Soil physical quality: Part III: Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity and general conclusions about S-theory

The index of soil physical quality, S, which was proposed in Part I and which was applied to the problems of tillage in Part II is applied in Part III to the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of soil. S is equal to the slope of the soil water retention curve at its inflection point. This curve must be plotted as the logarithm (to base e) of the water potential against the gravimetric water content (kg kg⁻¹). It is suggested that S is a measure of the micro-structural porosity of the soil. It is shown through an approximate theory, through simulations and through experimental results that the value of S at the inflection point is related to the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of soil at the inflection point. It is proposed that the inflection point can be used as a “matching point” in studies of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. Pedo-transfer functions are used to explore the predicted effects of soil texture class and bulk density on the values of the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity at the inflection point. The conclusions from this series of three papers are summarized and as a result, it is recommended that S be used as an index of soil physical quality that enables different soils and the effects of different management treatments and conditions to be compared directly. The use of S for prediction of a range of soil physical properties is summarized and is called S-theory.     

Repair of a compacted Oxisol by the earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus (Glossoscolecidae, Oligochaeta)

The potential of Pontoscolex corethrurus to repair the physical degradation of a compacted Oxisol was studied. The Oxisol from Kingaroy, Queensland, Australia was uniformly packed to four treatments of different bulk densities (0.95, 1.15, 1.25, 1.35 Mg m^–3) in pots of 0.24 m diameter and 0.22 m deep. Each pot was inoculated with 12 earthworms (equivalent to 300 m^–2) and maintained close to field capacity water content for 3 months, after which selected soil physical (dry bulk density, penetration resistance, water infiltration), worm activity (cast production, worm weight) measurements and image analysis were carried out. Results showed that worm numbers were maintained at the initial levels in all the treatments except in the 1.35 Mg m^–3 treatment, where there was a 33% decrease. The weight of surface casts per surviving worm was the greatest in the 1.35 Mg m^–3 treatment compared to the lower density treatments. Final soil density was lessened in all treatments to a depth of 0.2 m. Surface cast production was positively correlated with the percentage reduction in bulk density. The greatest percentage reduction in bulk density was in the 1.35 Mg m^–3 treatment and was equivalent to a doubling of soil aeration (to 18.4%). Penetration resistance to the 0.2-m layer was also reduced and values were less than 2 MPa. Slumping of the surface soil was evident in both the lowest and the highest bulk densities resulting in low rates of water infiltration. Image analysis supported the soil physical properties showing an abundance of both fine pores and worm channels in the three lowest bulk densities, and lesser activity (concentrated in the immediate soil surface) in the 1.35 Mg m^–3 treatment. Received: 6 November 1996     

Hydrogen consumption rate in a soil as an indication of compaction and gas-diffusion status

Summary H₂ consumption rates were significantly correlated with penetrometer measurements of soil samples at different compaction levels. By measuring the ratio of the H₂ consumption of an undisturbed soil sample to that of a sieved soil, it is possible to obtain, in a rapid and simple way, an indication of the gas-diffusion status of the soil.     

Soil stress as affected by wheel load and tyre inflation pressure

The relative importance of wheel load and tyre inflation pressure on topsoil and subsoil stresses has long been disputed in soil compaction research. The objectives of the experiment presented here were to (1) measure maximum soil stresses and stress distribution in the topsoil for different wheel loads at the same recommended tyre inflation pressure; (2) measure soil stresses at different inflation pressures for the given wheel loads; and (3) measure subsoil stresses and compare measured and simulated values. Measurements were made with the wheel loads 11, 15 and 33 kN at inflation pressures of 70, 100 and 150 kPa. Topsoil stresses were measured at 10 cm depth with five stress sensors installed in disturbed soil, perpendicular to driving direction. Contact area was measured on a hard surface. Subsoil stresses were measured at 30, 50 and 70 cm depth with sensors installed in undisturbed soil. The mean ground contact pressure could be approximated by the tyre inflation pressure (only) when the recommended inflation pressure was used. The maximum stress at 10 cm depth was considerably higher than the inflation pressure (39% on average) and also increased with increasing wheel load. While tyre inflation pressure had a large influence on soil stresses measured at 10 cm depth, it had very little influence in the subsoil (30 cm and deeper). In contrast, wheel load had a very large influence on subsoil stresses. Measured and simulated values agreed reasonably well in terms of relative differences between treatments, but the effect of inflation pressure on subsoil stresses was overestimated in the simulations. To reduce soil stresses exerted by tyres in agriculture, the results show the need to further study the distribution of stresses under tyres. For calculation of subsoil stresses, further validations of commonly used models for stress propagation are needed.     

