Changes in soil physical properties under grazed pastures

Soil Research ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 343 ◽  
Author(s):  
ST Willatt ◽  
DM Pullar
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bearing Capacity ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Grazed Pastures ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Stocking Rates

Soil compaction caused by animal treading in grazing of pastures has not been considered a serious problem in Australian soils. However, recent circumstantial evidence suggests that in northern Victoria compaction does occur. In an experiment conducted at the Hamilton Pastoral Research Station (western Victoria) in 1973, grazed pastures with various stocking rates showed increases in bulk density and bearing capacity of the soil, and decreases in hydraulic conductivity occurred with increasing stocking rate. Some change in pasture composition was also noted.

Compaction and Rutting During Harvesting Affect Better Drained Soils More Than Poorly Drained Soils on Wet Pine Flats

1995 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Michael Aust ◽  
Mark D. Tippett ◽  
James A. Burger ◽  
William H. McKee
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Site Conditions ◽  
Reducing Conditions ◽  
Water Tables ◽  
Conductivity Water ◽  
Poorly Drained Soils

Abstract Soil compaction and rutting (puddling) are visually distinct types of wet-site harvesting disturbances; however, the way in which they affect soil physical properties and hydrology is not well documented. Three compacted and three rutted sites were evaluated to determine the effects of the disturbances on soil physical and hydrologic properties. For each site, primary skid trails and nontrafficked areas were compared. Both compaction and rutting increased bulk density, and reduced macropore space and saturated hydraulic conductivity. Water tables and reducing conditions were closer to the soil surface within the primary skid trails. For the compacted and rutted skid trails, changes were greatest on sites that initially had better drainage and aeration. Compacted sites may prove easier to mitigate with site preparation than rutted sites due to the shallower nature of the disturbances and drier site conditions that will facilitate mechanical mitigation. Submitted to South. J. Appl. For. 18(2):72-77.

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.

Forest ecosystem responses to artificially induced soil compaction. I. Soil physical properties and tree diameter growth

1986 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 750-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Donnelly ◽  
John B. Shane
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Infiltration Capacity ◽  
Ecosystem Responses ◽  
Resistance Surface ◽  
Soil Penetration Resistance ◽  
Induced Changes

Soil and vegetation responses to artificially imposed surface compaction and the effects of bark mulch on these responses were monitored for a 5-year period within a Quercusalba L. – Quercusvelutina Lam. – Quercusrubra L. forest growing on a loamy sand in northwestern Vermont. Compaction resulted in significant changes in vegetation and soil physical properties. Soil bulk density, soil penetration resistance, surface soil moisture, and soil temperature increased following compaction; infiltration capacity and the radial growth of Acerrubrum L. and Q. velutina decreased. Application of bark mulch prior to compaction tended to reduce compaction effects. Postcompaction additions of bark mulch did not result in noticeable amelioration of compaction-induced changes 2 years after application.

Effect of Nano, Bio and Organic Fertilizers on Some Soil Physical Properties and Soybean Productivity in Saline Soil

2021 ◽  
pp. 44-57
Author(s):  
Kh. A. Shaban ◽  
M. A. Esmaeil ◽  
A. K. Abdel Fattah ◽  
Kh. A. Faroh
Keyword(s):  
Humic Acid ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Saline Soil ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Soil Conditions

