Persistence of soil compaction due to high axle load traffic. I. Short-term effects on the properties of clay and organic soils

Short-term effects of high axle load traffic on soil total porosity and pore size distribution were examined in field experiments on a clay (Vertic Cambisol) and an organic soil (Mollic Gleysol) for 3 years after the heavy loading. The clay soil had 48 g clay (particle size less than 2 μm) per 100 g in the topsoil and 65 g per 100 g in the subsoil. The organic soil consisted of well-decomposed sedge peat mixed with clay below 0.2 m depth down to 0.4–0.5 m and was underlain by gythia (organic soil with high clay content). The experimental traffic was applied with a tractor-trailer combination in autumn 1981. The trailer tandem axle load was 19 Mg on the clay and 16 Mg on the organic soil. There were three treatments: one pass with the heavy axle vehicle, with wheel tracks completely covering the plot area, four repeated passes in the same direction, and a control treatment without experimental traffic. During loading, the clay was nearly at field capacity below 0.1 m depth. The organic soil was wetter than field capacity.

One and four passes with the high axle load compacted both soils to a depth of 0.4–0.5 m. On the clay soil the total porosity was reduced by the heavy loading nearly as much as macroporosity (diameter over 30 μm) to 0.5 m depth. On the organic soil, macroporosity was reduced and microporosity (under 30 μm) increased in the 0.2–0.5 m layer by the heavy loading. Total porosity did not reveal the effects of compaction on the organic soil. The compaction of the clay below 0.1 m persisted for 3 years following the treatment despite annual ploughing to a depth of 0.2 m, cropping and deep cracking and freezing. Likewise, in the subsoil (below 0.2 m) of the organic soil, differences in pore size distribution persisted for a period of at least 3 years after the heavy loading.     

Long-term effects of a single compaction by heavy field traffic on yield and nitrogen uptake of annual crops

The long-term effects of soil compaction by heavy traffic on crop growth were examined in field experiments on a heavy clay (Vertic Cambisol) and an organic soil (Mollic Gleysol). There were three treatments: one pass and four repeated passes with a tandem axle load of 16 Mg, with wheel tracks completely covering the plot area, and a control without experimental traffic. Both loadings compacted the soils to a depth of 0.4–0.5 m. For 9 years after the loading, spring cereals (oats, wheat and barley) were the main crops grown. Yield, moisture content at harvest, thousand-kernel and bulk weight and nitrogen uptake of crops were determined each year. Although lodging of crops in the control and sometimes also in the treatment with one pass complicated the interpretation of results, especially for the organic soil, compaction clearly did affect crop production. For several years after the loading, it decreased yields and nitrogen uptake of crops and lowered seed moisture contents at harvest. Effects of the compaction were especially marked on the clay soil in the first 3 years and the rainy sixth year. Taken as a mean of the first 8 years, compaction of the clay soil with four passes reduced the yields by 4% and nitrogen uptake of annual crops by 9%. Compaction of the organic soil with four passes decreased the yield by 1% and nitrogen yield by 4%, as a mean of the first 5 and the last 3 years. The bulk weight or the thousand-kernel weight of yields was not notably affected by the compaction.     

Soil structure and the saturated hydraulic conductivity of subsoils

The saturated hydraulic conductivity, K_sat, was measured on soil samples collected from the plough layer and the subsoil. A range of naturally occurring soil bulk densities was obtained by sampling in different years, with different crops and within and without wheel-tracks, etc. It was found that, for the plough layer, quite good linear relationships exist between the logarithm of K_sat and the bulk density. However, for the subsoils, the value of K_sat usually lies above the regression line for found for the corresponding plough layer. This “excess” hydraulic conductivity of subsoils is attributed to the presence of biopores, especially root channels. The lower hydraulic conductivity of the plough layer, relative to the subsoil, is attributed to the destruction of these biopores by tillage. A simple model for the separate contributions of soil texture and root channels to the overall value of K_sat is presented. It is concluded that subsoil tillage could cause significant reductions in K_sat with potentially serious environmental consequences unless it is repeated periodically.     

