Nachweis 20-jähriger Wirksamkeit von Tieflockerungsmaßnahmen in lößbeeinflußten Graulehm-Pseudogleyen

Evidence of twenty years old effects of subsoil loosening in pseudogleys from greyloam with loess Soil-physical analyses were carried out on greyloam-pseudogleys covered by loess and Aqualts derived from loessloam. These soils were deeply loosened (60–80 cm) twenty years ago. The results are the followings: 1. Total pore volume, pores <50 μm, air permeability, water permeability and infiltration are higher on loosened soils. Resistence to shearing and bulk density are much lower. 2. There is a re-compaction at a depth of 30 to 40 cm but the density is not as high as before the loosening. The loosening effects exist also in loess soils but these soils have clay contents >25%. 3. The improved physical conditions of deeploosered soils were rising the yields up to 11 %. In soils which were loosened and fertilized the yield increase is up to 28%.     

Freisetzung von Aluminium in mitteldeutschen sauren Braunerden aus Löß-Sandstein-Fließerden

Release of aluminium in Northwest-German Acid Brown soils on loess-sandstone solifluction deposits In soil and clay from root zones (50 resp. 80cm) of acid brown soils, the Si and Al released during weathering was determined by fractionated extraction with 0.5 N NaOH in order to arrive at a quantitative approximation of the possible clay and silicate destruction. Extracted Al was 4-10 times higher than Si, and showed a steep gradient between Ah- and B-horizon. The Al(clay)/Al(soil) ratio varied between 0.5 to 1 depending on the admixture of sandstone material to the loess. Assuming that the clay-extracted Al was derived from the destruction of clay, we arrived at a minimum value for affected clay of 1-4,5% of the soil mass or 10 to 40% of the present clay substance. Clay destruction is discussed as Al-release leaving behind a non-crystalline Si-O-OH lattice.     

Die Bedeutung der K-Ca-Austauschisotherme für eine Beurteilung der K-Versorgung der Pflanzen bei Lößböden

K-Ca-exchange isothermes of soils from loess and the potassium supply of plants From 80 Ap-horizons of Luvisols and Phaeozems on loess from south of Hannover K-Ca-exchange isotherms and cation concentrations in saturation extracts were investigated. Though not K deficient these soils show a very wide range of available K. From the very high K-concentrations in the saturation extracts (up to 3 meq/1) of part of the soils it was concluded, that mass flow should be sufficient for plant needs of K. The only soil property varying the exchange isotherms seems to be the clay content (Fig. 4). In order to calculate available K from the exchange isotherms in the same way as available water from pF characteristics the isotherms were extended down to activity ratios, according to literature, marginal for plant uptake of K (Fig. 6). The estimated soil K content, sufficient for plant in loess soils, amounts to about half that considered marginal by the regional extension service. With the assumption that so called non exchangeable, but plant available K is essentially very slowly exchangeable, an experiment was performed at 80°C to accelerate the exchange and to establish a true equilibrium. The comparison between the new exchange curve and the 25°C curve (Fig. 8) seems to reveal additional 180–450 kg/ha · 30 cm bound with equal free energy of exchange as easily exchangeable K.     

Mineralselektive K-Freisetzung aus Böden mit Oktodecylammonium-Ionen (nc = 18)

Mineral-selective K release from soils by octodecylammonium- ions (n_c = 18) n_c18-releasable potassium was determined on soils of five different areas. n_c18-releasable K is the potassium which is displaced by octodecylammonium ions (ODA). Because the main sources of this potassium are trioctahedral micas, it is called briefly biotite-K. The investigated soils are from different areas in Bavaria (loess and clay stone derived soils, alluvial soils); partly the locations are K fertilizer trials. Soils of known age are locations from the Niederrhein terraces (Holocene soils). In the 0.2–2 μm (coarse clay) and 2–6 μm (fine silt) fractions the biotite-K content lies between 12 and 40% of total K. At given fractionation the highest amounts of K were released from the coarse clay of the soils. In the loess soils rich in silt the biotite-K pool in the medium and coarse silt fractions was also considerable. Clay soils showing poor K supplying power (K fertilizer trials) in the field are characterized by very low biotite-K quantities in all silt fractions. In the Holocene soils the age of which varies between 4 000 and 8 000 years the ODA releaseable values are greater than in the loess soils. In all fractions of the young Holocene soils the released K is greater than in the same fractions of the old Holocene soils. Calculated to a soil depth of 60 cm the K release in kg/ha reaches from 25 000 (young soil form) to 17 000 (old soil form).     

