Investigating the spatial distribution of soil erosion and deposition in a small catchment on the Loess Plateau of China, using Cs

An understanding of the spatial distribution of soil erosion and deposition in a catchment is important for designing soil and water conservation measures. Traditional monitoring techniques provide limited information on the spatial patterns of erosion and deposition. The fallout radionuclide ¹³⁷Cs was used to document rates and patterns of soil redistribution within a small (0.17 km²) gully catchment located near An'sai in Shaanxi Province, representative of the Loess Plateau of China. The local reference inventory was estimated to be 2266 Bq m⁻² and the ¹³⁷Cs inventories of 198 soil cores collected from the catchment, ranged from 0 to 3849 Bq m⁻². The coefficient of variation of the inventories of the individual cores was 0.85, reflecting the complex pattern of ¹³⁷Cs redistribution by soil erosion and deposition. Estimates of erosion rates derived from ¹³⁷Cs measurement ranged from less than 25 to 150 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, with about 70% of the net soil loss from the catchment coming from the gully area. The ¹³⁷Cs technique was shown to provide an effective means of documenting the spatial distribution of soil erosion and deposition within the small catchment.     

Erosion rates evaluated by the Cs technique and direct measurements on long-term runoff plots under tropical conditions

Measured ¹³⁷Cs losses (Bq m⁻²) from long-term runoff plots under tropical conditions and correspondent estimated soil erosion rates (Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) were significantly correlated to directly measured soil losses of the same plots, during the same period (1963–2002). A tendency of higher ¹³⁷Cs activities was observed in soil profiles of the bottom third part of runoff slopes that could be explained by the restricting effect of the collector system on the runoff flow or by tillage translocation. Despite of the very low ¹³⁷Cs activity found in the soil of the plots, the isotopic technique yielded confident results, comparable to those obtained by the traditional direct measurements.     

Processes of soil movement on steep cultivated hill slopes in the Venezuelan Andes

Erosion from cultivated lands continues to threaten the sustainability of commercial and subsistence agriculture around the world. Although most erosion is attributed to rainfall-induced runoff, other processes were observed which may account for a large portion of soil movement on sloping farm lands. Soil movement was measured on 15 parcels cultivated by subsistence farmers in the Venezuelan Andes as part of a broader study on adoption of soil conservation practices. Sediment traps were installed at the outlet of fields with slopes ranging from 33% to 78%. Based on the type of material found in the traps—clods, stones and some consolidated earth-soil movement was attributed to plowing, weeding, concentrated flows entering the field from above and, to a lesser extent, rainfall. Soil flux ranged from 1.5 to 58.7 kg m⁻¹ yr⁻¹ with an average of 31.1 kg m⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Three parcels underwent low flux, 1.5 to 5.7 kg m⁻¹ yr⁻¹ and 12 showed a higher flux, 16.7 to 58.7 kg m⁻¹ yr⁻¹. This study served to identify a number of soil erosion mechanisms not often considered when designing soil conservation programs targeted for areas with steep slopes. Tillage translocation and weeding within parcels contributed considerably more to soil and stone movement than did rainfall. The findings suggest that, when designing soil conservation programs for such areas, emphasis should be placed on methods devised to minimize soil disturbance. Among the practices that may be promoted are minimum or zero-tillage, the use of ground covers to control weeds and the installation of stone or grass barriers to retard the downward movement of soil.     

Using Cs and Pbex for quantifying soil organic carbon redistribution affected by intensive tillage on steep slopes