A field experiment was carried out at Khaled Ibn El-waleed village, Sahl El-Hussinia, El-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, during two summer seasons 2019 and 2020 to study the effect of NPK nanofertilizers, biofertilizers and humic acid combined with or without mineral fertilizers different at rates on some soil physical properties and soybean productivity and quality under saline soil conditions. The treatments consisted of: NPK-chitosan, NPK-Ca, humic acid, biofertilzer and control (mineral NPK only). In both seasons, the experiment was carried out in a split plot design with three replicates. The results indicated a significant increase in the soybean yield parameters as compared to control. There was also a significant increase in dry and water stable aggregates in all treatments as compared to control. The treatment NPK-Chitosan was the best in improving dry and stable aggregates. Also, hydraulic conductivity and total porosity values were significantly increased in all treatments due to increase in soil aggregation and porosity that led to increase in values of hydraulic conductivity. Values of bulk density were decreased, the lowest values of bulk density were found in NPK-chitosan treatment as a result of the high concentration of organic matter resulted from NPK-chitosan is much lighter in weight than the mineral fraction in soils. Accordingly, the increase in the organic fraction decreases the total weight and bulk density of the soil. Concerning soil moisture constants, all treatments significantly increased field capacity and available water compared to control. This increase was due to improvement of the soil aggregates and pores spaces which allowed the free movement of water within the soil thereby, increasing the moisture content at field capacity.

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.

Grazing system and stocking rate effects on the productivity, botanical composition and soil surface characteristics of alfalfa-grass pastures

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 669-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Popp ◽  
W. P. McCaughey ◽  
R. D. H. Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Soil Surface ◽  
Surface Characteristics ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Basal Cover ◽  
Grazed Pastures ◽  
Litter Cover ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Stocking Rates

A 4-yr experiment was conducted (1991 to 1994) near Brandon, MB, to determine the effects of grazing system (continuous and rotational) and stocking rate [light (1.1 steers ha−1); heavy (2.2 steers ha−1)] on the productivity, botanical composition and soil surface characteristics of an alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.; approximately 70%), meadow bromegrass (Bromus biebersteinii Roem & Schult.; 25%) and Russian wild ryegrass [Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.) Nevski; 5%] pasture. Grazing season length was shorter (P < 0.05) for cattle in continuously compared with rotationally stocked pastures in 1991, while in 1993 and 1994 it was shortest (P < 0.05) in heavily stocked continuously grazed pastures. Carrying capacity (steer days ha–1) was greater (P < 0.05) in heavily stocked rotationally grazed pastures compared with other treatments in 1991, 1993 and 1994. In 1992, it was greater (P < 0.05) in heavy than light stocking rate treatments for both rotationally and continuously grazed pastures. Cattle usually gained more (P < 0.05) per day (kg d−1) and during the season (kg hd−1) at light than at heavy stocking rates, while total liveweight production (kg ha−1) was greater (P < 0.05) at heavy than at light stocking rates. Forage production and disappearance did not differ (P > 0.05) within grazing systems and stocking rates from 1991 to 1993, but in 1994, production and disappearance were greater (P < 0.05) at heavy than at light stocking rates. Mean seasonal herbage mass available and carry-over were greater (P < 0.05) in lightly stocked pastures than heavily stocked pastures from 1991 to 1994. After the first year of grazing, the proportion of alfalfa increased (P < 0.05), while grasses declined (P < 0.05) within all grazing treatments. In subsequent years, a trend was observed, where alfalfa declined and grasses increased in all pastures, except those stocked heavily and grazed continuously, which by 1994 had the greatest (P < 0.05) percentage of alfalfa. As years progressed, increases (P < 0.05) in basal cover concurrent with declines in bare ground were recorded on all grazing treatments, while litter cover often did not differ (P > 0.05) within either grazing system or stocking rate, except in 1992, when basal cover was lowest (P < 0.05), while litter cover was greatest (P < 0.05) on lightly stocked continuously grazed pastures compared with other treatments. Stocking rates were a key factor to optimizing individual animal performance and/or gain per hectare on alfalfa grass pastures, however differences in the effect of continuous and rotational stocking on pasture productivity were minimal. Key words: Alfalfa, grazing, stocker cattle, production

Spatial relationship between soil hydraulic and soil physical properties in a farm field

2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Biswas ◽  
B C Si
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Shape Parameter ◽  
Spatial Relationship ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Hydraulic Parameters ◽  
Curve Shape ◽  
Scaling Parameter

