Temporal changes of soil physical and hydraulic properties in strawberry fields

Even over short time intervals, soil properties are subject to variation, especially in managed soils. The objective of this study was to assess the temporal changes of soil physical and hydraulic properties in strawberry fields cultivated under surface drip fertigation in Turuçu, Brazil. Intact core samples were collected from the near surface soil layer of seedbeds to determine the total porosity (TP), macroporosity (MA), matrix porosity, bulk density (BD), available water capacity (AWC), field capacity, wilting point and Dexter’s S index. Aggregate samples were collected from the arable layer to determine the aggregate size distribution and aggregate mean weight diameter. All samples were collected from 15 strawberry fields and at four different times during the 2007–2008 strawberry growing cycle. Although soil pore‐solid relations are expected to adjust soon after seedbed construction, their variation was only evident after >13 weeks. Even though values of TP and MA decreased with time, and those of BD increased near the end of the growing cycle, all the soils maintained their capacity to support root activity as indicated by critical values of Dexter’s index (S > 0.03). The amount of relatively large aggregates (9.51–2.00 mm) and AWC increased towards the end of the strawberry cultivation cycle. With changes in soil structure improving soil physical quality, strawberry development benefitted. We showed that if farmers gradually increase the amount of water through fertigation to a maximum value occurring at the end of crop cycle instead of applying water at a constant rate, water and energy use efficiency in agriculture would improve.     

Using Static and Dynamic Indicators to Evaluate Soil Physical Quality in a Sicilian Area

Both capacitive indicators derived from the water retention curve and dynamic measurements of the flow‐weighted mean pore radius, R₀, were used to assess the soil physical quality of two agricultural areas (cropland and olive orchard) and two natural areas (grassland and managed woodlot plantation) potentially subject to soil degradation. The overall idea of the study was to investigate whether a dynamic indicator quantitatively derived from hydraulic conductivity measurements could be used to supplement the traditionally applied capacitive indicators retrieved from water retention measurements. According to the available criteria, only the surface layer of the cropland site showed optimal soil physical quality. In the grassland and woodlot sites, the physical quality was deteriorated also as a consequence of compaction because of grazing. Overall, the physical quality was better in tilled than nontilled soils. The optimal soil in terms of capacitive indicators had hydraulic conductivity close to saturation that was intermediate among the different land uses, and it remained 1·3–1·9 times higher than that observed in the natural sites even when the largest pores emptied. A depth effect on R₀ was observed only when larger macropores were activated. It was suggested that water transmission parameters are more affected by changes in large pore domain. The plant available water content and Dexter's S‐index showed inverse statistically significant regressions with R₀. The empirical relationships were physically convincing given that, at increasing R₀, the contribution of macropores increases, water is transmitted faster below the root zone and the soil's ability to store water is reduced. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

晋西黄土区长期人工林恢复对土壤水分和养分性质的影响

黄土高原地区是我国水土流失和环境问题严重的地区之一,人工植被恢复可以有效改善土壤性质,提高土壤质量,明确长期人工植被恢复后土壤水分和养分性质的响应差异,有利于进一步有效改善生态环境。选取晋西黄土区自然恢复的次生林地、人工刺槐林地、人工油松林地3种典型植被恢复类型为研究对象,通过测定土壤物理性质以及有机碳、氮磷钾元素含量等土壤养分,对比分析长期不同人工林恢复条件下的差异。结果表明:(1)次生林地、刺槐林地和油松林地在0-20 cm浅层土壤的容重分别1.15,1.04,1.06 g/cm³,次生林地的容重最大,土壤容重随着土层深度的增加而增大;(2)次生林地在浅层的土壤水分状况优于刺槐林地和油松林地,土壤水分消耗期(生长季开始前)过渡到积累期(生长期开始)时,次生林土壤水分动态变化更剧烈;(3)次生林地土壤碳储量较高,油松林地土壤氮、磷储量较高。3种林地土壤养分垂直变化差异显著,且均具有明显的表聚性,有机碳、全氮、全磷、速效氮和速效钾含量均随着土层深度的增加而减少,而速效磷含量随着土层深度的变化表现为先增大再减小。以水养条件为依据,建议在植被恢复过程中多以保育次生林为主来达到较好的水碳储量等生态效益,有利于优化晋西黄土区的林分管理,促进植被恢复和生态建设。     

