Soil aggregation as influenced by cultural practices in Saskatchewan: II. Brown and Dark Brown Chernozemic soils

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 597-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
D. Curtin ◽  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
S. Brandt
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Dynamics ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Chernozemic Soil ◽  
Mean Diameter ◽  
Erodible Fraction

The size distribution and stability of aggregates are important characteristics influencing tilth, erosion, water infiltration and nutrient dynamics in soil. We need to understand how soil management influences agregation so that we may make suitable modifications to farming practices to enhance soil stability. Two long-term crop-rotation experiments in southern Saskatchewan were used to examine the effects of management on aggregation. In 1991, soil was collected three times during the summer from the top 5 cm of soil as part of a 25-yr experiment at Swift Current (Orthic Brown Chernozemic soil) and twice as part of a 27-yr experiment at Scott (Orthic Dark Brown Chernozemic soil). The two medium-textured soils were dry-sieved by rotary sieve and then wet-sieved after (i) slow wetting and (ii) fast wetting of the 1–2-mm size fractions. The wind-erodible fraction (<0.84 mm) of soil and geometric mean diameter (GMD) of aggregates varied with antecedent precipitation. Thus, wind-erodible aggregates increased at both sites, even in cropped rotation phases, when conditions were dry during the last 6 wk of the 1991 summer. However, the presence of crops and management practices that increased crop residues (e.g., fertilizers) tended to reduce the wind-erodible fraction and increase GMD. A very close relationship existed between the wind-erodible fraction (y) and GMD at the two sites: y = 16.2 + 105/GMD, (r2 = 0.95***) for the pooled data for the two sites. In contrast to results for the wind-erodible fraction, dry growing-season weather conditions tended to increase the water stability of aggregates. Fast wetting was more effective than slow wetting in delineating management effects on aggregate stability. Aggregate stability was increased by frequent cropping and by adequate fertilization, presumably as a result of increased production of crop residues. At Swift Current, chemical fallow increased aggregate stability, likely as a result of reduced soil disturbance. Key words: Wet sieving, dry sieving, crop rotations, erodibility, geometric mean diameter, meteorological conditions

scholarly journals Aggregate stability as affected by short and long-term tillage systems and nutrient sources of a hapludox in southern Brazil

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 767-777 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milton da Veiga ◽  
Dalvan José Reinert ◽  
José Miguel Reichert
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
Nutrient Sources ◽  
Mean Diameter

The ability of a soil to keep its structure under the erosive action of water is usually high in natural conditions and decreases under frequent and intensive cultivation. The effect of five tillage systems (NT = no-till; CP = chisel plowing and one secondary disking; CT = primary and two secondary distings; CTb = CT with crop residue burning; and CTr = CT with removal of crop residues from the field), combined with five nutrient sources (C = control, no nutrient application; MF = mineral fertilizers according to technical recommendations for each crop; PL = 5 Mg ha-1 y-1 fresh matter of poultry litter; CM = 60 m³ ha-1 y-1 slurry cattle manure; and SM = 40 m³ ha-1 y-1 slurry swine manure) on wet-aggregate stability was determined after nine years (four sampled soil layers) and on five sampling dates in the 10th year (two sampled soil layers) of the experiment. The size distribution of the air-dried aggregates was strongly affected by soil bulk density, and greater values of geometric mean diameter (GMD AD) found in some soil tillage or layer may be partly due to the higher compaction degree. After nine years, the GMD AD on the surface was greater in NT and CP compared to conventional tillage systems (CT, CTb and CTr), due to the higher organic matter content, as well as less soil mobilization. Aggregate stability in water, on the other hand, was affected by the low variation in previous gravimetric moisture of aggregates, which contributed to a high coefficient of variation of this attribute. The geometric mean diameter of water-stable aggregates (GMD WS) was highest in the 0.00-0.05 m layer in the NT system, in the layers 0.05-0.10 and 0.12-0.17 m in the CT, and values were intermediate in CP. The stability index (SI) in the surface layers was greater in treatments where crop residues were kept in the field (NT, CP and CT), which is associated with soil organic matter content. No differences were found in the layer 0.27-0.32 m. The effect of nutrient sources on GMD AD and GMD WS was small and did not affect SI.

scholarly journals The The response of soil physicochemical properties to tillage and soil fertility resources in Central Highlands of Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Milka N. Kiboi ◽  
Felix K. Ngetich ◽  
Anne Muriuki ◽  
Noah Adamtey ◽  
Daniel Mugendi
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Tithonia Diversifolia ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Total N ◽  
Central Highlands

