Changes in soil chemical and physical properties following legumes and opportunity cropping on a cracking clay soil

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 445 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Armstrong ◽  
B. J. Kuskopf ◽  
G. Millar ◽  
A. M. Whitbread ◽  
J. Standley

Incorporating legumes into the cropping system has been shown to significantly improve the nitrogen nutrition of cereal crops in Central Queensland. However, little is known about the effect of these legumes on the chemical and physical properties of soil. We examined changes in soil chemical (total nitrogen, organic carbon and pH) and physical (bulk density, cone penetrometer resistance and saturated hydraulic conductivity) properties following either continuous cropping (sorghum or mungbean) or pasture legumes (siratro, lucerne, lablab and desmanthus) over 4 years. Soil carbon was also fractionated using a KMnO4 oxidation procedure which classifies the soil carbon into either labile or non-labile pools. All pasture legumes except desmanthus increased soil total nitrogen in the topsoil (0–10 cm) after only 2 years compared with sorghum. Total nitrogen in the soil did not significantly change under mungbean. Soil organic carbon progressively increased under siratro, desmanthus and sorghum but remained unchanged under the other legumes. Before the experiment, the percentage of total soil carbon classified as labile (oxidised by 333 mmol KMnO4/L) ranged from 14 to 17%. The amount of labile carbon increased by 17% after 3 years of siratro, remained unchanged under desmanthus and sorghum, and decreased under the annual legumes and lucerne. Non-labile carbon remained either unchanged or increased under all legumes, whereas it tended to decrease after 3 consecutive sorghum crops. Soil pH was generally highest under sorghum and lowest under lablab. Soil after sorghum had higher bulk density and penetrometer resistance compared with the effect of legumes but these differences were comparatively small. Saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil was much higher on the soil surface than at 10 cm. On the surface, soil hydraulic conductivity (saturated) values were generally lower following siratro and higher after sorghum than the other species. At 10 cm depth, soil hydraulic conductivity (saturated) was generally lower in sorghum and, to a lesser extent, in mungbean plots reflecting the significantly lower density of macropores under these crops. It was concluded that although all legumes generally enhanced the chemical and physical properties of the cracking clay, perennial legumes such as siratro would have a greater beneficial effect in the longer term than annual legumes.

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 473-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. CARTER

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


Soil Research ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 263 ◽  
Author(s):  
PP Cavanagh ◽  
AJ Koppi ◽  
AB Mcbratney

Reducing cultivation may improve many soil physical and chemical properties of a red-brown earth. A trial was set up in 1986 on a red-brown earth near Forbes, N.S.W., comparing direct-drilling and conventional-cultivation crop establishment techniques. The surface soil (0-100 mm) was sampled at the end of the third year and assessed for macropore structure, infiltration characteristics, bulk density, pH, electrolytic conductivity, organic carbon and total nitrogen content. Cultivation degraded some desirable soil physical properties as indicated by data obtained from image analysis and infiltration. Bulk density did not mirror differences in macroporosity. Organic carbon, total nitrogen and electrolytic conductivity levels were higher in direct-drilled soil in comparison to conventionally tilled soil. It ib concluded that the improvement of soil chemical and physical properties afforded by a reduction in tillage would lead to an increase in soil water infiltration rate and storage.


Soil Research ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 263
Author(s):  
PP Cavanagh ◽  
AJ Koppi ◽  
AB Mcbratney

Reducing cultivation may improve many soil physical and chemical properties of a red-brown earth. A trial was set up in 1986 on a red-brown earth near Forbes, N.S.W., comparing direct-drilling and conventional-cultivation crop establishment techniques. The surface soil (0-100 mm) was sampled at the end of the third year and assessed for macropore structure, infiltration characteristics, bulk density, pH, electrolytic conductivity, organic carbon and total nitrogen content. Cultivation degraded some desirable soil physical properties as indicated by data obtained from image analysis and infiltration. Bulk density did not mirror differences in macroporosity. Organic carbon, total nitrogen and electrolytic conductivity levels were higher in direct-drilled soil in comparison to conventionally tilled soil. It ib concluded that the improvement of soil chemical and physical properties afforded by a reduction in tillage would lead to an increase in soil water infiltration rate and storage.