Effektive Durchwurzelungstiefe,Sickerwasserbildung und Nitratverlagerung in tiefgründigen Lößböden eines Trockengebietes

Effective rooting depth, percolation water, and nitrate leaching in deeply developed loess soils of a water‐shortage area In 14 deeply developed loess soils, high amounts of mineral nitrogen (N) were measured within the first meter, whereas several nitrate depth profiles up to more than three meters resulted in low and medium nitrate values. The maximum depth of water uptake was measured in two years on four representative sites with regard to soil and crop properties. The maximum depth of water uptake was always considerably deeper than 200 cm, with a maximum of 290 cm (alfalfa). It is assumed that roots take up nitrogen even in this depth. The calculation of the effective rooting depth resulted in noticeably higher values (for wheat between 160 cm and 185 cm) than those given by the ”︁German Instructions for Soil Mapping” (AG Boden, 1994), the ”︁Regulations of the German Organisation for Water Management and Land Improvement” (DVWK, 1995) or the ”︁German Institute for Standardization” (DIN, 1998). As a result of low annual precipitation (normally less than 600 mm), only a minor part of the high amounts of nitrate within the root zone was leached into deeper soil layers. We conclude that it is not possible to predict the potential groundwater pollution with nitrate on the basis of the mineral N content in the first meter of the soil profile.     

Methodenvergleich zur pH-Bestimmung von Böden

Comparison of methods for determining of soil-pH Comparative studies are being described of pH-determinations in suspensions with m-KCl, 0.1 m-KCl, 0.01 m-CaCl₂ and water of soils derived from loess and sand. For a standard the pH-values in 0.01 m-CaCl₂-suspensions were chosen, considering, that such CaCl₂-solution reflects best conditions in natural soil solution. Mean differences of pH(H₂O)-, m-KCl- and 0.1 m-KCl-values as compared to pH(CaCl₂)-values were + 0.56, — 0.27 and — 0.02 for the soils derived from loess, and + 0.63, — 0.11 and + 0.18 for those from sand. Taking into account the pH-dependence of the difference pH(CaCl₂)-values were + 0.56 – 0.11, — 0.27 – 0.26 and — 0.02 – 0.21, for the soils derived from loess, and + 0.63 – 0.21, — 0.11 – 0.14 and + 0.18 – 0.10 for those from sand. Taking into account the pH-dependence of the difference of pH(H₂O)-values of sandy soils, and its dependence on the present electrolyte content with all soils, further the unequal differences of the pH(KCl)-values with soils from loess as compared to sand, and their particular large variability with soils from loess, it is being argued that the CaCl₂-method may only insufficiently be substitued by any one of these methods. pH-values obtained at a soil-to-liquid-ratio of 1:2.5 were only slightly different from those with a ratio of 1:1. A suspension effect could not be observed with the application of a glasselectrode.     

Wirkung mechanischer Belastung auf Gefüge und Ertragsleistung einer Löss‐Parabraunerde mit zwei Bearbeitungssystemen

Effect of mechanical stress on structure and productivity of a loess‐derived Luvisol with conventional and conservation tillage In Germany farmers are committed to caring for the land by a soil protection law. Yet vehicles with ever increasing axle load endanger productivity and environmental quality of arable soils. In spring of 1995 a field experiment was startet on a wet silty Luvisol to test the effect of single mechanical loading on soil and crop characteristics, when managed by mouldboard ploughing (PL) or conservation tillage (CT). CT soils are considered to be more resistant against compactive stresses and to recover from degeneration more rapidly than PL soils. Beside an unwheeled control the loading treatments were light (2 × 2.5 t; number of wheel passes times wheel load); medium (2 × 5 t) and high (6 × 5 t). In 1995 even light loading of the PL soil caused a significant yield decline by 50% in spring barley, but this happened on CT soil only with high loading. In subsequent years with winter wheat and winter barley yield decline was less distinct. Loading of PL soil reduced total root length (from 4 to 1 km m⁻²) and rooting depth (from 70—90 to 40—70 cm), but on CT soil only root length was diminished by high loading. A tillage‐traffic pan (30—35 cm) hindered subsoil rooting in PL, which was favored in CT by earthworm channels. High loading caused compaction to at least 50 cm depth. Within the pan of the PL soil, penetration resistance attained 5 MPa and bulk density 1.65 g cm⁻³. In the CT soil the zone of maximum compaction was closer to the surface (15—25 cm). In PL soil the saturated hydraulic conductivity and the O₂‐diffusion coefficient gradually decreased with loading, but in CT soil only with heavy loading. The compacted top soil was broken in subsequent years by ploughing (PL: 25 cm) or rotary implements (CT: 5—8 cm). With PL, structure in the pan layer and subsoil did not recover, and rooting depth was still limited. Some restoration, however, was indicated with CT. Here transmitting properties increased in time, which was attributed to the reconstruction of root and earthworm channels, as demonstrated by computer tomography. We conclude that in silty soils compacted layers below ploughing depth will hardly be regenerated by internal processes. CT soils are less susceptible to loading, but high stresses are harmful too. Therefore recommending CT as a measure for protecting soil from compaction would not be enough, considering the present development towards heavy field machinery.     