Improvement in physical quality of a Sahelian Arenosol and implications on millet yield

Poor soil fertility remains a threat to crop production and livelihoods in the Sahel. Understanding the impacts of proposed soil fertility management technologies on soil fertility status and millet yield is essential. We conducted a 2-year experiment to assess changes in selected physical properties of an Arenosol and their impacts on millet yields at Karabedji, Niger. Treatments consisted of four fertilizer rates applied on top and bottom farm types selected from a long-term experiment. Mixed-model analyses indicated considerable effects (P = 0.055) of fertilizer rates and farm types on soil structural stability being higher in the top farm than in the bottom farm type. Dexter’s soil physical quality index (S) varied significantly with soil depth. A significant correlation (R² = 0.24) was found between the aggregate stability index and S. Plant available water recorded in fertilizer-treated soil was higher than the control and higher on the top farm than in the bottom farm. Fertilizer rates and farm types influenced millet yields. Moreover, we obtained positive relationships between millet yield and soil aggregate stability, and plant available water, thereby elucidating the significant role played by soil physical properties in influencing crop yields. S can be a simple way for assessing the physical quality of Sahelian sandy soil.     

Effects of eucalyptus and coniferous plantations on soil properties in Gambo District,southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Plantation establishment using exotic species on disturbed cultivated and undisturbed primary forest soils is common in Gambo district, southern Ethiopia, but their effects on soil properties are not fully known. This study investigated the effects of plantation species on major soil physical and chemical properties and further evaluated the soil quality under different land uses. Soil samples in triplicates, collected under different plantations, were analysed for their physical and chemical properties. Based on these soil properties, an integrated soil quality index was determined. The soil bulk density (BD) varied from 0.72 to 0.80 cm^?3 in plantations established on primary forest land and natural forest and from 0.86 to 1.14 g cm^?3 in those plantations established on cultivated soils. Also significantly lower pore volume and infiltration rate were observed under plantations established on cultivated lands than those on primary forest soils. Higher water volume (% at ?1500 kPa matric potential) was obtained in soils under Juniperus procera and natural forest compared with that under the rest of the plantations investigated. The concentration of soil organic carbon (SOC) varied from 3.4 to 10.2%, N from 0.3 to 1.0% and Av.P from 1.5 to 7.0% in soils under plantations and natural forest. Exchangeable cations generally showed a decreasing trend with depth in all land use types with minor exceptions. The concentrations of exchangeable Ca⁺² varied from 6.5 to 22.7 cmol kg^?1 and were significantly higher under Juniperus procera than under Eucalyptus species. The soil under plantations on previously cultivated lands showed soil quality index below 0.5 (the baseline value), while those established on undisturbed forest soil were generally above that value. The study results suggest that selecting species such as Juniperus procera and prolonging the harvesting period would improve and maintain the quality of soil properties.     

A study of the effects of land use changes on soil physical properties and organic matter

Changes in land use can significantly affect soil properties. This study was conducted in the Taleghan watershed of Tehran Province, Iran, to determine the effects of land use changes on soil organic matter (SOM) and soil physical properties including soil aggregate stability, saturated hydraulic conductivity, infiltration rate, available water content, total porosity and bulk density (BD). In the present study, two sites contained adjacent land uses of natural pasture and dryland farming were selected. Soil samples were taken from depths of 0–15 and 15–30 cm for each land use. The results indicated that the conversion of natural pasture to dryland farming led to a significant decrease in SOM at 0–30 cm in the first and second sites (24.7 and 44.2%, respectively). In addition, a significant increase in BD was observed at a depth of 0–30 cm in dryland farm soils (1.39 g cm^–3) compared to pastureland (1.20 g cm^–3) at the first site. An increase in BD was also observed at the same depth of dryland farm soils (1.46 g cm^–3) and pastureland soils (1.42 g cm^–3) at the second site. In addition, total porosity, mean‐weight diameter of aggregates, saturated hydraulic conductivity, available water content and estimated final infiltration rate showed significant differences between land uses. The results showed that the conversion of natural pasture to dryland farming alters soil properties that negatively affect soil productivity and erodibility. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of wastewater application on saturated hydraulic conductivity of different soil textures

