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

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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Soil Physical Properties Spatial Variability under Long-Term No-Tillage Corn

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy9110750 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 750 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ripendra Awal ◽

Mohammad Safeeq ◽

Farhat Abbas ◽

Samira Fares ◽

Sanjit K. Deb ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hydraulic Conductivity ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Spatial Variability ◽

Physical Properties ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Soil Physical Properties ◽

No Tillage ◽

Tillage Practices ◽

Soil Surface Temperature

Spatial variability of soil physical and hydrological properties within or among agricultural fields could be intrinsically induced due to geologic and pedologic soil forming factors, but some of the variability may be induced by anthropogenic activities such as tillage practices. No-tillage has been gaining ground as a successful conservation practice, and quantifying spatial variability of soil physical properties induced by no-tillage practices is a prerequisite for making appropriate site-specific agricultural management decisions and/or reformulating some management practices. In particular, there remains very limited information on the spatial variability of soil physical properties under long-term no-tillage corn and tropical soil conditions. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to quantify the spatial variability of some selected soil physical properties (soil surface temperature (ST), volumetric water content (θv), soil resistance (TIP), total porosity (θt), bulk density (ρb), organic carbon, and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat)) using classical and geostatistical methods. The study site was a 2 ha field cropped no-tillage sweet corn for nearly 10 years on Oahu, Hawaii. The field was divided into 10 × 10 and 20 × 20 m grids. Soil samples were collected at each grid for measuring ρb, θt, and soil organic carbon (SOC) in the laboratory following standard methods. Saturated hydraulic conductivity, TIP at 10 and 20 cm depths, soil surface temperature, and θv were also measured. Porosity and ρb have low and low to moderate variability, respectively based on the relative ranking of the magnitude of variability drawn from the coefficient of variation. Variability of the SOC, TIP, and Ksat ranges from moderate to high. Based on the best-fitted semivariogram model for finer grid data, 9.8 m and 142.2 m are the cut off beyond which the measured parameter does not show any spatial correlation for SOC, and TIP at 10 cm depth, respectively. Bulk density shows the highest spatial dependence (range = 226.8 m) among all measured properties. Spatial distribution of the soil properties based on kriging shows a high level of variability even though the sampled field is relatively small.

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

Revista Brasileira de Ciência do Solo ◽

10.1590/s0100-06832014000400024 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 38 (4) ◽

pp. 1281-1292 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

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.

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

Solid Earth Discussions ◽

10.5194/sed-7-1007-2015 ◽

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.

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Compaction and Rutting During Harvesting Affect Better Drained Soils More Than Poorly Drained Soils on Wet Pine Flats

Southern Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/sjaf/19.2.72 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 72-77 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

W. Michael Aust ◽

Mark D. Tippett ◽

James A. Burger ◽

William H. McKee

Keyword(s):

Hydraulic Conductivity ◽

Physical Properties ◽

Soil Compaction ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Soil Physical Properties ◽

Site Conditions ◽

Reducing Conditions ◽

Water Tables ◽

Conductivity Water ◽

Poorly Drained Soils

Abstract Soil compaction and rutting (puddling) are visually distinct types of wet-site harvesting disturbances; however, the way in which they affect soil physical properties and hydrology is not well documented. Three compacted and three rutted sites were evaluated to determine the effects of the disturbances on soil physical and hydrologic properties. For each site, primary skid trails and nontrafficked areas were compared. Both compaction and rutting increased bulk density, and reduced macropore space and saturated hydraulic conductivity. Water tables and reducing conditions were closer to the soil surface within the primary skid trails. For the compacted and rutted skid trails, changes were greatest on sites that initially had better drainage and aeration. Compacted sites may prove easier to mitigate with site preparation than rutted sites due to the shallower nature of the disturbances and drier site conditions that will facilitate mechanical mitigation. Submitted to South. J. Appl. For. 18(2):72-77.

