Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of conventional and conservation tillage soils in southern Alberta

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 643-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Miller ◽  
N. J. Sweetland ◽  
F. J. Larney ◽  
K. M. Volkmar
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Tension Infiltrometer ◽  
Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Southern Alberta ◽  
Nonlinear Regression Method

Conservation tillage is increasing on the Canadian prairies and its long-term effect on soil physical properties warrants investigation. Tension infiltrometer measurements were conducted on conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT) and no-till (NT) loam to clay loam soils in southern Alberta to determine if 26 yr of conservation tillage (MT, NT) modified the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, K(ψ), relative to CT. Tillage of CT and MT plots was performed using a wide-blade cultivator. Measurements were performed on tillage treatments that were replicated on two adjacent parcels of land, with readings taken at the west parcel (Site 1) in 1993 and at the east parcel (Site 2) in 1994. Infiltration rates were determined at water potentials (ψ) of −0.3, −0.6 and −1.5 kPa. The K(ψ) values at −0.3, −0.6, −1.0 and −1.5 kPa (equivalent circular pore diameters of 1000, 500, 300 and 200 µm, respectively) were estimated from infiltration data using the nonlinear regression method of Logsdon and Jaynes. Tillage had a significant (P < 0.10) effect on K(ψ). Geometric mean K(ψ) values for NT (12.8 × 10−8 m s−1) were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than for CT (21.9 × 10−8 m s−1), but there was no significant difference between MT (13.6 × 10−8 m s−1) and CT, or between MT and NT. Although there was no significant tillage × site-year interaction (P > 0.10) for K(ψ), there was a trend for higher K(ψ) values at −0.6, −1.0 and −1.5 kPa in CT than MT and NT for Site 1 in 1993 compared to Site 2 in 1994. This trend was consistent with a shorter lag time between the most recent tillage event and subsequent infiltration measurements in CT for Site 1 in 1993 (1–16 d) compared with Site 2 in 1994 (28–45 d). Key words: Tillage, tension infiltrometer, unsaturated hydraulic conductivity

Measurement of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity using tension and drip infiltrometers

Soil Research ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 823 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. J. McKenzie ◽  
H. P. Cresswell ◽  
H. Rath ◽  
D. Jacquier
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Soil Cores ◽  
Matric Potential ◽  
Constant Flux ◽  
Tension Infiltrometer ◽  
Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Constant Potential ◽  
Potential Methods ◽  
Large Decline

We investigated differences between constant flux and constant potential methods for determining unsaturated hydraulic conductivity in the laboratory. A cheap and robust method was required. The constant flux drip infiltrometer has been used with large intact cores on a wide range of Australian soils. However, the method can be simplified by replacing the drip infiltrometer with a constant potential tension infiltrometer (disc permeameter). We conducted a series of measurements using 9 soil cores to determine whether the measured hydraulic conductivity differed with each method at matric potentials of –10, –20, or –50 mm. Hysteresis effects were also examined because tension infiltrometer measurements are usually made on the adsorption curve of the hydraulic conductivity and matric potential [K(Ψ)] relationship. Drip infiltrometer measurements are often made on the desorption curve. The reproducibility of measurements on a single core was also examined. A large decline in K(Ψ ) was observed on some cores with repeated measurements and this effect was larger than differences between the methods. In the absence of evidence of slaking or dispersion, the suspected cause of the decline in K(Ψ) was clogging of pores from accumulation of microbial biomass and their by-products. The results support the view that K(Ψ) in some soils is a dynamic property. There were consistent differences between the constant flux and constant potential methods on those soil cores not exhibiting a large decline in K(Ψ) (the others were omitted from the method comparison). The tension infiltrometer method indicated greater hydraulic conductivity in soils with well-developed macrostructure when matric potential was greater than –50 mm. Hysteresis effects were significant with both methods and measurements made on desorption and adsorption curves are not considered comparable. Overall, we concluded that the tension infiltrometer method was more suited than the drip method for routine processing of large numbers of samples at low cost.

Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of vineyard soils with high rock fragment content in the Mosel area, Germany

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selina Walle ◽  
Thomas Iserloh ◽  
Manuel Seeger
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Pore Size Distribution ◽  
Pore Size ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Hydrological Cycle ◽  
Calculated Data ◽  
Rock Fragment ◽  
Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Significant Difference

&lt;p&gt;The study deals with the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of soils within the scope of the Diverfarming-Project, funded by the EU commission (Horizon 2020 grant agreement no 728003). For this reason, the field work took place in the examined vineyard of the Wawerner Jesuitenberg near Kanzem in the Saar-Mosel valley (Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany). The mentioned parameter is one of the most important specific factors of the hydrological cycle to characterize soil hydraulic properties in the unsaturated soil zone. A mini disc infiltrometer was used to measure the conductivity values at different suctions. The purpose of this study is to determine the plausibility of the fundamentals and the analytical expression of the unsaturated conductivity models in a nearly skeletal soil of schist. In this regard, the mathematical expressions of Mualem (1976), van Genuchten (1980) and Zhang (1997) are focused on calculating the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. The two variables &amp;#945; and n are analysed in order to better compare between literature specifications and the explicit calculated data of the vineyard&amp;#8217;s soil. As a result, the various developments of &amp;#945; are similar thus the significant difference is based on the value of n. Nevertheless, in consideration of these frame conditions the models represent a suitable mathematical expression of the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. Furthermore, a range of parameters affecting this conductivity is analysed, particularly with regard to the applied variable soil and cultivation management under the grapevines in the vineyard. Also, the rock fragment cover and the pore size distribution are taken into account. In this context the soil compaction and modified pore size distribution in the wheel tracks stand out due to salient unsaturated hydraulic conductivities at higher tensions. In particular, the stone cover of the contact surface influence the characteristics of the analysed conductivity. Additionally, the connection of stone cover, management and pore size distribution creates a mixture of affected parameters of the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Mualem, Y.: A new model for predicting the hydraulic conductivity of unsaturated porous media, Water Resour. Res, 12, 513&amp;#8211;522, https://doi.org/10.1029/WR012i003p00513, 1976.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Van Genuchten, M.T.: A Closed-form Equation for Predicting the Hydraulic Conductivity of Unsaturated Soils, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., 44, 892&amp;#8211;898, https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1980.03615995004400050002x, 1980.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Zhang, R.: Determination of Soil Sorptivity and Hydraulic Conductivity from the Disk Infiltrometer, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., 61, 1024&amp;#8211;1030, https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1997.03615995006100040005x, 1997.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals The Influence of Different Technologies of Soil Processing on Infiltration Properties of Soil in the Cambisols Area of the Opava District

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
pp. 1495-1505
Author(s):  
Miroslav Dumbrovský ◽  
Lucie Larišová
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Clayey Soil ◽  
Spring Barley ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Cumulative Infiltration ◽  
Infiltration Tests ◽  
Disc Infiltrometer

The subject of the contribution is the evaluation of the influence of the conventional tillage and reduced tillage technology of soil processing on the infiltration properties of the soil in the Větřkovice area. Field experimental work at the area was carried out in the years 2013–2015 on Cambisol district medium-heavy clayey soil. The research was conducted on sloping erosion-endangered blocks of arable land sown with spring barley. The areas were chosen each year in the way that one of the experimental areas was handled by conventional tillage technologies and the other by reduced tillage technologies. Intact soil samples were taken into Kopecký’s cylinders in the three landscape positions, at a depth of 10 cm (representing topsoil) and 30 cm (representing subsoil). The cumulative infiltration was measured using a mini-disc infiltrometer near the consumption points. The Zhang method (1997), which provides an estimate of the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity K(h), was used for the evaluation of the infiltration tests of the mini-disc infiltrometer. The soil profile processed by conventional tillage showed a higher degree of compaction. The bulk density was between 1.10–1.67 g.cm-3, compared to the land processed by the reduced tillage technology, where the values were between 0.80–1.29 g.cm-3. Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity values were about one‑third higher within the reduced tillage technology soil processing.