As metropolitan areas expand, the municipal and industrial uses of freshwater increase. Therefore, water resources for irrigation become limited and wastewater reuse for irrigation becomes a good alternative. For this purpose, the effects of suspended solids in wastewater on the soil physical properties, i.e., saturated hydraulic conductivity, K_s, have to be considered. The objectives of this research were to study the effects of applying freshwater and differently treated wastewater on K_s in the surface and subsurface layers of sandy‐loam, loam, and clay‐loam soils. This effect was studied by investigating the ratio of K_s for wastewater to K_s for fresh water in soil surface as K_r1 and in soil subsurface as K_r2. The results showed that the application of freshwater did not reduce the K_r1 considerably. However, the reduction in K_r1 mainly occurred in soil depth of 0–50 mm due to the application of wastewater. This effect is more pronounced in clay‐loam soil than in loam and sandy‐loam soils. It is concluded that application of wastewater with TSS (total suspended solid) of ≥ 40 mg L^–1 resulted in K_r1 reduction of >50% in different soil textures. However, the K_r2 reduction at soil depth of 100–300 mm is not considerable by application of wastewater for different soil textures. Further, it is concluded that less purified wastewater can be used in light‐texture soils resulting in less reduction in K_r1. Empirical models were developed for predicting the value of K_r1 as a function of amounts of wastewater application and TSS for different soil textures that can be used in management of wastewater application for preventing deterioration of soil hydraulic conductivity.     

Hydraulic energy indices reveal spatial dependence in a subtropical soil under maize crop in Southern Brazil

Soil physical quality (SPQ) assessment is an important part in the evaluation of soil use, management, and conservation. It can be assessed using several physical properties, hydraulic indices, and functions. Soils from tropical and temperate regions represent different physical behaviors, and the quantification of their physical properties is important to support soil evaluation and modelling. The objective of this study was to evaluate the SPQ in a subtropical field under maize crop cultivation according to its physical properties, hydraulic indices, and functions in an attempt to infer the spatial variability and to determine the behavior of soil physical structure across a spatial domain. Commonly used soil key physical variables, such as texture, bulk density, total porosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and organic carbon content, were measured in a regular grid with a soil sampling density of 30 points per hectare, covering an area of 0.5 ha. Saturated hydraulic conductivity varied strongly between subsamples and in the field, suggesting the heterogeneity of the soil structure regarding water drainage. The physical variables were combined with other indicators, which were based on the soil water retention curve and the pore size distribution (PSD) function. Correlation analysis was performed to verify the relationship between the measured and calculated variables, and some strong linear correlations were revealed, such as between aeration energy index and microporosity (r = 0.608) and water retention energy index with microporosity (r = 0.532) and with bulk density (r = 0.541). For most sampled locations, the shape and location parameters of PSD showed results outside of the optimum ranges, whereas the hydraulic energy indices and cumulative hydraulic energy functions presented values that were similar to those found for some tropical soils described in the literature. The spatial variability of these indices was described using semivariograms and kriged maps, indicating the variability of the SPQ in this field.     

