陕北水蚀风蚀交错区两种生物结皮对土壤饱和导水率的影响

该文以陕北水蚀风蚀交错区普遍发育的地表和地上两种生物结皮为研究对象，分别以3种非生物结皮（无结皮、物理结皮、去除生物结皮）为对照，使用盘式入渗仪测定其饱和导水率。结果表明：与无结皮土壤相比，两种类型生物结皮均可极显著降低土壤饱和导水率；与去除生物结皮土壤相比，两种类型生物结皮对土壤饱和导水率的降低均不显著；与有物理结皮发育的土壤相比，地表生物结皮对土壤饱和导水率的降低不显著，而地上生物结皮对土壤饱和导水率的降低显著。一方面，两种生物结皮对土壤饱和导水率均有明显降低作用，预示生物结皮在降雨活动中可能会增加径流、降低入渗，阻碍研究区水分亏缺条件下的植被恢复和生态与环境建设。另一方面，与不同的对照相比，生物结皮对土壤饱和导水率的影响截然不同，该结论可在一定程度上解释当前有关生物结皮影响土壤水分入渗方面所存在的分歧。     

Regional pattern of the mobile water fraction in soils as determined by disc infiltrometer experiments

In order to characterize the partitioning of solutes into the mobile and the immobile fraction of pore water at the soil surface, field measurements of infiltration in unsaturated loamy sands were carried out using a disc infiltrometer in a region of about 10 km² at the Lüneburger Heide, Germany. The aims of these measurements were to obtain the mobile water fraction and the hydraulic properties of the soil, to relate them to other measured soil properties like the soil texture, and to assess their spatial variability in the region. From the infiltration results we obtained the hydraulic conductivity K₀ and the sorptivity S₀ using a three-dimensional infiltration analysis and the two-term infiltration equation, respectively. The mobile water fraction θ_m/θ of the soil was estimated from the infiltration results of a second disc infiltrometer filled with bromide solution. The estimated values of K₀ and S₀ were in good agreement with those reported in the literature as typical for loamy sands. The average value of θ_m/θ was calculated to be 71 % under the experimental conditions. Neither the horizontal spatial distribution of water and bromide concentration beneath the disc infiltrometer nor the change of the infiltrometer during the experiment had a notable influence on the experimental results. The spatial variability of the data was analyzed by means of variograms. All variograms were spatially structured and indicated a high small scale variation of the variables. In conclusion, the technique applied is suitable for the estimation of the hydraulic and solute transport properties of soils, especially at larger scales.     

Using boosted regression trees to explore key factors controlling saturated and near‐saturated hydraulic conductivity

Hydraulic conductivity at and near saturation is difficult to predict. We investigated, for the first time, the potential of boosted regression trees to identify the key factors that determine saturated and near‐saturated hydraulic conductivities in undisturbed soils with a global meta‐database of tension infiltrometer measurements. Our results demonstrate that pedotransfer functions developed from meta‐databases may strongly over‐estimate prediction performance unless they are validated against each individual data source separately. For such a source‐wise cross‐validation, we estimated the hydraulic conductivity at a tension of 10 cm (K₁₀) and the saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s) with coefficients of determination of 0.36 and 0.15, respectively. The most important predictors for K₁₀ were the average annual precipitation and temperature at the measurement location, which are key variables for pedogenesis and constrain soil management. More research is required for the in‐depth interpretation of their influence on hydraulic conductivity. The soil clay and organic carbon contents were also important predictors of K₁₀, with hydraulic conductivity decreasing as organic carbon contents increased up to 1.5% and as clay contents increased between about 10 and 40%. The direction of the tension‐sequence with which the infiltrometer data were collected was also a significant predictor. Land use and bulk density were the most important predictors for K_s. The direction of the tension‐sequence and the soil texture class were also important, with both coarse and fine‐textured soils generally having larger K_s values than medium‐textured soils.     