Langjährige Verdichtungswirkung durch unterschiedliche Achslasten auf einem Löß-Ackerstandort

Long-term compaction effects on loess derived soils by distinct axle loads Field traffic may cause subsoil compaction of arable land and can deteriorate growing conditions of plants. In a case study the state of compaction of two adjacent fields on loess derived soil (field A and field B) was examined, which belong to two neighbouring farms. Within the past 20 years the maximum axle loads on both fields differed greatly (4 Mg and 8.9 Mg). Both fields were compared with a bordering ridge under permanent grass, which had not been loaded mechanically in recent years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the state of compaction as affected by the impact of vehicular field traffic. It was found that in the depth range of a traffic-pan in field A (about 40 cm) the penetration resistance was higher than in the corresponding depth under grass, but substantially lower than in field B. Bulk density and air capacity are similarly different between locations. The vertical compressive stress as a function of soil depth was calculated for the maximum axle loads that occur on both fields under wet conditions. For the 40 cm depth on field A stress values were near 60 kPa, but on field B the values were about 130 kPa. The loading stresses, acting on the soil during one season, were assessed from the weight of the vehicles and the travel distance per area. The accumulated stress was by 17% higher on field B than on field A. On field A the compactive stress of loading ended at about 40 cm depth. On farm B, however, with much higher axle loads during sugarbeet harvest, the compactive stress extended to about 70 cm soil depth. This case study demonstrates that the state of compactness of agricultural fields will be strongly dependent on the intensity of vehicular traffic, which comprises axle load as well as time and frequency of passages.     

Initiale Bodenentwicklung in aufgespültem Löß und Hafenschlick

Initial soil development in loess and harbourbasin mud reclaimed by slurry poldering In the Rhenish Brown Coal Strip Mining Area initial soil development was investigated for 6–15 and 15–25 years old loamy-silty loess soils reclaimed by slurry poldering. In the Emden environs the same analyses were applied to 6, 17, and 28 years old silty-clayey harbour-mud soils, also reclaimed by slurry application. The most prominent results when comparing these two types of soil are as follows: The mud soils show higher contents of clay and organic matter. Therefore they reveal more favourable characteristics concerning cation-exchange capacity, soil physical and soil biological properties in comparison to those of the loess soils. In both types of soils cation-exchange-capacity and soil biological activity increase in the Ap-horizon over time. The soil physical characteristics of the mud soils markedly improve in the run of the development, whereas those of the loess soils hardly improve. It remains a subject of discussion, since what stage of development mud soils should be classified as sea-marshes/“Kleimarschen” and loess soils as rendzinas.     

Soils of the loess region in China

The loess region of northwestern China is located in the middle reaches of the Huanghe River and is mostly composed of the loess plateau. The region has a loess cover largely ranging in thickness from 30 to 80 m. Main broad groups of soils formed in loess are the heilu soils, huangmian soils, lou soils, sierozem, castanozem, and drab soils. Distribution of the soils tends to parallel that of climate but is also affected by topography and past farming practices. All soils are calcareous to the surface, a reflection of the semiarid and arid climates. Calcic horizons are well expressed in sierozems, evident in castanozems and drab soils and not clearly defined in heilu soils. Average thickness of the surface, humus layer ranges from 30 cm in sierozems to 100 cm in heilu soils. The lou soils are distinctive in having one humus layer at the surface due to additions of earthy manure during long periods of cultivation plus a deeper humus layer from the original drab soil profile. Clay distribution curves show a distinct maximum in drab soil profiles and slight or no maxima in the others.Water is limiting for plant growth over most of the region, although drought hazards become progressively greater from southeast to northwest. In the middle of the region and for some distance to the northwest, cultivation must include fallowing during summers or for entire years to store water for crops. Further to the northwest, layers of sand about 10 cm thick are spread over fields to increase infiltration and reduce moisture losses. In the extreme northwestern part, crops are not grown and the soils are in meadow for grazing livestock.Amounts of nutrient elements in the soils have a rather wide range. Nitrogen is deficient generally and must be added for successful production. Biological fixation of the element by legumes is the most effective method of adding the element. Total phosphorus is not low but available forms are; phosphorus fertilization increases crop yields. Potassium supplies are currently adequate in the soils. Amounts of zinc, manganese, boron, copper and molybdenum in available forms seem to be low in many soils but their applications are limited.     

