeyi

We evaluated effects of topsoil scarification by heavy machinery on growth of two valuable, shade-intolerant tree species — Nothofagus dombeyi (Mirb.) Oerst. (evergreen and considered to be very plastic to different soil fertility levels) and Nothofagus alpina (Poepp. & Endl.) Oerst. (deciduous and considered to be sensitive to soil fertility) — seedlings that were underplanted in Nothofagus old-growth forests, which were subjected to shelterwood cuttings without the final cut in the Chilean Andes. We compared tree basal diameter growth as it responds to light availability and soil compaction (as measured by resistance to penetration) by fitting a growth model based on the Michaelis–Menten equation. Predicted growth of N. dombeyi was greater than N. alpina in high and low light levels; however, there were no significant differences between the species. Both species showed significant differences at high levels of penetration resistance (>2000 kPa). Differences for N. dombeyi occurred above ∼40% in total light, and differences occurred for N. alpina above ∼20% in total light. However, they were not different when compared at low and intermediate levels of penetration resistance. The results suggest that partial shelterwood cuts may provide adequate light levels to achieve appropriate growth of underplanted Nothofagus seedlings. However, if regeneration of N. alpina is desired, scarification of topsoil needs to be implemented with more caution in canopy openings, as traffic and soil removal by heavy machinery can have detrimental effects on growth of this species and other species that are more sensitive to soil compaction.

American beech and sugar maple sapling relative abundance and growth are not modified by light availability following partial and total canopy disturbances

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 632-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Bannon ◽  
Sylvain Delagrange ◽  
Nicolas Bélanger ◽  
Christian Messier
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Fagus Grandifolia ◽  
American Beech ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Canopy Opening ◽  
Unmanaged Forest

Studies have reported divergent results on the effect of soil fertility and canopy opening on understory density and growth of sugar maple (AS; Acer saccharum Marsh.) and American beech (FG; Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a gradient of canopy opening and soil fertility on the density and growth of AS and FG saplings in southwestern Quebec, Canada. We investigated 56 stands containing both AS and FG that were subjected to different disturbance history types (DHTs) (UF, unmanaged forest; PC, partial cut; and CC, clearcut) on various soil types. AS and FG absolute and relative sapling density varied greatly among the 56 stands; however, no significant effects of DHT, soil nutrient availability, or their interaction were found. Both species responded positively in terms of radial growth to canopy openings, with FG growth being slightly better than AS growth in PC stands compared with other canopy treatments. Contrary to our hypothesis, AS did not show significantly higher growth than FG following clear-cutting. These results do not support the idea that AS abundance and growth could be promoted by increasing the intensity of the canopy opening during harvest, at least on the generally acidic and base-poor soils that were investigated.

scholarly journals Examination of the physical state of the soil under conventional and reduced tillage systems

2013 ◽  
pp. 183-186
Author(s):  
Géza Tuba
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Deep Soil ◽  
Tillage Systems

he effect of reduced and conventional tillage systems on soil compaction and moisture content in two years with extreme weather conditions is introduced in this paper. The investigations were carried out in a long-term soil cultivation experiment set on a heavy textured meadow chernozem soil at the Karcag Research Institute. In 2010 the amount of precipitation during the vegetation period of winter wheat was 623.3 mm, 2.2 times higher than the 50-year average, while in 2011 this value was 188.7 mm giving only 65% of the average. The examinations were made after harvest on stubbles on 4 test plots in 5 replications in the case of each tillage system. Soil compaction was characterised by penetration resistance values, while the actual soil moisture contents were determined by gravimetry. The values of penetration resistance and soil moisture content of the cultivated soil layer were better in the case of reduced tillage under extreme precipitation conditions. It could be established that regular application of deep soil loosening is essential due to the formation of the unfavourable compact soil layer under 30 cm. Conventional tillage resulted in enhanced compaction under the depth of ploughing, the penetration resistance can reach the value of 4 MPa under wet, while even 8 MPa under dry soil status.

