Assessment of Soil St ructural Stability Under Different Land Uses Using Some Predictive Indices in Abakaliki, Southeastern Nigeria

This study was carried out in order to assess soil structural stability under different land uses using predictive indices. Different land uses of forest land, cattle paddock, fallow land and continuously cultivated farmland were carefully identified within Abakaliki agroecology. Auger and core soil samples were collected at five sampling points using free survey technique in each land use. Core soil samples were used to determine predictive indices of bulk density, total porosity and hydraulic conductivity. Auger soil samples were bulked and used for determination of mean weight diameter (MWD), aggregate stability, dispersion ratio and particle size distribution. Data obtained were subjected to coefficient of variation (CV) analysis and standard deviation. Results showed that sand and clay fractions had little variation (%CV<7-8) but silt fraction varied moderately (%CV >28). Furthermore, bulk density, mean weight diameter, aggregate stability and hydraulic conductivity were highly varied (%CV >112-245), total porosity had moderate variation (%CV >30) and dispersion ratio, high variation (%CV >80), respectively. The different land uses are generally rated according to their performance in their structural stability using the predictive indices as forestland>cattle paddock>fallow land>farmland. It is recommended that the practice of forestry, grazing, fallowing and other management practices which encourage formation and stabilization of soil structural stability be adopted for sustenance of higher soil productivity.

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Factors of soil diversity in the Batumi delta (Georgia)

Solid Earth ◽

10.5194/se-8-1-2017 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Bülent Turgut ◽

Merve Ateş

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Correlation Analysis ◽

Moisture Content ◽

Aggregate Stability ◽

Clay Content ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Sand Content ◽

Soil Diversity ◽

Delta Plain ◽

Mean Weight Diameter

Abstract. The aim of this study was to determine certain basic properties of soils in the Batumi delta (southwestern Georgia) to determine the relationships of studied properties and to identify differences with regards to these properties between different sampling sites in the delta that were selected based on the delta morphology. In this context, a total of 125 soil samples were collected from five different sampling sites, and the clay, silt and sand content of the samples were determined along with their mean weight diameter (MWD) values, aggregate stability (AS) values, amount of water retained under −33 (FC) and −1500 kPa (WP) pressure and organic matter (OM) content. Correlation analysis indicated that clay content and OM were positively correlated with MWD, and OM was positively correlated with AS. However, the sand content was found to be negatively correlated with MWD. In addition, clay, silt and OM content were positive correlated with FC and WP. Variance analysis results determined statistically significant differences between the sampling sites with respect to all of the evaluated properties. The active delta section of the study area was characterized by high sand content, while the lower delta plain was characterized by high OM and AS values, and the upper delta plain was characterized by high MWD values, high FC and WP moisture content levels and high clay and silt content. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that the examined properties were significantly affected by the different morphological positions and usages of these different areas. These results may help with the management of agricultural lands in the Batumi delta, which has never been studied before.

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Effects of heating on some soil physical properties related to its hydrological behaviour in two north-western Spanish soils

International Journal of Wildland Fire ◽

10.1071/wf03068 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 195 ◽

Cited By ~ 70

Author(s):

R. García-Corona ◽

E. Benito ◽

E. de Blas ◽

M. E. Varela

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Hydraulic Conductivity ◽

Physical Properties ◽

Size Distribution ◽

Aggregate Stability ◽

Aggregate Size ◽

Total Porosity ◽

Water Repellency ◽

Aggregate Size Distribution ◽

Distribution Water

Two forest soils rich in organic matter but differing in texture (sandy loam and silty loam) were heated under controlled laboratory conditions in order to examine the consequences of the heating effect that accompanies the passage of a fire on the physical properties of soil. Three samples of both soils were heated for 30 min in a muffle furnace at temperatures of 25, 170, 220, 380 and 460°C. At each temperature, the following parameters were determined: dry aggregate size distribution, water aggregate stability, total porosity, pore size distribution, water repellency and hydraulic conductivity. Heating the soils at 170 and 220°C caused no significant changes in aggregate size distribution or total porosity but increased water aggregate stability and the volume of pores 0.2–30 μm. Also, increased water repellency and strongly decreased the hydraulic conductivity. All parameters underwent much more dramatic changes at 380 and 460°C that can be ascribed to the combustion of organic matter. At such temperatures, water repellency was destroyed and the low hydraulic conductivity can be attributed to the aggregate breakdown observed under dry and wet conditions.