scholarly journals Modified tension infiltrometer and its use to determine the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of upper vadose zone

1998 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Golam Shabbir Sattar
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Vadose Zone ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Fundamental Property ◽  
Pressure Head ◽  
Unknown Parameters ◽  
Steady State Condition ◽  
Tension Infiltrometer ◽  
Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity

A modification of the CSIRO type tension infiltrometer was designed (designated UNCEL type) and tested. This infiltrometer is considerably cheaper, but more versatile, than any other infiltrometer reported so far. The modified infiltrometer was used in a reconstructed vadose zone to measure the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity and effect of compaction associated with the upper vadose zone. Hydraulic conductivity, a function of matric potential, is a fundamental property for water entry into the soil as well as in the upper vadose zone. Tension infiltrometer technique for determining unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, which is also a function of soil water pressure head, was compared with the existing techniques. The analysis of data from tension infiltrometer is based mainly on flow rate at steady-state condition. The steady-state measurement also enables to determine unknown parameters on the basis of at least two negative heads at the same location. This modified infiltrometer imposes pressure potentials at soil surface from 0.01 to 0.15 m of water, as a result macropores with an air entry value of less than applied tension are excluded. This is practically useful when investigating the influence of structure and compaction of upper vadose zone. Measurement of infiltration at various negative pressure head, with a single disc diameter allowed sensitive measurement of hydraulic properties of upper vadose zone with minimal surface disturbance. The newly designed tension infiltrometer and adopted schemes of calculation enable to determine unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of upper vadose zone with relevance to structural effects more accurately.

scholarly journals The impact of different tillage treatments on hydraulic conductivity of loamy soil

2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 109-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivana Kameníčková ◽  
L. Larišová ◽  
A. Stoklásková
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Loamy Soil ◽  
Double Ring ◽  
Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
The Impact

Water infiltration into the soil profile, surface runoff and soil erosion in arable lands depend on the conditions of the top layer. The tillage treatment of the top layer plays a key role in changes of the hydro-physical properties, mainly saturated hydraulic conductivity Ks of the surface layer. The aim of this study was to asses the impact of different tillage treatments on hydraulic conductivity in the locality Bohaté Málkovice. Field experimental works in this area were performed in 2009 and were repeted in 2011 on Haplic Chernozem, medium heavy loamy soil. The experimental area was divided into two parts; top layer of these plots was cultivated by applying conventional and reduced tillage treatment. Both these plots were sown with spring barley (Hordeum vulgare). For the field measurement of water infiltration into the soil was used double-ring infiltrometer (2009, 2011) and Minidisk infiltrometer (2011). Near the point were the infiltration was measured, the soil samples were always collected for laboratory determination of basic physical properties of soil (bulk density, porosity, initial and saturated water content, aeration of the soil) and saturated hydraulic conductivity Ks. For laboratory determination of Ks was used permeameter with constant gradient.For evaluation of saturated hydraulic conductivity Ks using the double-ring infiltration method was used Philip’s three-parameter equation and for evaluation of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity K(h) using Minidisk infiltrometer was used Zang’s method. After two years of using repeatedly applied different tillage treatments was significantly influenced saturated hydraulic conductivity Ks. The Ks value increased approximately six times for reduced tillage and more than three times for conventional tillage. Laboratory determined average values of Ks were compared with the average estimates of Ks from infiltration tests. The results were burdened by a number of errors (compaction, preferential flow). These mean values were higher for conventional and reduced tillage. Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity K(−2cm) for reduced tillage was higher, for conventional tillage decreased approximately three times.