Studying on spatial and temporal variation in soil organic carbon (SOC) is of great importance because of global environmental concerns. Tillage-induced soil erosion is one of the major processes affecting the redistribution of SOC in fields. However, few direct measurements have been made to investigate the dynamic process of SOC under intensive tillage in the field. Our objective was to test the potential of ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb_ex for directly assessing SOC redistribution on sloping land as affected by tillage. Fifty plowing operations were conducted over a 5-day period using a donkey-drawn moldboard plow on a steep backslope of the Chinese Loess Plateau. Profile variations of SOC, ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb_ex concentrations were measured in the upper, middle and lower positions of the control plot and the plot plowed 50 times. ¹³⁷Cs concentration did not show variations in the upper 0–30 cm of soil whereas ²¹⁰Pb_ex showed a linear decrease (P < 0.05) with soil depth in the upper and middle positions, and an exponential decrease (P < 0.01) at the lower position of the control plot. The amounts of SOC, ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb_ex of sampling soil profiles increased in the following order: lower > middle > upper positions on the control plot. Intensive tillage resulted in a decrease of SOC amounts by 35% in the upper and by 44% in the middle positions for the soil layers of 0–45 cm, and an increase by 21% in the complete soil profile (0–100 cm) at the lower position as compared with control plot. Coefficients of variation (CVs) of SOC in soil profile decreased by 18.2% in the upper, 12.8% in the middle, and 30.9% in the lower slope positions whereas CVs of ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb_ex decreased more than 31% for all slope positions after 50 tillage events. ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb_ex in soil profile were significantly linearly correlated with SOC with R² of 0.81 and 0.86 (P < 0.01) on the control plot, and with R² of 0.90 and 0.86 (P < 0.01) on the treatment plot. Our results evidenced that ³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb_ex, and SOC moved on the sloping land by the same physical mechanism during tillage operations, indicating that fallout ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb_ex could be used directly for quantifying dynamic SOC redistribution as affected by tillage erosion.     

Long-term fertilization, manure and liming effects on soil organic matter and crop yields

Yield decline or stagnation and its relationship with soil organic matter fractions in soybean (Glycine max L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system under long-term fertilizer use are not well understood. To understand this phenomenon, soil organic matter fractions and soil aggregate size distribution were studied in an Alfisol (Typic Haplustalf) at a long-term experiment at Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, India. For 30 years, the following fertilizer treatments were compared with undisturbed fallow plots (without crop and fertilizer management): unfertilized (control), 100% recommended rate of N, NP, NPK, NPK+ farmyard manure (FYM) and NPK + lime. Yield declined with time for soybean in control (30 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) and NP (21 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) treatments and for wheat in control (46 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) and N (25 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) treatments. However, yield increased with time for NPK + FYM and NPK + lime treatments in wheat. At a depth of 0–15 cm, small macroaggregates (0.25–2 mm) dominated soil (43–61%) followed by microaggregates (0.053–0.25 mm) with 13–28%. Soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), nitrogen (SMBN) and acid hydrolysable carbohydrates (HCH) were greater in NPK + FYM and NPK + lime as compared to other treatments. With three decades of cultivation, C and N mineralization were greater in microaggregates than in small macroaggregates and relatively resistant mineral associated organic matter (silt + clay fraction). Particulate organic carbon (POC) and nitrogen (PON) decreased significantly in control, N and NP application over fallow. Results suggest that continuous use of NPK + FYM or NPK + lime would sustain yield in a soybean–wheat system without deteriorating soil quality.     

Effect of tillage treatments on soil thermal conductivity for some Jordanian clay loam and loam soils

Soil thermal conductivity determines how a soil warms or cools with exchange of energy by conduction, convection, and radiation. The ability to monitor soil thermal conductivity is an important tool in managing the soil temperature regime to affect seed germination and crop growth. In this study, the temperature-by-time data was obtained using a single probe device to determine the soil thermal conductivity. The device was used in the field in some Jordanian clay loam and loam soils to estimate their thermal conductivities under three different tillage treatments to a depth of 20 cm. Tillage treatments were: no-tillage, rotary tillage, and chisel tillage. For the same soil type, the results showed that rotary tillage decreased soil thermal conductivity more than chisel tillage, compared to no-tillage plots. For the clay loam, thermal conductivity ranged from 0.33 to 0.72 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ in chisel plowed treatments, from 0.30 to 0.48 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ in rotary plowed treatments, and from 0.45 to 0.78 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ in no-till treatments. For the loam, thermal conductivity ranged from 0.40 to 0.75 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ in chisel plowed treatments, from 0.34 to 0.57 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ in rotary plowed treatments, and from 0.50 to 0.79 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ in no-till treatments. The clay loam generally had lower thermal conductivity than loam in all similar tillage treatments. The thermal conductivity measured in this study for each tillage system, in each soil type, was compared with independent estimates based on standard procedures where soil properties are used to model thermal conductivity. The results of this study showed that thermal conductivity varied with soil texture and tillage treatment used and that differences between the modeled and measured thermal conductivities were very small.     

