Shrinkage potential and pore shrinkage capacity of differently developed volcanic ash soils under pastures in southern Chile

The drying process of volcanic ash soils often results in the formation of shrinkage cracks with consequences for their physical properties (i.e., decrease of water retention capacity) and land use management. This study presents the soil water characteristics and shrinkage behaviour (shrinkage phases in terms of void and moisture ratio), the shrinkage potential (COLE index), and the pore shrinkage capacity (PSI) for 5 and 20 cm depth of a Haplic Arenosol (tephric) and two Silandic Andosols under pasture management along a soil gradient from the Andean mountains to the coastal range in southern Chile. The main focus of the presented study is on the effect of soil development in conjunction with the weathering of volcanic ash soils on the shrinkage properties. The water retention and shrinkage curves were continuously determined for undisturbed soil samples (100 cm³) during a drying process under laboratory conditions. In addition, the shrinkage curve data were modelled to distinguish different shrinkage zones. The results suggest that the investigated soil properties vary depending on soil development. The more developed Andosols had higher total porosities (up to 70 cm³ cm^?3) than the less developed Arenosol. The shrinkage behaviour of the Haplic Arenosol showed a wide structural shrinkage phase, whereas the Silandic Andosols revealed a more pronounced proportional shrinkage phase, which is related to the pore size distribution. In addition, wide and narrow coarse pores of the Haplic Arenosol and medium and fine pores of the Silandic Andosols determine the shrinkage potential (COLE) and the pore shrinkage capacity, respectively. The finer‐grained and organic matter‐rich Andosols indicate a higher COLE index (> 0.03–0.09) compared to the Arenosol (≤ 0.03). The pore shrinkage index (PSI) of the total pores (TP) varied significantly (P < 0.05) with values of 0.042–0.149 in 5 cm depth and 0.04–0.091 in 20 cm depth of sites 1–3, respectively.In summary, the shrinkage potential and pore shrinkage capacity are positively correlated to the organic carbon content and decrease with increasing dry bulk density. The study points out a higher risk of soil degradation due to irreversible drying processes for the more clayey and allophane containing Andosols than the Arenosol.     

Is conservation tillage suitable for organic farming? A review

Conservation tillage covers a range of tillage practices, mostly non‐inversion, which aim to conserve soil moisture and reduce soil erosion by leaving more than one‐third of the soil surface covered by crop residues. Organic farmers are encouraged to adopt conservation tillage to preserve soil quality and fertility and to prevent soil degradation – mainly erosion and compaction. The potential advantages of conservation tillage in organic farming are reduced erosion, greater macroporosity in the soil surface due to larger number of earthworms, more microbial activity and carbon storage, less run‐off and leaching of nutrients, reduced fuel use and faster tillage. The disadvantages of conservation tillage in organic farming are greater pressure from grass weeds, less suitable than ploughing for poorly drained, unstable soils or high rainfall areas, restricted N availability and restricted crop choice. The success of conservation tillage in organic farming hinges on the choice of crop rotation to ensure weed and disease control and nitrogen availability. Rotation of tillage depth according to crop type, in conjunction with compaction control measures is also required. A high standard of management is required, tailored to local soil and site conditions. Innovative approaches for the application of conservation tillage, such as perennial mulches, mechanical control of cover crops, rotational tillage and controlled traffic, require further practical assessment.     

Factors influencing the survivorship of the burrowing nematode,Radopholus similis (Cobb.) Thorne in two types of soil from banana plantations in Martinique

The burrowing nematode, Radopholus similis (Cobb.) Thorne, causes the most damage to bananas. To minimize nematicide applications, cropping systems that use fallow, crop rotation and clean planting material have been developed in the French West Indies. In order to optimize the benefit of the intercropping period, we studied the survivorship of R. similis in different soil types and conditions. We monitored the survivorship of calibrated populations of R. similis in the laboratory on a Nitisol and on an Andosol, two soils derived from volcanic ashes and pumices. We studied water potentials ranging from 0 to ?700 kPa on undisturbed soil and on soil previously frozen to get rid of living nematodes. Mortality of adult R. similis decreased regularly, and was fairly well described by Teissier's model. In the previously frozen soils, R. similis survived longer in wet soils (half-life of 21–46 days at 0 to ?5 kPa) than in dry soils (half-life of less than 10 days between ?80 and ?250 kPa). In contrast, in undisturbed soils, R. similis survived longer in dry soils: half-lives ranged from 57 days at ?273 kPa to 17 days at water saturation in the Andosol, and 36 days at ?660 kPa to 14 days at water saturation in the Nitisol. These results are consistent with the absence of anhydrobiosis in R. similis, unlike Pratylenchus coffeae. P. coffeae survivorship curves over time do not follow a model derived from exponential decrease like Teissier's model. These results also show that the recommended one year host-free period required to sanitize soils cannot be shortened without risk, even if flooding the soil could improve it.     