Influence of single passes with high wheel load on a structured, unploughed sandy loam soil

In a field experiment, a sandy loam was subjected to single passes with a sugar beet harvester at two different soil water potentials. Different hopper fillings resulted in ground contact pressures of 130 kPa (partial load) and 160 kPa (full load) underneath the tyre. Bulk density, macroporosity (equivalent pore radius >100 μm), penetrometer resistance, air permeability and pre-consolidation pressure were measured within and next to the wheel tracks at depths of 0.12–0.17, 0.32–0.37 and 0.52–0.57 m. Furthermore, the soil structure at two horizons (Ahp 7–24 cm, B(C) 24–38 cm) was visually assessed and classified.

The moist plot responded to a wheel load of 11.23 mg (160 kPa) with an increase in bulk density and pre-consolidation pressure as well as with a decrease in air permeability and macroporosity at a depth of 0.12–0.17 m. With a wheel load of 7.47 mg (130 kPa) on the moist plot and with both wheel load levels on the dry plot, only slight changes of the soil structure were detected. At a depth of 0.32–0.37 and 0.52–0.57 m, the measurements did not indicate any compaction. An ANOVA indicates that the factor “soil water potential” and the factor “wheel load” significantly influence the bulk density at a depth of 0.12–0.17 m. No interactions occurred between these two factors. The wheel traffic on the test plot had no effect on the yield of winter wheat planted after the experimental treatment.

Bulk density, macroporosity and pre-consolidation pressure proved to be sensitive to detect compaction because they varied only slightly and are easy to measure. In contrast, the standard deviation of air permeability is large. The soil structure determined visually in the field confirms the values measured in the laboratory. The results of the penetrometer resistance measurements were not explainable.     

The structure of two alluvial soils in Italy after 10 years of conventional and minimum tillage

Micro and macroporosity, pore shape and size distribution, aggregate stability, saturated hydraulic conductivity and crop yield were analysed in alluvial silty loam (Fluventic Eutrochrept) and clay soils (Vertic Eutrochrept) following long-term minimum and conventional tillage. The soil structure attributes were evaluated by characterizing porosity by means of image analysis of soil thin sections prepared from undisturbed soil samples.

The interaggregate microporosity, measured by mercury intrusion porosimetry, increased in the minimally tilled soils, with a particular increase in the storage pores (0.5–50 μm). The amount of elongated transmission pores (50–500 μm) also increased in the minimally tilled soils. The resulting soil structure was more open and more homogeneous, thus allowing better water movement, as confirmed by the greater hydraulic conductivity of the minimally tilled soils. The aggregate stability was less in the conventionally tilled soils and this resulted in a greater tendency to form surface crusts and compacted structure, compared with the minimally tilled soils. The latter tillage practice seemed to maintain, in the long-term, better soil structure conditions and, therefore, maintain favourable conditions for plant growth. In the silt loam, the crop yield did not differ significantly between the two tillage systems, while in the clay soil it decreased in the minimum tilled soil because of problems of seed bed preparation at the higher surface layer water content.     

Soil physical properties and soybean (Glycine max, Merrill) root abundance in conventionally- and zero-tilled soils in the humid Pampas of Argentina

