Characterizing the soil physical condition in reduced tillage systems for winter wheat on a fine sandy loam using small cores

1992 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 395-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Carter
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Physical Condition ◽  
Prince Edward Island ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Air Permeability ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Fine Sandy Loam ◽  
Direct Drilling

A tillage study was conducted in Prince Edward Island with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) over two seasons on a Gowanbrae light fine sandy loam, a Humo-Ferric Podzol. One-pass mouldboard ploughing, shallow tillage using a rotary harrow, and direct drilling were evaluated for their effects on crop productivity and soil physical properties. Direct drilling increased plant survival but not grain yield in the first year compared to the other tillage systems. Leaf diseases significantly reduced crop performance under shallow tillage and direct drilling in the second year. None of the tillage systems had adverse effects on soil strength at field capacity over the 0- to 350-mm soil profile depth, as penetrometer resistance values were < 1.5 MPa. Differences in soil macro-aggregation and organic carbon distribution between tillage systems were noted in the Ap horizon. Sequential measurements on soil cores equilibrated at 6 kPa tension for macropore volume, air permeability at low air pressure (0.25 kPa), oxygen diffusion rate (ODR) at 0.65 mV, and shear strength indicated that the soil physical condition was within the optimum range for root growth, over the 0- to 240-mm depth, in each tillage system. In addition, relative compaction was maintained at a low level in all systems. The quotient of air permeability and macropore volume, as an index of pore continuity, indicated that the relatively large macropore volumes under mouldboard ploughing were less efficient in conducting air than the macropores under direct drilling. These differences in pore continuity were most prevalent at the lower soil depth.Key words: Soil physical properties, soil compaction, Podzolic soil, winter cereals

Influence of compost on the physical properties and organic matter fractions of a fine sandy loam throughout the cycle of a potato rotation

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Carter ◽  
J. B. Sanderson ◽  
J. A. MacLeod
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Fine Sandy Loam ◽  
Organic Matter Fractions ◽  
Potato Rotation

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) rotations often require organic amendments to maintain or improve soil organic matter levels and soil physical properties. However, beneficial effects of compost can be modified by time of application and rotating tillage depth and intensity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of compost applied once at different phases in a 3-yr potato, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and red clover (Trifolium pretense L.) rotation on a range of soil physical properties and organic matter fractions for a Charlottetown fine sandy loam (Orthic Humo-Ferric Podzol) in Prince Edward Island. Soil samples (0–8 cm) were obtained during the second cycle of the rotation (after two compost applications) in the fifth year of the experiment. Soil properties were influenced by compost addition, time of compost addition, and crop phase. Compost-induced benefits in soil physical properties (bulk density, macro-porosity, oxygen diffusion rate, shear vane strength, water-filled pore space) were mainly expressed in the red clover phase of the rotation, where soil density was relatively high compared to the barley and potato phases, due to the absence of tillage. The soil physical parameters, however, were mainly within their established optimum ranges for this soil type. Soil water content at −0.033 MPa was increased by compost in the potato phase, compared to the control. Soil organic matter was influenced by both compost and crop C inputs. Compost increased soil particulate organic matter (POM) in the potato and barley phases. Due to differences in crop residue inputs, compost-related differences in organic matter were minimized in the red clover phase of the rotation. Compost addition increased potato tuber yield above the maximum yield obtained with nitrogen application. This “non-nitrogen” compost yield effect may be related to the slight, but significant, improvement in soil water-holding capacity. Overall , compost application in an intensive 3-yr potato rotation provided benefits for potato productivity and in both soil physical and biological properties. Key words: Soil organic carbon, particulate organic matter, soil physical properties, compost amendment, potato yield, eastern Canada

Runoff, soil loss and soil physical property changes of light textured surface soils from long term tillage treatments

Soil Research ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 789 ◽  
Author(s):  
IJ Packer ◽  
GJ Hamilton ◽  
TB Koen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Physical Property ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Textured Surface ◽  
Direct Drilling