The effectiveness of cultivation using the winged time on restored sand and gravel workings

A study to examine the effectiveness and longevity of ‘deep’ ripping using a winged time on restored sand and gravel workings is described. Measurements of soil bulk density, penetration resistance and microtopography were used to monitor the effects on the soil over a 5 year period. Ripping to 0.45 and 0.6 m depth produced loosened soil to a maximum depth of about 0.4 m, but recompaction occurred rapidly, especially in the first year after ripping. The need to prevent soil compaction is emphasised. Ripping has only a limited ability to remedy soil physical degradation caused by machine-induced compaction. Trees planted on land restored using the winged tine are likely to suffer from moisture stress and wind instability as they mature.     

Tillage effects on compaction, earthworms and other soil quality indicators in Hungary

The philosophy toward tillage throughout the last century in Hungary can be characterized as a fight against extreme climatic and economic situations. The ‘Hungarian reasonable tillage’ approach that was promoted by Cserháti at the end of the 1800s was aimed at reducing tillage without increasing the risk of crop failure in arable fields. Recently, new tillage trends and systems have been introduced because of the rise in energy prices and because of the need to cut production costs, conserve soil and water resources and protect the environment. In Hungarian relation, the rationalized plowing, loosening and mulching systems are counted to the new tillage solutions. There are new steps in the sowing methods too, such as seedbed preparation and plant in one pass, till and plant, mulch-till and plant and direct drilling, which are environment capable, throughout improving soil condition and avoiding the environment harms. The applicability of various soil conservation tillage methods is currently being tested in research projects and discussed in workshops throughout the country. In this paper, soil quality problems such as compaction, trends in soil tillage, and factors affecting soil quality or condition as well as improvement and maintenance are summarized. The data show that annual disking and plowing causes subsoil compaction at the depth of tillage within 3 years and that the compacted layer expanded both in surface and deeper layers after the 5th year. Soil quality deterioration by tillage-pans was improved by subsoiling and maintained by direct drilling and planting soil-loosening catch crops. Within a loam and a sandy loam soil there were close correlations between earthworm activity and soil quality. Earthworm numbers increased on undisturbed but noncompacted soils and soils that included stubble residues remaining on the surface, but did not increase on soils that were deteriorated by tillage-pans or left bare by the absence of mulch. Our goal for the new millennium, is to use only enough tillage to create and maintain harmony between soil conservation, soil quality and crop production.     

Soil physical quality: Part I. Theory, effects of soil texture, density, and organic matter, and effects on root growth

A soil physical parameter, S, is defined. It is equal to the slope of the soil water retention curve at its inflection point. This curve must be plotted as the logarithm (to base e) of the water potential against the gravimetric water content (kg kg⁻¹). The value of S is indicative of the extent to which the soil porosity is concentrated into a narrow range of pore sizes. In most soils, larger values of S are consistent with the presence of a better-defined microstructure. Much previous work has shown that this microstructure is responsible for most of the soil physical properties that are necessary for the proper functioning of soil in agriculture and the environment. The use of S is illustrated with examples of soils with different texture, density (or degree of compaction), and organic matter (OM) content. The effects of S on root growth in soil are investigated, and S is shown to be a better indicator of soil rootability than bulk density. It is suggested that S can be used as an index of soil physical quality that enables different soils and the effects of different management treatments and conditions to be compared directly.     