Effects of short‐rotation Eucalyptus plantations on soil quality attributes in highly acidic soils of the central highlands of Ethiopia

In recent decades, conversion of agricultural land to short‐rotation (5–10 years) Eucalyptus plantations has become a common practice in the highlands of Ethiopia. Yet, we have a poor understanding of the effect of these land conversions on soil quality attributes under acidic soil conditions. Previous studies along the same line but based merely on physico‐chemical properties of soils were inconsistent and contradictory. We compared soil physical, chemical and biological properties under 5‐ and 10‐year‐old Eucalyptus plantations with adjacent grassland soils. Results revealed that soil bulk density of adjacent grassland was significantly smaller than in the two Eucalyptus plantations. Although land‐use change from grassland to short‐rotation Eucalyptus did not affect soil texture significantly, values of soil pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, calcium and cation exchange capacity (CEC) values in adjacent grassland were greater at both 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm depths compared with 5‐ and 10‐year‐old Eucalyptus plantations. Available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium and magnesium were not significantly affected under the three land‐use systems. Generally, no differences were observed in available phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium concentrations or in CEC between the two sampling depths (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm). The microbial biomass carbon and microbial biomass nitrogen recorded in 5‐ and 10‐year‐old Eucalyptus plantations were comparable but significantly smaller than in adjacent grasslands. Kinetics parameters calculated using a first‐order equation (C_t = C_o (1?e^?kt)) showed potentially mineralizable carbon (C_o) was significantly larger (P < 0.001) under grassland compared with 5‐ and 10‐year‐old Eucalyptus plantations. Conversion of grassland to 5‐year‐old and 10‐year‐old Eucalyptus reduced the values of C_o by 21 and 43%, respectively. However, soil physical and chemical properties were not adversely affected by age of Eucalyptus over a 5‐year period. It is concluded that Eucalyptus plantations degrade soil ecosystem functioning and environmental sustainability compared with grassland.     

Soil Quality Indicators in Relation to Land Use and Topography in a Small Catchment on the Loess Plateau of China

Better understanding of how the loess soils respond to topography and land use under catchment‐scale vegetation restoration is needed to enable science‐based land management interventions for the policy‐driven “Grain‐for‐Green” eco‐restoration program in the Loess Plateau of China. The objective of this study was to characterize the relationships of four selected soil quality indicators to land use under vegetation restoration and topography for a small catchment (0·58 km²) in the Loess Plateau. The major land uses established in the catchment are cropland, fallow (i.e., natural revegetation), grassland, and jujube orchard. The four soil quality indicators were soil organic carbon (SOC), soil total nitrogen (STN), soil total phosphorus (STP), and mean root zone soil water content during the wet season (MRZSWwet). SOC, STN, and MRZSWwet were significantly different (p < 0·05) for different land uses. Grassland showed the highest values for these three properties, whereas cropland had relatively low values for SOC and STN. Land use had no effect on STP, although the lowest value was observed in grassland. Spatial analysis showed that various relations between soil quality indicators and topography (slope and elevation) were observed. These relations were generally weak for most of them, and they varied with land uses. Further analyses indicated that land uses, slope, and elevation had significant effects on the relations between different soil quality indicators. The results here should provide useful information for the further development of “Grain‐for‐Green” program. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Role of Soil Organic Matter in Maintaining Sustainability of Cropping Systems

Soil organic matter (SOM) has long been recognized as an important indicator of soil productivity. The SOM refers to the organic fraction of the soil exclusive of undecayed plant and animal residues. It plays a crucial role in maintaining sustainability of cropping systems by improving soil physical (texture, structure, bulk density, and water-holding capacity), chemical (nutrient availability, cation exchange capacity, reduced aluminum toxicity, and allelopathy), and biological (nitrogen mineralization bacteria, dinitrogen fixation, mycorrhizae fungi, and microbial biomass) properties. The preservation of SOM is crucial to ensure long-term sustainability of agricultural ecosystems. Improvement/preservation of soil organic matter can be achieved by adopting appropriate soil and crop management practices. These practices include conservation tillage, crop rotation, use of organic manures, increasing cropping intensity, use of adequate rate of chemical fertilizers, incorporation of crop residues, liming acidic soils, and keeping land under pasture. Organic matter can adsorb heavy metals in the soils, which reduce toxicity of these metals to plants and reduce their escape to ground water. Similarly, SOM also adsorbs herbicides, which may inhibit contamination of surface and ground water. Furthermore, SOM also functions as a sink to organic carbon and mitigates carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas escape to the environment. Globally, soil organic matter contains about three times as much carbon as found in the world's vegetation. Hence, organic matter plays a critical role in the global carbon balance that is thought to be the major factor affecting global warming. Overall, adequate amounts of soil organic matter maintain soil quality, preserve sustainability of cropping systems, and reduce environmental pollution.     

