DOCSLIB.ORG

Redalyc.CHANGES in SOIL AGGREGATE STABILITY AND

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Redalyc.CHANGES in SOIL AGGREGATE STABILITY AND Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems E-ISSN: 1870-0462 [email protected] Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán México Lawal, H.M.; Ogunwole, J.O.; Uyovbisere, E.O. CHANGES IN SOIL AGGREGATE STABILITY AND CARBON SEQUESTRATION MEDIATED BY LAND USE PRACTICES IN A DEGRADED DRY SAVANNA ALFISOL Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, vol. 10, núm. 3, septiembre-diciembre, 2009, pp. 423-429 Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán Mérida, Yucatán, México Available in: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=93912996010 How to cite Complete issue Scientific Information System More information about this article Network of Scientific Journals from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal Journal's homepage in redalyc.org Non-profit academic project, developed under the open access initiative Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 10 (2009): 423 - 429 CHANGES IN SOIL AGGREGATE STABILITY AND CARBON SEQUESTRATION MEDIATED BY LAND USE PRACTICES IN A DEGRADED DRY SAVANNA ALFISOL Tropical and [CAMBIOS EN LA ESTABILIDAD DEL SUELO Y SECUESTRO DE CARBONO MEDIADO POR LAS PRÁCTICAS DE USO DE SUELO EN UN Subtropical ALFISOL DE SABANA SECA DEGRADADA] H.M. Lawal, J.O. Ogunwole* and E.O. Uyovbisere Agroecosystems Department of Soil Science,Faculty of Agriculture, Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria – Nigeria. Email: [email protected] *Corresponding author SUMMARY RESUMEN Effects of land use practices on aggregate stability and Se investigaron los efectos de las prácticas de uso del fractions of soil organic carbon were investigated suelo en la estabilidad de los agregados del suelo y se using the physical fractionation procedure. Soils were analizaron fracciones del carbono orgánico del uselo sampled at three depths (0-5; 5-15 and 15-25cm) under empleando procedimiento de fraccionamiento físico. arable cropping, native vegetation and forest. These Se muestreo el suelo a tres profundidades (0-5, 5-15 y soils were separated into aggregates to calculate mean 15-25 cm) en suelo cultivado, con vegetación nativa y weight diameter (MWD) and aggregate associated en bosque. Los suelos fueron separados en agregados carbon. Results showed that MWD increased in soils para calcular el diámetro medio (MWD) y carbono under forest by 61.4% relative to the soils under arable asociado al agregado. Los resultados mostraron que el cropping practice. The macroaggregate fraction in the MWD incrementó 61.4% en suelo del bosque en forested soils was 76.2% more than those soils under relación al suelo de áreas de cultivo. La fracción de arable cropping. Chemically protected carbon was macroagregados en los suelos de bosque fue 76.2% higher by 39% in soil under arable cropping compared mayor que los suelos del área de cultivo. Carbono to forested soils. Forest plantations therefore, may químicamente protegido fue mayor (39%) en suelos have potential to increase the structural stability of cultivados en comparación con los suelos de bosque. soils and their resistance to soil erosion. Arable Se que concluye que los plantaciones forestales tienen cropping seems to favor increasing carbon el potencial de incrementar la estabilidad estructural de sequestration relative to native vegetation and los suelos y su resistencia a la erosión. Las áreas de Eucalyptus forested soils. cultivo parecen favorecer el secuestro de carbono en relación a la vegetación nativa y los suelos de bosque Keywords: Land use; carbon sequestration; forest; de Eucalipto. Eucalyptus; native vegetation; arable cropping. Palabras clave: Uso del suelo; secuestro de carbon; bosque; Eucalipto; vegetación nativa; cultivos. INTRODUCTION al. 2002). Loss of SOM will therefore reduce soil fertility, degrade soil structure and water holding The conservation and proper management of soil capacity and ultimately, leads to land degradation. organic matter (SOM) is essential to soil functions in any ecosystem. This is because SOM provides Land degradation and the effects of SOM loss are services which can be described both as ‘soil fertility’ particularly critical in arid, semi arid and partially dry and ‘environmental’ functions from the perspective of sub humid areas of the tropical regions, where the risk farmers and the society respectively (Feller et