scholarly journals Effect of slope aspect and position on soil infiltrability in an ultisol in Akwa Ibom State, southern Nigeria

Agro-Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-30
Author(s):  
P.I. Ogban ◽  
A.X. Okon

Soil infiltrability is an important hydrological process that enhances soil water storage and the minimization of runoff. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of slope aspect (north, NfS and south, SfS) and positions [(crest (CR), upper (US), middle (MS) and lower (LS)] on soil infiltrability,  that is, initial infiltration rate (io), steady-state infiltration rate (ic) and cumulative infiltration (I), and sorptivity (S) and transmissivity (A) on the University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm (T&SF) located on an Ultisol in Akwa Ibom State, southern Nigeria. Results show that the initial  infiltration rate (io) was 43.20 cm h−1 on SfS and significantly (p < 0.05) higher than 36.60 cm h−1 on NfS. The final infiltration rate (ic) was not significantly different between NfS (9.60 cm h−1) and SfS (7.20 cm h−1). The Cumulative depth of water (I) infiltrated was similar between NfS (28.18 cm) and SfS (21.46 cm). Soil water sorptivity (S) was moderately high on the two slopes but significantly (p < 0.05) lower in NfS (0.49 cm min−1/2)  than in SfS (0.70 cm min−1/2) soil. Soil water transmissivity (A) was similar in NfS (0.19 cm h−1) and SfS (0.16 cm h−1) soil. The results indicate that the aspects were similar in io, ic, I, S and A. However, since soil texture is similar among the aspects, similar soil management practices, example tillage  and mulching, could be adopted to enhance water infiltration to improve ic for increases in soil water conservation and crop production on the  T&SF. Key words: slope aspect and position, soil infiltrability, sorptivity and transmissivity, soil water management

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Majed Abu-Zreig ◽  
Haruyuki Fujimaki ◽  
Mohamed Ahmed Abd Elbasit

Enhancing rainwater infiltration into heavy soils is an important strategy in arid regions to increase soil water storage and meet crop water demand. In such soils, water infiltration and deep percolation can be enhanced by constructing deep ditches filled with permeable materials, such as sand. Laboratory experiments were conducted to examine the effect of sand ditch installed across the slope of a soil box, 50 × 20 × 20 cm3, on runoff interception and water infiltration of clay soil packed at two bulk densities, 1240 and 1510 kg/m3. The experiments were carried out under laboratory conditions using simulated steady flow of about 20 cm/h for a duration of 60 min. Results showed that sand ditches highly reduced runoff and largely enhanced water infiltration into soils. In low-density soil, the average runoff was 15% of inflow volume but reduced to zero in the presence of sand ditches thus increasing soil water storage by 15%. In high-density soil, the presence of sand ditches was more effective; infiltration volume increased by 156% compared to control. The WASH_2D model was used to simulate water flow in the presence of sand ditches; it showed to increase water infiltration and soil-moisture storage thus improving crop production in drylands.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiu-Na Han ◽  
Ying Dong ◽  
Yu-qing Geng ◽  
Na Li ◽  
Chao-Ying Zhang

AbstractWater availability seriously affects vegetation restoration in arid mining areas, and mulching is an effective way to improve soil water conditions. Coal gangue occupies large swathes of land resources, resulting in ecological fragility and various environmental problems. Despite coal gangue having mineral elements similar to those in soil, its potential function as a mulch for soil water conservation has been unclear. Herein, mulching on the surfaces of soil columns with 30 cm height and 15 cm inner diameter was conducted using coal gangue with four particle size ranges (0–0.5, 0.5–1, 1–2, and 2–4 cm) and four thicknesses (4, 8, 12, and 16 cm) under laboratory conditions to investigate water infiltration and evaporation under different conditions. The cumulative infiltration of the treatments with mulching thicknesses of 4 cm (T1), 8 cm (T2), 12 cm (T3), and 16 cm (T4) was 16.1%, 22.9%, 28.6%, and 41.6% greater than that of the control, respectively. The cumulative evaporation of the treatments with particle size ranges of 0–0.5 cm (P1), 0.5–1 cm (P2), 1–2 cm (P3), and 2–4 cm (P4) was 6.5%, 28.6%, 22.9%, and 18.6% lower than the control, respectively. Overall, to enhance the soil water storage capacity in mining areas, the results suggest that coal gangue mulching with a thickness of 8–16 cm and particle size range of 0.5–2 cm is suitable.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 293-298
Author(s):  
Filiberto Altobelli ◽  
Ronald Vargas ◽  
Giuseppe Corti ◽  
Carmelo Dazzi ◽  
Luca Montanarella ◽  
...  