To attain agricultural sustainability, use of soil resources and tillage requires equal consideration for chemical and physical components of soil fertility. We assessed responses of selected soil physical and chemical properties to tillage and soil fertility amending resources. The study was carried out in Meru South and Kandara sub-counties located in the Central Highlands of Kenya for four cropping seasons. The experimental design was split-plot with tillage as the main factor - conventional (D15) - and minimum (D0) tillage and soil fertility resources (SFR) as sub-factors - mineral fertilizer (F), crop residues + fertilizer (RF), residues + fertilizer + animal manure (RFM), residues + Tithonia diversifolia + manure (RTiM), residues + Tithonia diversifolia + phosphate rock (Minjingu) (RTiP), residues + manure + legume intercrop (RML) and control (no input). Compared with control, aggregate stability was significantly higher on average under SFRs with sole organics by 19% in Meru South. Total N and available P were higher under integration of fertilizer and organics in both sites. Calcium increased under sole organic or integration with fertilizer in Meru South and under sole organics in Kandara. Magnesium significantly increased under all SFRs compared with control in Kandara. Soil organic carbon significantly (P=0.02) increased under D0 by 6% compared to D15 in 0-5 cm depth in Kandara. Application of RTiM had the highest SOC in all depths’ at Meru South. SOC significantly increased under RTiP and RML by 11% in 0-5 cm depth and under RML by 13% in 5-10 cm depth at Kandara. Mineral-N (NO3–-N and NH4+-N) was higher under D0 at planting compared with D15 in Meru South. In Kandara, NO3–-N and NH4+-N were significantly higher by 17% and 30%, respectively under D0 compared with D15 at planting during SR16 season. Higher mineral N was recorded under F application on the 30th and 45th days in both sites. The highest mineral-N content was on the 45th day after planting during SR16 season and on the 30th day during LR17 season at Meru South. In Kandara, NO3–-N and NH4+-N were highest on the 45th day and 30th day, respectively, during SR16 season. During LR17 season, mineral-N was highest on the 30th day in Kandara. The study highlights that minimal soil disturbance and organic inputs use or integration with fertilizers are feasible alternatives for improving soil fertility in the Nitisols of Central Highlands of Kenya.

Soil aggregation as influenced by cultural practices in Saskatchewan: I. Black Chernozemic soils

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 579-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
D. Curtin ◽  
A. P. Moulin ◽  
L. Townley-Smith ◽  
G. P. Lafond
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Water Stable Aggregates ◽  
Cropping Frequency ◽  
Mean Diameter ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Erodible Fraction

The impact of cultural practices on soil aggregate characteristics which determine the susceptibility of the soil to wind and water erosion was studied at two long-term (> 30-yr) crop rotation sites on Black Chernozemic soils at Indian Head and Melfort, Saskatchewan. Surface soil (top 5 cm) taken in spring and fall, 1991, was air-dried and sieved by rotary sieve to measure aggregate size distribution. The water-stability of soil aggregates (1–2 mm) was determined after: (i) slow wetting, and (ii) fast wetting. Both rotation studies employed conventional tillage management until 1990 when the Indian Head experiment was converted to zero-tillage. Summerfallowing increased the wind-erodible (< 0.84-mm) fraction of soil and decreased the geometric mean diameter (GMD) of aggregates. One year of cropping was sufficient to significantly reduce the proportion of wind-erodibile aggregates. Fertilization and legume green manure and hay crops reduced the wind-erodible fraction at Indian Head, but had no effect on the higher organic matter soil at Melfort. In monoculture wheat systems at Indian Head there was an inverse relationship between the wind-erodible fraction and cropping frequency; this was credited to the positive influence of cropping frequency on crop residue production. The wind-erodible fraction (Y) was related to GMD at Indian Head: Y = 11.8 + 117/GMD (r2 = 0.80***), and at Melfort, Y = 11.9 + 91/GMD (r2 = 0.82***). When subjected to rapid wetting, both the difference between cropped and native grassland soils, and the influence of cultural practices on water stable aggregates were pronounced. Aggregate stability was more closely related to the long-term management than to recent (< 1 yr) cultural treatments. Frequent cropping, fertilization, and use of legumes increased water stable aggregates, particularly at the Indian Head site with its lower organic matter content. Key words: Wet sieving, dry sieving, legumes, fertilization, geometric mean diameter, wind erosion

scholarly journals MACROAGGREGATION OF A PALEUDALF AFFECTED BY CAVITATION INTENSITY AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS WITH COVER PLANTS