Shrinkage of initially very wet soil blocks, cores and clods from a range of European Andosol horizons

In advanced stages of volcanic ash soil formation, when more clay is formed, soil porosity values and soil water retention capacities are large and the soils show pronounced shrinkage on drying. Soil shrinkage is a key issue in volcanic soil environments because it often occurs irreversibly when topsoils dry out after changes from permanent grassland or forest to agriculture. European Andosols have developed in a wide range of climatic conditions, leading to a wide range in intensity of both weathering and organo‐mineral interactions. The question arises as to whether these differences affect their shrinkage properties. We aimed to identify common physically based shrinkage laws which could be derived from soil structure, the analysis of soil constituents, the selected sampling size and the drying procedure. We found that the final volumetric shrinkage of the initially field‐wet (56–86% of total porosity) or capillary‐wet (87–100% of total porosity) undisturbed soil samples was negatively related to initial bulk density and positively related to initial capillary porosity (volumetric soil water content of soil cores after capillary rise). These relationships were linear for the soil clods of 3–8 cm³, with final shrinkage ranging from 21.2 to 52.2%. For soil blocks of 240 cm³ and soil cores of 28.6 cm³ we found polynomial and exponential relationships, respectively, with thresholds separating shrinkage and nearly non‐shrinkage domains, and larger shrinkage values for the soil cores than for the soil blocks. For a given sample size, shrinkage was more pronounced in the most weathered and most porous Andosol horizons, rich in Al‐humus, than in the less weathered and less porous Andosol horizons, poor in Al‐humus. The Bw horizons, being more weathered and more porous, shrank more than the Ah horizons. We showed that the structural approach combining drying kinetics under vacuum, soil water analysis and mercury porosimetry is useful for relating water loss and shrinkage to soil structure and its dynamics. We also found that the more shrinkage that occurred in the Andosol horizon, the more pronounced was its irreversible mechanical change.     

Modern forestry vehicles and their impacts on soil physical properties

“Close-to-nature forest stands” are one central key in the project “Future oriented Forest Management” financially supported by the German Ministry for Science and Research (BMBF). The determination of ecological as well as economical consequences of mechanized harvesting procedures during the transformation from pure spruce stands to close-to-nature mixed forest stands is one part of the “Southern Black Forest research cooperation”. Mechanical operations of several typical forest harvesting vehicles were analysed to examine the actual soil stresses and displacements in soil profiles and to reveal the changes in soil physical properties of the forest soils. Soil compaction stresses were determined by Stress State Transducer (SST) and displacement transducer system (DTS) at two depths: 20 and 40 cm. Complete harvesting and trunk logging processes accomplished during brief 9-min operations were observed at time resolutions of 20 readings per second. Maximum vertical stresses for all experiments always exceeded 200 kPa and at soil depths of 20 cm for some vehicles and sequences of harvesting operations approached ≥500 kPa. To evaluate the impacts of soil stresses on soil structure, internal soil strengths were determined by measuring precompression stresses. Precompression stress values of forest soils at the field sites ranged from 20 to 50 kPa at soil depths of 20 cm depth and from 25 to 60 kPa at soil depths of 40 cm, at a pore water pressure of −60 hPa. Data obtained for these measured soil stresses and their natural bearing capacities proved that sustainable wheeling is impossible, irrespective of the vehicle type and the working process. Re-occurring top and subsoil compaction, increases in precompression stress values in the various soil horizons, deep rut depths, vertical and horizontal soil displacements associated with shearing stresses, all affected the mechanical strengths of forest soils. In order to sustain naturally “unwheeled” soil areas with minimal compaction, it is recommended that smaller machines, having less mass, be used to complete forest harvesting in order to prevent or at least to maintain currently minimal-compacted forest soils. Additionally, if larger machines are required, permanent wheel and skid tracks must be established with the goal of their maximum usefulness for future forest operations. A first step towards accomplishing these permanent pathways requires comprehensive planning with the Federal State Baden-Württemberg. The new guideline for final opening with skid tracks (Landesforstverwaltung Baden-Württemberg, 2003) proposes a permanent skid track system with a width of 20–40 m.     