al. of desertification is great. Reduction in precipitation 2001a). Appropriate management of SOM ensures and increase in temperature associated with global soil fertility and minimizes agricultural impact on the warming further undermine the integrity of these environment through carbon sequestration, erosion ecosystems. One effect of global warming will be to control and preservations of soil biodiversity (Six et accelerate SOM decomposition thereby, releasing 423 Lawal et al., 2009 carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere, which will and carbon storage in a natural, (af)forested and further enhance the warming trend (Jenkinson et al. cultivated ecosystems. 1991). Carbon exchange between the terrestrial biosphere and the atmosphere is therefore, one key MATERIAL AND METHODS process that needs to be assessed in the context of the Kyoto protocol and post-Kyoto agreements. Study site Land use and land use changes are widely recognized This comparative study was done at the Afaka Forest as key drivers of the global carbon dynamics. Good Reserve of Kaduna (latitude 10o 33’ to 10o 40’N and and appropriate land use practices have the ability to longitude 07o 15’E), Northern Guinea Savanna zone substantially increase potential carbon sink in soils. of Nigeria. The climate of the study area is a sub- In the past, farmers in dryland ecologies (particularly, humid tropical, with a long-term mean annual in West Africa) have succeeded in maintaining a level precipitation of 1270mm, of which 90% is received of agro-ecological equilibrium through the cropping during May to October. Mean monthly minimum and pattern and rotational agriculture, practiced with a 5- maximum temperature ranges from 20 and 12oC in 10 year fallow (Ganry et al. 2001). The equilibrium December and to 35 and 28oC in April, respectively. was maintained with the traditional agroforestry The topography is almost plain (nearly leveled) with systems practiced. However, increased radiative <2% slope. The soil type is Alfisols; Plinthustalfs, forces arising from anthropogenic emission of gases sandy loam and it is relatively eroded with patches of to the atmosphere, along with population increases protruding reddish B-horizon exposed to the surface. and reduced fallow periods upset the balance. Land The Forest Reserve covers an area of 700 ha planted use changes, such as afforestation, reforestation, to various forest tree species. In the area calved out as grazing and conversion of natural to managed research plot within the forest reserve, Eucalyptus ecosystem therefore, act to alter SOM, by both build camadulensis was planted on a 2.2 ha land area and; up and decomposition. adjacent to this plot is an expanse of land under natural fallow (Native vegetation) of predominantly, Correct management and restoration of degraded soils Andropogon gayanus interspaced by Isoberlinia doka. is necessary in order to reverse the negative effects These two sites have been maintained since 1987 and to protect ecosystems. Afforestation of degraded (i.e., 19 years prior to sampling). A portion of the lands can potentially enhance carbon sequestration land under native vegetation was put under (Johnson, 1992). Forest in the United States has been continuous cultivation since 1992 using traditional reported to be responsible for much of the North (manual) tillage for cropping maize, sorghum and America’s carbon sink (Woodbury et al. 2007). cowpea. These three land use practices (forested, Studies of soil ecosystems under forest in temperate native vegetation and arable cropping) form the regions have demonstrated the substantial increase treatments for the study. noticeable in total organic carbon and intra-aggregate particulate organic carbon fraction relative to the Field sampling agricultural ecosystems (Six et al. 2002). The research plot in the forest reserve was designed at There exist complex interactions between soil organic the onset, to minimize the impact of spatial carbon storage and aggregate stability (Feller, et al. heterogeneity in field soils in order to enhance the 2001b). Aggregation is one significant pedospheric efficiency of the analysis of variance. A stratified process that facilitates carbon sequestration in soil. random sampling (Petersen and Calvin, 1986) that This is made possible through the formation of stable divides the sampling plot into three subdivisions (or organo-mineral complexes. Soil organic carbon, on replicates) was therefore, adopted to sample