In the humid Pampas of Argentina soybean is cultivated in different soil types, which were changed from conventional- to zero tillage systems in the last decade. Little is known about the response of soybean roots to these different soil physical environments. Pasture, and conventionally- and zero-tilled field lots cropped to soybean (R1 and R2 ontogenic stages) were sampled in February–March 2001 in a sandy clay loam and two silty clay loam Mollisols, and in a clayey Vertisol. In the 0–0.05 m layer of conventionally- and zero-tilled lots soil organic carbon represented 53–72% of that in pasture lots, and showed an incipient recovery after 4–11 years of continuous zero tillage. Soil aggregate stability was 10.1–46.8% lower in conventionally-tilled than in pasture lots, and recovered completely in zero-tilled lots. Soil relative compaction ranged 60.8–83.6%, which was below the threshold limit for crop yields (>90%). In change, soil porosity >50 μm ranged 0.91–5.09% soil volume, well below the minimum critical limit for root aeration and elongation (>10%, v/v). The threshold of soil resistance (about 2–3 MPa) was only over passed in an induced plough pan in the conventionally-tilled Bragado soil (5.9 MPa), and in the conventionally- and zero-tilled Ramallo soils (3.7–4.2 MPa, respectively). However, neither the low macroporosity nor the high soil resistances impeded soybean roots growth in any site. According to a fitted polynomial function, root abundance was negatively related to clay content in the subsoil (R² = 0.84, P < 0.001). Soybean roots were only abundant in the subsoil of the sandy clay loam Mollisol, which had <350 g kg⁻¹ clay. Results show that subsoil properties, and not tillage systems, were the primary effect of root growth of soybean.     

Subsoil compaction caused by machinery traffic on a Swedish Eutric Cambisol at different soil water contents

Field traffic may reduce the amount of air-filled pores and cavities in the soil thus affecting a large range of physical soil properties and processes, such as infiltration, soil water flow and water retention. Furthermore, soil compaction may increase the mechanical strength of the soil and thereby impede root growth.

The objective of this research was to test the hypotheses that: (1) the degree of soil displacement during field traffic depends largely on the soil water content, and (2) the depth to which the soil is displaced during field traffic can be predicted on the basis of the soil precompression stress and calculated soil stresses. In 1999, field measurements were carried out on a Swedish swelling/shrinking clay loam of stresses and vertical soil displacement during traffic with wheel loads of 2, 3, 5 and 7 Mg at soil water contents of between 11 and 35% (w/w). This was combined with determinations of soil precompression stress at the time of the traffic and predictions of the soil compaction with the soil compaction model SOCOMO. Vertical soil displacement increased with increased axle load. In May, the soil precompression stress was approximately 100 kPa at 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 m depth. In August and September, the soil precompression stress at 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 m depth was 550–1245 kPa. However, when traffic with a wheel load of 7 Mg was applied, the soil displacements at 0.5 m depth were several times larger in August and September than in May, and even more at 0.7 m depth. An implication of the results is that the precompression stress does not always provide a good indication of the risk for subsoil compaction. A practical consequence is that subsoil compaction in some soils may occur even when the soil is very dry. The SOCOMO model predicted the soil displacement relatively well when the soil precompression stress was low. However, for all other wheeling treatments, the model failed to predict that any soil compaction would occur, even at high axle loads.

The measured soil stresses were generally higher than the stresses calculated with the SOCOMO model. Neither the application of a parabolic surface load distribution nor an increased concentration factor could account for this difference. This was probably because the stress distribution in a very dry and strongly structured soil is different from the stress distribution in more homogeneous soils.     

Subsoil compaction effects on crops in Punjab, Pakistan:II. Root growth and nutrient uptake of wheat and sorghum

Crop yields can be reduced by soil compaction due to increased resistance to root growth, and decrease in water and nutrient use efficiencies. A field experiment was conducted during 1997–1998 and 1998–1999 on a sandy clay loam (fine-loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Haplargids, USDA; Luvic Yermosol, FAO) to study subsoil compaction effects on root growth, nutrient uptake and chemical composition of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench). Soil compaction was artificially created once at the start of the study. The 0.00–0.15 m soil was manually removed with a spade. The exposed layer was compacted with a mechanical compactor from 1.65 Mg m⁻³ (control plot) to a bulk density of 1.93 Mg m⁻³ (compacted plot). The topsoil was then again replaced above the compacted subsoil and levelled. Both compacted and control plots were hoed manually and levelled. Root length density, measured at flowering stage, decreased markedly with compaction during 1997–1998 but there was little effect during 1998–1999. The reduction in nutrient uptake by wheat due to compaction of the subsoil was 12–35% for N, 17–27% for P and up to 24% for K. The reduction in nutrient uptake in sorghum due to subsoil compaction was 23% for N, 16% for P, and 12% for K. Subsoil compaction increased N content in wheat grains in 1997–1998, but there was no effect on P and K contents of grains and N and P content of wheat straw or sorghum stover. During 1997–1998, K content of wheat straw was statistically higher in control treatment compared with compacted treatment. In 1998, P-content of sorghum leaves was higher in compacted treatment than uncompacted control. Root length density of wheat below 0.15 m depth was significantly reduced and was significantly and negatively correlated with soil bulk density. Therefore, appropriate measures such as periodic chiselling, controlled traffic, conservation tillage, and incorporating of crops with deep tap root system in rotation cycle is necessary to minimize the risks of subsoil compaction.     