Assessment of tillage erosion rates on steepland Oxisols in the humid tropics using granite rocks

Soil translocation by tillage may be an important factor in land degradation in the humid tropics. The objective of this study was to evaluate tillage-induced soil translocation on an Oxisol with 25% and 36% slopes in Claveria, Philippines for three tillage systems: contour moldboard plowing (CMP), moldboard plowing up and downslope (UMP), and contour ridge tillage (CRT). Small rocks 3–4 cm in “diameter” were used as soil movement detection units (SMDU). The SMDUs were placed at 10 cm intervals in a narrow 5-cm-deep trench near the upper boundary of each plot, the position of each rock recorded, and the trench backfilled. Five tillage operations used to produce one corn crop were performed during a one month period: two moldboard plowing operations for land preparation (except for CRT), one moldboard plowing for corn planting, and two inter-culture (inter-row cultivation) operations. After these operations, over 95% of the SMDU were recovered manually and their exact locations recorded. Mean annual soil flux for the 25% slope was 365 and 306 kg m⁻¹ y⁻¹ for UMP and CMP, respectively. For the 36% slope, comparable values were 481 and 478 kg m⁻¹ y⁻¹. Estimated tillage erosion rates for the 25% slope were 456 and 382 Mg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹ for UMP and CMP, respectively, and increased to 601 and 598 Mg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹, respectively, for the 36% slope. The mean displacement distance, mean annual soil flux, and mean annual tillage-induced soil loss for both slopes were reduced by approximately 70% using CRT compared to CMP and UMP.     

Erosion and deposition history derived by depth-stratigraphy of Cs and soil organic carbon

There are a number of uncertainties in the use of ¹³⁷Cs as a marker for deriving soil erosion rates. However, this should not limit other potential uses of this anthropogenic radionuclide in the study of soil landscape processes. This study outlines a sampling methodology which aids in the assessment of the history of erosion and depositional processes within a landscape unit. The depth distribution of ¹³⁷Cs and soil organic carbon (SOC) was utilized as a means of determining the erosion and depositional history of a conventionally tilled agricultural field in southern Ontario, Canada. Three transects oriented along the slope of a large field had five soil profiles excavated at the summit, sideslope, shoulder slope, footslope and toeslope landscape positions. The soils were sampled in 5 cm increments, and ¹³⁷Cs and SOC were determined on the samples. The results show that soil redistribution within landscape units of agricultural fields has been substantial both before and after fallout of ¹³⁷Cs to the soil surface. Soils in depositional areas contained significant ¹³⁷Cs and SOC at depths beyond which the plow can attain at present. This implies that a significant amount of carbon is being sequestered beneath the present plow layer, and the characterization of this pool must be considered in deriving the dynamics of SOC in agroecosystems.     

Predicting soil erosion in conservation tillage cotton production systems using the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE)

Despite being one of the most profitable crops for the southeastern USA, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is considered to create a greater soil erosion hazard than other annual crops such as corn (Zea mays L.) and soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Reduced tillage systems and cover cropping can reduce soil erosion and leaching of nutrients into ground water. The objectives of this study, which was conducted in north Alabama from 1996 to 1998, were to assess the impact of no-till and mulch-till systems with a winter rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop and poultry litter on soil erosion estimates in cotton plots using the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE). Soil erosion estimates in conventional till plots with or without a winter rye cover crop and ammonium nitrate fertilizer were double the 11 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ tolerance level for the Decatur series soils. However, using poultry litter as the N source (100 kg N ha⁻¹) gave soil erosion estimates about 50% below the tolerance level under conventional till. Doubling the N rate through poultry litter to 200 kg N ha⁻¹ under no-till system gave the lowest soil erosion estimate level. No-till and mulch-till gave erosion estimates which were about 50% of the tolerance level with or without cover cropping or N fertilization. This study shows that no-till and mulch-till systems with cover cropping and poultry litter can reduce soil erosion in addition to increasing cotton growth and lint yields, and thus improve sustainability of cotton soils in the southeastern USA.     

东大河小流域林地土壤侵蚀及养分特征研究

为探究滇池流域自实施退耕还林工程以来的林地土壤侵蚀及养分流失特征,本研究以滇池西南部东大河小流域为研究靶区,利用放射性核素137Cs示踪技术,对该区域内林地的土壤侵蚀模数进行估算,分析养分含量变化,并主要探讨了坡度、植被覆盖率及土壤颗粒组成对土壤侵蚀的影响.结果 表明,林地土壤剖面中的137Cs比活度呈指数下降趋势,以...     