A long-term tillage trial was conducted (1981 to 1987) on loamy textured soils to quantify changes in runoff, soil loss and some soil physical properties due to conservation tillage practices. Two sites were established, one at Cowra on a sandy loam textured soil, and the other at Grenfell on a loamy textured soil. The tillage treatments imposed were direct drilling (DD), reduced tillage (RT) and traditional tillage (TT), with grazing at both sites, and a direct drilling ungrazed (NT) treatment at Cowra only. Runoff and soil loss were measured using a rainfall simulator, and sorptivity (S), saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), bulk density to 40 mm (BD4) and 100 mm (BD10), organic carbon (OC) and water stable aggregates (WSA) were measured annually. Runoff decreased significantly in the minimum soil disturbance treatments (NT and DD) at Cowra. Runoff did not decrease in the stubble incorporation treatments despite a significant increase in OC and WSA. Decreases in runoff were due to the development and maintenance of porosity, particularly macropores. Changes in other soil physical properties were generally not significant owing to temporal variability. The regression relationship between OC and WSA, although significant, had little practical value because of high prediction error. Although improvements in soil physical properties were measured, a period of at least five years of cropping at both sites was required before they became significant and consistent.

THE EFFECT OF ANTECEDENT FREEZE-THAW FREQUENCY ON RUNOFF AND SOIL LOSS FROM FROZEN SOIL WITH AND WITHOUT SUBSOIL COMPACTION AND GROUND COVER

1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 799-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
LINNELL M. EDWARDS ◽  
J. R. BURNEY
Keyword(s):  
Prince Edward Island ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Winter Rye ◽  
Rainfall Simulator ◽  
Fine Sandy Loam ◽  
Freeze Thaw ◽  
Sediment Loss ◽  
Freezing Period ◽  
Subsoil Compaction

Three soils from Prince Edward Island (a loam, a fine sandy loam, and a sandy loam) were tested under a laboratory rainfall simulator to examine the effects of frequency of freezing and thawing, winter rye cover, incorporated cereal residue, and subsoil compaction on runoff volume and sediment loss. Wooden soil boxes were subjected to simulated rain (i) at the end of a 10-d freezing period, and (ii) at the end of the 5th 24-h freezing period of a 10-d alternating freeze-thaw cycle (freeze/thaw). Where the soil was continuously frozen for 10 d, there was 178% greater sediment loss and 160% greater runoff than with daily freeze/thaw over the same period, but there was no difference in sediment concentration. Incorporated cereal residue decreased sediment loss to 50% and runoff to 77% of that from bare soil. Winter rye cover decreased sediment loss to 73% of that from bare soil. Simulated soil compaction caused a 45% increase in sediment loss. The loam soil showed 16.5% greater loss of fine sediment fractions <0.075 mm than the fine sandy loam which showed 23.4% greater loss than the sandy loam. Key words: Freeze-thaw, erosion, compaction, winter rye, cereal residue, rainfall simulator, Prince Edward Island soils

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

2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 1281-1292 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Response of soil physical properties and dehydrogenase activity to contrasting tillage systems

2016 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edvin Nugis ◽  
Liina Edesi ◽  
Kalvi Tamm ◽  
Jüri Kadaja ◽  
Elina Akk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Dehydrogenase Activity ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Tillage Systems

Long-term effect of biochar on soil physical properties of agricultural soils with different textures

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Zanutel ◽  
Sarah Garré ◽  
Charles Bielders
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Particle Density ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Term Effect ◽  
Silt Loam ◽  
Long Term Effect