银川市黄河滩地土壤性状空间分布特征与肥力质量评价

为阐明银川市黄河滩地土壤性质的空间分布特征,分析不同用地类型(荒地、林地、耕地、退耕地)之间土壤性质的差异,通过均匀取样法实地采集银川市黄河滩地耕层土壤样品92份,采用地统计学和模糊数学法对土壤容重、孔隙度、田间持水量等物理性质和pH、电导率、可溶性盐、有机质、全氮、全磷、全钾、碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾、硝态氮、铵态氮等化学性质的空间分布特征进行了分析和综合评价。结果表明:银川市黄河滩地表层土壤容重在1.07～1.52 g/cm³,田间持水量为18.18%～31.16%,总孔隙度介于33.60%～49.83%,毛管孔隙度在26.67%～36.43%,非毛管孔隙度为5.6%～17.00%;土壤均为盐碱土,氮、磷元素含量偏低,其余养分含量处于中等水平;不同用地类型之间,林地的物理特征表现最优,退耕地土壤pH显著高于耕地(P<0.05),电导率、可溶性盐和铵态氮含量均表现为退耕地显著高于其他3种用地类型(P<0.05),全磷含量表现为林地显著低于其他3种用地类型(P<0.05),有效磷含量表现为耕地和退耕地显著高于林地和荒地(P<0.05),其余理...     

晋西黄土区退耕还林后土壤入渗特征及土壤质量评价

为研究晋西黄土区退耕还林后不同植被覆盖下土壤的入渗特征及土壤质量评价,采用野外双环入渗法测定土壤的入渗特征,并测定不同地类土壤的容重、孔隙度、有机质、全氮等指标,使用相关性分析研究不同类型植被覆盖下土壤的入渗性能及其与土壤理化性质的相关关系,并将各地类的土壤理化性质进行主成分分析。结果表明:(1)植被类型对于土壤渗透速率影响较大,表现为天然次生林刺槐×油松混交林刺槐纯林油松纯林灌木林地苹果园地荒草地农田(玉米地)。(2)退耕还林后,不同植被类型的土壤理化性质差异显著(P0.05),随着森林逐渐恢复,土壤容重下降,孔隙度及有机质等含量增加,土壤理化性质得以改善,入渗性能也有明显提高。土壤入渗特征与总孔隙度、非毛管孔隙度、有机质和全氮含量呈极显著正相关(P0.01),与容重呈极显著负相关(P0.01),与速效磷呈显著负相关(P0.05)。(3)综合土壤入渗性能和土壤理化性质作为土壤评价指标,晋西黄土区退耕还林后不同植被类型土壤质量从高到低依次为次生林刺槐×油松混交林刺槐纯林油松纯林灌木林地苹果园地荒草地农田。     

Effect of biochar application rate on soil physical and hydraulic properties of a sandy loam

Biochar is used as a soil amendment for improving soil quality and enhancing carbon sequestration. In this study, a loamy sand soil was amended at different rates (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% v/v) of biochar, and its physical and hydraulic properties were analyzed, including particle density, bulk density, porosity, infiltration, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and volumetric water content. The wilting rate of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) grown in soil amended with various levels of biochar was evaluated on a scale of 0–10. Statistical analyses were conducted using linear regression. The results showed that bulk density decreased linearly (R² = 0.997) from 1.325 to 0.363 g cm^?3 while the particle density decreased (R² = 0.915) from 2.65 to 1.60 g cm^?3 with increased biochar amendment, with porosity increasing (R² = 0.994) from 0.500 to 0.773 cm³ cm^?3. The mean volumetric water content ranged from 3.90 to 14.00 cm³ cm^?3, while the wilting rate of tomato ranged from 4.67 to 9.50, respectively, for the non-amended soil and 100% biochar-amended soil. These results strongly suggest positive improvement of soil physical and hydraulic properties following addition of biochar amendment.     