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Stabilities of ant nests and their adjacent soils

International Agrophysics ◽

10.2478/v10247-012-0050-6 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 355-363 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

B.C. Echezona ◽

C.A. Igwe

Keyword(s):

Structural Stability ◽

Aggregate Stability ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Adaptive Mechanism ◽

Ant Nests ◽

Water Stable Aggregate ◽

Dispersion Ratio ◽

Stable Aggregate ◽

Termite Nest ◽

Relative Vulnerability

Abstract Nests habour ants and termites and protect them from harsh environmental conditions. The structural stabilities of nests were studied to ascertain their relative vulnerability to environmental stresses. Arboreal-ant nests were pried from different trees, while epigeous-termite nests were excavated from soil surface within the sample area. Soils without any visible sign of ant or termite activity were also sampled 6 m away from the nests as control. Laboratory analysis result showed that irrespective of the tree hosts, the aggregate stabilities of the ant nests were lower than those of the ground termite, with nests formed on Cola nitida significantly showing lower aggregate stability (19.7%) than other antnest structures. Clay dispersion ratio, moisture content, water stable aggregate class <0.25mm and sand mass were each negatively correlated with aggregate stability, while water stable aggregate class1.00-0.50 mm gave a positive correlation. Nest structures were dominated more by water stable aggregate class >2.00 mm but path analysis demonstrated that water stable aggregate class <0.25 mm contributed most to the higher aggregate stability of the termite nest than the other nest. Nest aggregates had greater structural stability compared to the control soil. The higher structural stability of termite nests over other nest and soil was considered a better adaptive mechanism against body desiccation.

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Determining the variation of soil properties in the Batumi Delta

10.5194/se-2016-101 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Bülent Turgut ◽

Merve Ateş

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Correlation Analysis ◽

Moisture Content ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Aggregate Stability ◽

Clay Content ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Sand Content ◽

Delta Plain ◽

Mean Weight Diameter

Abstract. The aim of this study was to determine certain basic properties of soils in the Batumi delta, to determine the relationships of studied properties, and to identify differences with regards to these properties between different sampling sites in the delta that were selected based on the delta morphology. In this context, a total of 125 soil samples were collected from five different sampling sites, and the clay, silt and sand content of the samples were determined along with their mean weight diameter (MWD) values, aggregate stability (AS) values, amount of water retained under −33 kPa (FC) and −1500 kPa (WP) pressure and organic matter (OM) content. Correlation analysis indicated that clay content and OM were positively correlated with MWD, and OM was positively correlated with AS. However, the sand content was found to be negatively correlated with MWD. In addition, clay, silt and OM content were positive correlated with FC and WP. Variance analysis results determined statistically significant differences between the sampling sites with respect to all of the evaluated properties. The active delta section of the study area was characterized by high sand content, while the lower delta plain was characterized by high OM and AS values, and the upper delta plain was characterized by high WMD values, high FC and WP moisture content levels and high clay and silt content. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that the examined properties were significantly affected by the different morphological positions and usages of these different areas. These results may help with the management of agricultural lands in the Batumi delta, which has never been studied before.

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KARAKTERISTIK SIFAT FISIK TANAH DAN C-ORGANIK PADA PENGGUNAAN LAHAN BERBEDA DI KAWASAN UB FOREST

Jurnal Tanah dan Sumberdaya Lahan ◽

10.21776/ub.jtsl.2021.008.2.11 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 395-405

Author(s):

Renaldy Christian Siahaan ◽

Zaenal Kusuma

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Hydraulic Conductivity ◽

Physical Properties ◽

Bulk Density ◽

Particle Density ◽

Aggregate Stability ◽

Forest Area ◽

Land Uses ◽

Organic C ◽

Available Water

UB forest area has various land uses, namely the use of agroforestry land based on coffee and seasonal crops. This will result in various physical properties of the soil in each use, therefore this study aims to determine the physical properties of the soil in different land uses and obtain optimal land use in the UB Forest area. The research was conducted from June to September 2020 in Malang district. The study was conducted on land use of pine forest areas, pine agroforestry + coffee, pine agroforestry + seasonal crops, mahogany agroforestry + coffee and mahogany agroforestry + seasonal crops. The parameters observed included analyzing bulk density, particle density, porosity, available water, water content pF 2.5 and 4.2, hydraulic conductivity, aggregate stability, texture and organic-C. The results showed that land use in the forest area of UB affected the physical soil, namely bulk density, particle density, porosity, hydraulic conductivity, and aggregate stability. Other physical properties, namely soil texture in the UB area. Dominant forest with dusty and clayey clay textures while available water had no significant effect and pine land use is optimal use based on physical properties of soil density, density, aggregate stability and hydraulic conductivity and is supported by the value of organic-C. Soil organic matter in coffee pine land use also has the highest value than other land ranges from 3.44 to 5.07%

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Effect of reclamation on the structure of silty-clay soils irrigated with saline-sodic waters

International Agrophysics ◽

10.1515/intag-2015-0005 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 23-30 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Giovanna Cucci ◽