Effects on some clay soil qualities following the passage of rubber-tracked and wheeled tractors in central Italy

There is increased use of rubber-tracked tractors for ploughing on clay soil (Vertic Cambisol) in central, south and insular Italy instead of metal-tracked tractors, because they allow travel on public roads. Field tests were carried out on arable soil previously ploughed and harrowed to compare two types of tractors, one rubber-tracked (CAT Challenger Ch 45) and one wheeled (New Holland 8770) in order to establish the compacting effects resulting from 1 and 4 passes of the tractors in the same track. The following parameters were studied: soil penetration resistance, bulk density and its increment ratio, soil shear strength, soil macroporosity and hydraulic conductivity. Multiple passes made by the two tractors induced very similar effects on the soil in regards to soil penetration resistance. Mean values of penetration resistance (0–0.20 m depth) were 1.15 MPa for the rubber-tracked tractor and 1.11 MPa for the wheeled tractor; mean values of penetration resistance (0.21–0.40 m depth) were 1.07 MPa for the rubber-tracked tractor and 1.17 MPa for the wheeled tractor. The decrease in macroporosity, in particular that of elongated pores in the soil surface layer (0–0.10 m depth) was greater in treatments involving the rubber-tracked tractor (from 20.2 to 2.7%) than for the wheeled tractor (from 20.2 to 10.3%). Following traffic of the two tractors, hydraulic conductivity decreased and the following values were found for the five treatments: control, 18.48 mm h⁻¹; wheeled tractor 1 and 4 passes, 11.15 and 7.45 mm h⁻¹, respectively; rubber-tracked tractor 1 and 4 passes, 3.25 and 1.1 mm h⁻¹, respectively. Highly significant correlations between shear strength and dry bulk density, and between hydraulic conductivity and elongated pores and total macroporosity were found. Significant linear relationships between macroporosity and penetration resistance for 1 and 4 passes of both tractors were found in the soil layers (0–0.10 m). A significant difference was found between tractors and for correlations of penetration resistance values above control values. However, in the soil layer (0–0.20 m depth), with respect to the higher degree of macroporosity and low values of penetration resistance, treatments involving wheeled tractor (1 pass) showed a lower degree of soil compaction than was observed after 1 pass of the rubber-tracked tractor.     

Shirnkage and water retention characteristic in a fine-textured mollisol compacted under different axle loads

In areas where heavy vehicles are used, the subsoils often become very compacted. Freezing-thawing and wetting-drying have not been effective at reducing compaction. In this study, the type of soil shrinkage related to compaction was investigated to explain these amelioration failures. In conjunction with a shrinkage curve, the water retention characteristic was also measured because both can be related to compaction. Shrinkage and bulk density of undisturbed clods (about 200 cm³), as well as water retention of undisturbed cores, were measured to evaluate long-term compaction effects in two sets (better and poor tile drainage) of two axle-load treatments (9- and 18-Mg axle loads) relative to their control. Wet clods were sampled from the Ap (0 to 25 cm) and subsoil (30 to 45 cm) horizons of a Normania clay loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Udic Haplustoll) in the spring of 1991 without fragmentation after the soil had a full winter to swell following moldboard plowing in the fall. Clods were further saturated, coated with a film, then allowed to air-dry. Mass and volume were determined periodically for eight months to measure shrinkage. Maximum volume reduction (m³m⁻³) of clods in the Ap layer (0.232) during shrinkage was significantly greater than in the subsoil layer (0.152), but compaction effects were not significant in either layer. Dry bulk density of subsoil clods (1.77 Mg m⁻³) was significantly greater than in the Ap layer (1.68 Mg m⁻³), but no statistical differences were observed among compaction treatments. Maximum shirnkage was always <1 and averaged 0.61 in the subsoil compared to averaged 0.80 in the Ap layer, which indicates nearly all structural and residual shirnkage after immediate air entry during gravity drainage. The water retention characteristic of the original compacted and control treatments were still significantly different in the better drained subsoil but not in the more poorly drained subsoil, which showed that the 9-Mg axle load overall since 1987 has compacted the subsoil nearly as much under wet soil conditions as the 18-Mg axle load initially. These soil structural measurements explain the failure of natural forces to reduce bulk density of the compacted subsoil.     