Shrinkage properties of differently managed clay soils in Finland

Soil cracking is a well-known phenomenon, also seen in clay soils in the boreal climatic zone. This study was carried out to quantify soil shrinkage properties in six differently managed clay soils in Finland (Vertic Cambisols, 51% clay). Cylinder samples (100 cm³) were taken in spring from two depths (0–5 and 5–10 cm), then saturated with water and dried as a function of applied suction. The heights of the sample were measured after each drying step and the volume of soil was calculated assuming isotropic shrinkage. The volume loss by shrinkage at a suction of −50 kPa was 1.6–3.8% and the total shrinkage was 5.2–10.5% of the total soil volume, respectively. All shrinkage curves showed structural shrinkage which occurred in the matric potential range from saturation to around −6 kPa. The shrinkage curves were characterized by minor proportional and wide residual shrinkage zones. Eight of twelve sites showed a steeper shrinkage in the proportional shrinkage zone than the theoretical 1:1 line. Large slope values, up to 3.0, reflect the collapse of inter-aggregate pore space due to shrinkage pressure. The results indicate significant particle rearrangement and structural changes, e.g. structural collapse and changes in inter-aggregate pore space due to shrinkage pressure. Continuous water saturation and variable periods of freezing between spring and autumn are mostly responsible for soil weakness against increasing effective stress as soil dries. It is presumed that shrinkage behaviour will change substantially with increases in drying and wetting cycles.     

Organo-metallic complexes in an Andosol: a comparative study with a Cambisol and Podzol

Current soil-forming processes were studied in a nonallophanic Andosol from the Vosges mountains (north-eastern France). For this purpose, we conducted comparative studies on the organo-metallic fraction dynamics of selected profiles of an Andosol and other typical soils from this region, Cambisol and Podzol. These soils are derived from old volcanic rocks under mesic soil temperature and udic soil moisture regimes. The Andosol profile displayed the characteristics of nonallophanic Andosols: large accumulation of humus, active Al mostly complexed with humus, and low pH. Special attention was given to physical and microbial stability of these organo-metallic associations, respectively by disaggregation tests and incubation experiments. The results indicated that these associations showed a strong resistance against disaggregation by water and against biodegradation. Moreover, the very low concentration of DOC, Al and Fe in soil solutions collected by zero-tension lysimeters, coupled with very low amounts of water-dispersed clays obtained after dispersion tests, suggested that no significant translocations of these components occurred in this Andosol profile. Low mobility together with a strong resistance against mineralization may account for the large accumulation of carbon in this Andosol.     

Effect of dry-wet cycles on carbon dioxide release from two different volcanic ash soils in a Japanese temperate forest

ABSTRACT

In the present study, two volcanic ash soils (soil A and B) from a temperate broad-leaved forest in eastern Japan were aerobically incubated under repeated dry-wet cycles and continuously constant moisture conditions. The primary aims were to quantify the potential for enhancement of carbon dioxide (CO₂) release owing to increased water fluctuation and to examine differences in the responses of volcanic ash soils with different physicochemical properties. Soil B, rather than soil A, was a typical Andosol. During incubation at 20°C for 120 days with five dry-wet cycles, the CO₂ release rate was measured periodically. Abundance of the stable carbon isotope in CO₂ (δ¹³C-CO₂) was measured to capture changes in the origin of decomposed soil organic matter (SOM) owing to the dry-wet cycles. The CO₂ release rate under the dry-wet cycles was up to 49% higher than the values predicted from a parabolic relationship between CO₂ release and water content during incubation under the continuously constant moisture condition. The magnitude of CO₂ release enhancement was 2.7-fold higher in soil B relative to that in soil A. The δ¹³C-CO₂ value in the dry-wet cycles was enriched by 0.3–2.3‰ compared to that during incubation under the continuously constant moisture conditions, suggesting that the decomposition of well-metabolized and/or old SOM was enhanced by the dry-wet cycles. Thus, the present study suggests that Andosols, which have been believed to have a strong SOM stabilization ability, are vulnerable to dry-wet cycles. Then, increased water fluctuation in a future warmer world would have significant potential to stimulate CO₂ release from soils.     

