Rill erosion on a structurally degraded sandy loam surface soil

Soil Research ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 419 ◽  
Author(s):  
BW Murphy ◽  
TC Flewin
Keyword(s):  
Soil Loss ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Soil Aggregates ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Rill Erosion ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Infiltration Rates ◽  
Low Intensity

This study reports on the degree of rill erosion from a 0.65 ha site with a hardsetting red duplex soil having a structurally degraded surface soil. Rill erosion was measured after a series of relatively low intensity rainfall events (all <1 yr return period) that resulted in above average rainfall over a period of 78 days. The rill erosion was estimated by measuring the volume of rills in the field. The soil characteristics indicated that the soil was a structurally degraded soil with low aggregate stability (2-5% of total soil), very low organic matter levels (0.91% for 0-50 mm) and relatively high bulk density (1.56 g/cm3). The low aggregate stability resulted in the rapid breakdown of soil aggregates and settling of the soil under rainfall causing surface crusting and low infiltration rates (4.08 mm/h) as well as decreasing depressional storage. This resulted in high runoff and rill erosion, the total volume and mass of soil loss being equivalent to 48.3 m3/ha and 78.0 t/ha respectively. This high level of soil loss was considered to result from the combination of the poor structural condition of the soil, the tilled or loosened soil condition at the onset of the rainfall events, the duration and number of the low intensity rainfall events and the low evaporation rates between rainfall events. The results suggest that to reduce soil loss to acceptable levels under the conditions of the study, it is necessary to adopt management practices that increase surface cover, maintain infiltration rates, reduce tillage and increase soil aggregate stability in combination with erosion control earthworks. The study also looked at the prediction of soil loss using the USLE equation, and confirmed that the equation should not be used to predict erosion for individual events or erosion resulting from concentrated flow, rather it should be used to estimate expected long-term soil loss for a particular soil under a given set of management practices.

Corrigenda - A portable microcomputer-controlled drip infiltrometer. II. Field measurement of sorptivity, hydraulic conductivity and time to ponding

Soil Research ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 393
Author(s):  
BJ Bridge ◽  
PJ Ross
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Variable Rate ◽  
Infiltration Rates ◽  
Constant Rate ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Dry Soil

The lightweight portable drip infiltrometer described in Part I was used to determine the infiltration characteristics of a sandy loam soil. Sorptivity was determined by varying the application rate to maintain surface ponding and by measuring the time to ponding at a constant application rate. Saturated hydraulic conductivity was equated to the long-time steady-state application rate needed to maintain surface ponding. This rate could be determined to a precision of 0.5 �m s-1 (2 mm h-1) and agreed well with core data from 0.5 to 1.0 m depth in the profile. The results obtained were compared with ponded ring infiltrometer measurements. Sorptivities calculated from the ring infiltrometers were greater than those from the variable rate drip infiltrometer which in turn were greater than those from the constant rate drip infiltrometer. This was attributed to the effect of the macropores under the ponded rings and to confining the depth over which sorptivity was measured under constant application rate to the wetter surface soil. In dry soil, the drip infiltrometer measured low initial infiltration rates caused by poor wetting of the soil, but these were not measured by the ponded ring infiltrometers, which had a 50 mm head. In moist soil, poor wettability did not occur. Five equations for calculating sorptivity from measurements of time to ponding under a constant application rate of 8.3 �m s-1 (30 mm h-1) were used and four of these equations agreed within 20%. This was less than the range of sorptivities arising from uncertainties in determining the time to ponding, and the differences between the equations were attributed to the assumptions used in their derivation. It was concluded that any measurement of sorptivity on this soil was difficult to interpret because of non-uniformity in the upper soil profile.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Straw Mulch on Infiltration, Splash Erosion, Runoff and Sediment in Laboratory Conditions

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Gholami ◽  
Kazimierz Banasik ◽  
Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi ◽  
Abdulvahed Khaledi Darvishan ◽  
Leszek Hejduk
Keyword(s):  
Soil Loss ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Soil Aggregates ◽  
Sediment Concentration ◽  
Runoff Coefficient ◽  
Splash Erosion ◽  
Straw Mulch ◽  
Conservation Treatment ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Mulches have extraordinary potential in reducing surface runoff, increasing infiltration of water into the soil and decreasing soil erosion. The straw mulches as a biological material, has the ability to be a significant physical barrier against the impact of raindrops and reduce the detachment of soil aggregates. The present study is an attempt to determine the efficiency of straw mulch as conservation treatment in changes in the splash erosion, time-to-runoff, runoff coefficient, infiltration coefficient, time-to-drainage, drainage coefficient, sediment concentration and soil loss. The laboratory experiments have been conducted for sandy-loam soil taken from deforested area, about 15 km of Warsaw west, Poland under lab conditions with simulated rainfall intensities of 60 and 120 mmh–1, in 4 soil moistures of 12, 25, 33 and 40% and the slope of 9%. Compared with bare treatments, results of straw mulch application showed the significant conservation effects on splash erosion, runoff coefficient, sediment concentration and soil loss and significant enhancement effects on infiltration and drainage. The results of Spearman-Rho correlation showed the significant (p < 0.05) correlation with r = –0.873, 0.873, 0.878 and 0.764 between rainfall intensity and drainage coefficient, downstream splash, sediment concentration and soil loss and with r = –0.976, 0.927 and –0.927 between initial soil moisture content and time-to-runoff, runoff coefficient and infiltration coefficient, respectively.

