Changes in Reconstructed Soil Physicochemical Properties in an Opencast Mine Dump in the Loess Plateau Area of China

Soil construction and revegetation are essential for ecological restoration in mining areas. The influence of vegetation on the horizontal and vertical distribution patterns of soil properties should be fully understood. However, most studies on reconstructed soils in mining areas only concentrate on the surface soil, without exploring the vertical variations in soil properties. Overall, this study aims to explore the potential mechanisms by which surface vegetation exerts some influence on the spatial distribution of soil physicochemical properties, and to provide some insight into revegetation and soil reclamation in mining areas. Descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) were employed to evaluate the differences in the soil physicochemical properties in horizontal and vertical directions under different land-use types in the south dump of Antaibao opencast mine in Pingshuo, Shanxi Province, China. The main results of this study are as follows: (1) In the horizontal direction, except for the strong variation (variation coefficient ≥ 100%) in soil organic matter (SOM) content at some depths, the degree of variation in other soil physicochemical properties at various depths was moderate or weak (variation coefficient < 100%). The soil physicochemical properties gradually remained constant after years of reclamation. In the vertical direction, the soil bulk density (SBD), soil porosity, SOM content, soil C/N ratio, soil total nitrogen (STN) content, soil available phosphorus (SAP) content, and soil available potassium (SAK) content showed significant variations (p < 0.05) between soil depths. In contrast, no significant difference was found for other physicochemical properties. (2) The SBD, STN, SAK, soil porosity, and soil clay content were significantly different (p < 0.05) under different vegetation cover types, but the influence of vegetation on other soil physicochemical properties seemed to be limited. The results reveal that trees have a stronger ability to reduce soil grain sizes and enhance SAP contents than shrubs or herbs; however, the beneficial effects of herbs on the physicochemical properties of shallow soil are more obvious than those of trees and shrubs. (3) This study indicates that more shrubs and trees should be planted in the areas with low vegetation coverage, and more measures should be taken to improve soil physicochemical properties in order to prevent the occurrence of large-scale degradation. The reconstruction of soil structure should be preferentially considered in the process of soil reconstruction and revegetation in areas under similar conditions. Herbs should first be planted in the early reclamation stage. At the same time, shrubs or trees can be adopted in the middle and late stages of vegetation reconstruction in order to achieve comprehensive revegetation.

Effect of Land Cover Differences on Soil Infiltration at UB Forest, Karangploso Malang

Changes in land cover of forest provide different soil organic matter which affects soil infiltration through soil porosity. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of differences in land cover on soil infiltration at UB Forest of Karangploso Malang. The study area was divided into six plots, namely protected area plots, mahogany production forests, pine production forests intercropped with coffee plants that have three different canopy densities (tenuous, sufficient and tight) and pine production forests intercropped with seasonal crops. Field observations were carried out to analyze the characteristics of vegetation with a sample plot measuring 20x20 m. The parameters observed were canopy density, basal area, plant density, litter and understorey. The taking of soil samples was done by making minipit which was repeated four times; the parameters observed were organic matter, texture, bulk density, particle density and soil porosity. Infiltration measurements were carried out with two methods i.e. single ring infiltrometer and rainfall simulator, each of which was repeated three times. Observation data were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and followed by with LSD test with a significant level of 5%. The results showed that differences in land cover can affect soil infiltration (F-count > F-table 3.33). The effect of land cover on infiltration occurs through litter which is a source of organic material which will then affect the physical properties of the soil, namely soil porosity. Soil porosity is a very influential factor in soil infiltration. The highest soil infiltration reta of 131.33 cm hour-1 was found in protected areas. Meanwhile, the lowest infiltration rate of 12 cm hour-1 was found in pine production forest plots intercropped with annual crops.

Analysis of plant root properties, texture and porosity that affects landslides in Tangka Sub-Watershed

Tangka Sub-Watershed in West Sinjai District is one of the sub-watersheds in South Sulawesi, which often experiences landslides. Factors causing landslides were divided into control factors and trigger factors. One of the triggering factors for landslides is the characteristics of soil and plant properties. Several previous research results stated that soil characteristics greatly affect the occurrence of landslides, while plant roots help stabilize soil bonds and slopes. This study aims to determine the triggering factors of the soil (soil texture and porosity) and the distribution of plant roots that affect the occurrence of landslides. Soil texture analysis using hydrometer method. Soil porosity and moisture content using gravimetric and pycnometer methods. The results showed that the soil texture was dominated by silty clay loam impact on low soil cohesion. Intensive land use decreases soil porosity to <50% and increases soil bulk density to 1.4 g/cm3. The soil quickly becomes saturated and could induce the rotting of plant roots. These characteristics increase the vulnerability of the soil, thereby increasing the potential for landslides.