Giovanni Lacolla ◽

Marcello Pagliai ◽

Nadia Vignozzi

Keyword(s):

Aggregate Stability ◽

Total Porosity ◽

Calcium Sulphate ◽

Drainage Water ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Sodium Absorption ◽

Silty Clay ◽

Undisturbed Soil ◽

Thin Sections ◽

Sodium Absorption Ratio

Abstract The objective of the work was to evaluate, by using the micromorphometric method, the effects of reclamation on porosity of two different clay loam soils irrigated with saline-sodic waters. Soil samples of the Ap horizon were put in cylindrical containers and irrigated with 9 types of saline-sodic waters (3 levels of salinity combined with 3 levels of sodicity). After a 4-year period, correction treatments were initiated by addition of calcium sulphate and leaching until electrical conductivity and sodium absorption ratio values of the drainage water matched 3 dS m-1 and 9, respectively. After 2 years of correction treatments, undisturbed soil samples were taken from the surface layer and soil thin sections for porosity measurements. Both soils did not show critical macroporosity values (> 10%, below this threshold a soil is classified as compact). Nevertheless, the soils exhibited a different behaviour: total porosity of the Pachic Haploxeroll soil was not affected by difference in water salinity and alkalinity; on the contrary, the Udertic Ustochrept soil showed a lower porosity associated with higher salt concentration in the irrigation waters. This may be due to the different iron and aluminium sesquioxides content and, as a consequence, a different effect on soil aggregate stability.

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Effects of agricultural management on tenosols in northern Tasmania

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr01005 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 45 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

W. E. Cotching ◽

J. Cooper ◽

L. A. Sparrow ◽

B. E. McCorkell ◽

W. Rowley

Keyword(s):

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Aggregates ◽

Aggregate Stability ◽

Total Porosity ◽

Infiltration Rate ◽

Agricultural Management ◽

Degraded Soil ◽

Soil Attributes ◽

Mean Weight Diameter

Attributes of 15 Tasmanian sandy tenosols were assessed using field and laboratory techniques to determine differences under 3 typical forms of agricultural management: long-term pasture, cropping with shallow tillage using discs and tines, and cropping (including potatoes) with more rigorous and deeper tillage including deep ripping and powered implements. Soil organic carbon in the surface 75 mm was 2.6&percnt; under long-term pasture compared with 1.1&percnt; in rigorously tilled cropping paddocks. Readily oxidisable carbon concentrations were 2.3 mg/g and 1.0 mg/g, respectively. These differences were negatively correlated with the number of years cropped, which we viewed with concern. Infiltration rate was greater and shear strength less in cropped paddocks compared with long-term pasture. Dry bulk density was greater and total porosity and macroporosity were less in rigorously tilled paddocks. Subsoil compaction was apparent in paddocks which had grown potatoes. Cropping was not clearly associated with smaller or less stable aggregates. A survey of farmers' perceptions found that they identified more healthy than unhealthy soil attributes under all management histories. Significant negative correlations were found between the number of unhealthy attributes identified in a farmer survey and laboratory-determined water-stable aggregates and mean weight diameter of dry soil aggregates. The effects of cropping are not associated with a broad range of degraded soil attributes on these Tasmanian tenosols. tenosols, sandy soils, organic carbon, soil strength, aggregate stability, land management, cropping.

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Assessment of Soil Physical Characteristics of Luvisols Under Monoculture of Vines

Acta Horticulturae et Regiotecturae ◽

10.1515/ahr-2016-0006 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 21-27

Author(s):

Vladimír Šimanský ◽

Marek Kolenčík

Keyword(s):

Soil Profile ◽

Soil Structure ◽

Aggregate Stability ◽

Stability Index ◽

Total Porosity ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Soil Profiles ◽

Average Content ◽

Average Value ◽

Soil Physical Characteristics

Abstract The physical properties of Luvisols under vineyards of the Nitra wine-growing area (Slovakia) were evaluated in the paper. Soil samples were taken from two selected localities (Nitra - Dražovce, Vráble). The obtained results showed that in the soil profile of Dražovce, the average contents of non-capillary pores, capillary pores and semi-capillary pores to the total porosity were equal to 26.1, 64.4 and 9.4%, respectively, and in the soil profile of Vráble - 22.3, 75.6 and 2.1%, respectively. In the Dražovce locality, the average content of aggregate stability index (Sw) decreased in the following order: abandoned vineyard > grassy strip between the vineyard rows > intensively cultivated rows of vineyard. In contrast, in the Vráble locality, higher average contents of Sw were determined in intensively cultivated rows of vineyard in comparison to grassy strip between the vineyard rows. The lowest average value of vulnerability coefficient (Kv) was observed in abandoned vineyard (Dražovce locality) and in both localities in grassy strip between the vineyard rows. Intensive cultivation of the vineyard rows resulted in higher vulnerability of soil structure. The values of maximum capillary capacity were almost the same in both soil profiles of Luvisols. A higher content of soil moisture was observed in the soil profile in the Vráble locality (33.6±2.50) in comparison to the Dražovce locality (30.6±5.44). Higher content of storage moisture was determined in the Vráble locality (2,684 l m-2) in comparison to the Dražovce locality (2,450 l m-2).