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) identify the need to restore degraded soils in order to improve productivity and the provision of ecosystem services. The aim is to support food production, store and supply clean water, conserve biodiversity, sequester carbon, and improve soil resilience in a context of climate change. Within this framework, in order to achieve the SDGs and to correct land management in the long-term, soil management is considered mandatory. The reduction of land degradation should be based on various sustainable soil management practices that improve and maintain soil organic matter levels, increase water infiltration, and improve soil water management. This technical review - a policy paper - summarizes the sustainable and territorial impact of soil degradation, including soil water erosion, from the global level to the European and National levels. Furthermore, with the aim of sharing ongoing soil and water management actions, instruments, and initiatives, we provide information on soil and water conservation activities and prospects in Italy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiu-Na Han ◽  
Ying Dong ◽  
Yu-qing Geng ◽  
Na Li ◽  
Chao-Ying Zhang

Abstract Water availability seriously affects vegetation restoration in arid mining areas, and mulching is an effective way to improve soil water conditions. Coal gangue occupies large swathes of land resources, resulting in ecological fragility and various environmental problems. Despite coal gangue having mineral elements similar to those in soil, its potential function as a mulch for soil water conservation has been unclear. Herein, mulching on the surfaces of soil columns was conducted using four particle size ranges and four thicknesses under laboratory conditions to investigate water infiltration and evaporation under different conditions. Apart from the treatments with particle size of 0–0.5 cm, the remaining mulch treatments with 16 cm thickness involved greater infiltration and lower evaporation. Therefore, we recommend a 16 cm-thick mulch treatment as the preferred mulching style. Treatments with a particle size of 0–0.5 cm and those with 4-cm thickness are not suggested due to their lower infiltration and higher evaporation characteristics. Overall, to enhance the soil water storage capacity in mining areas, the results suggest that mulching coal gangue with particle size exceeding 0.5 cm and a thickness exceeding 8 cm is suitable.


Author(s):  
Vikram Kumar ◽  
Barkha Chaplot ◽  
Padam Jee Omar ◽  
Shaktibala S. ◽  
H. Md. Azamathulla

Abstract The infiltration process plays a key role in designing groundwater recharge, irrigation, and drainage systems, and contamination evaluation is controlled by numerous factors, among which soil physical properties and land use & land cover (LULC) are the prime factors. A comprehensive understanding of the spatial water infiltration characteristics over the soil which is site-specific and more complex due to non-uniformity could enhance the agriculture water use efficiency and mitigate water-related issues. The present study deals with the measurement of field infiltration characteristics using a mini disc infiltrometer in all 24 blocks of Gaya districts, Bihar, which covers a wide spectrum of soil types. Results showed that the average cumulative infiltration rate (IR) for the study area varies between 0.38 and 2.20 cm/min with an average rate of 1.16 cm/min. The initial IR among all blocks was found to be high but decreased gradually with each successive reading. Moreover, the land use under forest cumulative IR was more than the cumulative IR for urban and grassland. Eight blocks (33.3%) have an IR more than the average infiltration of the area which is good for storing the water in the aquifer and suggested constructing a recharge structure. Further investigation revealed a small IR in the inundated area, because of the maximum soil water table. The ready-to-use map showing the IR for the district is prepared which could be used by any decision-taking during the high or low rainfall, understanding the hydrological process, development of any reference guide for farmers for increasing the agriculture productivity and soil-water management.


1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 885 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Incerti ◽  
PWG Sale ◽  
GJ O'Leary

Two experiments were conducted at the Mallee Research Station, Walpeup, between 1985 and 1989 to determine whether increases in wheat yield that occur after long fallows result from improvements in the supply and use of additional soil water conserved during the fallow. Although long fallows increased the amount of water stored in the soil at sowing (average 22 mm) and the yield of wheat (0.26 to 1.37 t/ha) in the first experiment, the results suggest no causal relationship between these increases. Improvements in wheat yield were attributed to increases in soil nitrogen availability and to control of cereal root diseases rather than to any increase in soil water conservation. This was confirmed in the second experiment, which was managed to ensure that nitrogen supply and cereal root diseases were not limiting crop production. Increases in soil water content at sowing resulting from long fallows did not result in higher wheat yields. This study suggests that long fallows cannot be justified on the basis of this increased soil water storage, as much of the additional soil water accumulated during the fallow period is stored in the lower part of the rootzone. Movement of this water below the rootzone during the growing season appears to be the main reason for the additional water stored at sowing, with long fallows failing to increase wheat growth and yield.