In situ characterization of hydraulic conductivities of individual soil profile layers during infiltration over long time periods

Several studies have raised serious doubts about the suitability of small cores for measuring water‐movement attributes, due to their potential to provide unrealistic representation of macropore connectivity and abundance. This study explored the potential of lysimeter‐scale experiments to calculate the hydraulic conductivity, K(ψ_m), of undisturbed soil layers in a matric potential (ψ_m) range between 0 and −4 kPa. Four large lysimeters were collected from a Dystric Cambisol. For each lysimeter a tension infiltrometer supplied infiltrating water under suctions of 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 kPa. Soil water dynamics were measured in situ using arrays of tensiometers, at depths corresponding with layer boundaries. The results show clearly that infiltration and drainage rates are intimately linked to temporal ψ_m dynamics, which themselves are determined by preferential flow and soil‐layer interactions. A quasi‐steady state was identified as when infiltration matched drainage, and ψ_m measurements showed each layer had a stable hydraulic gradient, which then allowed in situ determination of the K(ψ_m) relationship of individual soil layers. For this soil K(ψ_m) is distinctly different for each soil layer, and these differences are consistent among the four lysimeters. A consistent feature is that all layers have a distinct change in the slope of the K(ψ_m) relationship, in the ψ_m range of −0.5 to −1.5 kPa, highlighting a dual‐porosity character. The whole‐column infiltration behaviour was strongly linked to the K(ψ_m) relationship of the surface layer (0–2 cm depth), and therefore hydraulic characterization of this layer should be a critical component of a soil survey.     

石灰岩与白云岩坡地土壤饱和导水率对比研究

[目的]对比研究不同下垫面特征和土地利用方式对两类坡地表层土壤性质及其土壤饱和导水率(Ks)的影响。[方法]以喀斯特地区不同岩性下垫面的石灰岩和白云岩两类坡地表层土壤为研究对象,采用Guleph稳定入渗仪和土壤分析的方法。[结果](1)石灰岩和白云岩表层土壤在受到放牧作用影响后,土壤均呈现显著退化趋势,其容重、黏粒含量增大,孔隙度、有机质含量降低。(2)石灰岩和白云岩两类坡地表层土壤在未受到人为干扰的自然植被条件下,由于表层岩溶带的发育,Ks都很高,平均值分别为328.6和257.2mm/h。其中,石灰岩坡地相比白云岩坡地,Ks具有更高的空间变异性,二者Ks变异系数变化范围分别为90.71%~95.62%和59.60%~67.32%。(3)受到放牧作用影响后,石灰岩和白云岩坡地表层土壤Ks相比自然植被状态下呈显著降低趋势,Ks分别降低52.2%和86.7%,白云岩坡地Ks降低程度大,高于石灰岩坡地。     

Effect of long‐term swine‐manure application on soil hydraulic properties and heavy metal behaviour

This study evaluated the effect of 13 years of swine‐manure application on the changes in soil hydraulic properties, and as associated physicochemical properties, with a focus on heavy metal mobility. Various soil hydraulic properties were measured, including soil water retention (SWR), saturated field hydraulic conductivity (K_fs) and unsaturated field hydraulic conductivity (K_funsat) using a disc infiltrometer. Heavy metal mobility was evaluated with a sequential extraction procedure. At 0–30 cm soil depth in the heavily manured plot (SMhigh plot), SWR at 0 to ?100 kPa was significantly larger than in plots amended with a standard amount of manure (SMstd plot) or with chemical fertilizer (CF plot). K_fs and K_funsat values in both manure‐amended plots were less than in the CF plot under dry soil conditions but greater than those of the CF plot under wet soil conditions. Furthermore, K_fs and K_funsat did not necessarily increase with manure application rates. On the other hand, high‐mobility metal fractions, such as the exchangeable fraction of Zn, and the CH₃CO₂Na‐extractable fraction of Zn and Mn, and the metal–organic complex fractions of Zn, Cu and Mn, increased with the greater manure application rate. In addition, low‐mobility metal fractions, the organically bound fractions of Zn, Cu and Mn in the high SM plot and the easily reducible metal oxide fraction of Mn in both manure‐amended plots were probably affected and released into high‐mobility fractions. This indicated that manure application changed the soil redox conditions by improving the soil structure, depending on the water content of soil pores. Despite the reduction of K_fs and K_funsat by heavy manure application, the transport of high‐mobility metal fractions with either surface water flow or infiltration water flow could be controlled by soil water content at the beginning of a rain or irrigation event.     