Erodibilität repräsentativer Böden der Hallertau

Erodibility of representative soils of the Hallertau (South Bavaria) Differences between the USA and the Federal Republic of Germany in geology, soil types, and climate necessitate to verify the erodibility of the soils estimated according to Wischmeier and Smith (1978), when using the Universal Soil Loss Equation under local conditions. The erodibility of 5 representative soils of the region Hallertau within the so-called “Unterbayerisches Hügelland” was checked by measuring soil losses using a laboratory rainfall simulator. The estimated and measured erodibilities for two Aquic Hapludalfs from loess and one Ruptic-Alfic Eutrochrept from Tertiary sand compared very well as shown by coefficients of regression of 1. The estimated erodibilities for a Typic Eutrochrept and an Aquic Chromudert, both from Tertiary materials, however, underestimated the soil losses by a factor of 1.5. For all regressions the coefficients of correlation were 0.90. Due to the small number of soils checked, it is only possible to suggest causes for the observed deviations, particularly since the aggregate stability could not be the only property, as demonstrated by measurements.     

Veränderungen von Dreischicht-Tonmineralen durch natives K in holozänen Lößböden Mitteldeutschlands und Niederbayerns

Changes of three-layer clay minerals by native K in holocene loess derived soils of Central Germany and Lower Bavaria . Transformations of the clay minerals illite, vermiculite and smectite were determined in Central German (31 profiles) and Lower Bavarian loess districts (5 profiles) using 31–36 soil properties. To get significant differences between solum and sediment, the multivariate diskriminant analysis was applied. In the Central German loess district the following properties were crucial, to receive significant separation between solum-horizons and sediments: smectite content, several values of potassium fixation, interlattice potassium. Important were also some parameter of the K-Ca-exchange curve: Activity ratio \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \left({\frac{{{\rm aK}}}{{\sqrt {{\rm aCa}}}}} \right) $\end{document} of a soil solution in equilibrium with a soil (AR_o), buffering capacity of the soil for K at equilibrium (BCKE), labile K(K₁), exchange capacity of the exchange sites with a specific affinity for K minus labile K(EC_x—K₁). The differences of these values can be explained by assuming that (at pH 6–7) the beidellitic layers of smectites of the parent loess were transformed to illitic layers in the solum-horizons. In the Lower Bavarian loess landscape potassium fixation, total K in clay fraction (< 2 μm) and the parameters of the K-Ca-exchange curve indicate the same clay mineral transformation as in Central Germany. Smectite values were not introduced to the diskriminant function, because they were highly significantly correlated with potassium fixation. In this case potassium fixation has caused a better separation between the solum-horizons and the parent loess than X-ray data. From these results, from total -K of the fraction 2–20μm (solum-horizons smaller than sediments) and the vermiculite content fo the clay fraction, it can be concluded, that the rate of potassium release from micas and the rate of potassium fixation by beidellitic sheets during the Holocene period were nearly equal.     

Einfluß von Herbiziden auf die N2-Fixierung und Atmungsaktivität von Mikroorganismen in Ackerböden

Influence of herbicides on nitrogen fixation and respiration activity of microorganisms in arable soils The influence of pesticides on nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction test) as well on respiration activity was determined in model experiments. The following soils were used: Chernozem from loess (Boroll), Luvisol from loess (Boralfs), Rendsina (Lithic Rendoll), Pelosol (Fine textured Cambisol) and Humic Podzol (Humod). The tested soils differed considerably in both parameters. The rendsina showed remarkably low fixation rates whereas the podsol reduced acetylene only at higher water contents. The soil herbicides chlortoluron, terbutryne, metabenzthiazuron and chloridazon did not affect the course and the magnitude of the tested parameters even not at higher doses. Only the leaf herbicide dinosebacetate revealed a distinct inhibition of nitrogenase activity in the podsol and in the luvisol from loess. The fungicide carbendazime caused a strong stimulation of the nitrogenase activity in all soils. The respiration activity could not been influenced significantly.     