2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 486-493
Author(s):  
Luiz Fernando Zin Battisti ◽  
Abdon Luiz Schmitt Filho ◽  
Arcângelo Loss ◽  
Paulo Antonio De Almeida Sinisgalli

The use of conservation managements such as the silvopastoral system, and the Voisin rational grazing system have been excellent alternatives to increase animal welfare and production efficiency and improve soil chemical attributes of degraded pastures. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluatethe effect of a High Biodiversity Silvopastoral System (SPSNUCLEUS) on the soil chemical attributes through comparisons with soils of a Management Intensive Grazing without trees (MIG), primary forest, and secondary forest areas. Total organic carbon, total nitrogen, pH, Al, H+Al, Ca, Mg, K, and P were evaluated after four years of implementation of SPSNUCLEUS. Soil samples from the layers 0-5, 5-10, 10-20, 20-30, and 30-40 cm were collected in all areas—SPSNUCLEUS, MIG, primary forest, and secondary forest. SPSNUCLEUS had better soil quality, with increased P and K contents (0-30 cm), compared to the other areas, and higher total organic carbon,and total nitrogen contents (5-30 cm) when compared to the MIG and secondary forest areas. The soil carbon accumulation capacity in the SPSNUCLEUS area in the layers of 5-10 cm and 20-40 cm was similar to that of the primary forest area, and higher to those of the other areas. SPSNUCLEUS proved to be a promising system to improve the soil chemical attributes of pastures.


CERNE ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caio Batista Müller ◽  
Oscarlina Lúcia dos Santos Weber ◽  
José Fernando Scaramuzza

The objective of this study was to evaluate carbon input in labile and stable fractions in an ARGISOL of northwestern Brazil under different land use systems. Use systems being evaluated include: forest - MA (reference), agrosilvopasture - TCP (teak, cocoa and pasture); agroforest - TC (teak and cocoa); teak forest at 8 and 5 years - T8 and T5, and pasture - PA. In each system three furrows were made at depths of 0-5 cm, 5-10 cm and 10-20 cm. An area consisting of native vegetation (forest) adjacent to the experiment was sampled and used as control treatment. The use systems MA, T8 and T5 had higher levels of total organic carbon (COT) and the MA system had higher levels of labile carbon (CL) than the other systems, with the exception of TC at a depth of 10-20 cm. In the MA system, COT levels were higher in comparison to use systems TCP, TC and PA while CL levels were higher than the levels observed in use systems TCP and TC. In most cases being analyzed, CL levels were lower than COT levels, therefore this trait can be used as an indicator to assess anthropogenic changes relating to the maintenance or condition of soil organic matter.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Boguslaw Usowicz ◽  
Jerzy Lipiec