Support Vector Machine and Nonlinear Regression Methods for Estimating Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity

Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) are widely used for hydrological calculations based on the known basic properties of soils and sediments. The choice of predictors and the mathematical calculus are of particular importance for the accuracy of calculations. The aim of this study is to compare PTFs with the use of the nonlinear regression (NLR) and support vector machine (SVM) methods, as well as to choose predictor properties for estimating saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s). K_s was determined in direct laboratory experiments on monoliths of agrosoddy-podzolic soil (Umbric Albeluvisol Abruptic, WRB, 2006) and calculated using PTFs based on the NLR and SVM methods. Six classes of predictor properties were tested for the calculated prognosis: K_s-1 (predictors: the sand, silt, and clay contents); K_s-2 (sand, silt, clay, and soil density); K_s-3 (sand, silt, clay, soil organic matter); K_s-4 (sand, silt, clay, soil density, organic matter); K_s-5 (clay, soil density, organic matter); and K_s-6 (sand, clay, soil density, organic matter). The efficiency of PTFs was determined by comparison with experimental values using the root mean square error (RMSE) and determination coefficient (R²). The results showed that the RMSE for SVM is smaller than the RMSE for NLR in predicting K_s for all classes of PTFs. The SVM method has advantages over the NLR method in terms of simplicity and range of application for predicting K_s using PTFs.     

Ploughing frequency and compost application effects on soil infiltrability in a cotton–maize (Gossypium hirsutum–Zea mays L.) rotation system on a Ferric Luvisol and a Ferric Lixisol in Burkina Faso

One of the key issues to increase soil productivity in the Sahel is to ensure water infiltration and storage in the soil. We hypothesised that reducing tillage from annual to biennial ploughing and the use of organic matter, like compost, would better sustain soil hydraulic properties. The study had the objective to propose sustainable soil fertility management techniques in the cotton–maize cropping systems. The effects of reduced tillage (RT) and annual ploughing (AP) combined with compost application (Co) on soil infiltration parameters were assessed on two soil types. Topsoil mean saturated hydraulic conductivities (K_s) were between 9 and 48 mm h⁻¹ in the Luvisol, while in the Lixisol they were between 18 and 275 mm h⁻¹. In the two soil types compost additions with reduced tillage or with annual ploughing had the largest effect on K_s. Soil hydraulic behaviour was in reasonable agreement with soil pore size distribution (mean values varied from 19.5 to 237 μm) modified by tillage frequency and organo-mineral fertilization. Already the first 3 years of this study showed that use of organic matter, improved soil infiltration characteristics when annual ploughing was used. Also biennial ploughing showed promising results and may be a useful strategy for smallholders to manage these soils.     

Exploring the variation in soil saturated hydraulic conductivity under a tropical rainforest using the wavelet transform

Saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s) of the soil is a key variable in the water cycle. For the humid tropics, information about spatial scales of K_s and their relation to soil types deduced from soil map units is of interest, as soil maps are often the only available data source for modelling. We examined the influence of soil map units on the mean and variation in K_s along a transect in a tropical rainforest using undisturbed soil cores at 0–6 and 6–12 cm depth. The K_s means were estimated with a linear mixed model fitted by residual maximum likelihood (REML), and the spatial variation in K_s was investigated with the maximum overlap discrete wavelet packet transform (MODWPT). The mean values of K_s did not differ between soil map units. The best wavelet packet basis for K_s at 0–6 cm showed stationarity at high frequencies, suggesting uniform small‐scale influences such as bioturbation. There were substantial contributions to wavelet packet variance over the range of spatial frequencies and a pronounced low frequency peak corresponding approximately to the scale of soil map units. However, in the relevant frequency intervals no significant changes in wavelet packet variance were detected. We conclude that near‐surface K_s is not dominated by static, soil‐inherent properties for the examined range of soils. Several indicators from the wavelet packet analysis hint at the more dominant dynamic influence of biotic processes, which should be kept in mind when modelling soil hydraulic properties on the basis of soil maps.     

Quantity‐intensity parameters of potassium in relation to uptake by guinea‐corn in representative soils of the ecological zones of Nigeria

Abstract

Quantity‐intensity (Q‐I) relation studies were often used to supplement information obtained from conventional soil tests for the estimation of potassium (K) needs of crops. With a view to ascertaining the reliability of the Q‐I relation parameters for comprehensive characterization of K dynamics in typical Nigerian soils, K values derived from Q‐I isotherms were related to neutral normal ammonium acetate (1 N NH₄OAc, pH 7.0) (exchangeable) K, other soil K forms [non‐exchangeable (K_ne), exchange (K_e), mineral K (K _m ), and solution K (K_s)] and the K uptake by Guinea‐corn (Sorghum bicolor, var. LS 187) subjected to weekly cuts in Neubauer cultivation vessels. Most of the soil K (about 98%) was in the form of soil minerals while less than 1% was plant available whereas about 1% was trapped within the interlattice layers of the clay minerals (as fixed K or K_ne). Mineral K (K_m) content was closely related to total K (K_t), but not to the other forms, K_ne, K_e, and K_s. A close relationship was noted between the two components of labile K (K_e and K_s). Except for % K saturation, the relationships between the K measurements with plant response were poor. The results of these investigations clearly demonstrate that the Q‐I relation could not adequately characterize the K dynamics of these tropical soils.     