soils. At the other hand, can encapsulate within stable each sampling location, bulk soils were collected at aggregate thereby offering protection against three depths; 0-5cm, 5-15cm and 15-25cm using a microbial processes and enzymatic reaction (Lal, et traditional hoe and a bucket auger. For each replicate al. 2003; Holeplass et al. 2004). Although a number treatment, soils were sampled from four randomly of previous studies has dealt with aggregate stability selected sites and bulked to produce a composite under No-tillage (Six et al. 2004; Denef et al. 2007) sample. This is to increase the precision of estimate and grazing management (Conant et al. 2002; over the entire population, as soils of each replicate Goberna et al. 2006), relatively few studies have were relatively in a homogeneous domain. Once in examined aggregation
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Effects of Soil Aggregate Stability on Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Article Effects of Soil Aggregate Stability on Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen under Land Use Change in an Erodible Region in Southwest China Man Liu 1, Guilin Han 1,* and Qian Zhang 2 1 Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China; [email protected] 2 School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +86-10-82323536 Received: 1 September 2019; Accepted: 8 October 2019; Published: 10 October 2019 Abstract: Soil aggregate stability can indicate soil quality, and affects soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil organic nitrogen (SON) sequestration. However, for erodible soils, the effects of soil aggregate stability on SOC and SON under land use change are not well known. In this study, soil aggregate distribution, SOC and SON content, soil aggregate stability, and soil erodibility were determined in the soils at different depths along the stages following agricultural abandonment, including cropland, abandoned cropland, and native vegetation land in an erodible region of Southwest China. Soil aggregation, soil aggregate stability, and SOC and SON content in the 0–20 cm depth soils increased after agricultural abandonment, but soil texture and soil erodibility were not affected by land use change. Soil erodibility remained in a low level when SOC contents were over 20 g kg 1, and it · − significantly increased with the loss of soil organic matter (SOM). The SOC and SON contents increased with soil aggregate stability. This study suggests that rapidly recovered soil aggregate stability after agricultural abandonment promotes SOM sequestration, whereas sufficient SOM can effectively maintain soil quality in karst ecological restoration.
    [Show full text]
  • UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE Evaluating The
    UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE Evaluating the Potential of Biochars and Composts as Organic Amendments to Remediate a Saline-Sodic Soil Leached with Reclaimed Water A Dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Soil and Water Sciences by Vijaya Satya Nagendra Chaganti March 2014 Dissertation Committee: Dr. David M. Crohn, Chairperson Dr. David E. Crowley Dr. Jiri Simunek Copyright by Vijaya Satya Nagendra Chaganti 2014 The Dissertation of Vijaya Satya Nagendra Chaganti is approved: Committee Chairperson University of California, Riverside ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to sincerely acknowledge my advisor, Dr. David Crohn for his enduring belief in me and his guidance and support throughout my dissertation research. I would also like to sincerely thank my other dissertation committee members, Dr. David Crowley and Dr. Jiri Simunek for providing their valuable suggestions all along my research. I am grateful to Woody Smith and David Lyons who were kind enough to process and analyze huge number of samples on ICP, even during their busy times. I am thankful to Dr. Frederick Ernst for his suggestions about various experimental setups including building columns for leaching experiments. I am grateful to Christopher Quach, Vivian Wang, Ann Yang for their volunteer help in the lab for soil sampling and analyses. Finally, I would like to specially thank my friend Namratha Reddy for her inspirational support during my tough times. This research was funded by graduate division dissertation research grant and other scholarships/fellowships from Dept. of Environmental Sciences and College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at UCR.