A portable microcomputer-controlled drip infiltrometer. II. Field measurement of sorptivity, hydraulic conductivity and time to ponding

Soil Research ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 393
Author(s):  
BJ Bridge ◽  
PJ Ross
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Variable Rate ◽  
Infiltration Rates ◽  
Constant Rate ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Dry Soil

The lightweight portable drip infiltrometer described in Part I was used to determine the infiltration characteristics of a sandy loam soil. Sorptivity was determined by varying the application rate to maintain surface ponding and by measuring the time to ponding at a constant application rate. Saturated hydraulic conductivity was equated to the long-time steady-state application rate needed to maintain surface ponding. This rate could be determined to a precision of 0.5 �m s-1 (2 mm h-1) and agreed well with core data from 0.5 to 1.0 m depth in the profile. The results obtained were compared with ponded ring infiltrometer measurements. Sorptivities calculated from the ring infiltrometers were greater than those from the variable rate drip infiltrometer which in turn were greater than those from the constant rate drip infiltrometer. This was attributed to the effect of the macropores under the ponded rings and to confining the depth over which sorptivity was measured under constant application rate to the wetter surface soil. In dry soil, the drip infiltrometer measured low initial infiltration rates caused by poor wetting of the soil, but these were not measured by the ponded ring infiltrometers, which had a 50 mm head. In moist soil, poor wettability did not occur. Five equations for calculating sorptivity from measurements of time to ponding under a constant application rate of 8.3 �m s-1 (30 mm h-1) were used and four of these equations agreed within 20%. This was less than the range of sorptivities arising from uncertainties in determining the time to ponding, and the differences between the equations were attributed to the assumptions used in their derivation. It was concluded that any measurement of sorptivity on this soil was difficult to interpret because of non-uniformity in the upper soil profile.

Soil erosion in Austria – National calculations using regional data delivering local results for the ÖPUL programme

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elmar Schmaltz ◽  
Georg Dersch ◽  
Christine Weinberger ◽  
Carmen Krammer ◽  
Peter Strauss
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Error Sources ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Erosion Rates ◽  
Environmentally Responsible ◽  
Spatially Distributed ◽  
Local Results ◽  
Erosion Hotspots

&lt;p&gt;Empirical models, such as the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) are in use since the 1950s to estimate the mean annual soil loss for single agricultural fields or spatially-distributed for larger areas (municipalities, regions or states). A particular focus on the computation of the RUSLE lies in the calculation of the respective factors on which the equation is built on and represent the erosivity of rainfall events, the erodibility of soils, the topography and land management. However, the RUSLE is highly susceptible to large errors in the prediction of the erosion rates of single agricultural parcels, due to the high variability of these factors in large areas (e.g. on national scale).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this study, we present a parcel-sharp erosion map for the entire territory of Austria. We discuss frequent error sources of the factor computations and their consequences for the representativeness of erosion maps at nation-scale. Based on our results we discuss furthermore regional erosion hotspots and evaluate nationally funded management practices for soil erosion reduction as they are defined in the Austrian programme for an environmentally responsible agriculture (&amp;#214;PUL).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Since our approach depicts a novelty for Austria, we further describe opportunities for analysis of our results and highlight potential sources of errors, as well as regional and legal discrepancies of the distribution of national funds for soil conservation.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Effect of Biochar on Soil Properties, Soil Loss, and Cocoyam Yield on a Tropical Sandy Loam Alfisol

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aruna Olasekan Adekiya ◽  
Taiwo Michael Agbede ◽  
Adeniyi Olayanju ◽  
Wutem Sunny Ejue ◽  
Timothy A. Adekanye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Soil Aggregates ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Infiltration Rate ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Soil Sustainability

Among agricultural soil amendment that can enhance crop productivity and soil sustainability is biochar. Hence, two-year field experiments were conducted on a sandy loam Alfisol at Owo, southwest Nigeria, to evaluate the effects of biochar produced from hardwood on soil physical and chemical characteristics, erosion potential, and cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott) yield. The study was a 2 × 4 factorial experiment with two years (2017 and 2018) and four biochar levels (0 (control), 10, 20, and 30 t ha−1). The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results indicated that biochar application significantly in both years improved yield of cocoyam and soil physical (bulk density, porosity, moisture content, mean weight diameter (MWD) of soil aggregates, dispersion ratio, and infiltration rate) and chemical (soil organic matter, pH, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and CEC) properties and erosion resistance. Soil characteristics and cocoyam yield improved with level of biochar from 0–30 t ha−1. When 2018 is compared with 2017 in term of soil loss, in the amended plots, 2018 reduced soil loss by 7.4, 20, and 73.5%, respectively, for 10, 20, and 30 t ha−1biochar, whereas there was an increase of 2.7% soil loss in the control plot in 2018 compared with 2017. Therefore, application rate of 30 t ha−1 biochar is considered as suitable for severely degraded soil because this application rate efficiently improves cocoyam yield and soil properties and reduces soil loss.

