scholarly journals Monitoring soil moisture dynamics in multilayered Fluvisols

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
József Dezső ◽  
Szabolcs Czigány ◽  
Gábor Nagy ◽  
Ervin Pirkhoffer ◽  
Marcin Słowik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Capillary Rise ◽  
Moisture Flux ◽  
Water Dynamics ◽  
Drought Vulnerability ◽  
Capillary Barriers ◽  
Land And Water Management ◽  
Drava River ◽  
Limited Moisture

Abstract The identification of drought-sensitive areas (DSAs) in floodplain Fluvisols of high textural pedodiversity is crucial for sustainable land management purposes. During extended drought periods moisture replenishment is only available by capillary rise from the groundwater. However, moisture flux is often hindered by capillary barriers in the interface between layers of contrasting textures. The results of HYDRUS-1D simulations run on multilayered soil profiles were integrated into textural maps to determine the spatial distribution of water dynamics on the floodplain of the Drava River (SW Hungary). Model runs and field data revealed limited moisture replenishment by capillary rise when both contrasting textural interfaces and sandy layers are present in the profile. By implementing these textural and hydraulic relations, a drought vulnerability map (DSA map) of the operational area of the Old Drava Programme (ODP) was developed. According to the spatial distribution of soils of reduced capillary rise, 52% of the ODP area is likely threatened by droughts. Our model results are adaptable for optimisation of land- and water-management practices along the floodplains of low-energy and medium-sized rivers under humid continental and maritime climates.

Spatial variability of the physical-hydric properties of cohesive soils under rainfed and irrigated sugarcane cultivations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brivaldo Gomes de Almeida ◽  
Bruno Campos Mantovanelli ◽  
Thiago Rodrigo Schossler ◽  
Fernando José Freire ◽  
Edivan Rodrigues de Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Spatial Variability ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Multivariate Techniques ◽  
Geostatistical Approach ◽  
Physical Attributes ◽  
Soil Spatial Variability

<p>Geostatistical and multivariate techniques have been widely used to identify and characterize the soil spatial variability, as well as to detect possible relationships between soil properties and management. Besides that, these techniques provide information regarding the spatial and temporal structural changes of soils to support better decision-making processes and management practices. Although the Zona da Mata region is a reference for sugarcane production in the northeast of Brazil, only a few studies have been carried out to clarify the effects of different management on soil physical attributes by using geostatistical and multivariate techniques. Thus, the objectives of this study were: (I) to characterize the spatial distribution of soils physical attributes under rainfed and irrigated sugarcane cultivations; (II) to identify the minimum sampling for the determination of soil physical attributes; (III) to detect the effects of the different management on soil physical attributes based on the principal component analysis (PCA). The study was carried out in the agricultural area of the Carpina Sugarcane Experimental Station of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, 7º51’13”S, 35º14’10”W, characterized by a Typic Hapludult with sandy clay loam soil texture. The investigated plot, cultivated with sugarcane, included a rainfed and an irrigated treatment in which a sprinkler system was installed according to a 12x12m grid. The interval between consecutive watering was fixed in two days, whereas irrigation depth was calculated to replace crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and accounting for the effective precipitation of the period. Daily ETc was estimated based on crop coefficient and reference evapotranspiration (ETo) indirectly obtained through a class A evaporation pan. In both treatments, the soil spatial variability was determined according to a 56x32m grid, on 32 soil samples collected in the 0.0-0.1m soil layer, spaced 7x8m, and georeferenced with a global position system. The soil was physically characterized according to the following attributes: bulk density (BD), soil penetration resistance (SPR), macroporosity (Macro), mesoporosity (Meso), microporosity (Micro), total porosity (TP), saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), gravimetric soil water content (SWCg), geometric mean diameter (GMD) and mean weight diameter (MWD). The results of the descriptive statistics showed that among the studied attributes, Ksat, SPR, and Macro presented higher CV values, equal to 63 and 69%, 35 and 40%, and 32 and 44%, under rainfed and irrigated conditions, respectively. The minimum sampling, adequate to characterize the different soil attributes, resulted in general smaller in the rainfed area, characterized by higher homogeneity. Thus, the GMD, SWCg (both with 2 points ha<sup>-1</sup>), and SPR (with 6 points ha<sup>-1</sup>) were identified as the soil physical attributes requiring the lowest sample density; on the other hand, MWD and Ksat, with 14 and 15 points ha<sup>-1</sup>, respectively, required the highest number of samples. Pearson’s correlation analysis evidenced that soil BD was the most influential physical attribute in the studied areas, with a significant and inverse effect in most of the investigated attributes. The geostatistical approach associated with the multivariate PCA provided to understand the relationships between the spatial distribution patterns associated with irrigated and rainfed management and soil physical properties.</p>

scholarly journals Gamma Distribution and its Application of Spatially Monitoring Meteorological Drought in Barind, Bangladesh