    [Show full text]
  • Soil Aggregate Analysis
    Soil Quality Demonstrations and Procedures Dr. Kris Nichols [email protected] USDA-ARS-Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory Mandan, ND January, 2011 K.A. Nichols Contents Activities ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1-23 Soil as a Precious Resource 1 Soil Clod and Scum Test 2 Sponge and Bucket - Soil Water Movement 4 Rainfall Simulator - Soil Erosion 6 Water infiltration, Water Holding Capacity and Nitrate Leaching 9 Soil Macroaggregate Scale Model 12 Energy Soil Model 14 Soil Aggregate Stability Analysis - Method I 15 Part 1: Dry sieving to collect soil aggregates 15 Part 2: Wet Sieving to measure water stable aggregation (WSA) 17 Soil Aggregates Stability Analysis - Method II 21 Winogradsky Column - Soil Biology 24 Soil Structure - Dirt Cake 28 Soil Aggregates - Edible Stability 30 References ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 31-32 Websites 31 Journal Articles 32 Disclaimer The coalition of these procedures and some of the procedures themselves come from work sponsored by the United States Government. While these procedures are believed to contain correct information, neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, expressd or implied, or assumes any legal or financial responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, lack of defect, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by its trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. Some of the procedures come from other sources which have been referenced and have been used successfully by Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Fertilization and Tree Species Influence on Stable Aggregates In
    Article Fertilization and Tree Species Influence on Stable Aggregates in Forest Soil Jacob E. Kemner 1, Mary Beth Adams 2, Louis M. McDonald 3 , William T. Peterjohn 4 and Charlene N. Kelly 1,* 1 Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, Davis College, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA; [email protected] 2 Northern Research Station, US Forest Service, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA; [email protected] 3 Division of Plant and Soil Sciences, Davis College, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA; [email protected] 4 Department of Biology, Eberly College, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: Background and objectives: aggregation and structure play key roles in the water-holding capacity and stability of soils and are important for the physical protection and storage of soil carbon (C). Forest soils are an important sink of ecosystem C, though the capacity to store C may be disrupted by the elevated atmospheric deposition of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) compounds by dispersion of soil aggregates via acidification or altered microbial activity. Furthermore, dominant tree species and the lability of litter they produce can influence aggregation processes. Materials and methods: we measured water-stable aggregate size distribution and aggregate-associated organic matter (OM) content in soils from two watersheds and beneath four hardwood species at the USDA Forest Service Fernow Experimental Forest in West Virginia, USA, where one watershed has received (NH4)2SO4 fertilizer since 1989 and one is a reference/control of similar stand age. Bulk soil OM, pH, and permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC) were also measured.
    [Show full text]
  • Role of Arthropods in Maintaining Soil Fertility
    Agriculture 2013, 3, 629-659; doi:10.3390/agriculture3040629 OPEN ACCESS agriculture ISSN 2077-0472 www.mdpi.com/journal/agriculture Review Role of Arthropods in Maintaining Soil Fertility Thomas W. Culliney Plant Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Laboratory, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Center for Plant Health Science and Technology, USDA-APHIS, 1730 Varsity Drive, Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA; E-Mail: [email protected]; Tel.: +1-919-855-7506; Fax: +1-919-855-7595 Received: 6 August 2013; in revised form: 31 August 2013 / Accepted: 3 September 2013 / Published: 25 September 2013 Abstract: In terms of species richness, arthropods may represent as much as 85% of the soil fauna. They comprise a large proportion of the meso- and macrofauna of the soil. Within the litter/soil system, five groups are chiefly represented: Isopoda, Myriapoda, Insecta, Acari, and Collembola, the latter two being by far the most abundant and diverse. Arthropods function on two of the three broad levels of organization of the soil food web: they are plant litter transformers or ecosystem engineers. Litter transformers fragment, or comminute, and humidify ingested plant debris, which is deposited in feces for further decomposition by micro-organisms, and foster the growth and dispersal of microbial populations. Large quantities of annual litter input may be processed (e.g., up to 60% by termites). The comminuted plant matter in feces presents an increased surface area to attack by micro-organisms, which, through the process of mineralization, convert its organic nutrients into simpler, inorganic compounds available to plants. Ecosystem engineers alter soil structure, mineral and organic matter composition, and hydrology.