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Soil Structural Stability and Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS): transient binding agents affected by land-use.

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-5742 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Marc Redmile-Gordon

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Organic Carbon ◽

Structural Stability ◽

Extracellular Polymeric Substances ◽

Aggregate Stability ◽

Land Uses ◽

Total Soil ◽

Binding Agents ◽

Soil Structural Stability

Structural stability in agricultural soils is said to be maintained through production of &#8216;biological binding agents&#8217;, including temporary binding agents (fungi, roots), transient binding agents (EPS), and persistent binding agents (of less certain origin). We sampled soils from a long-term field trial, comprising previous grassland, arable and fallow land-uses in factorial combination with current land-uses of the same type: previous 3 land-uses &#160;x current 3 land-uses = 9 treatments (Redmile-Gordon et al., 2020). Total soil organic carbon (SOC), EPS (including protein, and polysaccharide fractions; Redmile-Gordon et al., 2014), and mean weight diameter (MWD) of water stable aggregates (Le Bissonnais, 1996) were quantified.Both EPS and MWD were correlated, and were both strongly influenced by current land-use (implemented 2.5 years before sampling), but not by previous land-use (implemented > 50 years ago, terminated 2.5 years before sampling). While exopolysaccharides were significantly correlated to the soil&#8217;s structural stability (p = 0.027), proteinaceous EPS were more closely related to the associated gains in soil aggregate stability (p = 0.002).In contrast to EPS and soil stability, total soil organic carbon (SOC) was strongly influenced by previous land-use. Importantly, this indicates that any capacity for relatively stable organic matter to contribute to the soil&#8217;s structural stability is overwhelmed by temporary/transient effects owed to current land-use. This is cause for optimism, as it seems the physical quality of soils might be improved by short-term application of managements that favour EPS production. This approach would represent a qualitative step beyond that of building total SOC, which can be difficult for land-managers to achieve. This study is the first to simultaneously assess the effects of land-use on proteinaceous and polysaccharide content of EPS, and link this to the structural stability of soils. Further understanding surrounding the ecology of EPS production, and disentangling the contributions of temporary (largely physical) vs. transient (biochemical) binding agents is hoped to contribute to the development of more efficient land-management strategies.&#160;References:Le Bissonnais, Y., 1996. Aggregate stability and assessment of soil crustability and erodibility. 1. Theory and methodology. Eur. J. Soil Sci. 47, 425&#8211;437.Redmile-Gordon, M., Brookes, P.C., Evershed, R.P., Goulding, K.W.T., Hirsch, P.R., 2014. Measuring the soil-microbial interface: extraction of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from soil biofilms. Soil Biol. Biochem. 72, 163&#8211;171.Redmile-Gordon, M., Gregory, A.S., White, R.P., Watts, C.W. 2020. Soil organic carbon, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and soil structural stability as affected by previous and current land-use. Geoderma, 363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2019.114143

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Effect of different Slums on Selected Soil Properties in Abakaliki Southeastern Nigeria

10.36265/njss.2018.280207 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 62-65

Author(s):

Njoku C. ◽

Okoro G.C.

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Crop Production ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Aggregate Stability ◽

Exchange Capacity ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Available Phosphorus ◽

Southeastern Nigeria ◽

Undisturbed Soil ◽

Dispersion Ratio

A study was conducted at Abakaliki to determine the effect of slums on soil physicochem- ical properties. Four replicate samples were collected from the four slum locations and control using auger and core for disturbed and undisturbed soil samples, respectively. The soil samples collected were taken to laboratory and analysed for bulk density, total porosi- ty, mean weight diameter, aggregate stability, dispersion ratio, pH, available phosphorus, total nitrogen, organic carbon, C/N ratio, total exchangeable bases, exchangeable acidity, effective cation exchange capacity, base saturation and heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Sn). The data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) based on CRD and difference between treatment means were dictated using F-LSD. Except for dispersion ratio which is non-significant, all the parameters studied showed significant (p < 0.05) changes with respect to the different locations studied. The result showed lower improve- ment in soil physical and chemical properties in slums than control. On the other hand Cd, Cu, Pb, and Sn were higher in slums than control. Similarly, these heavy metals observed were higher than the usual range in soils. Thus, the study suggests that slum soils should not be used for crop production since they are associated with heavy metal pollutions and also lack the essential nutrients required by crop for performance

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