Analysis of problems in certain soils of the Kyushu Okinawa region for suitable management

ABSTRACT

Soils in the Kyushu Okinawa region with problematic properties for agriculture were studied and the following findings were obtained. 1) Mahji-soils in Nansei Islands became very hard with desiccation under high-pH conditions; therefore, soil treatments that cause alkalinization such as overliming should be avoided. 2) In contrast to the generally favorable effects of organic matter on the physical properties of soil, the application of manure compost at 100 Mg ha^?1 to Mahji-soils increased the degree of hardening with desiccation. 3) Application of clinker ash (coarse fraction of coal ash) at 10% (wt/wt) mitigated the hardening and shrinkage of Jagaru, a heavy-textured gray soil found on Nansei Island. 4) Non-allophanic surface horizons with strong acidity were widely distributed in the Andosol area of central Kyushu, covering at least 340 km². These horizons showed a relatively large ratio of carbon per Al_p (pyrophosphate extractable aluminum) and high content of allophane, and began forming around 2500 years ago. 5)Some Andosols in Kyushu showed remarkable hardness. They are divided into two types, according to the degree of weathering and hardening characteristics, and the different measures required to improve each type. 6) An experimental method for determining nitrate retention by soils was developed, and factors influencing the nitrate retention of Andosols were elucidated using this method. 7) A method for micromorphological observation of pelletized manure compost (PC) grains was developed. This method revealed that the internal microstructure of PC did not change in 18 months after compost application, whereas the volume of the grains decreased with the formation of voids around them. 8) As an indicator of soil acidity concerning the countermeasure for common scab, pH(KCl) can easily be used instead of exchangeable acidity y_1, which is laborious to determine. The maximally simplified pH(KCl) measurement method can be carried out by farmers in the field.     

Methods to Estimate the Protection of Soil Organic Carbon within Macroaggregates, 1: Does Soil Water Status Affect the Estimated Amount of Soil Organic Carbon Protected inside Macroaggregates?

The additional mineralized soil organic carbon (SOC) after soil crushing is considered to be the amount of SOC protected within aggregates (>200 μm). This study investigated the effect of soil moisture in crushed and uncrushed soil samples on the calculated amounts of protected SOC in five tropical soils (Arenosol, two Ferralsols, Nitisol, and Vertisol). No differences in soil moisture optimum were observed between crushed and uncrushed soil samples, except in clayey soils with high SOC contents and high SOC mineralization rates (Nitisol and Vertisol). Crushing the soil increased soil respiration by 0.9 to 2.4 times. Soil moisture seemed to be a confounding factor in estimation of the SOC-protected amount only in soil with a high amount of protected SOC or with a low macroaggregate stability (Ferralsol and Vertisol). In these soils, the amount of protected SOC could be influenced by the method used to estimate it.     

Impact of biochars on swell–shrinkage behavior,mechanical strength,and surface cracking of clayey soil

Swell–shrinkage, cracking and stickiness of expansive clayey soils usually lead to their low yield. Improvement of these poor soil physical properties is a key goal for enhancing the crop productivity of expansive clayey soils. This article presents results of a study on the impact of three biochars produced from wheat straw (SB), woodchips (WCB), and wastewater sludge (WSB) on the swell–shrinkage behavior, mechanical strength, and surface cracking of a clayey soil. The soil was treated with biochars at the rate of 0, 20, 40, and 60 g biochar kg^?1 soil, respectively; and incubated for 180 d in glasshouse. Application of biochars decreased significantly (p < 0.01) the coefficient of linear extensibility (COLE) of the soil, the effect of SB being most prominent. The tensile strength (TS) of the clayey soil was originally 937 kPa, which decreased to 458 kPa, 495 kPa and 659 kPa for 6% SB‐, WCB‐, and WSB‐amended soils, respectively. Shear strength tests indicated that biochars significantly reduced cohesion (c) and increased internal friction angle (θ). Biochar significantly reduced the formation of soil surface cracks, surface area, and length of the cracks. The surface area density of cracks in the 6% biochar‐amended soils decreased by 14% for SB, 17% for WCB, and 19% for WSB, respectively, compared with control. The results suggest that biochar can be used as a soil amendment for improving the poor physical properties of the clayey soil, particularly in terms of reduction in swell–shrinkage, tensile strength and surface area density of cracking.     

