Long-term influence of compost on available water capacity of a fine sandy loam in a potato rotation

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 535-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
M R Carter
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Soil Water Retention ◽  
Matric Potential ◽  
Water Capacity ◽  
Available Water ◽  
Available Water Capacity ◽  
Potato Rotation

An improved soil physical structure, associated with organic amendments in crop rotations, can be viewed as an emergent property. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of applied compost on soil water retention and available water capacity, and other associative soil properties in a long-term 3-yr potato rotation established on a Charlottetown fine sandy loam (Orthic Humo-Ferric Podzol) in Prince Edward Island. Soil samples (0–10 cm) were obtained from two crop phases (barley and potato) during the fourth cycle of the rotation (after four compost applications) in the 12th year of the experiment. Except for particulate N, compost had little effect on soil organic matter. In comparison to the barley phase, a combination of compost and surface tillage in the potato phase was associated with improved soil porosity parameters and increased soil water contents at −33 kPa (“field capacity” ), −100 and −300 kPa matric potential, compared with the no-compost control. These results indicate that compost stabilized the tillage induced soil aggregates and macro-porosity in the potato phase. Regression analysis showed that soil volumetric water content at both −33 and −1500 kPa matric potential was significantly related to soil C concentration, although the soil available water capacity remained unchanged. The results imply that the “non-nutrient” compost effect on potato productivity was related to soil water retention. Key words: Soil water retention, soil physical and biochemical properties, compost amendment, tillage, potato rotation, eastern Canada

scholarly journals Development of a new long-term drought resilient soil water retention technology

2014 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 154A-160A ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Kavdir ◽  
W. Zhang ◽  
B. Basso ◽  
A. J. M. Smucker
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Soil Water Retention

scholarly journals Mapping the Available Water Capacity in tropical climate soils for soybean (Glycine max) cultivation in the state of Tocantins-Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
André De Moura Andrade ◽  
Rui Da Silva Andrade ◽  
Erich Collicchio
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
The State ◽  
Pedotransfer Functions ◽  
Water Retention Curve ◽  
Soil Water Retention Curve ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Water Capacity ◽  
Available Water ◽  
Available Water Capacity

Brazilian soybean has undergone considerable economic growth. Its production depends on the demand for some inputs. One of these inputs is the soil water supply, which can be made artificially or obtained by natural rainfall. Knowledge of available water capacity (AWC), which depends on total water availability (TWA), is poorly accessible and difficult to measure in the field. This study aimed to map the AWC of the state of Tocantins, based on pedotransfer functions (PTFs), to evaluate the water availability of the soils of the microregions of that state. We used the Arya and Paris model, aided by a computer program, Qualisolo, made by Embrapa Instrumentação. One hundred fifty-seven tropical soil samples were extracted from the Embrapa Solos portal. Preliminarily, the soil water retention curve (SWRC) was obtained and, subsequently, the TWA and AWC for this oilseed were estimated. Multiple linear regressions show the correlation between TWA and clay (CL), Silt (ST) and total sand (TS) contents. The correlation established was TWA = 3.2993 – 0.0028TS – 0.0034CL. This main conclusion reflects a fruitful AWC for decision-making by the soybean agribusiness and exposes the regional weaknesses for this crop under a rainfed regime in some regions of Tocantins. We could observe that, in terms of water availability, agribusiness is a potential threat to the environment protection area (APA) of the Ilha do Bananal/Cantão, Formoso River microregion.

scholarly journals Influence of crust formation under natural rain on physical attributes of soils with different textures

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1893-1905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selene Cristina de Pierri Castilho ◽  
Miguel Cooper ◽  
Carlos Eduardo Pinto Juhász
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Degradation ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Distribution Analysis ◽  
Soil Water Retention ◽  
Crust Formation ◽  
Soil Crusts

One of the main negative anthropic effects on soil is the formation of crusts, resulting in soil degradation. This process of physical origin reduces soil water infiltration, causing increased runoff and consequently soil losses, water erosion and/or soil degradation. The study and monitoring of soil crusts is important for soil management and conservation, mainly in tropical regions where research is insufficient to explain how soil crusts are formed and how they evolve. The purpose of this study was to monitor these processes on soils with different particle size distributions. Soil crusts on a sandy/sandy loam Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo (Typic Hapludult), sandy loam Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo (Typic Hapludox) and a clayey Nitossolo Vermelho eutroférrico (Rhodic Kandiudalf) were monitored. The soil was sampled and data collected after 0, 3, 5 and 10 rain storms with intensities above 25 mm h-1, from December 2008 to May 2009. Soil chemical and particle size distribution analysis were performed. The changes caused by rainfall were monitored by determining the soil roughness, hydraulic conductivity and soil water retention curves and by micromorphological analysis. Reduced soil roughness and crust formation were observed for all soils during the monitored rainfall events. However, contrary to what was expected according to the literature, crust formation was not always accompanied by reductions in total porosity, hydraulic conductivity and soil water retention.