Perbaikan Sifat Fisik Tanah Inceptisol dan Pertumbuhan Tanaman Jagung (Zea mays L.) akibat Pemberian Kompos Granul Ela Sagu dan Pupuk Fosfat

Percobaan pot di rumah kaca dirancang untuk mengetahui pengaruh kompos granular limbah empulur sagu dan pupuk fosfat terhadap peningkatan karakteristik fisik Inceptisols dan pertumbuhan jagung. Percobaan menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap faktorial 3 x 3 dengan 3 ulangan. Faktor pertama adalah KGES 0 (tanpa kompos granul ampas sagu), KGES 1 (100 g.pot-1), dan KGES 2 (200 g.pot-1) berupa kompos granul limbah empulur sagu; faktor kedua adalah pupuk P0 (tanpa fosfat), P1 (0,326 g.pot-1) dan P2 (0,652 g.pot-1). Hasil percobaan menunjukkan bahwa pemberian kompos granular limbah empulur sagu dan pupuk fosfor berpengaruh nyata terhadap soil bulk density, particle density, soil porosity, fast drainage pores, slow drainage pores, available water pores, unavailable water pores, total soil-P, dan tinggi tanaman. Sedangkan pupuk fosfor tidak berpengaruh nyata terhadap soil bulk density, porosity, slow drainage pores, unavailable water pores, dan tinggi tanaman.

Bulk density and porosity of soils influenced by skidding operations in the Nkrankwanta Off-Forest Reserve of Ghana

Heavy forest machinery used in skidding has the capacity to influence the physical properties of soils. These may possibly lead to an upsurge in soil disruption and compaction of the soil surface decreases forest soil fertilities. This study assesses the effects of skidding on some soil physical properties such as the soil bulk density and porosity in the Nkrankwanta off-forest reserve in Ghana. The treatments comprised of four traffic intensity levels (1, 5, 10, and 15 passes) of the Mercedes Benz skidder (MB) Trac 1800 and a slope of two levels (less than 20 % and greater than 20 %) in a completely randomized block design. In addition, porosity and soil bulk density were assessed at varied distances from the MB Trac 1800. Soil bulk density results showed increasing trends with traffic frequency. Soil bulk density measured in the undisturbed area was 0.64 g cm-3 and 0.56 g cm-3 at slopes of less than 20% and greater than 20%, respectively. On the skid trail, soil bulk density significantly increased with traffic frequency (p<0.05). However soil porosity declined. Soil porosity estimated in uninterrupted area was 59.10 % and 57.40 % at < 20% and > 20% slope, respectively. Soil porosity was significantly influenced via different skidder passes (p<0.05). The soil physical properties were not influenced by the steepness of the slope however acted together in the number of passes to influence soil porosity. The impacts of the skidder on soil physical properties were significantly apparent at distances of 2 m to each sideway of the skidding trail. In conclusion, distinct responsiveness ought to be considered throughout the operations of skidding to curtail unfriendly influences on soil physical properties in ground-base skidding.

Visual Evaluation of Soil Structure (VESS) Method to Assess Soil Properties of Agroforestry System in Pangalengan, West Java

Agroforestry is an alternative land use that not only provides benefits in economic aspects, but also in ecological aspects including improving soil quality. This research aims to evaluate the physical quality of soil in various types of land use, including agroforestry systems and evaluate the efficiency of the VESS method in determining soil physical quality. This study uses the VESS method to analyze soil quality in six land uses in Pangalengan, West Java (i.e. agroforestry, forest, tea plantations, coffee plantations, agriculture cultivation, and abandoned land). It used The VESS method because it has been widely applied in many countries, but has never been applied in Indonesia. Soil property parameters (BD, soil porosity, soil permeability, and SOC) were measured to correlate with the VESS score. VESS score ranged from 1 (good soil quality) to 5 (poor soil quality). The VESS score for each land type ranged from Sq 1.3–4.33. The soil quality in agroforestry (Sq 1.89–2.04) is not much different from natural forest (Sq 1.3). The VESS score has strong correlation (r) with soil property parameters (BD = 0.97, soil porosity = -0.97, soil permeability = -0.83, SOC = -0.94). A Strong correlation value indicates that the VESS method can be used to analyze soil quality