scholarly journals Influence of Tillage, Straw-Returning and Mineral Fertilization on the Stability and Associated Organic Content of Soil Aggregates in the North China Plain

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 951
Author(s):  
Huayan Zhang ◽  
Ling’an Niu ◽  
Kelin Hu ◽  
Jinmin Hao ◽  
Fan Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North China Plain ◽  
North China ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Aggregates ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Soil Aggregate ◽  
Soil Aggregate Stability ◽  
The North ◽  
The North China Plain

Agricultural management, such as tillage and straw-returning, affect soil fertility and nutrient cycling in agroecosystems. With the increasing food demand and challenges imposed by climate change, these effects on soil fertility need to be closely monitored, so that short-term agricultural intensification should not threaten the long-term productivity of the land. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to examine the long-term effects of different management practices on soil aggregate stability and associated organic carbon (OC) and nitrogen (N) over a 33-year period in the croplands of the North China Plain. Bulk soils from the surface and subsurface layers were fractionated using the wet sieving approach. The results showed that the silt + clay (SC) fractions (<0.053 mm) were predominant, accounting for 32–56% of the mass at the 0–20 cm depth, and accounting for 41–55% of the mass at the 20–40 cm depth. Additionally, long-term (33 years) no-tillage management and straw-returning at different application rates increased the mass of large soil macroaggregates (LMA), the LMA- and macroaggregate-associated OC content, but decreased the SC-associated OC content. Mineral N and P fertilizers had a minor effect on the stabilization of soil aggregates. The treatment with straw significantly increased the mean weight diameter (MWD) and geometric mean diameter (GWD), compared with the treatment without straw. Our results indicate that carefully regulated management practices would enhance soil aggregate stability, associated OC and N content in the intensive agroecosystem.

scholarly journals Carbon balance of sandy loam soils in arid landscapes of the Chechen Republic

2022 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 02005
Author(s):  
Rustam Gakaev
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Soil Aggregates ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Arid Environment ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Semi Arid

The spatial variability of the stability of soil aggregates and its relationship with runoff and soil erosion were studied in a semi-arid environment in the field in order to assess the validity of the stability of structures as an indicator of soil erosion in soils of sandy loam ridges. The influence of soil and relief properties on the variability of aggregate stability was also investigated. Significant relationships were found in the number of water droplets required to break down the aggregate, as well as the rate of runoff and erosion. The most significant correlation was found between the number of droplet impacts and the soil organic matter content. The stability of aggregates in the upper soil layer is apparently a valuable indicator of field runoff and inter-season soil erosion of sandy loamy ridges in semi-arid conditions.

scholarly journals Assessment of Seasonal Variability in Soil Nutrients and Its Impact on Soil Quality under Different Land Use Systems of Lower Shiwalik Foothills of Himalaya, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1398
Author(s):  
Tavjot Kaur ◽  
Simerpreet Kaur Sehgal ◽  
Satnam Singh ◽  
Sandeep Sharma ◽  
Salwinder Singh Dhaliwal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Seasonal Effects ◽  
Land Use Systems ◽  
Post Monsoon ◽  
Significant Difference

The present study was conducted to investigate the seasonal effects of five land use systems (LUSs), i.e., wheat–rice (Triticum aestivum—Oryza sativa) system, sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), orange (Citrus sinensis) orchard, safeda (Eucalyptus globules) forest, and grassland, on soil quality and nutrient status in the lower Satluj basin of the Shiwalik foothills Himalaya, India. Samples were analyzed for assessment of physico-chemical properties at four soil depths, viz., 0–15, 15–30, 30–45, and 45–60 cm. A total of 120 soil samples were collected in both the seasons. Soil texture was found to be sandy loam and slightly alkaline in nature. The relative trend of soil organic carbon (SOC), macro- and micro-nutrient content for the five LUSs was forest > orchard > grassland > wheat–rice > sugarcane, in the pre- and post-monsoon seasons. SOC was highly correlated with macronutrients and micronutrients, whereas SOC was negatively correlated with soil pH (r = −0.818). The surface soil layer (0–15 cm) had a significantly higher content of SOC, and macro- and micro-nutrients compared to the sub-surface soil layers, due to the presence of more organic content in the soil surface layer. Tukey’s multiple comparison test was applied to assess significant difference (p < 0.05) among the five LUSs at four soil depths in both the seasons. Principle component analysis (PCA) identified that SOC and electrical conductivity (EC) were the most contributing soil indicators among the different land use systems, and that the post-monsoon season had better soil quality compared to the pre-monsoon season. These indicators helped in the assessment of soil health and fertility, and to monitor degraded agroecosystems for future soil conservation.

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