scholarly journals Handheld versus Mobile Data Acquisitions for Spatial Analysis of Natural Turfgrass Sports Fields

HortScience ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 1176-1183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chase M. Straw ◽  
Rebecca A. Grubbs ◽  
Kevin A. Tucker ◽  
Gerald M. Henry
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Handheld Devices ◽  
Moderate Correlation ◽  
Mobile Data ◽  
Sampling Grid ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetative Index ◽  
Sports Fields

Research compared handheld and mobile data acquisitions of soil moisture [volumetric water content (VWC)], soil compaction (penetration resistance), and turfgrass vigor [normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI)] of four natural turfgrass sports fields using two sampling grid sizes (4.8 × 4.8 m and 4.8 × 9.6 m). Differences between the two sampling grid sizes were minimal, indicating that sampling with handheld devices using a 4.8 × 9.6 m grid (120–130 samples) would achieve results similar to the smaller grid size. Central tendencies and data distributions varied among the handheld and mobile devices. Moderate to strong correlation coefficients were observed for VWC and NDVI; however, weak to moderate correlation coefficients were observed for penetration resistance at three of the four locations. Kriged maps of VWC and NDVI displayed similar patterns of variability between handheld and mobile devices, but at different magnitudes. Spatial maps of penetration resistance were inconsistent due to device design and user reliability. Consequently, mobile devices may provide the most reliable results for penetration resistance of natural turfgrass sports fields.

Soil compaction under varying rest periods and levels of mechanical disturbance in a rotational grazing system

2011 ◽  
Vol 91 (6) ◽  
pp. 957-964 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Halde ◽  
A. M. Hammermeister ◽  
N. L. Mclean ◽  
K. T. Webb ◽  
R. C. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Intensive Treatment ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Soil Penetration Resistance ◽  
Rest Periods ◽  
Grazing System

Halde, C., Hammermeister, A. M., McLean, N. L., Webb, K. T. and Martin, R. C. 2011. Soil compaction under varying rest periods and levels of mechanical disturbance in a rotational grazing system. Can. J. Soil Sci. 91: 957–964. In Atlantic Canada, data are limited regarding the effect of grazing systems on soil compaction. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of intensive and extensive rotational pasture management treatments on soil bulk density, soil penetration resistance, forage productivity and litter accumulation. The study was conducted on a fine sandy loam pasture in Truro, Nova Scotia. Each of the eight paddocks was divided into three rotational pasture management treatments: intensive, semi-intensive and extensive. Mowing and clipping were more frequent in the intensive than in the semi-intensive treatment. In the extensive treatment, by virtue of grazing in alternate rotations, the rest period was doubled than that of the intensive and semi-intensive treatments. Both soil bulk density (0–5 cm) and penetration resistance (0–25.5 cm) were significantly higher in the intensive treatment than in the extensive treatment, for all seasons. Over winter, bulk density decreased significantly by 6.8 and 3.8% at 0–5 and 5–10 cm, respectively. A decrease ranging between 40.5 and 4.0% was observed for soil penetration resistance over winter, at 0–1.5 cm and 24.0–25.5 cm, respectively. The intensive and semi-intensive treatments produced significantly more available forage for grazers annually than the extensive treatment. Forage yields in late May to early June were negatively correlated with spring bulk density.

scholarly journals Effect of irrigation machines on soil compaction

2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (Special Issue) ◽  
pp. S1-S8
Author(s):  
J. Jobbágy ◽  
P. Findura ◽  
F. Janík
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Technological Operation ◽  
Performance Parameters ◽  
Shallow Soil ◽  
Average Resistance ◽  
The Impact