Andosols and soils with andic properties in the German soil taxonomy

The presence of soils with andic properties on German territory has been suspected for decades and there are numerous reports of sites where they may potentially occur. Andic properties, however, are not adequately represented by the German soil‐classification system. The German taxonomic category “Lockerbraunerde” has not been revised or reconciled with international taxonomic categories since the year 1957, when it was initially proposed. With this review, we show that there are true Andosols of both the silandic (allophane‐containing) and the aluandic (Al‐Humus‐dominated) type in Germany and that their properties differ substantially from other soils which merely exhibit low bulk density. By (1) comparing soil carbon storage between some German Andosols, Chernozems, and nonandic Cambisols with particularly low bulk density and (2) elucidation of the differential pedogenetic pathways leading to Andosol formation, we further demonstrate that Andosols are important objects of study in research issues of contemporary interest. We propose that appropriate measures be taken to lay the foundations for the protection and conservation of these soils, because they are valuable as archives of natural history and provide opportunities to study unique soil processes.     

Mechanism of reduction of exchangeable aluminum by gypsum application in acid andosols

Mechanism of reduction of exchangeable aluminum in acid Andosols treated with gypsum was studied by using cation exchange resin methods to determine the amount of polymerized aluminum. Two types of acid Andosols were used as test soils: Kitakami light colored Andosol (fine, mixed, mesic, Andic Dystrochrept) and Kawatabi thick high humic Andosol (medial, mesic mixed Alic Pachic Melanudand). Polymerization of aluminum in the soil solution of both Kitakami and Kawatabi Andosols treated with gypsum was suggested based on an analysis using cation exchange resin methods, whereas that in monomer aluminum solution was not detected. Accumulation of polymerized aluminum in both Kitakami and Kawatabi Andosols was determined by using cation exchange resin, and the amounts of polymer aluminum trapped by the resin and the ratio of polymer aluminum to monomer aluminum were increased with the incubation time. The values of CEC which decreased in the Kitakami Andosol after gypsum treatment were almost equivalent to the amounts of cation exchange sites occupied by polymer aluminum ions which were calculated based on the decrease of the values of Y _l. We conclude that the mechanism of reduction of exchangeable aluminum in strongly acid Andosols treated with gypsum is as follows: firstly, exchangeable aluminum adsorbed on the cation exchange sites of soils may be released into the soil solution due to the increase in the ion strength caused by gypsum application, and then monomer aluminum in soil solution may be polymerized in the presence of soil colloidal materials. Consequently, the polymer aluminum formed in the soil solution may be selectively and irreversibly fixed on the cation exchange sites of 2 : 1 clay minerals.     

Reference bulk density and critical degree-of-compactness for no-till crop production in subtropical highly weathered soils

The concept of degree of compactness (DC), referred to as field bulk density (BD) as a percentage of a reference bulk density (BD_ref), was developed to characterize compactness of soil frequently disturbed, but for undisturbed soil such as under no-tillage critical degree of compactness values have not been tested. The objective of this study was to compare methods to determine BD_ref and limits of DC and BD for plant growth under no-tillage in subtropical soils. Data from the literature and other databases were used to establish relationships between BD and clay or clay plus silt content, and between DC and macroporosity and yield of crops under no-tillage in subtropical Brazil. Data of BD_ref reached by the soil Proctor test on disturbed soil samples, by uniaxial compression with loads of 200 kPa on disturbed and undisturbed soil samples, and 400, 800 and 1600 kPa on undisturbed soil samples, were used. Also, comparisons were made with critical bulk density based on the least limiting water range (BDc LLWR) and on observed root and/or yield restriction in the field (BDc Rest). Using vertical uniaxial compression with a load of 200 kPa on disturbed or undisturbed samples generates low BD_ref and high DC-values. The standard Proctor test generates higher BD_ref-values, which are similar to those in a uniaxial test with a load of 1600 kPa for soils with low clay content but lower for soils with high clay content. The BDc LLWR does not necessarily restrict root growth or crop yield under no-tillage, since field investigations led to higher BDc Rest-values. A uniaxial load greater than 800 kPa is promising to determine BD_ref for no-tillage soils. The BD_ref is highly correlated to the clay content and thus pedotransfer functions may be established to estimate the former based on the latter. Soil ecological properties are affected before compaction restricts plant growth and yield. The DC is an efficient parameter to identify soil compaction affecting crops. The effect of compaction on ecological properties must also be further considered.     