In-Situ Soil-Water Retention and Field Water Capacity Measurements in Two Contrasting Soil Textures

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay D Jabro ◽  
Robert G Evans ◽  
Yunseup Kim ◽  
William M Iversen
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Soil Water Retention ◽  
Water Capacity

A comparison of methods for determining soil water availability in two sites in Panama with similar rainfall but distinct tree communities

2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Kursar ◽  
Bettina M. J. Engelbrecht ◽  
Melvin T. Tyree
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Plant Distribution ◽  
Tropical Rain Forests ◽  
Water Release ◽  
Water Capacity ◽  
Available Water ◽  
Available Water Capacity ◽  
Gravimetric Water Content

Plant productivity, distribution and diversity in tropical rain forests correlate with water availability. Water availability is determined by rainfall and also by the available water capacity of the soil. However, while rainfall is recognized as important, linkages between plant distribution and differences among soils in available water capacity have not been demonstrated. One reason for this may be that measurements of soil moisture, such as gravimetric water content, may be overly simplistic. To investigate this, we compared two sites in Panama, Allee and Rio Paja, which have similar rainfall but different plant communities. Soil water release curves were obtained from about −0.1 MPa to −9 MPa, permitting us to calculate available water capacity. The Rio Paja site had 17% greater available water capacity (between −0.1 MPa to −3 MPa), whereas the gravimetric water content at Rio Paja was lower by 16% in rainy season and by 41% at the end of the dry season. Hence soil gravimetric water content and soil available water capacity did not correspond. The results suggest that available water capacity may better predict plant distributions. Hence, whenever possible, available water capacity should be determined in addition to gravimetric water content.

scholarly journals The Influence of a Water Absorbing Geocomposite on Soil Water Retention and Soil Matric Potential

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1731 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michał Śpitalniak ◽  
Krzysztof Lejcuś ◽  
Jolanta Dąbrowska ◽  
Daniel Garlikowski ◽  
Adam Bogacz
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Soil Moisture Content ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Soil Matric Potential ◽  
Soil Water Retention ◽  
Matric Potential ◽  
Control Samples

Climate change induces droughts that are becoming more intensive and more frequent than ever before. Most of the available forecast tools predict a further significant increase in the risk of drought, which indicates the need to prepare solutions to mitigate its effects. Growing water scarcity is now one of the world’s leading challenges. In agriculture and environmental engineering, in order to increase soil water retention, soil additives are used. In this study, the influence of a newly developed water absorbing geocomposite (WAG) on soil water retention and soil matric potential was analyzed. WAG is a special element made from geotextile which is wrapped around a synthetic skeleton with a superabsorbent polymer placed inside. To describe WAG’s influence on soil water retention and soil matric potential, coarse sand, loamy sand, and sandy loam soils were used. WAG in the form of a mat was used in the study as a treatment. Three kinds of samples were prepared for every soil type. Control samples and samples with WAG treatment placed at depths of 10 cm and 20 cm were examined in a test container of 105 × 70 × 50 cm dimensions. The samples had been watered and drained, and afterwards, the soil surface was heated by lamps of 1100 W total power constantly for 72 h. Soil matric potential was measured by Irrometer field tensiometers at three depths. Soil moisture content was recorded at six depths: of 5, 9, 15, 19, 25, and 30 cm under the top of the soil surface with time-domain reflectometry (TDR) measurement devices. The values of soil moisture content and soil matric potential were collected in one-minute steps, and analyzed in 24-h-long time steps: 24, 48, and 72 h. The samples with the WAG treatment lost more water than the control samples. Similarly, lower soil matric potential was noted in the samples with the WAG than in the control samples. However, after taking into account the water retained in the WAG, it appeared that the samples with the WAG had more water easily available for plants than the control samples. It was found that the mechanism of a capillary barrier affected higher water loss from soil layers above those where the WAG had been placed. The obtained results of water loss depend on the soil type used in the profile.

The Available-Water Capacity of Barbados Soils

1969 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Soil Water Deficit ◽  
Water Capacity ◽  
Available Water ◽  
Montmorillonite Clays ◽  
Available Water Capacity ◽  
Water Holding ◽  
Large Soil

SummaryLarge soil monoliths, extracted undisturbed in 44-gallon oil drums, have been used to assess the available-water capacity, and the relation between the growth of sugarcane and soil water deficit for agricultural soils in Barbados. Constancy of field capacity was studied and the effect of cultivation on the storage of available soil water. Deep montmorillonite clays and oceanic soils had storage capacities greater than 20 cm. of water in an 80 cm. profile, whereas sandy or stony montmorillonite clays and most soils developed from kaolinite clays had capacities less than 11 cm. Cultivation significantly increased the water holding capacity of soils but this was rarely as great as for fabricated composts and the water was never so freely available. The data have been used in decisions about cultivation and irrigation, and as the basis for an ecological grouping of sugar estates according to their probable water balance.

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