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

Solid Earth ◽

10.5194/se-6-719-2015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 719-725 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

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, and 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 was 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 was significantly different between the two soil layers. Moreover, significant differences were identified between 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 was found to be higher than that in the SCA. The results also revealed that the WCA had a higher carbon storage capacity.

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EFFECT OF LONG-TERM MINIMUM TILLAGE PRACTICES ON SOME PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF A CHERNOZEMIC CLAY LOAM

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss89-046 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 69 (3) ◽

pp. 443-449 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

C. CHANG ◽

C. W. LINDWALL

Keyword(s):

Hydraulic Conductivity ◽

Physical Properties ◽

Bulk Density ◽

Infiltration Rate ◽

Conventional Tillage ◽

Soil Physical Properties ◽

Clay Loam ◽

Minimum Tillage ◽

No Till

This study was conducted to compare the long-term (20 yr) effects of conventional tillage, minimum tillage and no-till on various soil-water related properties within the tilled layer (0–30 and 30–60 mm) and immediately below the tilled layer (90–120 mm) under a spring cereal-summerfallow rotation cropping system. Parameters measured included saturated hydraulic conductivity, saturation percentage, plant-available water-holding capacity, large pore porosity, bulk density, and infiltration rate of the soil. Tillage treatment effects on these soil properties in each of the four sampling periods were not significantly different. The confidence interval test showed some temporal changes in these soil physical properties, of which hydraulic conductivity was the most affected. In the summerfallow field, regardless of the previous cereal crops, the steady infiltration rate was significantly lower in the soil under conventional tillage than with that under no-till. The results indicate that the surface soil structure was most stable under no-till. In the fresh stubble field, the type of cereal crop had an effect on the infiltration rate of the soil. The mean infiltration rate was higher in the summerfallow field than in the fresh stubble field and also was higher in the fresh barley stubble than in the fresh wheat stubble. Except for infiltration rates, there is no significant advantage of one tillage method over the other with respect to the soil physical properties measured in this Brown Chernozemic clay loam soil. Key words: No-till, minimum tillage, hydraulic conductivity, bulk density, infiltration

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Soil Physical Properties and Soybean Yield as Influenced by Long-Term Tillage Systems and Cover Cropping in the Midsouth USA

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su10124696 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 4696 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Amin Nouri ◽

Jaehoon Lee ◽

Xinhua Yin ◽

Donald D. Tyler ◽

Sindhu Jagadamma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Properties ◽

Geometric Mean ◽

Aggregate Stability ◽

Soil Physical Properties ◽

Water Infiltration ◽

No Tillage ◽

Tillage Systems ◽

Soybean Yield ◽

Cover Cropping

A better understanding of the effect of long-term tillage management on soil properties and yield is essential for sustainable food production. This research aimed to evaluate the 37-year impact of different tillage systems and cover cropping on soil hydro-physical properties at 0–15 and 15–30 cm, as well as on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] yield. The long-term experiment was located in Jackson, TN, and the different treatments involved in this study were no-tillage (NT), disk (DP), chisel (CP), moldboard plow (MP), and no-tillage with winter wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.)] cover crop (NTW). Forty-five days after the tillage operation, MP showed a comparable bulk density (BD) with NT, NTW, and CP at 0–15 cm depth. At surface depth, No-tillage systems increased cone penetration resistance (PR) by 12% compared with the reduced tillage systems, and 47% relative to MP. Wet aggregate stability (WAS) at surface depth was 27% and 36% greater for NT systems than for reduced and conventional tillage systems, respectively. Similarly, the geometric mean diameter (GMD) of aggregates was significantly higher under NT and NTW. However, water infiltration and field-saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) did not differ significantly among tillage systems. The greatest soybean yield was obtained from CP and DP, producing 10% higher yield than NTW. Overall, 37 years of no-tillage, with or without simplified cover cropping did not result in a consistent improvement in soybean yield and soil physical properties with the exception of having improved soil aggregation.