Effect of organic residue amendment on mineralization of sulfur in flooded rice soils under laboratory conditions

Abstract

This study was undertaken to assess the mineralization of sulfur (S) in laboratory conditions of three rice soils (Joydebpur, Faridpur, and Thakurgaon), receiving the following treatments: 1) control, 2) rice straw (Oryza sativa L.), and 3) pea vine (Pisum sativum L.). The organic residue (25 mg g^‐1) was added and mixed with soil and glass beads (1:1, soil to bead ratio) and placed into a Pyrex leaching tube. The soils were flooded and incubated at 35°C, after which they were leached with deionized water at 1, 2,4, 8, and 12 weeks for analysis of SO₄ and other chemical properties in the leachates. Potentially mineralizable S (S_o) and C (C_o) pools and first‐order rate constants (K_s for S and K_c for C) in soils amended with rice straw and pea vine under flooded conditions were estimated using an exponential equation. The S_o and K_s varied considerably among the soils and types of added organic residues, and their values in rice straw and pea vine ranged from 8.70 to 29.55 and 0.124 to 0.732 mg S kg^‐1 wk^‐1, respectively. Except for the Thakurgaon soil, the S_o and K_s values in Joydebpur and Faridpur soils were higher in the unamended treatments. Higher S_o values in the unamended soils were probably due to less microbial activity to mineralize organic S from organic residues. The results indicate that the amount of SO₄ in flooded soils amended with organic residues are dependent on soil type, nature of organic residues, and time of incubation. The C_o and K_c values under flooded incubation were higher in residue amended soils than in unamended soils. Pea vine treated soils had higher C_o and K_c values than the soils treated with rice straw.     

晋西北黄土丘陵区土壤饱和导水率的空间分布特征及影响因素

土壤饱和导水率（K_s）是反映土壤入渗性能与土壤持水能力的重要参数，为探究流域尺度下土壤K_s的空间分布特征及影响因素，更好地掌握土壤水文过程与调节机理，选取晋西北黄土丘陵区朱家川流域横向梯度（上游、中游、下游）不同土地利用方式下的土壤（70个样点）为研究对象，采用定水头法测定土壤K_s，并获取样点地形因子和其他土壤理化性质，通过建立土壤K_s偏最小二乘回归模型（PLSR），分析影响土壤K_s空间分布格局的主要因素。结果表明：（1）除土壤容重和砂粒含量为弱变异外，区域土壤理化性质其余因子均为中等变异；土壤K_s在横向梯度下表现为上游 > 中游 > 下游；（2）不同土地利用方式下土壤K_s差异显著（P<0.05），由高到低顺序为林地 > 农地 > 草地；（3）林地（VIP=1.997）与草地（VIP=1.710）利用方式、土壤容重（VIP=1.548）、土壤有机质（VIP=1.323）、大团聚体（VIP=1.266）、粉粒含量（VIP=1.062）和黏粒含量（VIP=1.049）是土壤K_s变化的主要因素，林地利用方式影响程度最大。土地利用、土壤性质、地形因子均是影响黄土丘陵区土壤K_s空间分布的主要因素，是用来模拟预测土壤K_s空间分布的重要因子。     