Effects of compaction on soil hydraulic properties,penetration resistance and water flow patterns at the soil profile scale

The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of compaction on water flow patterns at the soil profile scale. Control and trafficked plots were established in field trials at two sites. The trafficked treatment was created by four passes track‐by‐track with a three‐axle dumper with a maximum wheel load of 5.8 Mg. One year later, dye‐tracing experiments were performed and several soil mechanical, physical and hydraulic properties were measured to help explain the dye patterns. Penetration resistance was measured to 50 cm depth, with saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s), bulk density, and macroporosity and mesoporosity being measured on undisturbed soil cores sampled from three depths (10, 30 and 50 cm). Significant effects of the traffic treatment on the structural pore space were found at 30 cm depth for large mesopores (0.3–0.06 mm diameter), but not small mesopores (0.06–0.03 mm) or macroporosity (pores > 0.3 mm). At one of the sites, ponding was observed during the dye‐tracing experiments, especially in the trafficked plots, because of the presence of a compacted layer at plough depth characterized by a larger bulk density and smaller structural porosity and K_s values. Ponding did not induce any preferential transport of the dye solution into the subsoil at this site. In contrast, despite the presence of a compacted layer at 25–30 cm depth, a better developed structural porosity in the subsoil was noted at the other site which allowed preferential flow to reach to at least 1 m depth in both treatments.     

Compaction of forest soils with heavy logging machinery affects soil bacterial community structure

Soil compaction is widespread but tends to be most prevalent where heavy machinery is used in landfill sites, agriculture and forestry. Three forest sites strongly disturbed by heavy logging machinery were chosen to test the physical effects of different levels of compaction on soil bacterial community structure and soil functions. Community analysis comprised microbial biomass C and T-RFLP genetic profiling. Machine passes, irrespective of the compaction level, considerably modified soil structural characteristics at two soil depths (5–10 cm; 15–20 cm). Total porosity decreased up to 17% in the severe compaction. Reflected in this overall decline were large decreases in macroporosity (>50 μm). Reduction in macroporosity was associated with higher water retention and restricted gas exchange in compacted soils. The strongest effect was observed in the severely compacted wheel tracks where air and water conductivities were reduced permanently to 10% or even lower of the original conductivities of undisturbed soils. Very slow drainage in combination with a dramatically reduced gas permeability led to unfavorable soil conditions in severely disturbed traffic lanes reflecting the changes in the total bacterial community structures at both soil depths. Additionally, microbial biomass C tended to be lower in compacted soil. Our results indicate that the type of severe treatments imposed at these forest sites may have strong adverse effects on long-term soil sustainability.     