Tensiometrische Untersuchungen an Aggregaten in homogenisiertem Löß

Investigations to the soil suction behaviour of aggregates embedded in homogenized loess Aggregate from loess and clay soils were artificially embedded in homogenized loess. During sorption and desorption processes, soil suctions inside and outside the aggregates were measured with mini- and microtensiometers. The observed dynamics support the idea of mobile and immobile regions in structured media. Soil suction imbalances between aggregates and the surrounding loess were found to occur during rapid changes of the hydraulic conditions as well as during gradual desorption. This behaviour was also observed in aggregates without measurable differences of the hydraulic conductivities compared to the surrounding loess. Thus, it is concluded that the observations were caused not only by different hydraulic conductivities, but also by hydraulic barriers due to inhomogeneities at the aggregate surfaces.     

Die Bestimmung von selektiv freisetzbarem Kalium in Parabraunerde aus Löß und Pelosol aus Gipskeuper-Tonmergeln

The determination of preferentially releasable potassium in hapludalf from loess and chromudert from gipskeuper clay marl Octadecylammonium-chloride (ODA)-extractable potassium and interlayer potassium (K_ZW), exchanged after thermal dissociation of adsorbed NH₄, were determined on particle size fractions of soils from gipskeuper clay marl (typic chromudert) and loess sediments (shallow hapludalf). The extraction by ODA is a diffusion controlled K-exchange process. This is shown by the increase of K-release at small sample quantity and K-concentration in the extraction solution. The ODA-potassium supplies (= Biotit-K) of the two typic chromudert were significantly higher than that of the shallow hapludalf (34000 and 30000 kg/ha vs. 22000 kg/ha, to a depth of 55 cm). Biotit-K was highest in the 2-6μm-fraction for both soils. The smaller the particle size, the larger were the amounts of K_ZW In the clay fractions of all samples they reached between 70 and 80% of total K (K_t). XRD-data give evidence of different mineral genesis processes between the two types of sediments. This is supported by the K_ZW-values of the particle-size fractions. The selectively releaseable interlayer potassium is associated with wedge shaped layers of illite. It can be differentiated from the bulk interlayer potassium by its preferential extractability in the first 3 to 5 heating treatments. This potassium quantity is, on an average, 22% of total clay interlayer potassium.     

Zur Interpretation erhöhter Schluffgehalte in Böden des Bayerischen und des Oberpfälzer Waldes

On the interpretation of raised silt contents in soils of the Bavarian and Upper Palatinate Forest For the Bavarian and Upper Palatinate Forest (Bavaria), 41 representative pedons were examined for aeolian components using grain‐size analysis. Soils derived from loess (three pedons) are only available in the foreland of the Bavarian Forest near to the river Danube. Soils with aeolian fractions (one pedon) also exist in the adjacent part of the Bavarian Forest. No indication for loess components (37 pedons) were found in all other parts of this mountain range: these soils are missing a coarse‐silt maximum in their upper layer as should be expected for loess‐influenced soils. However, 17 of these pedons have a medium‐silt maximum in their upper layer interpreted as a result of intense physical weathering. Therefore, the widely occurrence of soils with aeolian components cannot be confirmed for this low‐mountain range of E Bavaria.     

Oberflächenverschlammung und Abflußbildung auf Böden aus Löß und pleistozänen Sedimenten

Surface sealing and runoff generation on soils derived from loess and pleistocene deposits An attempt is undertaken to bring together existing knowledge on the occurence of surface sealing, on subprocesses and factors controlling surface sealing, and on hydraulic properties of seals, with special reference to the soil conditions prevailing in Germany. A conceptional model is proposed that relates different subprocesses such as aggregate breakdown, aggregate deformation, particle rearrangement and different factors such as soil cover, microrelief, stone cover, and macropores to surface sealing and runoff generation. We conclude that loess soils and soils formed on pleistocene deposits are particularly prone to surface sealing, and seals formed on these soils can induce runoff at rainfall intensities of 5 mm h^?1.     