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

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

干粉PAM溶解时间对土壤饱和导水率的动态影响

本试验选取两种质地土壤(黏壤土和砂壤土),采用3种干粉PAM施用水平(0、22.5 kg/hm~2和45 kg/hm~2),测定土样在10.25 mm/h入渗速度下的土壤饱和导水率(KS),然后根据土样团聚体含量和稳定性及团聚结构的微观图片,分析干粉PAM影响下土壤结构的变化特征,进而说明干粉PAM溶解时间对KS的影响机理。结果表明:施用PAM后,KS随干粉PAM在水中溶解时间的延长而逐渐减小,最终趋于稳定;干粉PAM溶解时间较短时,PAM处理的KS高于对照,其中PAM施用水平45 kg/hm~2时砂壤土KS提高幅度最大,较对照提高26.87%,但不同PAM施用量处理间的KS差异不显著。干粉PAM溶解时间足够长时,PAM处理的KS均显著低于对照,其中PAM施用水平45 kg/hm~2时黏壤土KS降低幅度最大,较对照降低10.86%,但是不同施用量处理间KS差异不显著。从影响机理上分析,PAM主要是通过增加土壤团聚体含量及稳定性来提高KS;而干粉PAM溶解时间足够长时,由于PAM易吸附土壤颗粒,水解后的PAM分子链不断伸张延长,堵塞了土壤孔隙,加上PAM本身的黏滞特性,从而降低了KS。研究干粉PAM溶解时间对KS的动态影响,可以为PAM在改善土壤导水能力方面的应用提供理论依据。     

基于地理加权回归模型的博斯腾湖湖滨绿洲土壤盐分离子含量高光谱估算

以博斯腾湖湖滨绿洲为研究区,分析HCO_3~–、Cl~–、SO_4~(2–)、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)、Na~++K~+等主要土壤盐分离子含量与土壤高光谱反射率的分数阶微分光谱变换与RSI、DSI、NDSI等二维土壤指数的相关性优选特征波段,构建基于地理加权回归模型的土壤盐分离子含量估算模型。研究结果表明:Na~++K~+的微分变换特征波段集中在468～724 nm与1 182～1 539 nm,二维土壤指数的特征波段集中在1 742～2 395 nm,基于RSI的特征波段优选下地理加权回归模型对Na~++K~+含量的估算效果较好,建模集R~2=0.94,RMSE=0.22,验证集R~2=0.74,RMSE=0.19;SO_4~(2–)含量在1.2阶优选的位于469～636 nm波段估算效果较佳,建模集R~2=0.91,RMSE=0.02,验证集R~2=0.75,RMSE=0.33;Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)优选的特征波段主要集中在912～2 340 nm的近红外波段;Cl~–含量在1阶的近红外波段建模效果较好,建模集R~2=0.74,RMSE=0.03,验证集R~2=0.93,RMSE=0.11;含量相对较高的Na~++K~+、SO_4~(2–)、Cl~–的地理加权回归模型精度高于含量较低的Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)。     

Estimating interrill soil erosion from aggregate stability of Ultisols in subtropical China

During raindrop impact soil, aggregates breakdown and produce finer, more transportable particles and micro-aggregates. These particles and micro-aggregates appreciably affect the processes of infiltration, seal and crust development, runoff, and soil erosion. Aggregate stability is, therefore, an important property that may explain, quantify, and predict these processes. This study was designed to develop improved formulae for assessing interrill erosion rate by incorporating the aggregate stability index (A_s) in the prediction evaluations for soil erodibilites of Ultisols in subtropical China. Field experiments of simulated rainfall involving rainstorm simulations with medium and high rainfall intensity were conducted on six cultivated soils for which the soil aggregate stability was determined by the LB-method. This study yielded two prediction equations D_i = 0.23A_sI²(1.05 − 0.85 exp^−4sin θ) and D_i = 0.34A_sqI(1.05 − 0.85 exp^−4sin θ) that allowed a comparison of their efficiency in assessing the interrill erosion rate. A_s is an aggregate stability index, which reflected the main mechanisms of aggregate breakdown in interrill erosion process, θ is the slope angle, I is the rainfall intensity, and q is the runoff rate. Relatively good agreement was obtained between predicted and measured values of erosion rates for each of the prediction models (R² = 0.86^**, and R² = 0.90^**). It was concluded that these formulae based on the stability index, A_s, have the potential to improve methodology for assessing interrill erosion rates for the subtropical Chinese Ultisols. Considering the time-consuming and costly experimentation of runoff rate measurements, the equation without runoff rate (q) was the more convenient and effective one to predict interrill erosion rates on Ultisols of subtropical China.     