Combined effects of soil texture and machine operating trail gradient on changes in forest soil physical properties during ground-based skidding

Wood extraction by heavy machinery has always been associated with soil disturbance in mountain forests,and the degree of soil degradation is influenced by several factors,including site and soil characteristics,soil moisture,type of equipment used,and number of machine passes.The effects of ground-based skidding operations on the physical properties of soils with different texture were evaluated at different levels of traffic frequency and trail gradient at two sites in an Iranian temperate forest.The treatments included combinations of three different traffic frequencies(3,8,and 14 passes of a rubber-tired cable skidder),three levels of trail gradient(10%,10%–20%,and20%) and two soil texture classes,clay loam(Site 1) and sandy loam(Site 2).The average gravimetric soil moisture at the time of skidding was 23%(Site 1) and 20%(Site 2).The average dry bulk density and total porosity of the undisturbed soil(control) were0.71 g cm~(-3) and 73.3% at Site 1(clay loam) and 0.86 g cm~(-3)and 59.1% at Site 2(sandy loam),respectively.At site 1(fine-textured soil),rutting began after three passes of the skidder,whereas at site 2(coarse-textured soil),rutting occurred only after eight passes.Independent of the traffic frequency and trail gradient,machine impact on the fine-textured soil caused greater increases in bulk density and rut depth compared to that on the coarse-textured soil.After three skidder passes and independent from trail gradients,dry bulk density at Site 1 increased by 54.8% compared to that of the undisturbed control,and the increase was 45.5% at Site 2.Therefore,medium to fine-textured soils are more susceptible to compaction than coarse-textured soils.Such soils,especially when moist,should be protected using brush mats created from harvesting residues during the forest processing phase.     

Amelioration of soil compaction can take 5 years on a Vertisol under no till in the semi-arid subtropics

Heavy wheel traffic causes soil compaction, which adversely affects crop production and may persist for several years. We applied known compaction forces to entire plots annually for 5 years, and then determined the duration of the adverse effects on the properties of a Vertisol and the performance of crops under no-till dryland cropping with residue retention. For up to 5 years after a final treatment with a 10 Mg axle load on wet soil, soil shear strength at 70–100 mm and cone index at 180–360 mm were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in a control treatment, and soil water storage and grain yield were lower. We conclude that compaction effects persisted because (1) there were insufficient wet–dry cycles to swell and shrink the entire compacted layer, (2) soil loosening by tillage was absent and (3) there were fewer earthworms in the compacted soil. Compaction of dry soil with 6 Mg had little effect at any time, indicating that by using wheel traffic only when the soil is dry, problems can be avoided. Unfortunately such a restriction is not always possible because sowing, tillage and harvest operations often need to be done when the soil is wet. A more generally applicable solution, which also ensures timely operations, is the permanent separation of wheel zones and crop zones in the field—the practice known as controlled traffic farming. Where a compacted layer already exists, even on a clay soil, management options to hasten repair should be considered, e.g. tillage, deep ripping, sowing a ley pasture or sowing crop species more effective at repairing compacted soil.     

Deep tillage and traffic effects on subsoil compaction and sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) yields

The main function of deep tillage is to alleviate subsoil compaction, but how long do the benefits of this technique remain? Traffic on loose soil causes a significant increase in soil compaction. Subsoiling and chisel plowing were carried out at 450 and 280 mm depth, respectively on a compacted soil in the west Rolling Pampas region of Argentina. The draft required, physical soil properties, root growth, sunflower (Helianthus annus L. Merr.) yield and traffic compaction over the subsequent two growing seasons were measured. Cone penetrometer resistance was reduced and sunflower yields increased following deep tillage operations. Subsoil compaction caused changes to the root system of sunflower that affected shoot growth and crop yields. Although subsoiling and chiseling had an immediate loosening effect, it was evident that after just 2 years, when traffic intensity was >95 mg km ha⁻¹, re-compaction and settling had occurred in the 300–600 mm depth range.     

Field compaction at different soil-water status: effects on pore size distribution and soil water characteristics of a Rhodic Ferralsol in Western Cuba