Modelling compaction of agricultural subsoils by tracked heavy construction machinery under various moisture conditions in Switzerland

In recent years, agricultural land in Switzerland has been increasingly used as temporary access ways for heavy machinery in road and pipeline construction operations. The Swiss soil protection law requires that measures are taken to prevent soil compaction in such operations, but gives no criteria to determine tolerable loads. We studied the compaction sensitivity of a loess soil (Haplic Luvisol) at different soil moisture conditions in a field traffic experiment and by a numerical model on the computer using finite element analysis. Two plots, one wetted by sprinkling and one left dry (no sprinkling), were traversed by heavy caterpillar vehicles during construction of a large overland gas pipeline. Compaction effects were determined by comparing precompression stresses of samples taken from trafficked and non-trafficked soil. A finite element model with a constitutive relation, based on the concept of critical state soil mechanics, was used to interpret the outcome of the field trials.

We found significantly higher precompression stresses in the trafficked (median 97 kPa) compared with the non-trafficked (median 41 kPa) topsoil of the wet plot. No effect was evident in the topsoil of the dry plot as well as in the subsoils of the wet and the dry plot. The observed compaction effects were in agreement with the model predictions if the soil was assumed to be partially drained, but disagreed for the wet subsoil if fully drained conditions were assumed. Agreement between model and experimental results also required that the moisture dependence of the precompression stress was taken into account.     

Effects of 10 years of conservation tillage on soil properties and productivity in the farming–pastoral ecotone of Inner Mongolia, China

Soil degradation and subsequent yield decline are the main factors limiting further development of agriculture on the farming–pastoral transition zone of China. A 10-year field experiment was conducted in Inner Mongolia to compare the long-term effects of no-tillage with straw cover (NT), subsoiling with straw cover (ST), rototilling with straw cover (RT) and traditional tillage (TT) using ploughs on soil properties and productivity in a spring wheat–oat cropping system. Long-term conservation tillage increased soil organic matter in the top 20 cm by 21.4%, total N by 31.8% and Olsen's P by 34.5% in the 0–5 cm layer compared to traditional tillage. Mean percentage of macro-aggregates (>0.25 mm, +20%) and macroporosity (>60 μm, +52.1%) also improved significantly in the 0–30 cm soil layer ( P  <   0.05). The largest yield improvements coupled with greatest water use efficiency (WUE) were achieved by no-tillage with straw cover. Ten-year mean crop yields increased by 14.0% and WUE improved by 13.5% compared to traditional tillage due to greater soil moisture and improved soil physical and chemical status. These improvements in soil properties and productivity are of considerable importance for the seriously degraded soils in semiarid Inner Mongolia, as well as for food security, sustainable agriculture and carbon storage in the farming–pasture transition regions of China.     

Soil structural quality, compaction and land management

Soil compaction is a concern worldwide, particularly where compactible soils are used for intensive agriculture in a wet climate. We have investigated the impact of compaction and the associated changes in soil structural qualities on crop production and environmental pollution. The overall objective was to develop soil management systems that provide suitable conditions for crop growth and minimize environmental damage. We ran large-scale field experiments studying the preservation of structural quality in arable and permanent grassland, using management systems such as the control or elimination of field traffic and the application of conservation tillage and zero tillage. We measured bulk density, shear strength, cone resistance, macroporosity, relative diffusivity, air permeability and water infiltrability to identify soil qualities that could be used for selecting suitable soil management. Along with crop yield, we measured environmental impacts, such as the emissions of nitrous oxide from the soil, which require the interaction of soil structure and water content near the soil surface. Soil structure influenced wetness, which affected trafficability, compaction and nitrogen retention. Measurement of properties that affect fluid storage and transport, such as macroporosity, provided soil quality indices that helped in recommending suitable soil management systems. Spatial variation of structure associated with wheel-track locations could be estimated rapidly using a cone penetrometer. Variation was particularly important in determining crop yield consistency. Crop productivity and soil structural qualities were preserved best when field traffic was eliminated. A reduced ground-pressure system successfully minimized compaction in grassland but was less effective in an arable rotation. Unless traffic is eliminated, good timing of operations is the most effective way to preserve soil structural quality.     