Long-term manuring and fertilization effects on soil organic carbon pools in a Typic Haplustept of semi-arid sub-tropical India

Soil is a potential C sink and could offset rising atmospheric CO₂. The capacity of soils to store and sequester C will depend on the rate of C inputs from plant productivity relative to C exports controlled by microbial decomposition. Management practices, such as no-tillage and high intensity cropping sequences, have the potential to enhance C and N sequestration in agricultural soils. An investigation was carried out to study the influence of long-term applications of fertilizers and manures on different organic C fractions in a Typic Haplustept under intensive sequence of cropping with maize–wheat–cowpea in a semi-arid sub-tropic of India. In 0–15 cm, the bulk density was lowest (1.52 Mg m⁻³) in plots treated with 100% NPK + FYM, while the control treatment showed the highest value (1.67 Mg m⁻³). Balanced application of NPK (100% NPK) showed significantly lower bulk density (1.56 Mg m⁻³) over either 100% N (1.67 Mg m⁻³) or 100% NP (1.61 Mg m⁻³) in surface soils. The application of super-optimal dose of NPK (150% NPK) showed higher total organic C (TOC) (12.9 g C kg⁻¹) over either 50% NPK (9.3 g C kg⁻¹) or 100% NPK (10.0 g C kg⁻¹) in 0–15 cm soil layer. There was an improvement in TOC in 100% NPK or 100% NP (9.3 g C kg⁻¹) over 100% N (8.7 g C kg⁻¹) in the same depth. The application of FYM with 100% NPK showed 15.2, 9.9 and 5.2 g C kg⁻¹ in 0–15, 15–30 and 30–45 cm, respectively. Application of graded doses of NPK from 50 to 150% of recommendation NPK significantly enhanced other organic C fractions like, microbial biomass C (MBC), particulate organic C (POC) and KMnO₄ oxidizable C (KMnO₄–C) in all the three soil depths. The TOC in 0–45 cm soil depth in 150% NPK (63.5 Mg C ha⁻¹) was increased by 39% over that in 50% NPK treatment (51.5 Mg C ha⁻¹) and 29% over that in 100% NPK treatment (54.1 Mg C ha⁻¹). Integrated use of farmyard manure with 100% NPK (100% NPK + FYM) emerged as the most efficient management system in accumulating largest amount of organic C (72.1 Mg C ha⁻¹) in soil. Nevertheless, this treatment also sequestered highest amount of organic C (731 kg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹). Particulate organic carbon, a physically protected carbon pool in soil, could well be protected in sub-surface soil layers than in surface soil layer as a means of carbon aggradations. Microbial metabolic quotient (qCO₂) was significantly lower in 100% NPK + FYM over other treatments to indicate this to be the most efficient manuring practice to preserve organic carbon in soil where it facilitates aggradations of more recalcitrant organic C in soil. As compared to POC, total TOC proved to be a better predictor of MBC as it strongly correlated with total carbon mineralized from soil.     

Soil CO2 flux from a norfolk loamy sand after 25 years of conventional and conservation tillage

Tillage affects the ability of coarse-textured soils of the southeastern USA to sequester C. Our objectives were to compare tillage methods for soil CO₂ flux, and determine if chemical or physical properties after 25 years of conventional or conservation tillage correlated with flux rates. Data were collected for several weeks during June and July in 2003, October and November in 2003, and April to July in 2004 from a tillage study established in 1978 on a Norfolk loamy sand (fine-loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kandiudults). Conventional tillage consisted of disking to a depth of approximately 15 cm followed by smoothing with an S-tined harrow equipped with rolling baskets. Conservation tillage consisted of direct seeding into surface residues. Flux rates in conservation tillage averaged 0.84 g CO₂ m⁻² h⁻¹ in Summer 2003, 0.36 g CO₂ m⁻² h⁻¹ in Fall 2003, 0.46 g CO₂ m⁻² h⁻¹ in Spring 2004, and 0.86 g CO₂ m⁻² h⁻¹ in Summer 2004. Flux rates from conventional tillage were greater for most measurement times. Conversely, water content of the surface soil layer (6.5 cm) was almost always higher with conservation tillage. Soil CO₂ flux was highly correlated with soil water content only in conventional tillage. In conservation tillage, no significant correlations occurred between soil CO₂ flux and soil N, C, C:N ratio, pH, bulk density, sand fraction, or clay fraction of the surface 7.5 cm. In conventional tillage, sand fraction was positively correlated, while bulk density and clay fraction were negatively correlated with soil CO₂ flux rate, but only when the soil was moist. Long-term conservation tillage management resulted in more uniform within- and across-season soil CO₂ flux rates that were less affected by precipitation events.     