The level of compaction induced on cultivated fields through trafficking is strongly influenced by the prevailing soil-water status and, depending on the attendant soil degradation, vital soil hydraulic processes could be affected. Therefore, understanding the relationship between field soil-water status and the corresponding level of induced compaction for a given load is considered an imperative step toward a better control of the occurrence of traffic-induced field soil compaction. Pore size distribution, a fundamental and highly degradable soil property, was measured in a Rhodic Ferralsol, the most productive and extensively distributed soil in Western Cuba, to study the effects of three levels of soil compaction on soil water characteristic parameters. Soil bulk density and cone penetration index were used to measure compaction levels established by seven passes of a 10 Mg tractor at three soil-water statuses corresponding to the plastic (Fs), friable (Fc) and relatively dry soil (Ds) consistency states. Pore size distribution calculated from soil water characteristic curves was classified into three pore size categories on the basis of their hydraulic functioning: >50 μm (f_>50 μm), 50–0.5 μm (f_{50–0.5 μm}) and <0.5 μm (f_<0.5 μm). The greatest compaction levels were attained in the Fs and Fc soil water treatments, and a significant contribution to compaction was attributed to the existing soil water states under which the soil compaction was accomplished. Average cone index (CI) values in the range of 2.93–3.70 MPa reflected the accumulation of f_<0.5 μm pores, and incurred severe reductions in the volume of f_>50 μm pores in the Fs and Fc treatments, while an average CI value of 1.69 MPa indicated increments in the volume of f_{50–0.5 μm} in the Ds treatment. Despite the differential effects of soil compaction on the distribution of the different pore size categories, soil total porosity (f_Total) was not effective in reflecting treatment effects. Soil water desorption at the soil water potentials evaluated (0.0 to −15,000 cm H₂O) was adversely affected in the f_<0.5 μm dominated treatments; strong soil water retention was observed with the predominance of f_<0.5 μm, as was confirmed by the high water content at plant wilting point. Based on these findings, the use of field capacity water content as the upper limit of plant available soil water was therefore considered inappropriate for compacted soils.     

Influence of texture on habitable pore space and bacterial-protozoan populations in soil

Summary Soil texture affects pore space, and bacterial and protozoan populations in soil. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that bacteria are more protected from protozoan predation in fine-textured soils than in coarse-textured soils because they have a larger volume of protected pore space available to them. The experiment consisted of three sterilized Orthic Black Chernozemic soils (silty clay, clay loam, and sandy loam) inoculated with bacteria, two treatments (with and without protozoa), and five sampling dates. The soils were amended with glucose and mineral N on day 0. On day 4 bacterial numbers in all three soils were approximately 3×10⁹ g^–1 soil. The greatest reduction in bacteria due to protozoan grazing occurred between day 4 and day 7. Compared to the treatment without protozoa, bacteria in the treatment with protozoa were reduced by 68, 50, and 75% in the silty clay, clay loam, and sandy loam, respectively. On day 4, 2 days after the protozoan inoculation, all protozoa were active. The numbers were 10330, 4760, and 15 380 g^–1 soil for the silty clay, clay loam, and sandy loam, respectively. Between day 4 and day 7, the period of greatest bacterial decline, total protozoa increased greatly to 150480, 96160, and 192100 g^–1 soil for the three soils, respectively. Most protozoa encysted by day 7. In all soils the addition of protozoa significantly increased CO₂–C evolution per g soil relative to the treatment without protozoa. Our results support the hypothesis that bacteria are more protected from protozoan predation in fine-textured soils than in coarse-textured soils.     

Long-term impact of reduced tillage and residue management on soil carbon stabilization: Implications for conservation agriculture on contrasting soils