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
ATMJ Alam ◽  
MS Rahman ◽  
AHM Saadat ◽  
MM Huq
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Gamma Distribution ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Standardized Precipitation Index ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Critical Threshold ◽  
Drought Severity ◽  
Multiple Time ◽  
Drought Vulnerability ◽  
Weighting Method

The Barind tract of Bangladesh suffers from frequent drought due to erratic rainfall distribution. In the present study details analysis of rainfall data has been carried out for the years 1971-2010. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) which is followed by gamma distribution is used to evaluate drought vulnerability based on frequency and severity of drought events at multiple time steps (3, 5 and 12 months). Drought severity maps are generated in a GIS (Geographical Information System) environment using inverse distance weighting method. Critical (threshold) rainfall values are derived for each station at multiple-time steps in varying drought categories to determine least amount of rainfall required to avoid from drought initiation. The study found that drought vulnerability portrays a very diverse but consistent picture with varying time steps. Analysis and interpretation of the map shows a similar spatial distribution of drought in pre-monsoon season but in monsoon season rainfall deficits shifts its position time to time and occurred in certain discrete pockets. In 12 months period the spatial distribution of drought was almost similar with monsoon season. In pre-monsoon season drought severity was higher in north eastern part of the study area compare to other parts. The study also evident that critical threshold values of rainfall to avoid drought condition was higher in the northern part of high Barind than southern part.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jesnr.v5i2.14832 J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 5(2): 287-293 2012

Assessing the sustainability of wheat-based cropping systems using APSIM: model parameterisation and evaluation

2007 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carina Moeller ◽  
Mustafa Pala ◽  
Ahmad M. Manschadi ◽  
Holger Meinke ◽  
Joachim Sauerborn
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Water Dynamics ◽  
Soil Water Dynamics ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
N Use

Assessing the sustainability of crop and soil management practices in wheat-based rotations requires a well-tested model with the demonstrated ability to sensibly predict crop productivity and changes in the soil resource. The Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) suite of models was parameterised and subsequently used to predict biomass production, yield, crop water and nitrogen (N) use, as well as long-term soil water and organic matter dynamics in wheat/chickpea systems at Tel Hadya, north-western Syria. The model satisfactorily simulated the productivity and water and N use of wheat and chickpea crops grown under different N and/or water supply levels in the 1998–99 and 1999–2000 experimental seasons. Analysis of soil-water dynamics showed that the 2-stage soil evaporation model in APSIM’s cascading water-balance module did not sufficiently explain the actual soil drying following crop harvest under conditions where unused water remained in the soil profile. This might have been related to evaporation from soil cracks in the montmorillonitic clay soil, a process not explicitly simulated by APSIM. Soil-water dynamics in wheat–fallow and wheat–chickpea rotations (1987–98) were nevertheless well simulated when the soil water content in 0–0.45 m soil depth was set to ‘air dry’ at the end of the growing season each year. The model satisfactorily simulated the amounts of NO3-N in the soil, whereas it underestimated the amounts of NH4-N. Ammonium fixation might be part of the soil mineral-N dynamics at the study site because montmorillonite is the major clay mineral. This process is not simulated by APSIM’s nitrogen module. APSIM was capable of predicting long-term trends (1985–98) in soil organic matter in wheat–fallow and wheat–chickpea rotations at Tel Hadya as reported in literature. Overall, results showed that the model is generic and mature enough to be extended to this set of environmental conditions and can therefore be applied to assess the sustainability of wheat–chickpea rotations at Tel Hadya.

scholarly journals Linking Soil Water Changes to Soil Physical Quality in Sugarcane Expansion Areas in Brazil

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3156
Author(s):  
Felipe Bonini da Luz ◽  
Martha Lustosa Carvalho ◽  
Daniel Aquino de Borba ◽  
Bruna Emanuele Schiebelbein ◽  
Renato Paiva de Lima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Clayey Soil ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Water Dynamics ◽  
Native Vegetation ◽  
Soil Water Dynamics ◽  
Physical Quality ◽  
Soil Physical Quality

Brazil is the world’s largest sugarcane producer with projections for expanding the current area by 30% in the coming years, mainly in areas previously occupied by pastures. We assess soil water changes induced by land-use change (LUC) for sugarcane expansion in the central-south region of Brazil. For that purpose, soil samples were collected in a typical LUC sequence (native vegetation–pasture–sugarcane) in two contrasting soil textures (i.e., sandy and clayey). Soil hydro-physical properties such as pores size distribution, bulk density, soil water content, water tension, and drainage time at field capacity, plant-available water, and S-index were analyzed. Our data showed that long-term LUC from native vegetation to extensive pasture induced severe degradation in soil physical quality and soil water dynamics. However, conventional tillage used during conversion from pasture to sugarcane did not cause additional degradation on soil structure and soil water dynamics. Over time, sugarcane cultivation slightly impaired soil water and physical conditions, but only in the 10–20 cm layer in both soils. Therefore, we highlight that sustainable management practices to enhance soil physical quality and water dynamics in sugarcane fields are needed to prevent limiting conditions to plant growth and contribute to delivering other ecosystem services.