Physical properties of peat soils under different land use options

Pristine peat soils are characterized by large porosity, low density and large water and organic matter contents. Drainage and management practices change peat properties by oxidation, compaction and mineral matter additions. This study examined differences in physical properties (hydraulic conductivity, water retention curve, bulk density, porosity, von Post degree of decomposition) in soil profiles of two peatland forests, a cultivated peatland, a peat extraction area and two pristine mires originally within the same peatland area. Soil hydraulic conductivity of the drained sites (median hydraulic conductivities: 3.3 × 10^?5 m/s, 2.9 × 10^?8 m/s and 8.5 × 10^?8 m/s for the forests, the cultivated site and the peat extraction area, respectively) was predicted better by land use option than by soil physical parameters. Detailed physical measurements were accompanied by monitoring of the water levels between drains. The model ‘DRAINMOD’ was used to assess the hydrology and the rapid fluctuations seen in groundwater depths. Hydraulic conductivity values needed to match the simulation of observed depth to groundwater data were an order of magnitude greater than those determined in field measurements, suggesting that macropore flow was an important pathway at the study sites. The rapid response of depth to groundwater during rainfall events indicated a small effective porosity and this was supported by the small measured values of drainable porosity. This study highlighted the potential role of land use and macropore flow in controlling water table fluctuation and related processes in peat soils.     

黄河下游引黄灌区弃土区不同土地利用方式改良土壤功能评价

[目的]探讨黄河下游引黄灌区弃土区不同土地利用方式对土壤改良的影响,为该区集中弃土区水土保持生态建设中植被恢复模式的构建提供科学依据和技术参考。[方法]以山东省滨州市小开河引黄灌区的刺槐纯林、杨树+花生农林间作和大豆农田为研究对象,测定分析不同土地利用方式下的土壤抗侵蚀能力、土壤蓄水性能及土壤养分含量等指标。采用模糊数学隶属函数法对3种土地利用方式的改良土壤功能进行综合评价。[结果]3种土地利用方式可显著增强土壤抗蚀性、改善土壤物理结构、增强土壤蓄水性能和土壤养分。土壤抗蚀能力依次表现为:杨树+花生农林间作大豆农田刺槐纯林裸地。大豆农田改善土壤物理性状能力优于刺槐纯林和农林间作;土壤蓄水能力表现为:大豆农田刺槐纯林农林间作裸地;在增强土壤渗透、减少地表径流方面,农林间作最好,刺槐纯林次之,大豆农田最差。土壤有机质、速效氮和速效磷含量均表现为:大豆农田农林间作刺槐纯林裸地,而土壤速效钾含量表现为:刺槐纯林大豆农田农林间作裸地。[结论]引黄灌区弃土区改良土壤功能强弱综合评价为:大豆农田杨树+花生农林间作刺槐纯林。建议在该区域水土流失治理的土地利用方式选择上优先采用大豆农田,其次为农林间作。     

Effect of post‐methanation effluent on soil physical properties under a soybean‐wheat system in a Vertisol