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-302
Author(s):  
Érika Andressa Silva ◽  
Micael Stolben Mallmann ◽  
Monike Andrade Pereira ◽  
Sarah Severo Pons ◽  
Felipe Dalla –Zen Bertol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Hairy Vetch ◽  
Mean Diameter ◽  
Cavitation Intensity ◽  
Determination Methods ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Wet Sieving

Ultrasonic-based techniques allow the prediction of the energy required to break the aggregate and have been more commonly used to measure the stability of aggregates. Although they result in the same applied energy, certain combinations of time and power might correspond to different intensities of cavitation. Consequently, different responses in aggregation indexes can be obtained with different configurations of ultrasound techniques. Thus, this work was carried out to evaluate the effects of cavitation intensity in the distribution of aggregates of a Paleudalf under management systems with cover plants and to compare aggregate stability determination methods (ultrasound versus wet sieving). Aggregate samples of the BS (bare soil), OT (black oat + forage turnips) and OV (black oat + hairy vetch) treatments were exposed to ultrasonic irradiation in different combinations of potency and time: (U1) 74.5 W/4 s; (U2) 49.7 W/6 s; (U3) 74.5 W/10 s and (U4) 49.7 W/15 s. After each sonification, the samples were passed in the same set of sieves used in the standard method of wet sieving -WS (8.00 - 4.76, 4.76 - 2.00, 2.00 - 1.00, 1.00 - 0.25 and < 0.25 mm) and the geometric mean diameter (GMD) and mass-weighted mean diameter (WMD) were calculated. The amplitude of vibration exerted a greater influence on soil breakdown than the total energy applied. Compared to the ultrasound method, in the WS method observed higher percentage of retained aggregates in the size class 8-4.76 mm and, consequently, greater aggregation indexes GMD and WMD.

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

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4696 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Spatial variability of aggregate stability in latosols under sugarcane

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zigomar Menezes de Souza ◽  
José Marques Júnior ◽  
Gener Tadeu Pereira ◽  
Carolina Maria Sánchez Sáenz
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Spatial Variability ◽  
Management System ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Variation Coefficient ◽  
Mean Weight Diameter ◽  
Mean Diameter ◽  
Lower Variation ◽  
Red Latosol

The spatial variability of soils under a same management system is differentiated, as expressed in the properties. The spatial variability of aggregate stability of a eutrophic Red Latosol (ERL) and a dystrophic Red Latosol (DRL) under sugarcane was characterized. Samples were collected in a regular 10 m grid, in the layers 0.0-0.2 and 0.2-0.4 m, with 100 points per area, and the following properties were determined: geometric mean diameter (GMD) of aggregates, mean weight diameter (MWD) of aggregates, percent of aggregates in the > 2.0 mm class and organic matter (OM) content. The eutrophic Red Latosol (ERL) had a higher aggregate stability thn the dystrophic Red Latosol (DRL), which may be attributed to the higher clay and OM content and the gibbsitic mineralogy of this soil class. The differentiated evolution of the studied Oxisols explains the wider range and lower variation coefficient and variability, for all properties studied in the eutrophic Red Latosol.

Conservation agriculture in Southern Africa: Advances in knowledge

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 328-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Thierfelder ◽  
Leonard Rusinamhodzi ◽  
Amos R. Ngwira ◽  
Walter Mupangwa ◽  
Isaiah Nyagumbo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Soil Parameters

AbstractThe increasing demand for food from limited available land, in light of declining soil fertility and future threats of climate variability and change have increased the need for more sustainable crop management systems. Conservation agriculture (CA) is based on the three principles of minimum soil disturbance, surface crop residue retention and crop rotations, and is one of the available options. In Southern Africa, CA has been intensively promoted for more than a decade to combat declining soil fertility and to stabilize crop yields. The objective of this review is to summarize recent advances in knowledge about the benefits of CA and highlight constraints to its widespread adoption within Southern Africa. Research results from Southern Africa showed that CA generally increased water infiltration, reduced soil erosion and run-off, thereby increasing available soil moisture and deeper drainage. Physical, chemical and biological soil parameters were also improved under CA in the medium to long term. CA increased crop productivity and also reduced on-farm labor, especially when direct seeding techniques and herbicides were used. As with other cropping systems, CA has constraints at both the field and farm level. Challenges to adoption in Southern Africa include the retention of sufficient crop residues, crop rotations, weed control, pest and diseases, farmer perception and economic limitations, including poorly developed markets. It was concluded that CA is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution and often needs significant adaptation and flexibility when implementing it across farming systems. However, CA may potentially reduce future soil fertility decline, the effects of seasonal dry-spells and may have a large impact on food security and farmers’ livelihoods if the challenges can be overcome.