2014 ◽  
Vol 641-642 ◽  
pp. 183-186
Author(s):  
Shu Yan ◽  
Juan Gao ◽  
Zhong Yuan Zhang ◽  
Feng Lin Zuo ◽  
Wei Hua Zhang

In order to relieve water shortage, many countries develop water-saving industries and increase water use rate of irrigation. The research on soil water infiltration has important effect on infiltration and runoff, as well as for irrigation. The study carried out in Liangping district of Chongqing by using double ring infiltration method and exploring the reasonable infiltration model in the study area. The relationship of initial soil moisture and irrigation coefficient was studied as well. The results showed that: the Kostiakov empirical formula could simulate the process of soil water infiltration properly. The soil infiltration rate of Liangping is 0.0320cm/min in the selected location.


2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 507-517
Author(s):  
Hao Chen

Abstract In semi-humid Loess Plateau of northern China, water is the limiting factor for rain-fed crop yields. In this region, long-term traditional ploughing with straw removal has resulted in poor soil structure, water conservation and crop yield. Controlled traffic, combined with no-till and straw cover has been proposed to improve soil water conservation and crop yield. From 1999 to 2007, a field experiment on winter wheat was conducted in the dryland area of Loess Plateau of northern China, to investigate the effects of traffic and tillage on soil water conservation and crop yield. The field experiment was conducted using two controlled traffic treatments, no tillage with residue cover and no compaction (NTCN), shallow tillage with residue cover and no compaction (STCN) and one conventional tillage treatment (CK). Results showed that controlled traffic system reduced soil compaction in the top soil layer, increased soil water infiltration. The benefit on soil water infiltration translated into more soil conservation (16.1%) in 0-100 cm soil layer in fellow period, and achieved higher soil water availability at planting (16.5%), with less yearly variation. Consequently, controlled traffic system increased wheat yield by 12.6% and improved water use efficiency by 5.2%, both with less yearly variation, compared with conventional tillage. Within controlled traffic treatments, no tillage treatment NTCN showed better overall performance. In conclusion, controlled traffic combined with no-tillage and straw cover has higher performance on conserving water, improving yield and water use efficiency. It is a valuable system for soil and water conservation for the sustainable development of agriculture in dryland China.


Soil Research ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Hamza ◽  
S. S. Al-Adawi ◽  
K. A. Al-Hinai

Reducing soil compaction is now an important issue in agriculture due to intensive use of farm machinery in different farm operations. This experiment was designed to study the influence of combinations of external load and soil water on soil compaction. Four soil water levels were combined with four external loads as follows: soil water—air-dry, 50% of field capacity, field capacity, and saturation; external load using different-sized tractors—no load (0 kg), small tractor (2638 kg), medium tractor (3912 kg), and large tractor (6964 kg). Soil bulk density, soil strength, and soil water infiltration rate were measured at 0–100, 100–200, and 200–300 mm soil depths. The 16 treatments were set up in a randomised block design with three replications. Combined increases in soil water and external load increased soil compaction, as indicated by increasing soil bulk density and soil strength and decreasing soil water infiltration rate. There was no significant interaction between soil water and external load for bulk density at all soil depths, but the interaction was significant for soil strength and infiltration rates at all soil depths. The ratio between the weight of the external load and the surface area of contact between the external load and the ground was important in determining the degree of surface soil compaction. Least compaction was produced by the medium tractor because it had the highest tyre/ground surface area contact. In general, the effects of soil water and external load on increasing soil bulk density and soil strength were greater in the topsoil than the subsoil.


2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 1598-1605
Author(s):  
Hongxiang Fan ◽  
Ligang Xu ◽  
Xiaolong Wang ◽  
Yuexia Wu ◽  
Jiahu Jiang

Abstract Runoff generation is a complex meteorological-hydrological process influenced by many factors. We analyzed the effects of changes in precipitation and soil water storage (SWS) on runoff generation using the path-analysis method (PAM) in Xinjiang River Basin (XJRB). By using multiple trend analysis we found that precipitation, SWS and runoff in XJRB fluctuated throughout the past 30 years with no monotonic trends at both annual and seasonal scales. Further analysis demonstrated that runoff is more sensitive to precipitation than to SWS in XJRB. PAM results showed that direct influence of precipitation on runoff was seven times as large as that of SWS. Moreover, the indirect influence of precipitation on runoff through SWS accounts for 11–31% of the total influence of precipitation on runoff. This information will improve the description of precipitation and runoff relationship as well as the planning and management of water resources.


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