Post‐methanation effluent (PME) generated through bio‐methanation of distillery effluent, a foul‐smelling, dark colored by‐product of distillery industries, is applied to arable land in some areas near the vicinity of the distillery industries as an amendment. The PME contains considerable amount of organic matter and salt besides its high plant‐nutrient content. The present investigation was conducted for three years during 1999–2002 on soybean‐wheat cropping sequence to evaluate the effect of graded levels of post‐methanation effluent (PME) on soil physical properties and crop productivity in a deep Vertisol of central India. Six application doses of PME viz. S_2.5+W₀: 2.5 cm PME applied to soybean and wheat on residual nutrition, S_2.5+W_1.25: 2.5 cm PME to soybean and 1.25 cm to wheat, S_5.0+W₀: 5 cm PME to soybean and wheat on residual nutrition, S_5.0+W_2.5: 5.0 cm PME to soybean and 2.5 cm to wheat, S_10.0+W₀: 10 cm PME to soybean and wheat on residual nutrition, and S_10.0+W_5.0: 10.0 cm PME to soybean and 5.0 cm to wheat, were compared with 100% recommended NPK+FYM ? 4 Mg ha^–1 and control (no fertilizer, manure or PME). The application of PME increased the organic carbon content and electrical conductivity of the soil compared to control and 100% NPK+FYM treatment. The organic C content was maximum in S_10.0+W_5.0 (11.2 g kg^–1) and minimum in control (5.2 g kg^–1). Electrical conductivity increased from 0.47 dS m^–1 in control to 1.58 dS m^–1 in highest dose of PME (S_10.0+W_5.0). The PME treatments have not affected the soil pH. The application of PME showed a significant improvement in the physical properties of the soil. The mean weight diameter (MWD), percent water‐stable aggregation (% WSA), saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_sat), and water retention (WR) at 0.033 MPa suction were significantly (P < 0.05) more while bulk density (BD) and penetration resistance was significantly less in PME‐treated plots than that of control. The MWD showed a linear and positive relationship (r = 0.89**) with the soil organic C. Soybean recorded significantly higher seed yield at all PME treatments than control. Highest average soybean yield (2.39 Mg ha^–1) was recorded in S_10.0+W₀ but yield decreased significantly in S_10.0+W_5.0 (2.08 Mg ha^–1). In wheat, all the PME‐treated plots except S_2.5+W₀ yielded significantly higher than control while the 100% NPK+FYM treatment yielded (3.46 Mg ha^–1) at par with the S_10.0+W_5.0 (4.0 Mg ha^–1) and S_5.0+W_2.5 (3.66 Mg ha^–1). Fresh application of PME to wheat resulted in significant improvement in grain yield over that grown on residual fertility. Thus, application of PME to arable land, as an amendment, could be considered as a viable option for the safe disposal of this industrial waste.     

土地利用方式对桂西北石漠化地区土壤理化性质的影响

在广西壮族自治区凌云县典型石漠化地区对7种不同土地利用方式土壤理化性质进行了调查分析.结果表明,不同土地利用方式对土壤容重、含水量、总孔隙度、毛管孔隙度、非毛管孔隙度存在极显著差异(p＜0.01),有机质、全氮、全磷、全钾、速效氮、速效磷、速效钾及交换性Ca2+含量差异极显著(p＜0.01).相对阔叶林地土壤,灌木林、针叶林、退耕台地、草地、退耕坡地、农田土壤的退化程度依次增加.农田土壤质量最低,针叶林地、草地、退耕坡地、退耕台地土壤质量为中等,灌木林地与阔叶林地土壤质量较高.人为干扰是影响土壤理化性质的主导因素,干扰强度大,土壤理化性质退化严重.控制不合理的人为干扰及恢复结构良好的地上植被对改善土壤质量具有重要意义.     

Deforestation effects on soil quality and water retention curve parameters in eastern Ardabil,Iran

The land use change from natural to managed ecosystems causes serious soil degradation. The main objective of this research was to assess deforestation effects on soil physical quality attributes and soil water retention curve (SWRC) parameters in the Fandoghlou region of Ardabil province, Iran. Totally 36 surface and subsurface soil samples were taken and soil water contents measured at 13 suctions. Alfa (α) and n parameters in van Genuchten (1980) model were estimated by fitting SWRC data by using RETC software. The slope of SWRC at inflection point (S_P) was calculated by Dexter (2004) equation. The results indicated that with changing land use from forest (F) to range land (R) and cultivated land (C), and also with increasing soil depth from 0–25 to 75–100 cm in each land use, organic carbon, micropores, saturated and available water contents decreased and macropores and bulk density increased significantly (P < 0.05). The position of SWRC shape in F was higher than R and C lands at all soil depths. Changing F to R and C lands and also increasing soil depth in each land use significantly (P < 0.05) increased α and decreased n and S_P. The average values of S_P were obtained 0.093, 0.051 and 0.031 for F, R and C, respectively. As a result, deforestation reduced soil physical quality by affecting SWRC parameters.