CHEMICAL DIFFERENCES IN DARK BROWN CHERNOZEMIC Ap HORIZONS UNDER VARIOUS CONSERVATION TILLAGE SYSTEMS

1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 481-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. DORMAAR ◽  
C. W. LINDWALL
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Soil Tillage ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
No Till ◽  
Southern Alberta ◽  
Chemical Fallow ◽  
Extractable Organic Matter

The Ap horizons of two conservation tillage studies on Dark Brown Chernozemic soils in southern Alberta were sampled in 1986 following the fallow year. The first study, started in 1967, consisted of a wheat-fallow rotation under either no-till chemical fallow, blade-cultivate, or chemical fallow + blade-cultivate management. The second study, started in 1977, consisted of continuous winter wheat, winter wheat-barley-fallow, and winter wheat-fallow rotations under either no-till or conventional tillage management. Nine years of no-till continuous wheat and 19 yr of no-till in a wheat-fallow rotation both led to 40% of the dry aggregates being > 0.84 mm in diameter. The parameters selected helped to characterize differences in organic matter between soil tillage systems. Dehydrogenase and phosphatase activities were twice as high under no-till as under the blade-cultivate treatment. No-till also led to the largest monosaccharide accumulation in the soil. Carbohydrates, solvent-extractable organic matter, and chitin N were significantly higher in the > 0.84 mm diameter dry aggregates from the no-till treatment. The monosaccarides under the blade-cultivate regime were generally of microbial origin whereas those under the no-till regime were generally of plant origin. Key words: Water-stable aggregates, dry aggregates, enzyme activities, organic carbon, monosaccharides, fallow

scholarly journals Impacts of experimental conditions on soil saturated hydraulic conductivity in conventional and conservation tillage practices

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaihua Liao ◽  
Xiaoming Lai ◽  
Qing Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Conversion Period

Abstract. The saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) is a key soil hydraulic property governing agricultural production. However, the influence of conversion from conventional tillage (CT) to conservation tillage (CS) (including no tillage (NT) and reduced tillage (RT)) on Ksat of soils is not well understood and still debated. In this study, we applied a global meta-analysis method to synthesize 201 paired observations for soil Ksat from 59 published studies, and investigated factors influencing the effects of conversion to CS on Ksat. Results showed that the Ksat measured by hood infiltrometer, tension disc infiltrometer, and Guelph permeameter produced a similar pattern under CS practices, with non-significant (p > 0.05) increase of 6.6 %, 3.6 % and 4.9 %, respectively. However, conversion to CS significantly (p < 0.05) increased Ksat by 32.0 % for ring infiltrometer, while it decreased Ksat by 3.2 % for constant/falling head (p > 0.05). Soil layer, CS type and soil texture had no significant (p > 0.05) effects on the influence of conversion to CS on the Ksat, but the Ksat under CS showed a greater increase for a longer conversion period (time since conversion). In addition, mean annual temperature (MAT) was found to be an important driver controlling the response of Ksat to tillage conversion at the large scale. These findings suggested that quantifying the effects of tillage conversion on soil Ksat needed to consider experimental conditions, especially the measurement technique and conversion period.

Physical properties of a Chernozemic clay loam soil under long-term conventional tillage and no-till

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Miller ◽  
F. J. Larney ◽  
C. W. Lindwall
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Soil Cores ◽  
Percentage Volume ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Plant Available Water ◽  
Water Holding