&lt;p&gt;In the context of global soil degradation, biochar is being promoted as a potential solution to improve soil quality, besides its carbon sequestration potential. Burying biochar in soils is known to effect soil physical quality in the short-term (&lt;5 years), and the intensity of these effects depends on soil texture. However, the long-term effects of biochar remain largely unknown yet and are important to quantify given biochar&amp;#8217;s persistency in soils. The objective of this study was therefore to assess the long-term effect of biochar on soil physical properties as a function of soil texture and biochar concentration.&amp;#160; For this purpose, soil physical properties (particle density, bulk density, porosity, water retention and hydraulic conductivity curves) were measured in the topsoil of three fields with former kiln sites containing charcoal more than 150 years old in Wallonia (southern Belgium).&amp;#160; The fields had a silt loam, loam and sandy loam texture.&amp;#160; Samples were collected along 3 transects in each field, from the center of the kiln sites outwards.&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Particle density and bulk density slightly decreased as a function of charcoal content. Because particle density and bulk density were affected to a similar extent by charcoal content, total porosity was not affected by the presence of century-old charcoal. Regarding the soil water retention curve, charcoal affected mostly water content in the mesopore range. This effect was strongest for the sandy loam. On the other hand, the presence of century-old charcoal increased significantly the hydraulic conductivity at pF between 1.5 and 2 for the silt loam, while no effect of charcoal was observed for the loamy soil.&amp;#160; The study highlights a limited effect of century-old charcoal on the pore size distribution (at constant porosity) and on the resulting soil physical properties for the range of soils and charcoal concentrations investigated here.&amp;#160; Further research may be needed to confirm the observed trends over a wider range of soil types.&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Relationships between Root Traits and Soil Physical Properties after Field Traffic from the Perspective of Soil Compaction Mitigation

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1697
Author(s):  
Matthieu Forster ◽  
Carolina Ugarte ◽  
Mathieu Lamandé ◽  
Michel-Pierre Faucon
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Root Length Density ◽  
Root Traits ◽  
Air Permeability ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Soil Reinforcement ◽  
Soil Functions ◽  
Crop Species

Compaction due to traffic is a major threat to soil functions and ecosystem services as it decreases both soil pore volume and continuity. The effects of roots on soil structure have previously been investigated as a solution to alleviate compaction. Roots have been identified as a major actor in soil reinforcement and aggregation through the enhancement of soil microbial activity. However, we still know little about the root’s potential to protect soil from compaction during traffic. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between root traits and soil physical properties directly after traffic. Twelve crop species with contrasting root traits were grown as monocultures and trafficked with a tractor pulling a trailer. Root traits, soil bulk density, water content and specific air permeability were measured after traffic. The results showed a positive correlation between the specific air permeability and root length density and a negative correlation was found between bulk density and the root carbon/nitrogen ratio. This study provides first insight into how root traits could help reduce the consequences of soil compaction on soil functions. Further studies are needed to identify the most efficient plant species for mitigation of soil compaction during traffic in the field.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SOME PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND SOILS IN RELATION TO THEIR TILLAGE REQUIREMENT AND SUITABILITY FOR DIRECT DRILLING

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 473-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. CARTER
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Prince Edward Island ◽  
Soil Structure ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Fine Sand ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Rooting Depth ◽  
Penetrometer Resistance ◽  
Direct Drilling

Successful reduced tillage systems depend on suitable soil types and the maintenance of optimum soil structure. Studies were conducted to assess the tillage requirement of some well-drained Podzolic and Luvisolic soils in Prince Edward Island and their suitability for direct drilling. Relatively high amounts of silt and fine sand indicated that the soils were structurally unstable with a propensity for compaction. Compactability was inversely related (r2 = 0.90) to concentrations of soil organic carbon over a range of 0.2–2.0%. In the Ap horizons, where organic carbon exceeded 1.6%, the level of macroporosity (equivalent pore diam. > 50 μm) was generally greater than 10%. The B horizon and lower level of the Ap horizon, generally, had low porosity and organic matter, although pore continuity was adequate. Macroporosity was closely related to soil bulk density (r2 = 0.81). Penetrometer resistance down the soil profile indicated a relatively shallow rooting depth potential of 25–40 cm. A 3-yr direct drilling study with spring cereals illustrated that some degree of soil loosening is required to maintain optimum soil structure. Soil limitations for direct drilling were mainly low resistance to compaction combined with low potential for regeneration of soil structure. The possible implications of the soil physical properties are discussed in relation to the use of direct drilling within the short-term rotational mixed farming systems of Prince Edward Island. Key words: Soil structure, macropores, Podzolic soils, Luvisolic soils

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