    [Show full text]
  • Earthworms, Soil-Aggregates and Organic Matter Decomposition in Agro-Ecosytems in the Netherlands
    1 Earthworms, soil-aggregates and organic matter decomposition in agro-ecosytems in The Netherlands 0000 0611 3084 , ^ c_ BIBLIOTHEK^ LANDBOUWüXr.TrcsiTETT WAG CNT;v& : M Promotoren: dr. N. van Breemen Hoogleraar in de Bodemvorming en Ecopedologie dr. L. Brussaard Hoogleraar in de Bodembiologie 1 AM/082O', '8^ Joke Carola Yvonne Marinissen Earthworms, soil-aggregates and organic matter decomposition in agro-ecosytems in The Netherlands Proefschrift ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor in de landbouw- en milieuwetenschappen op gezag van de rector magnificus, dr. C.M. Karssen, in het openbaar te verdedigen op maandag 20 februari 1995 des namiddags te vier uur in de Aula van de Landbouwuniversiteit te Wageningen isn geise r CIP-DATA KONINKLIJKE BIBLIOTHEEK, DEN HAAG Marinissen, Joke Carola Yvonne Earthworms, soil-aggregates and organic matter decomposition in agro-ecosytems in The Netherlands / Joke Carola Yvonne Marinissen. - [S.l. :s.n.] Thesis Lndbouw Universiteit Wageningen. -With réf. - With summary in Dutch ISBN 90-5485-356-5 Subject headings: earthworms / organic matter decomposition / agro-ecosystems ; The Netherlands ABSTRACT The relationships between earthworm populations, soil aggregate stability and soil organic matter dynamics were studied at an experimental farm in The Netherlands. Arable land ingenera l isno t favourable for earthworm growth. In the Lovinkhoeve fields under conventional management earthworm populations were brought to the verge of extinction in a few years. Main causes are soil fumigation against nematodes and unfavourable food conditions. Organic matter inputs andN-content s ofth e organic materials are important aspects of food availability of earthworms, but also bacterial and protozoan biomass play a role.
    [Show full text]
  • Sludge Amendment Accelerating Reclamation Process of Reconstructed Mining Substrates Dan Li1, Ningning Yin1,2, Ruiwei Xu3, Liping Wang1,4*, Zhen Zhang5 & Kang Li1
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Sludge amendment accelerating reclamation process of reconstructed mining substrates Dan Li1, Ningning Yin1,2, Ruiwei Xu3, Liping Wang1,4*, Zhen Zhang5 & Kang Li1 We constructed a mining soil restoration system combining plant, complex substrate and microbe. Sludge was added to reconstructed mine substrates (RMS) to accelerate the reclamation process. The efect of sludge on plant growth, microbial activity, soil aggregate stability, and aggregation- associated soil characteristics was monitored during 10 years of reclamation. Results show that the height and total biomass of ryegrass increases with reclamation time. Sludge amendment increases the aggregate binding agent content and soil aggregate stability. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and light-fraction SOC (LFOC) in the RMS increase by 151% and 247% compared with those of the control, respectively. A similar trend was observed for the glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP). Stable soil aggregate indexes increase until the seventh year. In short, the variables of RMS determined after 3–7 years insignifcantly difer from those of the untreated sample in the tenth-year. Furthermore, signifcant positive correlations between the GRSP and SOC and GRSP and soil structure-related variables were observed in RMS. Biological stimulation of the SOC and GRSP accelerates the recovery of the soil structure and ecosystem function. Consequently, the plant–complex substrate–microbe ecological restoration system can be used as an efective tool in early mining soil reclamation. Te ecological restoration of coal mining areas is strongly limited by soil nutrient defciencies, unstable soil structures, and slow growth rates of the vegetation. Soil reconstruction is the core component of land reclamation, and thus the quality of reconstructed soil directly determines the quality of land reclamation 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Effects of Various Organic Materials on Soil Aggregate Stability and Soil Microbiological Properties on the Loess Plateau of China