The comparison between conventional and rice ratoon system on soil properties, rice productivity and nutrient status

<p>Ratoon system is a method of rice cultivation that produces new tillers after the mother plant is harvested and is continued by maintaining and caring for the shoots of the mother plant. In Indonesia, SALIBU and SINGGANG, which are types of rice ratooning, have been developed for Sumatra and Java regions, respectively. SALIBU is an innovation or a modification of the rice ratoon system that focuses on maintaining the time of fertigation and cutting of plant height. SINGGANG, on the other hand, is a rice ratoon system in which the management of fertigation and cutting is not considered. Both systems have not yet been implemented outside their places of origin. This study aims to compare the conventional and modified rice ratoon systems considering parameters such as soil properties, nutrient uptake, and the growth and yield of rice. The effects of rice ratoon systems (SALIBU and SINGGANG,), soil types (Inceptisols, Alfisols, and Vertisols), and cultivars (Pandan Wangi and Mekongga) were evaluated. All treatments were evaluated in a completely randomized design with three replicates in the net house. The results showed that the soil porosity in SINGGANG (48.89%) and SALIBU (46.78%) systems was higher than the conventional system (43.17%) in the Inceptisol soil and Pandan Wangi cultivars. Moreover, SINGGANG had a positive effect on the physical properties of soil (porosity and permeability); whereas, SALIBU had a positive effect on the chemical properties of soil (pH and organic carbon). In contrast, the agronomic parameters showed that the weights of dry matter and dry yield for SINGGANG were 44.96 and 23.09 g per plant clump, respectively, while those for SALIBU were 55.54 and 25.74 g per plant clump, respectively. These were lower than the conventional system (63.18 and 31.21 g per plant clump, respectively). Thus, we concluded that the SINGGANG and SALIBU ratoon systems had a positive impact on soil properties, but both systems could not promote higher rice production than the mother plant in all soil types and cultivars.</p>

Influence of Biopreparations on Soil and Crop Residue Properties, Traction Force of Machines in Shallow Tillage

Solving traction force and energy consumption problem in crop production, the use of strategically selected bioproducts can change the physical properties of the soil and influence changes in the traction force during tillage technological operations. The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of different biopreparations on the physical properties of the soil, winter wheat residues and the machine traction force during shallow tillage. In spring, after the resumption of winter wheat vegetation, seven different biopreparations and their mixtures were used. In autumn, after the harvest, studies of plant residues and soil porosity and density were performed prior to shallow tillage. The traction force of the tractor when working the soil shallowly was determined at 3 driving velocities—8, 10 and 12 km h−1. Research has shown a positive effect of biopreparations on the total porosity, density, and traction force of the machine. However, biopreparations did not significantly affect the cutting force of winter wheat residues. Biopreparations can reduce the traction force in shallow tillage due positive changes soil properties.

Soil Infiltration Management on Perspective of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

UB Forest is a Forest Area with Special Purpose (KHDTK) located on the slopes of Mount Arjuno. Before being managed by the University of Brawijaya, there was a change in land cover from natural forest to pine and mahogany production forest. This change was a result of the PHBM (Collaborative Forest Management) contract agreement between Perhutani and the community to carry out agricultural management. The input of organic matter with different quality and quantity will affect the organic matter content and in turn will affect the physical properties of the soil such as bulk density, density and soil porosity. Soil porosity is a physical property of soil that affects soil infiltration. The objective of this study is to identify and analyze the management of Forest Areas and to build a green economy model in the management of KHDTK University of Brawijaya Forest in the Perspective of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Malang Regency. The method used in this research is qualitative research. Implementation of green economy model in the management of KHDTK University of Brawijaya Forest in the concept of forestry sector contribution related to climate change; the concept of sustainable forest resource management; and the concept of environmental service providers. The results of the infiltration measurement using the single ring infiltrometer method can better describe the infiltration that occurs in the soil. The highest soil infiltration is in protected areas with a soil infiltration rate of 131.33 cm/hour (single ring infiltrometer). Meanwhile, the lowest infiltration was found in the pine production forest plot overlaid with seasonal crops with a soil infiltration rate of 12 cm/hour (single ring infiltrometer).