Soil water regimes of rotationally grazed perennial and annual forages

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 627-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Twerdoff ◽  
D. S. Chanasyk ◽  
M. A. Naeth ◽  
V. S. Baron ◽  
E. Mapfumo
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Water Dynamics ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Grazing Intensities ◽  
Use Efficiency

To maintain a sustainable agricultural system, management practices such as grazing must ensure adequate soil water for plant growth, yet minimize the risk of soil erosion. The objective of this study was to characterize the soil water regime of perennial and annual forages under three grazing intensities (heavy, medium and light). The study was conducted at the Lacombe Research Station, Alberta, on an Orthic Black Chernozem of loam to silt loam texture. The forages used were smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis L. 'Carlton'), meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius L. 'Paddock'), a mixture of triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack 'Pika') and barley (Hordeum vulgare L. 'AC Lacombe') and triticale. Soil water measurements were conducted between April and October of 1994 and 1995 using a neutron scattering hydroprobe to a depth of 90 cm. Surface (0–7.5 cm) soil water was more responsive to grazing intensity than soil water accumulated to various depths. For all grazing treatments and forages, both surface soil water and accumulated soil water generally fluctuated between field capacity and wilting point during the growing season. Although plant water status was not determined, no visual permanent wilting of forages was observed during the study. Differences in evapotranspiration (ET), as determined by differences in soil water were evident among forage species but not grazing intensities, with perennials having high ET in spring and annuals having high ET in summer. Estimated values of water-use efficiency (WUE) were greater for perennials than for annuals and grazing effects on WUE were minimal. From a management perspective, grazing of annuals and perennials altered soil water dynamics but still maintained adequate soil water for plant growth. Key words: Evapotranspiration, forages, grazing intensity, water-use efficiency

Spatial and temporal population patterns of Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae and Encyrtidae) caught on yellow sticky traps in citrus

1986 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Samways
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Host Density ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Sticky Trap ◽  
Aonidiella Aurantii ◽  
Final Population ◽  
Parasitoid Population ◽  
Yellow Sticky Trap ◽  
Seasonal Population

AbstractParasitoids of Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) on citrus in South Africa were monitored using two types of yellow sticky trap. One of these traps was highly efficient, being fluorescent with peak reflectance at about 530 nm. Aphytis spp. populations were low before February and high thereafter. Citrus surrounded by natural bush was an isolated reservoir of high host and parasitoid population levels. Aphytis spatial distribution within the orchard was extremely patchy, with over 100-fold differences in population levels over a distance of a few metres. This patchiness mirrored that of its host. This contagious spatial pattern was maintained despite 1000-fold seasonal changes in population levels. These temporal changes were characteristic and general throughout an orchard, and independent of patchiness. Initial Aphytis population levels did not dictate the final population level at the end of the season. Comperiella bifasciata Howard and its hyperparasitoid Marietta javensis (Howard) also showed clear seasonal population trends, but not of the same magnitude as those of Aphytis. There was no statistically significant correlation between the spatial distribution of one parasitoid with that of another, even between C. bifasciata and M. javensis. The patchiness of these two species was not correlated with overall host density. Aphytis and C. bifasciata were partially mutually exclusive. Aphytis was by far the most economically important of the parasitoids. Pest management practices, therefore, should aim at conserving the pool of Aphytis within the orchard as far as practicable.

scholarly journals Hydrogeology of Volcanic Highlands Affects Prioritization of Land Management Practices

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anwar A. Adem ◽  
Gashaw G. Addis ◽  
Dessalew W. Aynalem ◽  
Seifu A. Tilahun ◽  
Wolde Mekuria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Soil Degradation ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Sediment Concentration ◽  
Agricultural Watershed ◽  
Land And Water Management ◽  
High Sediment ◽  
Tertiary Basalt

Volcanic highlands supply water to 40% of the world’s population. Soil degradation threatens this water supply. Studies on geohydrology that affect the effectiveness of land and water management (LWM) practices in reducing soil degradations are limited. To aid in the effectiveness of LWM practices, we conducted a field experiment in the Gomit watershed in the semihumid Ethiopian Highlands on the interaction of hydrogeology and LWM practices. We found that in a watershed with strongly faulted tertiary basalt, 30% of the rainfall was drained through faults to another basin. Consequently, the discharge at the outlet was less than half of that of other watersheds with quaternary basalts. Despite the high sediment concentration, i.e., around 15 g L−1, in the Gomit watershed, the sediment yield of less than 4 Mg ha−1 a−1 was below average for the agricultural watershed in Ethiopia because of the low runoff response. While some faults facilitated drainage, others acted as a barrier. Groundwater stored behind the barriers was used as a municipal potable water source. Since the effectiveness of LWM practices depends on the amount of erosion that can be prevented, considerations of country-wide prioritizing of investments in land and water management practices should include the geology of the watersheds.

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