    Vol. 59, 2013, No. 4: 162–168 Plant Soil Environ. Effects of various organic materials on soil aggregate stability and soil microbiological properties on the Loess Plateau of China F. Wang1, Y.A. Tong1, J.S. Zhang1, P.C. Gao1, J.N. Coffie2 1College of Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, P.R. China 2Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, Maryland, USA ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted to examine the influence of various organic materials on soil aggregate stability and soil microbiological properties on the Loess Plateau of China. The study involved seven treatments: no fertil- izer (CK); inorganic N, P, K fertilizer (NPK); low amount of maize stalks plus NPK (LSNPK); medium amount of maize stalks plus NPK (MSNPK); high amount of maize stalks plus NPK (HSNPK); maize stalk compost plus NPK (CNPK); cattle manure plus NPK (MNPK). The organic fertilizer treatments improved soil aggregate stability and soil microbiological properties compared with CK and NPK treatments. Compared with the NPK treatment, soil treated with LSNPK had a significant increase of 27.1% in 5–3 mm dry aggregates. The > 5 mm water stable ag- gregates treated with CNPK increased by 6.5% compared to the NPK. Soil microbial biomass C and N and urease activity were significantly increased in CNPK by 42.0, 54.6 and 19.8%, respectively. The study indicated that the variation trend in the amount of soil aggregate (0.5–5 mm) for organic fertilizer treatments was similar to the con- tent of soil microbial carbon and nitrogen and soil enzyme activity.
    [Show full text]
  • Soil Aggregate Stability
    The information in this fact sheet is general in advice and has been obtained from the Victorian Resources Online website, Department of Primary Industries Victoria. http://vro.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/soilhealth _home © State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries 2012 Reproduced with permission. Soil Fact Sheet 4 Soil Aggregate Stability Well aggregated (pedal) soil is important. It has pores between peds and within the ped. Large pores allow for the exchange of oxygen and other gases with the atmosphere, while small pores hold plant available water and dissolved nutrients. The stability of peds in water depends on several interacting parameters: Soil texture - how much clay, silt or sand is present in any given soil. The more clay present in the soil, the more likely the soil is to form peds (clays carry an electric charge and can stick together or repel). However, the clay is also the part of the soil that disperses if ped stability is poor. Clay mineralogy - the type of clay present in a soil. Different clays produce different types of peds and many need to be managed with care due to the susceptibility to disperse when wet. Binding agents - iron and silica help to stick the clay particles together and prevent them from dispersing. Organic matter - plays a very important role in bonding peds together (particularly freshly decaying organic matter) and improving pedal stability. Sodium - can cause very poor pedal stability. The mechanics of aggregate breakdown When a fragment of soil is immersed in fresh water, there are four things that can happen: 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Tillage and Compaction Impact on Soil Aggregate Associated Properties
    Tillage and Compaction Impact On Soil Aggregate Associated Properties Kenan Barik, Ataturk University, Turkey and Randall Reeder, Alan Sundermeier, Yogi Raut, Rafiq Islam, Stacey Reno, and Jim Hoorman Ohio State University, Ohio Kenan Alan Jim Rafiq Heavy farm machinery compacts the soil, both on tilled ground and no-tilled ground. Plowing and subsoiling degrade soil structure by dispersing macro-aggregates. Tillage breaks up roots, fungal hyphae and other important living organisms. No-Till minimizes soil erosion, benefits soil biology, and increases soil aggregate stability. Data on soil physical properties is useful to evaluate a soil. Conclusions Compaction from a big grain cart (18 Mg/axle) affected soil aggregate properties on both continuous no-till and annually subsoiled plots. No-Till, to some extent, can improve the aggregate properties of soil. Compaction research since 1988 Materials and Methods Field experiment was established on Hoytville clay loam in 3 x 2 factorial arrangement of RCB design in Wood County, northwest Ohio. Materials and Methods The factors were: 1) Compaction: control, 9 and 18 Mg/axle loads 2) Tillage: no-till and annual tillage (subsoiling) Compaction with a 600-bu grain cart (full = 18 Mg/axle; half full = 9 Mg/axle) Results and Discussion Compaction caused a significant decrease in: •Concentration of aggregates 1-2 mm •Concentration of >2 mm, and •Stability of macro- and micro-aggregate, MWD, GMD, and ratio of macro- and micro- aggregates. Compaction increased concentration of smaller aggregates <0.053