AbstractSaturated hydraulic conductivity (K) is a key property for evaluating soil water movement and quality. Most studies on spatial variability of K have been performed soil at a field or smaller scale. Therefore, the aim of this work was to assess (quantify) the spatial distribution of K at the larger regional scale in south-eastern Poland and its relationship with other soil properties, including intrinsic sand, silt, and clay contents, relatively stable organic carbon, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and temporally variable water content (WC), total porosity (FI), and dry bulk density (BD) in the surface layer (0–20 cm). The spatial relationships were assessed using a semivariogram and a cross-semivariogram. The studied region (140 km2) with predominantly permeable sandy soils with low fertility and productivity is located in the south-eastern part of Poland (Podlasie region). The mean sand and organic carbon contents are 74 and 0.86 and their ranges (in %) are 45–95 and 0.002–3.75, respectively. The number of individual samples varied from 216 to 228 (for K, WC, BD, FI) to 691 for the other soil properties. The best fitting models were adjusted to the empirical semivariogram (exponential) and the cross-semivariogram (exponential, Gaussian, or linear) used to draw maps with kriging. The results showed that, among the soil properties studied, K was most variable (coefficient of variation 77.3%) and significantly (p < 0.05) positively correlated with total porosity (r = 0.300) and negatively correlated with soil bulk density (r = – 0.283). The normal or close to the normal distribution was obtained by natural logarithmic and root square transformations. The mean K was 2.597 m day−1 and ranged from 0.01 up to 11.54 m day−1. The spatial autocorrelation (range) of K in the single (direct) semivariograms was 0.081° (8.1 km), while it favourably increased up to 0.149°–0.81° (14.9–81 km) in the cross-semivariograms using the OC contents, textural fractions, and CEC as auxiliary variables. The generated spatial maps allowed outlining two sub-areas with predominantly high K above 3.0 m day−1 in the northern sandier (sand content > 74%) and less silty (silt content < 22%) part and, with lower K in the southern part of the study region. Generally, the spatial distribution of the K values in the study region depended on the share of individual intrinsic textural fractions. On the other hand, the ranges of the spatial relationship between K and the intrinsic and relatively stable soil properties were much larger (from ~ 15 to 81 km) than between K and the temporally variable soil properties (0.3–0.9 km). This knowledge is supportive for making decisions related to land management aimed at alteration of hydraulic conductivity to improve soil water resources and crop productivity and reduce chemical leaching.


Soil Research ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 51 (8) ◽  
pp. 577 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Baldock ◽  
B. Hawke ◽  
J. Sanderman ◽  
L. M. Macdonald

Quantifying the content and composition of soil carbon in the laboratory is time-consuming, requires specialised equipment and is therefore expensive. Rapid, simple and low-cost accurate methods of analysis are required to support current interests in carbon accounting. This study was completed to develop national and state-based models capable of predicting soil carbon content and composition by coupling diffuse reflectance mid-infrared (MIR) spectra with partial least-squares regression (PLSR) analyses. Total, organic and inorganic carbon contents were determined and MIR spectra acquired for 20 495 soil samples collected from 4526 locations from soil depths to 1 m within Australia’s agricultural regions. However, all subsequent MIR/PLSR models were developed using soils only collected from the 0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm depth layers. The extent of grinding applied to air-dried soil samples was found to be an important determinant of the variability in acquired MIR spectra. After standardisation of the grinding time, national MIR/PLSR models were developed using an independent test-set validation approach to predict the square-root transformed contents of total, organic and inorganic carbon and total nitrogen. Laboratory fractionation of soil organic carbon into particulate, humus and resistant forms was completed on 312 soil samples. Reliable national MIR/PLSR models were developed using cross-validation to predict the contents of these soil organic carbon fractions; however, further work is required to enhance the representation of soils with significant contents of inorganic carbon. Regional MIR/PLSR models developed for total, organic and inorganic carbon and total nitrogen contents were found to produce more reliable and accurate predictions than the national models. The MIR/PLSR approach offers a more rapid and more cost effective method, relative to traditional laboratory methods, to derive estimates of the content and composition of soil carbon and total nitrogen content provided that the soils are well represented by the calibration samples used to build the predictive models.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuyang Wang ◽  
Yuqiang Li ◽  
Yulong Duan ◽  
Lilong Wang ◽  
Yayi Niu ◽  
...  

Stock estimates are critical to quantifying carbon and nitrogen sequestration, quantifying greenhouse gas emissions, and understanding key biogeochemical processes (i.e., soil carbon and nutrient cycling). Many studies have assessed soil organic matter and nutrients in different ecosystems. However, the spatial distribution of carbon and nitrogen and the key influencing factors in arid desert steppe remain unclear. Here, we investigated the soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil total nitrogen (STN) to a depth of 100 cm at 126 sites in a desert steppe in northwestern China. SOC and STN contents decreased with increasing depth; the highest average SOC and STN contents were 12.70 and 0.65 g kg−1 in the surface 5 cm, and the lowest were from 80 to 100 cm (4.49 and 0.16 g kg−1, respectively). SOC density (SOCD) and STN density (STND) to a depth of 100 cm averaged 8.94 and 0.45 kg m−2, respectively. The top 1 m of the soils stored approximately 1,041 Tg SOC and 52 Tg STN in the study area. Geostatistical analysis showed strong and moderate spatial autocorrelation for SOCD in different soil layers, but the autocorrelation for STND gradually weakened with increasing depth. SOCD and STND decreased from southwest to northeast in the study area, along an elevation gradient. Both were significantly positively correlated with topographic variables, precipitation, and the normalized-difference vegetation index, but negatively correlated with temperature and aridity. More than 40% of the SOCD and STND spatial variation was explained by elevation, which was the dominant factor. The data and high-resolution maps from this study will support future soil carbon and nitrogen analyses.