The analysis of soil compaction with chassis of a wide-span irrigation machine Valmont was determined. The sprinkler had 12 two-wheeled chassis (size of tyre 14.9'' × 24''). During the evaluation of soil compaction, we monitored the values of penetration resistance and soil moisture during the operation of the sprinkler. Considering the performance parameters of the pump, the sprinkler was only half of its length (300 m) in the technological operation. In this area, also field measurements were performed in 19 monitoring points spaced both in tracks and outside the chassis tracks. The analysis showed the impact of compression with sprinkler wheels. The correction of obtained results of penetration resistance was applied in connection with soil moisture (mass) values according to Act No. 220/2004 (Lhotský et al. 1985). The results of average resistance ranged from 1.2 to 3.26 MPa. The values of the max. resistance ranged from 2.3 to 5.35 MPa. The results indicated a shallow soil compaction; however, it is not devastating.

scholarly journals Silage maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings emergence as influenced by soil compaction treatments and contact pressures

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (No, 7) ◽  
pp. 289-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.F. Taser ◽  
O. Kara
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Contact Pressure ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Silage Maize ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Contact Pressures

Soil compaction caused by mechanical force affects the vegetative and generative plant growth. Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of soil compaction treatments and soil contact pressures on bulk density, penetration resistance and silage maize emergence in a clay-loam soil. Soil compaction treatments were applied while planting as follows: Compaction on furrow surface (F-surface), compaction on furrow bottom (F-bottom), compaction on inter row (I-row), and non-extra compaction as a control (C). The soil contact pressures of 0.025, 0.051 and 0.076 MPa were applied while the control was 0.0085 MPa. Significant differences between soil compaction treatments and contact pressures were recorded in bulk density, penetration resistance and silage maize emergence. Percentage of emerged seedlings increased as the soil contact pressure was increased slightly. The lowest mean percentage of emerged seedlings (52.63%) was obtained with 0.076 MPa contact pressure in F-surface treatment and the highest mean value (81.58%) was obtained with 0.025 MPa contact pressure in F-bottom compaction treatment. The control treatment gave the 69% mean value under the non-irrigated condition.

scholarly journals Gypsum, Soil Scarification and Succession Planting as Alternatives to Mitigate Compaction of Dystrophic Red-Yellow Latosol

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 277
Author(s):  
Eduardo Antonio Neves dos Santos ◽  
Milton César Costa Campos ◽  
Jose Mauricio da Cunha ◽  
Fernando Gomes de Souza ◽  
Paulo Guilherme Salvador Wadt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Block Design ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Soil Density ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Soil Scarification ◽  
Physical Attributes ◽  
Sustainable Agricultural Systems ◽  
The Impact

Understanding and quantifying the impact of soil management and use on its physical properties are essential to the development of sustainable agricultural systems. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of agricultural gypsum, soil scarification and succession planting on the physical attributes of dystrophic red-yellow latosol in Porto Velho, Rondônia state (RO), Brazil. The treatments used were absence and application of 2000 kg ha-1 of gypsum, absence and use of soil scarification, and three types of crop succession: SF (soybean/fallow), SMF (soybean/maize/fallow) and SMBF (soybean/maize/brachiaria/fallow). A randomized block design was used on eight blocks, for a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. Soil parameters assessed were macroporosity, microporosity, total porosity, soil density, moisture content and penetration resistance. Data normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. The data were submitted to analysis of variance and means were compared by the Scott-Knott test at 5% probability. The highest macroporosity and total porosity values were recorded in treatments with gypsum application and soil scarification. Penetration resistance was lower in the SMBF and SMF crop successions. There was no treatment effect on the soil density.

Using a penetrometer to predict the effects of soil compaction on the growth and yield of wheat on uniform, sandy soils

1989 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 497 ◽  
Author(s):  
CWL Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Sandy Soils ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Single Index ◽  
Yield Variation ◽  
Soil Penetration Resistance ◽  
Good Potential ◽  
The Impact

The relationships between soil penetration resistance and the growth and yield of wheat were examined for a range of tillage and compaction experiments conducted on earthy sands near Geraldton, W.A. Overall, a single index of penetration resistance explained around 50% of the growth and yield variation, across sites and seasons. Equations using this index showed good potential for predicting the impact of various tillage and traffic practices on wheat yield.