    [Show full text]
  • Organic Fertilization Improves Soil Aggregation Through Increases In
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Organic fertilization improves soil aggregation through increases in abundance of eubacteria and products of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Veronika Řezáčová 1*, Alena Czakó1, Martin Stehlík1, Markéta Mayerová1, Tomáš Šimon1, Michaela Smatanová2 & Mikuláš Madaras1 An important goal of sustainable agriculture is to maintain soil quality. Soil aggregation, which can serve as a measure of soil quality, plays an important role in maintaining soil structure, fertility, and stability. The process of soil aggregation can be afected through impacts on biotic and abiotic factors. Here, we tested whether soil management involving application of organic and mineral fertilizers could signifcantly improve soil aggregation and if variation among diferently fertilized soils could be specifcally attributed to a particular biotic and/or abiotic soil parameter. In a feld experiment within Central Europe, we assessed stability of 1–2 mm soil aggregates together with other parameters of soil samples from diferently fertilized soils. Application of compost and digestates increased stability of soil aggregates. Most of the variation in soil aggregation caused by diferent fertilizers was associated with soil organic carbon lability, occurrence of aromatic functional groups, and variations in abundance of eubacteria, total glomalins, concentrations of total S, N, C, and hot water extractable C. In summary, we have shown that application of compost and digestates improves stability of soil aggregates and that this is accompanied by increased soil fertility, decomposition resistance, and abundance of total glomalins and eubacteria. These probably play signifcant roles in increasing stability of soil aggregates. Te Earth’s soils provide many critical functions and services. Soil is the largest terrestrial carbon sink 1, for example, and it allows the production of human food through the growth of plants upon and within it.
    [Show full text]
  • Aggregate Stability in Organically and Conventionally Farmed Soils
    SoilUse and Management Soil Use and Management, September 2009, 25, 284–292 doi: 10.1111/j.1475-2743.2009.00223.x Aggregate stability in organically and conventionally farmed soils N. D. Williams1 &E.L.Petticrew2 1Grontmij Ltd, Grove House, Manor Gate, Leeds LS7 4DN, UK, and 2Geography Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George V2N 4Z2, BC, Canada Abstract A range of factors that influence aggregate stability and soil erodibility were analysed for soils sampled from land managed under contrasting agricultural methods. These included: an organic farm; a con- ventional farm that incorporated organic fertilizers; a conventional farm that only used inorganic fertilizers; and a non-cultivated control site. The stability of aggregates that compose the bulk soil structure (macroaggregates), and aggregates that were mobilized from the soil by simulated rainfall and surface runoff (microaggregates), were evaluated in terms of the soil fragmentation fractal dimen- sion, organic carbon content and ATP (adenosine 5¢-triphosphate; a signature of live biomass) concen- tration. The results were used to interpret the existing physical condition of the soils, the (microbial) processes that contribute to that physical structure, and how both pedogenic processes and existing soil quality are influenced by agricultural methods. The soils sampled for this study were demonstrated to be multi-fractal in nature: soils with greater bulk density were composed of more stable macro- aggregates, which, in turn, fragmented into larger, more stable micro-aggregates, rendering the entire soil structure less erodible. Soil erodibility and sustainable soil management should therefore be approached at multiple scales. The primary control on both macro- and micro-aggregate stability was determined to be the organic matter input to the soil, as represented by measurements of organic car- bon and ATP.
    [Show full text]