Residue retention and reduced tillage are both conservation agricultural management options that may enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) stabilization in tropical soils. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of long-term tillage and residue management on SOC dynamics in a Chromic Luvisol (red clay soil) and Areni-Gleyic Luvisol (sandy soil) in Zimbabwe. At the time of sampling the soils had been under conventional tillage (CT), mulch ripping (MR), clean ripping (CR) and tied ridging (TR) for 9 years. Soil was fully dispersed and separated into 212–2000 μm (coarse sand), 53–212 μm (fine sand), 20–53 μm (coarse silt), 5–20 μm (fine silt) and 0–5 μm (clay) size fractions. The whole soil and size fractions were analyzed for C content. Conventional tillage treatments had the least amount of SOC, with 14.9 mg C g⁻¹ soil and 4.2 mg C g⁻¹ soil for the red clay and sandy soils, respectively. The highest SOC content was 6.8 mg C g⁻¹ soil in the sandy soil under MR, whereas for the red clay soil, TR had the highest SOC content of 20.4 mg C g⁻¹ soil. Organic C in the size fractions increased with decreasing size of the fractions. In both soils, the smallest response to management was observed in the clay size fractions, confirming that this size fraction is the most stable. The coarse sand-size fraction was most responsive to management in the sandy soil where MR had 42% more organic C than CR, suggesting that SOC contents of this fraction are predominantly controlled by amounts of C input. In contrast, the fine sand fraction was the most responsive fraction in the red clay soil with a 66% greater C content in the TR than CT. This result suggests that tillage disturbance is the dominant factor reducing C stabilization in a clayey soil, probably by reducing C stabilization within microaggregates. In conclusion, developing viable conservation agriculture practices to optimize SOC contents and long-term agroecosystem sustainability should prioritize the maintenance of C inputs (e.g. residue retention) to coarse textured soils, but should focus on the reduction of SOC decomposition (e.g. through reduced tillage) in fine textured soils.     

Effect of deep ploughing on the water status of highly and less compacted soils for coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) production in Sri Lanka

Soil compaction limits soil water availability which adversely affects coconut production in Sri Lanka. Field experiments were conducted in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) plantations with highly and less compacted soils in the intermediate climatic zone of Sri Lanka. Soil physical properties of sixteen major soil series planted with coconut were evaluated to select the most suitable soil series to investigate the effect of deep ploughing on soil water conservation. Soil compaction and soil water retention with respect to deep ploughing were monitored during the dry and rainy seasons using cone penetrometer and neutron scattering techniques, respectively. Evaluation of soil physical properties showed that the range of mean values of bulk density (BD) and soil penetration resistance (SPR) in the surface soil (0–10 cm depth) of major soil series in coconut lands was from 1.38 ± 0.02 to 1.57 ± 0.07 g/cm³ and 55 ± 10 to 315 ± 16.4 N/cm² respectively. The total available water fraction increased with clay content of soil as a result of high micropores. However, due to soil compaction, ability of soils to conserve water and to remain aerated was low for those series. Deep ploughing during the rainy and dry periods in highly compacted soils (BD > 1.5 g/cm³ and SPR > 250 N/cm²) greatly increased conserved soil water in the profile, while in less compacted soils (BD < 1.5 g/cm³ and SPR < 250 N/cm²) conserved water content was adversely affected. Soil water retention in bare soils of both highly and less compacted soil series was higher than that of live grass-covered soil. Amount of water conserved in ploughed Andigama series with respect to bare soils and grass-covered treatments during the severe dry period was 10.4 and 16.9 cm/m, while water storage reduction in the same treatments with ploughed Madampe series was 6.55 and 5.45 cm/m respectively. In addition, deep ploughing even in the effective root zone with live grass-covered highly compacted soils around coconut tree was favorable for soil water retention compared to that of live grass-covered less compacted soils.     

Contributory factors to soil spatial variability in an ultisol. II. Retention of living trees in situ following land clearing

Abstract

The effect of retaining living trees in situ following manual land clearing on soil physical properties was studied in a Typic Kandiudult in southern Cameroon. Soil compaction in the surface 100 mm was greatest with complete clearing and least under forest, with retention of living trees resulting in soil compaction levels which were intermediate to both the former. Soil compaction in the surface 100 mm also increased with increasing distance from the tree trunk (or tree stump with complete clearing). Both the above observations were attributed to a combination of high root density, high macrofaunal activity, high ground cover, high organic matter content and low traffic under forest and at the base of trees or tree stumps. Increasing soil compaction also occurred with increasing depth, and was attributed to the existence of few biopores in the subsoil horizons. Absence of biopores was thought to be due to low root densities in the subsoil caused by a combination of low macroporosity, low air porosities during the wet season and low pH. In comparison to sub‐humid and semi‐arid ecologies, therefore, the beneficial effects of retaining living trees in situ following land clearing at this site were less.