2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-74
Author(s):  
Vladimír Šimanský ◽  
Ján Horák ◽  
Otto Ložek ◽  
Juraj Chlpík

Abstract The effect of fertilisation on C and N, P, K nutrients distribution in the Rendzic Leptosol in locality Nitra-Dražovce was studied. We evaluated the following treatments of fertilisation: (1) G (non-fertilised), (2) FYM (farmyard manure – dose 40 t/ha), (3) G+NPK3 (grass + 3rd intensity of fertilisation for vineyards), and (4) G+NPK1 (grass + 1st intensity of fertilisation for vineyards). The soil samples were taken in spring during the years 2008–2015. Obtained results showed that the content of organic carbon (Corg) decreased in the following order: G+NPK1 > FYM > G > G+NPK3 and content of total nitrogen (Nt) decreased in the following order: FYM > G+NPK3 > G+NPK1 > G. The application of NPK in the 1st intensity of fertilisation for vineyards and added FYM build up a Corg at an average rate of 370 and 229 mg/kg/year, respectively. On the other hand, contents of Nt due to fertilisation declined in FYM, G+NPK3 and G+NPK1 at an average rate of 53, 22 and 20 mg/kg/year, respectively. Available P and K contents were also increased after the fertilisation of FYM and NPK. Added fertilisers (G+NPK3) significantly build up a P at an average rate of 10.2 mg/kg/year.


Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ripendra Awal ◽  
Mohammad Safeeq ◽  
Farhat Abbas ◽  
Samira Fares ◽  
Sanjit K. Deb ◽  
...  

Spatial variability of soil physical and hydrological properties within or among agricultural fields could be intrinsically induced due to geologic and pedologic soil forming factors, but some of the variability may be induced by anthropogenic activities such as tillage practices. No-tillage has been gaining ground as a successful conservation practice, and quantifying spatial variability of soil physical properties induced by no-tillage practices is a prerequisite for making appropriate site-specific agricultural management decisions and/or reformulating some management practices. In particular, there remains very limited information on the spatial variability of soil physical properties under long-term no-tillage corn and tropical soil conditions. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to quantify the spatial variability of some selected soil physical properties (soil surface temperature (ST), volumetric water content (θv), soil resistance (TIP), total porosity (θt), bulk density (ρb), organic carbon, and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat)) using classical and geostatistical methods. The study site was a 2 ha field cropped no-tillage sweet corn for nearly 10 years on Oahu, Hawaii. The field was divided into 10 × 10 and 20 × 20 m grids. Soil samples were collected at each grid for measuring ρb, θt, and soil organic carbon (SOC) in the laboratory following standard methods. Saturated hydraulic conductivity, TIP at 10 and 20 cm depths, soil surface temperature, and θv were also measured. Porosity and ρb have low and low to moderate variability, respectively based on the relative ranking of the magnitude of variability drawn from the coefficient of variation. Variability of the SOC, TIP, and Ksat ranges from moderate to high. Based on the best-fitted semivariogram model for finer grid data, 9.8 m and 142.2 m are the cut off beyond which the measured parameter does not show any spatial correlation for SOC, and TIP at 10 cm depth, respectively. Bulk density shows the highest spatial dependence (range = 226.8 m) among all measured properties. Spatial distribution of the soil properties based on kriging shows a high level of variability even though the sampled field is relatively small.


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