AEOLIAN ADDITIONS TO SOILS AND SEDIMENTS IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC AREA

The particle-size distribution of the whole sample and the content, particle-size distribution, and oxygen-isotope abundance (δ¹⁸O) in quartz were employed to determine the extent to which aeolian materials such as aerosolic dust (10 to I /μm) from Australia, loess (50 to 10μm) in New Zealand, and flöttsand (250 to 20 μm) in Australia have been accreted into soils and sediments in the South Pacific area. Although aeolian material from both local and more distant sources has been deposited on the Franz Josef, Fox, and Tasman glaciers, the extent to which aeolian materials have been added to soils in South Westland, New Zealand, could not be determined because the oxygen-isotope abundance (12.9 to 13.5 0/00 in quartz from the soils was similar to that (13.1 to 13.9 0/00) in quartz from the dust samples. The quartz from loess added to two basaltic soils in North Auckland, New Zealand, had an oxygen-isotope abundance (12.9 to 13.9 0/00) slightly lower than that (15.0 to 15.4 0/00) in quartz from a greywacke-derived soil and the underlying rock also in North Auckland. The oxygen-isotope abundance (13.6 to 15.4 0/00) in quartz from a chronosequence of soils developed in basalt in Victoria, Australia, indicates that the quartz did not originate from the parent basalt, but probably was transported by aeolian processes from stranded beach ridges and dunes and added to the soils in the form of flöttsand, an aeolian material coarser than loess and finer than dune sand. Most particles of the pelagic sediments fell within the aerosolic dust size range. The oxygen-isotope abundance (12.1 to 15.1 0/00) in quartz isolated from several pelagic sediments between latitudes 35 and 45° S. was similar to that (12.9 to 15.4 0/00) in quartz from New Zealand and Australian soils located between these latitudes. An aeolian source of quartz explains the above relationship and also the decreasing delta values of quartz from sediments and soils with increasing latitude in the South Pacific area. Oxygen-isotope abundance in quartz refutes a volcanic origin of quartz in pelagic sediments but supports the deduction of Griffin et al. (1968) from mineralogical analyses that the quartz and associated minerals were transported from lands to seas.     

Untersuchung der potentiellen Stickstoff-Mineralisation in Trumao-Böden und einem Pseudogley

Total porosity and pore size distribution in untilled and tilled loess soils . Soil core samples were taken from untilled and tilled soils of a no-tillage experiment to determine total porosity and pore size distribution. The soil samples were collected at short time intervals during 1969–1971 from 2–6 cm depth of a Grey Brown Podzolic Soil (Typudalf) deriverd from loess. 1. Total porosity differed in untilled and tilled plots on the average by 4.7 vol.% (table 2). The seasonal changes are more pronounced on the tilled soil. Higher values of total porosity are observed during spring and fall, as compared to summer. Values are influenced by soil cultivation, rainfall and green manure crops (fig. 1a, b). 2. The changes of the fraction of large pores (> 30 μ), expressed on a volume basis, are similar to the changes in total porosity in direction but greater in extent. On the contrary the seasonal changes of the fractions of medium pores (3–30 μ), small pores (0,2–3,0 μ) and very small pores (< 0, 2 μ) appear to be independent from changes in total porosity (fig. la, b). 3. Fig. 2, showing the relation between total porosity and pore size distribution, may induce the wrong impression, that a decrease in total porosity results in an increase of the quantity of small and very small pores, accompanied with an excessive reduction of the quantity of large pores. If this relation is based on weight (100 g of solid soil particles) and not on volume (100 cm³ of soil particles and pores), it becomes clear, that compacting and loosening the soil investigated affect mainly the amount of large pores. 4. The seasonal changes of soil water content in the field influence pore size distribution. Under the condition of constant total porosity increasing water content at sampling date induces a pore size redistribution in favour of the pores > 300 μ and 1,5–3,0 μ (table 3). 5. A decrease in total porosity does not induce an increase in the homogeneity of the soil investigated (fig. 3). 6. The average total porosity of the untilled and tilled soil is near the lower and upper limit respectively of the range, which is considered to be the optimum for air capacity.     

Beziehung zwischen Bodenorganismen und Gefügeentwicklung auf Löß-Neuland unter Acker- und Waldnutzung

Relationship between soil organisms and soil structure in new reclaimed soils derived from loess under agricultural and forestral use In the Rhenish Browncoal District est of Cologne he question occurs wether forestry or agriculture is the better form of primary use to force structure development in new reclaimed soils derived from loess. The investigations on 10–25 years old reclaimed soils under forestral and agricultural use indicate that humus content, microbiological activities as well as the number of soil meso- and macrofauna individuals like earthworms are increasing with growing age of the forest soils. These processes and the strucutre development are faster under forestral use. Here after about 20–30 years conditions are similiar to those of undisturbed forest soils in comparable substrates. So from the ecological point of view temporal priority should be given to forestral use.