Characteristics and factors controlling the development of ephemeral gullies in cultivated catchments of black soil region, Northeast China

Ephemeral gully erosion is an important process in the black soil region, Northeast China and can be responsible for severe damage to agricultural lands. However, little research on gully formation in this area has been published. The study described in this paper attempted to quantify soil losses, the spatial distribution and morphology of the gullies, and the factors that control their development. Ephemeral gullies were measured in spring and summer of 2005 in two small catchments. The critical periods for ephemeral gully formation were late spring and summer in the study area. Mean soil losses due to ephemeral gully erosion were 0.40 and 0.43 kg m⁻² year⁻¹ for only croplands despite low slope gradients, and this loss is above the tolerable erosion rates of 0.20 kg m⁻² year⁻¹. The erosion rates were greater in spring because the topsoil thawed before deeper layers, reducing infiltration into the soil, and the bare vegetation cover provided no barriers to surface flow. In contrast, summer erosion occurred primarily in response to intense rain events. Development of the gullies was promoted by freeze-thaw cycles in spring and was affected by the type of agricultural operations and crops in summer. A linear regression model for the prediction of ephemeral gully length at the catchment level was established using field data, and although it did not successfully predict the length of individual gullies, it explained 55% of the variation in ephemeral gully length.     

Soil erosion estimation in conservation tillage systems with poultry litter application using RUSLE 2.0 model

Soil erosion is a major threat to global economic and environmental sustainability. This study evaluated long-term effects of conservation tillage with poultry litter application on soil erosion estimates in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plots using RUSLE 2.0 computer model. Treatments consisting of no-till, mulch-till, and conventional tillage systems, winter rye (Secale cereale L.) cover cropping and poultry litter, and ammonium nitrate sources of nitrogen were established at the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Belle Mina, AL (34°41′N, 86°52′W), beginning fall 1996. Soil erosion estimates in cotton plots under conventional tillage system with winter rye cover cropping declined by 36% from 8.0 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in 1997 to 5.1 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in 2004. This result was largely attributed to cumulative effect of surface residue cover which increased by 17%, from 20% in 1997 to 37% in 2004. In conventional tillage without winter rye cover cropping, soil erosion estimates were 11.0 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in 1997 and increased to 12.0 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in 2004. In no-till system, soil erosion estimates generally remained stable over the study period, averaging 0.5 and 1.3 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹with and without winter rye cover cropping, respectively. This study shows that cover cropping is critical to reduce soil erosion and to increase the sustainability of cotton production in the southeast U.S. Application of N in the form of ammonium nitrate or poultry litter significantly increased cotton canopy cover and surface root biomass, which are desirable attributes for soil erosion reduction in cotton plots.     

Soil bulk density and porosity of homogeneous morphological units identified by the Cropping Profile Method in clayey Oxisols in Brazil

Soil structure is important to root development and crop yield. The objective of this study was to test the Cropping Profile Method in Brazilian soils, in order to evaluate the soil structure in the field. Grouped different structures determined by the Cropping Profile Method were compared to laboratory determinations for soil bulk density, total porosity and mercury porosity. The study was conducted in clayey Oxisols submitted to different uses and management including annual crops, orchards and natural forests in the State of Paraná, southern Brazil. Homogeneous morphological units (HMUs) were determined in trenches using the Cropping Profile Method, and the different structures were grouped as: (a) non-compacted; (b) compacted; (c) in-process-of-compacting. Results of field evaluation were compatible with those obtained in the laboratory. More compacted and in-process-of-compacting structures corresponded to soil bulk density values of 1.42 and 1.33 Mg m⁻³, which were significantly higher than the 1.18 Mg m⁻³ value obtained for soil bulk density in non-compacted HMU. The total porosity of compacted HMU and in-process-of-compacting HMU was 0.49 and 0.52 m³ m⁻³, respectively. These were significantly lower than the value obtained for the non-compacted HMU (0.60 m³ m⁻³). The Cropping Profile Method is useful mainly in field research works when it is important to verify the effect of management practices on soil structure.     