城市土壤压实对土壤水分特征的影响——以南京市为例

通过对南京市不同土地利用下的土壤容重、孔隙度和土壤水分特征曲线的测定，研究了压实对土壤水分特征参数的影响。结果表明城市土壤存在严重的压实退化现象，土壤容重和孔隙度能够很好地反映土壤的压实程度。随着压实程度的增加，土壤的田间持水量增加，萎蔫点含水量增加，而土壤的最大有效水含量却明显减少。所以，压实土壤对水分的调节能力下降，使其上生长的植物更不容易获得水分供应。     

Effects of subsoil compaction on yield and yield attributes of wheat in the sub-humid region of Pakistan

The prolonged use of vehicular traffic for farming creates subsoil compaction, which reduces crop yield and deteriorates the physical conditions of the soil. Field experiments were conducted during 2002–2003 and 2003–2004 in Pakistan to study subsoil compaction effects on soil bulk density, total porosity, yield and yield components of wheat. Soil compaction was artificially created at the start of the experiment using 7.0 t roller having length of 1.5 m and diameter of 1.22 m. Treatments consisted of T₁ = control (no compaction), T₂ = two passes of roller, T₃ = four passes of roller, T₄ = six passes of roller. The experiments were arranged in randomised complete block with four replications. Results indicated that subsoil compaction adversely affected the bulk density, total porosity of soil and root length during both the years. Soil compaction increased the bulk density (BD) from 1.37 for T₁ to 1.57, 1.61 and 1.72 Mg m⁻³ whereas decreased the total porosity from 47.3% for T₁ to 40.0, 37.4 and 34.5% for T₂, T₃ and T_4, respectively. Similarly grain yield decreased from 4141.7 for T₁ to 3912.8, 3364.5 and 3010.3 kg ha⁻¹ for T₂, T₃ and T_4, respectively. The deteriorating effect of compaction depended upon the degree of compaction. Subsoil compaction adversely affected the yield and yield attributes of wheat during both years of experiments. The subsoil compaction adversely affected soil physical conditions, which substantially decreased the yield of wheat. Therefore, appropriate measures of periodic chiselling, controlled traffic, conservation tillage, and incorporating of crops with deep tap root system in rotation cycle is necessary to minimize the risks of subsoil compaction.     

Relevance of soil physical properties for the microbial oxidation of methane in landfill covers

The microbial oxidation of methane in landfill cover soils offers great potential to reduce methane emissions from landfills. High methane degradation rates can only be accomplished if the supply of atmospheric oxygen to the methanotrophic community is adequate. Thus, if environmental variables such as pH or nutrient status are not limiting, system performance is suggested to be governed by the share of pores available for gas transport. Diffusion tests as well as column studies were conducted to investigate the effect of air-filled porosity and degree of compaction on diffusivity and methane oxidation efficiency. Results show that the effective diffusion coefficient governing oxygen migration through soil is exponentially related to air-filled porosity space and can be significantly decreased by compaction. Discontinuity and tortuosity of the pore system strongly impeded diffusive migration at air-filled porosities below 10%. In the column study, soil gas composition and methane oxidation rates correlated with both the degree of compaction and the magnitude of advective bottom flux. Low aeration and hence low methane oxidation rates prevailed at high compaction rates and/or high bottom fluxes whereas high rates could be maintained at lower fluxes and/or low compaction rates. At a low degree of compaction (75% of the Proctor density), fluxes of 3.5 g CH₄ m⁻² h⁻¹ could be fully oxidized at all times by a sandy loam, the capacity limit of which was not reached during the experiment. Our studies suggest that soils intended for use as methane-oxidizing biocovers are to maintain an air-filled porosity of at least 14 vol.%. At low and medium degree of compaction, this is provided by sands, loamy sands, sandy loams and some of the coarsely textured loams.