The relationship between soil properties may vary with their spatial separation. Understanding this relationship is important in predicting hydraulic parameters from other soil physical properties. The objective of this study was to identify spatially dependent relationships between hydraulic parameters and soil physical properties. Regularly spaced (3-m) undisturbed soil samples were collected along a 384 m transect from a farm field at Smeaton, Saskatchewan. Saturated hydraulic conductivity, the soil water retention curve, and soil physical properties were measured. The scaling parameter, van Genuchten scaling parameter α (VGα), and curve shape parameter, van Genuchten curve shape parameter n (VGn), were obtained by fitting the van Genuchten model to measured soil moisture retention data. Results showed that the semivariograms of soil properties exhibited two different spatial structures at spatial separations of 20 and 120 m, respectively. A strong spatial structure was observed in organic carbon, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), sand, and silt; whereas a weak structure was found for VGα and VGn. Correlation circle analysis showed strong spatially dependent relationships of Ks and VGα; with soil physical properties, but weak relationships of θs and VGn with soil physical properties. The spatially dependent relationships between soil physical and soil hydraulic parameters should be taken into consideration when developing pedotransfer functions. Key words: Spatial relationship, geostatistics, linear coregionalization model, principal component analysis, pedotransfer function

Influence of long-term feedlot manure amendments on soil hydraulic conductivity, water-stable aggregates, and soil thermal properties during the growing season

2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 421-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.J. Miller ◽  
B.W. Beasley ◽  
C.F. Drury ◽  
F.J. Larney ◽  
X. Hao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Properties ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Wood Chip ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Soil Thermal Properties

Long-term application of feedlot manure to cropland may change the physical properties of soils. We measured selected soil (surface) physical properties of a Dark Brown Chernozemic clay loam where different amendments were annually applied for 15 (2013), 16 (2014), and 17 (2015) yr. The treatments were stockpiled (SM) or composted (CM) manure with either straw (ST) or wood-chip (WD) bedding applied at three rates (13, 39, and 77 Mg ha−1) and an unamended control. The effect of selected or all treatments on selected properties was determined in 2013–2015. These properties included field-saturated (Kfs) and near-saturated hydraulic conductivity or K(ψ), bulk density (BD), volumetric water content, soil temperature, soil thermal properties, and wet aggregate stability. The hypotheses that selected soil physical properties would improve more for treatments with greater total carbon in the amendments (SM > CM, WD > ST) was rejected. The exceptions were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) lower soil BD for SM than CM and WD than ST for certain dates, and lower soil thermal conductivity for WD than ST. Most soil physical properties generally had no response to 15–17 yr of annual applications of these feedlot amendments, but a few showed a positive response.

scholarly journals SOIL PHYSICAL CONSTRAINTS AND THEIR EFFECT ON MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS OF COCONUT (Cocos nucifera L. ) ROOTS

CORD ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 16 (01) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
L P Vidhana Arachchi ◽  
Yaspa P A J ◽  
Mapa R B ◽  
Somapala H.
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Cocos Nucifera ◽  
Practical Importance ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Land Suitability ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Physical Constraints ◽  
Cocos Nucifera L

The objective of the study was to (1) evaluate land suitability for coconut (cocos nucifera L.) production in relation to soil physical properties, (2) identify the soil physical constraints and (3) study their effect on the morphological adaptation of coconut roots. Soil physical properties were found to be significantly related to coconut yield (R2=81.37; p<0.01). Multiple regression with cluster analysis of soil physical properties vs coconut yield enabled classification of soil series into three major groups namely (a) highly  (b) moderately and (c) less productive series. It was observed that the high soil compaction which limited the available water and aeration capacity of soils resulted in retardation of the activity of coconut roots. Water stress due to soil compaction was found to induce production of more inactive roots by suberization and dehydration processes. Scanning electron microscopic image showed that soil compaction and water stress, reduced the cell volume per unit area  of the absorption zone and the number of pores in respiratory organs of  coconut roots resulting in retardation of water and nutrient absorption, and air exchange processes. This in turn malfunctions of absorption cells and respiratory organs of roots resulted in retardation of growth of coconut seedlings. The practical importance of these findings in formulation of land suitability maps for coconuts is discussed.

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