Conservation tillage practices such as no-till (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) with a heavy-duty cultivator can influence the physical properties of soils. This study was conducted to determine the effect of 24 yr of NT versus CT on the physical properties of a clay loam soil in southern Alberta. Physical properties quantified were bulk density (BD), mean weight diameter (MWD), plant-available water-holding capacity (PAWHC), saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), soil water characteristic [θ(ψ)] and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity [K(ψ)] relationships, and pore-size distribution (PSD). Bulk soil samples and small soil cores (5-cm depth increments to 20 cm) were taken from CT and NT fields in 1992, and tension infiltrometer measurements were made in 1994. The results from this study are reported as general trends for the tillage fields. Statistical probability levels are not reported because of the unreplicated nature of the experiment, the limited number of sampling locations within each tillage field, and to a lesser extent, the different sampling times for CT and NT in 1992. Plant-available water-holding capacity was higher for the CT field (14.3%) than the NT field (10.8%), and a greater amount of water was held at a given water potential (−1500 to −1.5 kPa) for the former, indicating a higher potential for soil water conservation under conventional tillage. Geometric mean Ksat values (small soil cores) were higher for the NT field (18.20 × 10−6 m s−1) than the CT field (1.74 × 10−6 m s−1). The K(ψ) values (small soil cores) between −10 and −2 kPa were higher for the CT field than the NT field at the 0- to 5-cm, 10- to 15-cm and 15- to 20-cm depths, but values were higher for the NT field at the 5- to 10-cm depth. Near-saturated K(ψ) values (−1.5 to −0.3 kPa) of the surface soil, as derived from tension infiltration measurements in 1994, were higher for the CT field (2.43 × 10−7 m s−1) than for the NT field (6.09 × 10−8 m s−1). There was a greater percentage volume of larger pores (30–40, 40–67, 67–200, >200 µm) for the NT field than for the CT field, and there was a lower percentage volume of smaller pores (0.2–0.6, 0.6–4 µm) for the CT field than for the NT field. Differences in certain soil physical properties between CT and NT fields may be related to the lag time between the most recent tillage event and sampling for the CT field. Key words: Conservation tillage, heavy-duty cultivator, physical attributes, soil water, hydraulic conductivity, porosity

Glyphosate and AMPA dissipation at different depths in conventional and conservation agriculture

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Carretta ◽  
Alessandra Cardinali ◽  
Giuseppe Zanin ◽  
Roberta Masin
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Primary Metabolite ◽  
Degradation Model ◽  
First Order ◽  
North East ◽  
Significant Difference

&lt;p&gt;Glyphosate is the most used herbicide worldwide, especially in conservation agriculture, where the lack of mechanical weed control often necessitates chemical inputs. In conservation agriculture, the elimination of tillage operations leads to changes in soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. Consequently, herbicide environmental fate may be potentially altered relatively to conventional tillage systems. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the effect of conservation agriculture and conventional tillage on the adsorption of glyphosate and on the dissipation of glyphosate and its primary metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) at two depths, 0&amp;#8722;5 and 5&amp;#8722;20 cm.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The field trial was conducted from October 2018 to April 2019 at the Padua University Experimental Farm, North-East Italy. Glyphosate was applied as a formulated product (Roundup Power 2.0) at a dose of 1.44 kg/ha of the active ingredient. The dissipation of glyphosate and the formation/dissipation of AMPA were followed for 182 days after their application. The concentrations of glyphosate and AMPA in the soil were analysed by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The dissipation of glyphosate was described by the first-order multicompartment model (FOMC), whereas the model for AMPA was composed of an FOMC degradation model for glyphosate and the single first-order degradation model for AMPA. The estimated trend of concentrations over time for both glyphosate and AMPA were used to derive their DT50 (time required for 50% dissipation of the initial concentration).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The results indicate an increase in glyphosate adsorption in non-tilled soil compared to the tilled soil, at both depths. Glyphosate initial dissipation was fast, followed by a slower decline. At 0&amp;#8211;5 cm no significant difference was observed in glyphosate persistence between the two soil managements, whereas at 5&amp;#8211;20 cm glyphosate was more persistent in non-tilled soil (DT50 18 days) than in tilled soil (DT50 8 days). The fast initial dissipation of glyphosate was reflected in an increase in the concentration of AMPA. AMPA persisted longer than glyphosate but, for this metabolite, no apparent effect was observed in response to the different soil management. The higher persistence of glyphosate under conservation tillage might increase the risk of on-site soil pollution due to the accumulation of this chemical, especially in the case of repeated applications of glyphosate. Nevertheless, high glyphosate adsorption observed in non-tilled soil may reduce the leaching potential to lower soil depths.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This abstract falls in the group &amp;#8220;Soil contamination&amp;#8221; and the subgroup &amp;#8220;Experimental assessment&amp;#8221;.&lt;/p&gt;

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