Effect of tillage and crop rotations on pore size distribution and soil hydraulic conductivity in sandy clay loam soil of the Indian Himalayas

Tillage management can affect crop growth by altering the pore size distribution, pore geometry and hydraulic properties of soil. In the present communication, the effect of different tillage management viz., conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT) and zero-tillage (ZT) and different crop rotations viz. [(soybean–wheat (S–W), soybean–lentil (S–L) and soybean–pea (S–P)] on pore size distribution and soil hydraulic conductivities [saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_sat) and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity {k(h)}] of a sandy clay loam soil was studied after 4 years prior to the experiment. Soil cores were collected after 4 year of the experiment at an interval of 75 mm up to 300 mm soil depth for measuring soil bulk density, soil water retention constant (b), pore size distribution, K_sat and k(h). Nine pressure levels (from 2 to 1500 kPa) were used to calculate pore size distribution and k(h). It was observed that b values at all the studied soil depths were higher under ZT than those observed under CT irrespective of the crop rotations. The values of soil bulk density observed under ZT were higher in 0–75 mm soil depth in all the crop rotations. But, among the crop rotations, soils under S–P and S–L rotations showed relatively lower bulk density values than S–W rotation. Average values of the volume fraction of total porosity with pores <7.5 μm in diameter (effective pores for retaining plant available water) were 0.557, 0.636 and 0.628 m³ m⁻³ under CT, MT and ZT; and 0.592, 0.610 and 0.626 m³ m⁻³ under S–W, S–L and S–P, respectively. In contrast, the average values of the volume fraction of total porosity with pores >150 μm in diameter (pores draining freely with gravity) were 0.124, 0.096 and 0.095 m³ m⁻³ under CT, MT and ZT; and 0.110, 0.104 and 0.101 m³ m⁻³ under S–W, S–L and S–P, respectively. Saturated hydraulic conductivity values in all the studied soil depths were significantly greater under ZT than those under CT (range from 300 to 344 mm day⁻¹). The observed k(h) values at 0–75 mm soil depth under ZT were significantly higher than those computed under CT at all the suction levels, except at −10, −100 and −400 kPa suction. Among the crop rotations, S–P rotation recorded significantly higher k(h) values than those under S–W and S–L rotations up to −40 kPa suction. The interaction effects of tillage and crop rotations affecting the k(h) values were found significant at all the soil water suctions. Both S–L and S–P rotations resulted in better soil water retention and transmission properties under ZT.     

Wind tunnel test and Cs tracing study on wind erosion of several soils in Tibet

The soils of alpine meadows and alpine grassland steppes, aeolian soils, coarse-grained soils, and farm soils cultivated from alpine grasslands in Tibet are typical soils that are suffering from different degrees of soil erosion by wind. Based on field investigations, wind tunnel experiments, and a ¹³⁷Cs trace study, this work tested the erodibility of these soils by wind, simulated the protective functions of natural vegetation and the accelerative effects of damage by livestock, woodcutting, and cultivation on erosion, and estimated erosion rates from 1963 to 2001. The results indicated that alpine meadows have the strongest resistance to wind erosion, and that undamaged alpine meadow soils generally sustain only weak or no wind erosion. Alpine grassland steppes with good vegetation cover and little damage by humans exhibit good resistance to wind erosion and suffered from only slight erosion. However, soil erodibility increased remarkably in response to serious disturbance by livestock and woodcutting; wind erosion reached 33.03 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. The erodibility of semi-stabilized aeolian soil and mobile aeolian soil was highest, at 52.17 and 56.4 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, respectively. The mean erosion rates of coarse-grained soil with various levels of vegetation coverage and of farm soil were intermediate, at 45.85 and 51.33 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, respectively. Restricting livestock, woodcutting, and excessive grassland cultivation are the keys to controlling wind erosion in Tibet. In agricultural regions, taking protective cultivation and management to enhance surface roughness is a useful way to control wind erosion.     

Effect of deep tillage for vineyard establishment on soil structure: A case study in Southern France

Deep tillage that is used before vine plantation to remove old vine roots and loosen subsoil may induce physical soil degradation that could affect soil structure and vine water supply. The objective of the study was to experimentally evaluate the effect of deep tillage on soil structure. The impacts on soil structure of two deep tillage techniques, i.e. deep ploughing and ripper, and two contrasted soil water conditions were compared in a experimental field by combining morphological observations, bulk density and saturated hydraulic conductivity measurements. These three methods were found very complementary to analyse and discriminate the impact of the different treatments. The proportion of compacted zones and mean bulk density increased from the initial plot (0.15 m² m⁻², 1.45 Mg m⁻³) to a maximum in the case of the deep ploughing under wet conditions plot (0.60 m² m⁻², 1.60 Mg m⁻³). The main results showed that (i) a significant soil compaction was observed after wet conditions only, (ii) deep ploughing produced more soil compaction than ripper because of a greater volume of soil affected by wheeling in the former operation and (iii) a specific response of soils is significatively observed in the case of deep ploughing only with an increase of compacted zones fragmentation in relation to a decrease of clay content.     