Are resources allocated differently to symbiosis and reproduction in Geranium sylvaticum under different light conditions?

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarkko Korhonen ◽  
Minna-Maarit Kytöviita ◽  
Pirkko Siikamäki
Keyword(s):  
Resource Allocation ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
High Light ◽  
Mycorrhizal Colonization ◽  
Fungal Colonization ◽  
Low Light ◽  
Light Levels ◽  
Dark Septate Fungi

Light levels under the forest canopy are low and generally limit plant photosynthetic gains. We hypothesized that in low-light habitats, plant photosynthate acquisition is too low to allow the same magnitude of resource allocation to symbiosis and reproduction as in high-light habitats. We tested this hypothesis in a field study where Geranium sylvaticum L. plants were collected on three occasions during the growing season from shade and light habitats. In addition, we investigated the relationship between mycorrhizal colonization level and soil nutrient levels in shade and high-light habitats over a growing season. We found that light availability affects resource allocation in G. sylvaticum. Plants were intensively colonized with both arbuscular mycorrhizal and dark septate fungi, and the colonization intensities of these two different groups of fungi correlated positively with each other. In comparison with high-light meadows, mycorrhizal colonization levels were as high or higher in low-light forest habitats, but plants produced fewer flowers. This indicates that allocation to symbiosis was of higher priority than allocation to reproduction in low light. Seed size was not affected by light levels and did not correlate with fungal colonization levels. We found no relationship between fungal colonization levels and soil characteristics.Key words: arbuscular mycorrhiza, dark septate fungi, Geranium sylvaticum, reproduction, shade.

Impacts of grazing systems on soil compaction and pasture production in Alberta

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. T. Donkor ◽  
J. V. Gedir ◽  
R. J. Hudson ◽  
E. W. Bork ◽  
D. S. Chanasyk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Grassland Ecosystems ◽  
Moist Condition ◽  
Grazing Systems

Livestock trampling impacts have been assessed in many Alberta grassland ecosystems, but the impacts of animal trampling on Aspen Boreal ecosystems have not been documented. This study compared the effects of high intensity [4.16 animal unit month per ha (AUM) ha-1] short-duration grazing (SDG) versus moderate intensity (2.08 AUM ha-1) continuous grazing (CG) by wapiti (Cervus elaphus canadensis) on soil compaction as measured by bulk density at field moist condition (Dbf) and penetration resistance (PR). Herbage phytomass was also measured on grazed pastures and compared to an ungrazed control (UNG). The study was conducted at Edmonton, Alberta, on a Dark Gray Luvisolic soil of loam texture. Sampling was conducted in the spring and fall of 1997 and 1998. Soil cores were collected at 2.5-cm intervals to a depth of 15-cm for measurement of bulk density (Dbf) and moisture content. Penetration resistance to 15 cm at 2.5-cm intervals was measured with a hand-pushed cone penetrometer. The Dbf and PR of the top 10-cm of soil were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater by 15 and 17% under SDG than CG, respectively, by wapiti. Generally, Dbf in both grazing treatments decreased over winter at the 0-7.5 cm and 12.5-15 cm depths, suggesting that freeze-thaw cycles over the winter alleviated compaction. Soil water content under SDG was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than CG. Total standing crop and fallen litter were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater in CG treatment than the SDG. The SDG treatment had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) less pasture herbage than CG areas in the spring (16%) and fall (26%) of 1997, and in the spring (22%) and fall (24%) of 1998, respectively. The SDG did not show any advantage over CG in improving soil physical characteristics and herbage production. Key Words: Bulk density, Cervus elaphus, moisture content, penetration resistance, pasture production

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