scholarly journals Agricultural and Forest Land-Use Impact on Soil Properties in Zagreb Periurban Area (Croatia)

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Bogunovic ◽  
Antonio Viduka ◽  
Ivan Magdic ◽  
Leon Josip Telak ◽  
Marcos Francos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Quality Properties

In urban areas, land use usually increases soil degradation. However, there are areas occupied by agriculture and woodlands with an essential role in provisioning food and other services such as water and climate regulation. The objective of this work was to assess the effect of long-term land use and soil management practices on peri-urban soils in Zagreb (Croatia). Samples were collected at depth 0–10 cm within intensively tilled cropland (CROP) and vineyard (VINE), traditional grass-covered orchard (ORCH), and forest (FOR). The results showed that bulk density was significantly higher in VINE and CROP than in ORCH and FOR. The opposite dynamic was observed in water-holding capacity, air-filled porosity, aggregate stability, organic matter, and soil organic matter stocks (SOCS). Soil water infiltration was higher in FOR plot compared to the other plots. Overall, land-use change had a substantial impact on soil properties and SOCS, especially in CROP and VINE soils. Tillage, pesticides, and fertilizer applications were presumably the reasons for altered soil quality properties. Intensively used areas (VINE and CROPS) may reduce soil ecosystems services such as the capacity for flood retention and C sequestration.

scholarly journals BIOGENIC AND PHYSICOGENIC AGGREGATES UNDER DIFFERENT CROPS WITH BLACK OAT IN NOVA FRIBURGO, BRAZIL

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 299-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
SANDRA SANTANA DE LIMA ◽  
MARCOS GERVASIO PEREIRA ◽  
EDUARDO CARVALHO DA SILVA NETO ◽  
DOUGLATH ALVES CORRÊA FERNANDES ◽  
ADRIANA MARIA DE AQUINO
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Forest Area ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Aggregate Formation ◽  
Nutrient Contents ◽  
Weight Percentage ◽  
Formation Pathway ◽  
Mean Diameter

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb) crops in recovering soil aggregation, and quantify the nutrient contents in aggregates considering their formation pathways (biogenic and physicogenic) in crop areas in a mountains environment in the municipality of Nova Friburgo, RJ, Brazil. The landscape was stratified into two sections for the study: upper, two areas with black oat crops, one fertilized and one not fertilized one not fertilized, and one adjacent forest area representing the original soil conditions; and lower: one fertilized area with black oat, and one fertilized area with black oat intercrops with oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and vetch (Vicia sativa L.), and one adjacent forest area representing the original soil conditions. The aggregates were separated according to their formation pathways, quantifying the weight percentage of each formation pathway. The aggregate stability and nutrient and organic carbon contents were evaluated. The fertilized area in the upper section had the highest biogenic aggregate percentage, which was associated with the highest total organic carbon contents, and soil fertility. This area also had the highest weighted mean diameter (WMD) and geometric mean diameter (GMD) of aggregates. The intercrop area in the lower section had the highest biogenic aggregate percentage and the lowest P, Ca+2, Mg+2, and K+ contents in the aggregates. The management systems affected the aggregate formation pathways. Morphological classification is an important tool for the monitoring of soil management. The black oat crops increased the biogenic aggregate formation, which become reservoir of nutrients.

scholarly journals The Urban Environment Impact of Climate Change Study and Proposal of the City Micro-Environment Improvement

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4096
Author(s):  
Jozefína Pokrývková ◽  
Ľuboš Jurík ◽  
Lenka Lackóová ◽  
Klaudia Halászová ◽  
Richard Hanzlík ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Environment Impact ◽  
Management Procedures ◽  
Aging Infrastructure ◽  
Continue Research ◽  
Rainwater Management ◽  
The Given ◽  
The City ◽  
Very High

The water management of cities and villages faces many challenges. Aging infrastructure systems operate for many years after their theoretical lifetime (operation) with a very high need for reconstruction and repair. The solution is proper rainwater management. The investigated area is part of the cadastral area of the Nitra city. This article is based on the use of geographic information systems (GIS) as tools in proposing water retention measures that are needed to improve the microenvironment of the city. We proceeded in several steps, which consisted of area analysis, survey, surface runoff calculations in urbanized areas, proposal of a suitable solution for given location. For real possibilities of rainwater management procedures, a new site on the outskirts of the city was selected. In the given locality, it was possible to use water infiltration as a solution. The locality has suitable conditions of land ownership, pedological conditions, the slope of the area and also the interest of the inhabitants in the ecological solution. The outlined study indicates the need to continue research on the reliability of rainwater management practices.

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