Soil-water and soil physical properties under contour hedgerow systems on sloping oxisols

Hedgerows planted along the contour on steep lands in the humid tropics reduce soil erosion and build terraces over time. The objectives of this study in two Hapludoxes in the Philippines were to evaluate changes after 4 years in soil properties and soil water relations on transects perpendicular to the cropped alleys between four grass and tree hedgerow systems and a control. Hedgerow plants included Gliricidia sepium, Paspalum conjugatum, and Penisetum purpureum. Soil properties evaluated as a function of position in the alley (upper, middle, or lower elevation in an alley) included bulk density, mechanical impedance, soil water transmissivity, water retention, soil water pressure, and soil water content. In general, soil properties were not affected by hedgerow system, but were affected by position in the alley. Nearness to the hedgerow, but not hedgerow species, affected soil water distribution (P = 0.05). Plant available water at the 10–15 cm depth was 0.16 m³ m⁻³, 0.13 m³ m⁻³, and 0.08 m³ m⁻³ for the lower, middle, and upper alley position, respectively. Water transmissivity decreased from 0.49 mm s⁻¹ in the lower alley to 0.12 mm s⁻¹ in the upper alley. The lower soil water contents and soil water pressures in and near the hedgerows confirmed competition for water between the hedgerow species and the food crop in the alley, a condition that is expected to suppress food crop production.     

The effect of mulching and tillage on the water and temperature regimes of a loess soil: Experimental findings and modeling

Crop residues and tillage are being advocated for their potential effectiveness to modify the soil hydrothermal regime. This study was carried out to quantify the effect of straw mulching and rotary hoeing on the soil water and thermal regimes of a loess soil. The field experiment consisted of four treatments: (1) no mulching and no rotary hoeing as control, (2) rotary hoeing, (3) wheat straw mulching, and (4) wheat straw mulching with rotary hoeing. During the study period from 5 August to 20 September 2002, soil water content and pressure head were measured daily at five soil depths (0.05, 0.15, 0.30, 0.45 and 0.60 m). Soil temperatures were measured at hourly resolution at three depths (0.05, 0.15 and 0.30 m). Mulching decreased soil water loss on an average by 0.39 mm d⁻¹ and rotary hoeing increased water loss on an average by 0.12 mm d⁻¹ as compared to control. Volumetric soil water contents at pF 1, 1.8 and 2.5 up to 30 cm depth were highest (0.418, 0.390, and 0.360 m³ m⁻³, respectively) with the application of wheat straw mulch and lowest (0.393, 0.363, and 0.333 m³ m⁻³, respectively) with the rotary hoeing. Soil thermal conductivity measured at pF 1, 1.8, 2.5, 3, and 3.7 decreased with increasing suctions in all the treatments. However, the tillage and mulching did not affect the soil thermal conductivity. Further, compared with the control, mulching reduced average soil temperatures by 0.74, 0.66, 0.58 °C at 0.05, 0.15, and 0.30 m, respectively, during the study period. The rotary hoeing tillage slightly increased the average soil temperature by 0.21 °C at 0.05 m depth compared to control. The tillage effect did not transmit to deeper depths. The numerical model Hydrus-1D was used to simulate the water and temperature regimes of the treatments. Simulations with hydraulic parameters derived from laboratory measurements did not yield satisfactory results. Only when the hydraulic parameters were optimized by the inverse method, simulations performed well. The largest deviations were observed in the wheat straw mulching treatment. Simulations were further improved by adjusting the potential evaporation rate from the measured data which was achieved by linking the inversion code UCODE to the Hydrus-1D. Soil temperatures at 0.05 and 0.15 m in all the treatments were modeled well, yielding root mean square errors between 0.3 and 1.7 °C. As for soil water, the largest temperature deviations were found for the mulching treatment. All simulations underestimated soil temperatures at 0.30 m. In conclusion, crop residue can be utilized as mulching to improve the soil hydrothermal regime and the Hydrus-1D model can be used as a tool for analyzing water and heat transport processes and for estimating hydraulic transport parameters under field conditions.