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Characteristic of Soil Physical Properties Derived from Pyritic-Contained Sediment of Musi Banyuasin as by Affected by Drying Treatment

Jurnal Ilmu Tanah dan Lingkungan ◽

10.29244/jitl.3.2.18-23 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 18-23

Author(s):

Kukuh Murtilaksono ◽

Sudarmo . ◽

Susila Herlambang ◽

Sjarif .

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Physical Properties ◽

Pyrite Oxidation ◽

Aggregate Stability ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Soil Physical Properties ◽

Organic Matter Decomposition ◽

Laboratory Research ◽

Soil Subsidence ◽

Drying Treatment

Greenhouse and laboratory research at the Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture IPB has been conducted about treatment of drying on acid sulphate soil coloum from Musi Banyuasin to examine the effect on soil physical properties. Soil coloum of 95 cm height is maintained submerged, aside from other soil coloums drained at 50 cm and 75 cm depth are drying treatment of 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. Drying treatment at 75 cm depth lowering soil surface 0.8 and 2.9 crn at the firstand eighth week of drying, respectively. The soil subsidence is affected by organic matter decomposition and swelling - shrinkage characteristic of 2:1 clay mineral. Drying treatmentsignificantly increasing aggregate stability from 54.69 to 57.19 at 15 cm depth, decreasing it from 57.29 to 51.19 at 45 cm depth at sixth week, and 49.59 to 45.82 at 75 cm depth at fourth week.Although the result has irregular pattern, drying treatment significantly increasing soil bulk density at 15 an depth from 0.83 to 0.95 glcm3, decpasing at 45 cm depth from 0.69 to 0.45 glcm3at sixth week, and increasing from 0.63 to 0.72 g/cm at 75 cm depth at fourth week. The incremental anddecreasing is more caused by organic matter decomposition and soil aggregate sementation by iron resulted from pyrite oxidation. Drying treatment significantly affecting soil porosity, permeability and COLE at several depth, atthough the pattern is irregular.

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Effects of cattle treading on physical properties of three soils used for dairy farming in the Waikato, North Island, New Zealand

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr98101 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 37 (5) ◽

pp. 891 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

P. L. Singleton ◽

B. Addison

Keyword(s):

Hydraulic Conductivity ◽

Physical Properties ◽

Physical Condition ◽

Aggregate Size ◽

Total Porosity ◽

Dairy Farming ◽

Soil Physical Properties ◽

Undisturbed Soil ◽

Allophanic Soil

A study of the physical condition of 3 soils used for intensive dairy farming in the Waikato Region was undertaken. The study was to determine the existing physical condition of the soil, the possible long-term changes from pugging damage, and the most appropriate measurements and depth for monitoring change in soil physical properties under dairying. Four dairy farms were selected on each of 3 soils (an Allophanic Soil and 2 Gley Soils). On each farm, 3 sites that corresponded to never trodden, usual (‘average’ paddock and pasture condition for the farm), and previously pugged (pugged >18 months ago) pasture histories were sampled. Undisturbed soil cores were collected at 50-mm depth increments to 250 mm for determination of bulk density, total porosity, saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, proportion of pores >30 and 60 µm, and aggregate size class. Results showed pugging was having a long-term effect on soil physical properties of all 3 soils, including the well-drained Allophanic Soil that rarely pugged. All measurements showed a decline in values for soil properties from never trodden to previously pugged. The greatest changes were in hydraulic conductivity, proportion of pores, and aggregate size (>60 and <20 mm). The most appropriate depth increment for measuring differences between treatments was found to be 50–100 mm. A comparison of previously pugged to never trodden at this depth showed that hydraulic conductivity had decreased by 80%, pore size by 46% (except for Allophanic Soil), and the proportion of aggregates >60 mm in diameter had increased at least 4-fold. Farming practices that minimise pugging damage, such as on/off grazing, need to be encouraged. It is possible that such programs may permit the soil to recover to a physical state similar to never trodden sites.

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