Proposed revisions to the diagnostic critera for andic and vitric horizons and qualifiers of ardosols in the world reference base for soil resources

World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) was published in 1998 and has begun to be used all over the world. We examined the definitions of andic and vitric horizons and qualifiers (lower-level units) of Andosols in the WRB by using the Tohoku University World Andosol Database (TUWAD) and proposed several revisions. Among 5 items of the definition for the andic horizon, we considered that the requirements of clay and volcanic glass contents should be deleted due to the difficulty in their accurate determination with the progression of soil weathering. In relation to this revision, correction of vitric horizon was also proposed. Although two major types of andic horizons, silandic and aluandic, are specified in the andic horizon definition, the aluandic type is not included in the qualifiers. Because aluandic volcanic ash soils have unique properties and are extensively distributed, the aluandic qualifier should be included in the lower level units of Andosols. Soil texture is used for the definition of arenic, luvic and vatic qualifiers. Therefore, these qualifiers should be modified or deleted. Both melanic and fulvic qualifiers are required to obtain the Munsell color value (moist) and chroma of 2 or less. To distinguish fulvic Andosols from melanic Andosols, the Munsell color and melanic index requirements for a fulvic horizon should be modified. Since Andosols with buried non-Andosols occur in a significantly large area, the thaptic qualifier should be used.     

Soil compaction and soil management – a review

Soil compaction is an important component of the land degradation syndrome which is an issue for soil management throughout the world. It is a long standing phenomenon not only associated with agriculture but also with forest harvesting, amenity land use, pipeline installation, land restoration and wildlife trampling. This review concentrates on the impact of soil compaction on practical soil management issues, an area not previously reviewed. It discusses in the context of the current situation, the causes, identification, effects and alleviation of compaction. The principal causes are when compressive forces derived from wheels, tillage machinery and from the trampling of animals, act on compressible soil. Compact soils can also be found under natural conditions without human or animal involvement. Compaction alters many soil properties and adverse effects are mostly linked to a reduction in permeability to air, water and roots. Many methods can be used to measure the changes. In practical situations, the use of visual and tactile methods directly in the field is recommended. The worst problems tend to occur when root crops and vegetables are harvested from soils at or wetter than field capacity. As discussed by a farmer, the effects on crop uniformity and quality (as well as a reduction in yield) can be marked. By contrast, rendzinas and other calcareous soils growing mainly cereals are comparatively free of compaction problems. The effect of a given level of compaction is related to both weather and climate; where soil moisture deficits are large, a restriction in root depth may have severe effects but the same level of compaction may have a negligible effect where moisture deficits are small. Topsoil compaction in sloping landscapes enhances runoff and may induce erosion particularly along wheeltracks, with consequent off‐farm environmental impacts. Indirect effects of compaction include denitrification which is likely to lead to nitrogen deficiency in crops. The effects of heavy tractors and harvesters can to some extent be compensated for by a reduction in tyre pressures although there is concern that deep‐seated compaction may occur. Techniques for loosening compaction up to depths of 45 cm are well established but to correct deeper problems presents difficulties. Several authors recommend that monitoring of soil physical conditions, including compaction, should be part of routine soil management.     

Soil degradation in the tropical lowlands of Santa Cruz,Eastern Bolivia

This paper examines the soil degradation processes that are threatening the productivity of the mechanized annual cropping areas in the Santa Cruz lowlands of tropical eastern Bolivia. The dominant process is that of machinery-induced and natural compaction, which has resulted in an estimated 50 per cent of the soils in the Central Zone being moderately to severely compacted, causing serious root restriction and the loss of both transmission and water-storage pores. Degradation has made the soils increasingly susceptible to moisture stress due to the combined effect of (i) restricted rooting as a result of compaction and the hardsetting characteristics of the soils, (ii) reduced rainfall infiltration due to the loss of transmission pores and surface crusting, and (iii) a decrease in available soil moisture caused by the loss of storage pores, the incorporation of wind-blown fine sand deposits, and soil organic matter losses due to accelerated decomposition rates. The loss of transmission pores has also made the soils more prone to waterlogging in periods of high rainfall. The degradation tendencies of these soils are exacerbated by the greater variability of seasonal rainfall during the last 20 years that has led to a greater frequency or extremely high or extremely low rainfall events than hitherto.