反演含碎石碳酸盐岩红土水力特性

为探究喀斯特地区碎石夹层对碳酸盐岩红土水力特性的影响因素,通过室内模拟土柱入渗试验,采用垂直入渗水头法研究3种碎石体积含量(0,40%,80%)和3种碎石埋藏深度(0,5,15 cm)分别与累积入渗量、湿润锋、入渗特性和土壤水分特征曲线之间的关系,并采用3种模型分析了含碎石土壤对传统土壤入渗模型的适用性,将实测入渗数据结合改进的Green-Ampt模型反演Brooks-Corey模型参数。结果表明:在相同碎石埋藏深度下,累积入渗量、湿润锋、初始入渗率、平均入渗率和稳定入渗率均随碎石含量增加而减小;当碎石含量为40%时,埋藏深度是15 cm的土壤稳定入渗率最大(12.71 mm/h),是埋藏深度为0 cm的1.33倍。Horton模型对含碎石夹层土壤入渗规律的适用性要优于Kostiakov模型和Philip模型。反演参数a、n和h_d在同一碎石埋藏深度(0,5 cm)下,随碎石含量增加而增大,而K_s随碎石含量增加而减小。通过土壤水分特征曲线可知,对照组土壤持水性最低;含碎石夹层土壤持水性随碎石含量增加而减弱,但碎石埋藏深度为15 cm时,含碎石夹...     

Spatio-temporal variation of anisotropy of saturated hydraulic conductivity in a tilled sandy loam soil

Knowledge on anisotropy of saturated hydraulic conductivity can improve the understanding of transport phenomena in soil. We hypothesized that saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s) in the upper part of the root zone of an agricultural sandy loam soil was anisotropic at different soil depths and times after tillage. K_s was measured on undisturbed 100 cm³ core samples taken in the horizontal and vertical directions in up to four soil layers (Surf: surface layer (0–5 cm); Top: topsoil (10–15 cm); Trans: transition layer between topsoil and subsoil; Sub: subsoil (40–60 cm)) 1, 8 and 32 months, respectively, after mouldboard ploughing and drilling. The ratio between estimated geometric mean values for K_s in the vertical and the horizontal directions (K_ms,v/K_ms,h) was used to test the hypotheses. A total of 669 soil samples were analysed.K_ms,v/K_ms,h varied with time after tillage and between soil layers. One month after ploughing, K_ms,v/K_ms,h was <0.23 (P = 0.975) in the Trans layer with an average value of 0.084, i.e. K_ms,h was 12 times larger than K_ms,v. Anisotropy could not be documented in this layer 8 or 32 months after ploughing, i.e. K_ms,v/K_ms,h was not significantly different from 1.0. For the Surf and Top layers 32 months after ploughing, K_ms,v/K_ms,h was in the intervals 1.4–50 and 3.1–77, respectively, (P = 0.95) with average values of 8.4 and 15, respectively. Thus, K_ms,v was 8.4 respectively 15 times larger than K_ms,h in the two layers. Anisotropy was not found in these layers 1 or 8 months after tillage. Strong anisotropy was found in the Sub layer with K_ms,v/K_ms,h averaging to 14 and 32, respectively, 8 and 32 months after tillage. K_ms,v and K_ms,h generally decreased with time in the Surf, Top and Trans layers, except in the vertical direction in the Top layer between 8 and 32 months after ploughing, and in the Trans layer between 1 and 8 months after ploughing. Overall, the geometric means of K_s varied between 10^−4.0 and 10^−7.1 m s⁻¹.The results may reflect systematic effects of soil settlement and drying/wetting phenomena coupled with biological activity and the existence of stable, vertically oriented biopores in the subsoil. It appears to be necessary to consider anisotropy of K_s and its variation in the analysis and modelling of water flow and chemical transport in agricultural soils, particularly to explain heterogeneous flow phenomena at the plot and field scales.     

Effects of different land use types on infiltration capacity in a catchment in the highlands of Ethiopia

Infiltration capacity is an important variable for understanding and predicting a range of soil processes. This study investigated for different slope positions the effects of forest conversion to cultivation and grazing on soil infiltration capacity. Infiltration capacity was measured in the field in each land use type using a double‐ring infiltrometer. A total of 108 soil samples (3 slope positions × 3 land use types × 4 soil profiles × 3 soil depths) were collected to determine the variables that affect infiltration capacity viz. particle size distribution, organic carbon content, dry bulk density and soil moisture content. The results showed that in the cultivated and grazed land compared with forest, infiltration capacity and soil moisture content were 70 and 45% smaller respectively, and dry bulk density was 13–20% larger. Changes in soil structure caused by surface soil compaction because of tillage and animal trampling coupled with a smaller soil organic carbon content, are likely to be the principal factors causing the decline in infiltration capacity and soil moisture content after conversion of forest to cultivation and grazing.