Soil Physical Properties of Tied Ridges in the Sudan Savannah of Burkina Faso

1988 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. R. Hulugalle ◽  
M. S. Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Soil Water Retention ◽  
Maize Varieties

SUMMARYThe soil physical properties of tied ridges were measured in a trial, established in 1983, comparing three treatments: handhoe cultivation and planting on the flat; planting directly without any cultivation on tied ridges constructed the previous year; and handhoe cultivation and remoulding of tied ridges constructed the previous year. Two maize varieties and two management levels were used. The soil properties monitored were particle size distribution, penetro-meter resistance in the surface 20 mm, bulk density, water infiltration, soil water retention and soil temperature.Soil physical properties were affected mainly by the type of seedbed. Clay content in the surface 0.05 m was greater with tied ridging, with that in the furrows being higher than that in the ridge slopes. Daily maximum soil temperature was greatest in the flat planted plots and in the ridge slopes of the tied ridged plots. Penetrometer resistance at a soil water content of 0.05 kg kg−1 was greater in the tied ridged plots. Cumulative infiltration after 2 h was greatest with flat planting. The bulk density of ridge slopes in tied ridged plots was less than that in the furrows and in the flat planted plots. Soil water retention was greatest in the furrows of the tied ridged plots. Clay content was the major factor determining all the soil physical properties measured.

scholarly journals Topography and spatial variability of soil physical properties

2009 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 338-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos Bacis Ceddia ◽  
Sidney Rosa Vieira ◽  
André Luis Oliveira Villela ◽  
Lenilson dos Santos Mota ◽  
Lúcia Helena Cunha dos Anjos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variability ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Particle Density ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Soil Water Retention ◽  
Soil Attributes ◽  
Physical Attributes

Among the soil formation factors, relief is one of the most used in soil mapping, because of its strong correlation with the spatial variability of soil attributes over a landscape. In this study the relationship between topography and the spatial variability of some soil physical properties was evaluated. The study site, a pasture with 2.84 ha, is located near Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, where a regular square grid with 20 m spacing was laid out and georreferenced. In each sampling point, altitude was measured and undisturbed soil samples were collected, at 0.0-0.1, 0.1-0.2, and 0.2-0.3 m depths. Organic carbon content, soil texture, bulk density, particle density, and soil water retention at 10 (Field Capacity), 80 (limit of tensiometer reading) and 1500 kPa (Permanent Wilting Point) were determined. Descriptive statistics was used to evaluate central tendency and dispersion parameters of the data. Semivariograms and cross semivariograms were calculated to evaluate the spatial variability of elevation and soil physical attributes, as well as, the relation between elevation and soil physical attributes. Except for silt fraction content (at the three depths), bulk density (at 0.2-0.3 m) and particle density (at 0.0-0.1 m depth), all soil attributes showed a strong spatial dependence. Areas with higher elevation presented higher values of clay content, as well as soil water retention at 10, 80 and 1500 kPa. The correlation between altitude and soil physical attributes decreased as soil depth increased. The cross semivariograms demonstrated the viability in using altitude as an auxiliary variable to improve the interpolation of sand and clay contents at the depth of 0.0-0.3 m, and of water retention at 10, 80 and 1500 kPa at the depth of 0.0-0.2 m.

PREDICTING VOLUMETRIC WATER RETENTIONS FOR SUBSOIL MATERIALS FROM COLCHESTER COUNTY, NOVA SCOTIA

1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 233-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. BEKE ◽  
M. I. MacCORMICK
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Soil Water Retention

Relationships between soil water retention and soil properties were developed for subsoil materials from Colchester County, Nova Scotia. The significant variables in the regression equation for soil water content at a suction of 33 kPa were the sand content and the product of silt content and bulk density of the soil. The variables for water retention at 1500 kPa suction were the clay content and the product of organic matter content and bulk density. The multiple correlation coefficients were 0.87 and 0.92 for suctions of 33 and 1500 kPa, respectively. The developed equations were comparable to ones derived elsewhere. Key words: Water retention, texture, organic matter, bulk density

Long-term effect of biochar on soil physical properties of agricultural soils with different textures

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Zanutel ◽  
Sarah Garré ◽  
Charles Bielders
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Particle Density ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Term Effect ◽  
Silt Loam ◽  
Long Term Effect

<p>In the context of global soil degradation, biochar is being promoted as a potential solution to improve soil quality, besides its carbon sequestration potential. Burying biochar in soils is known to effect soil physical quality in the short-term (<5 years), and the intensity of these effects depends on soil texture. However, the long-term effects of biochar remain largely unknown yet and are important to quantify given biochar’s persistency in soils. The objective of this study was therefore to assess the long-term effect of biochar on soil physical properties as a function of soil texture and biochar concentration.  For this purpose, soil physical properties (particle density, bulk density, porosity, water retention and hydraulic conductivity curves) were measured in the topsoil of three fields with former kiln sites containing charcoal more than 150 years old in Wallonia (southern Belgium).  The fields had a silt loam, loam and sandy loam texture.  Samples were collected along 3 transects in each field, from the center of the kiln sites outwards. </p><p>Particle density and bulk density slightly decreased as a function of charcoal content. Because particle density and bulk density were affected to a similar extent by charcoal content, total porosity was not affected by the presence of century-old charcoal. Regarding the soil water retention curve, charcoal affected mostly water content in the mesopore range. This effect was strongest for the sandy loam. On the other hand, the presence of century-old charcoal increased significantly the hydraulic conductivity at pF between 1.5 and 2 for the silt loam, while no effect of charcoal was observed for the loamy soil.  The study highlights a limited effect of century-old charcoal on the pore size distribution (at constant porosity) and on the resulting soil physical properties for the range of soils and charcoal concentrations investigated here.  Further research may be needed to confirm the observed trends over a wider range of soil types. </p>

The effects of biochar on the physical properties of bare soil

2012 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Ventura ◽  
Fiorenzo Salvatorelli ◽  
Stefano Piana ◽  
Linda Pieri ◽  
Paola Rossi Pisa
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Agricultural Soil ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Soil Water Retention ◽  
Experimental Scheme ◽  
Dark Colour ◽  
Key Factor

ABSTRACTThe pyrolysis conversion of vegetable residues into energy and biochar, and its incorporation in agricultural soil, reduces CO2emission and provides a longterm soil carbon sequestration. Moreover, biochar application in soil seems to increase nutrient stocks in the rooting layer, improving crop yield. Compared with the numerous studies assessing the positive effect of biochar on yield, however, little research has been published elucidating the mechanisms responsible for the reported benefits. Few studies cited soil moisture as the key factor, attributing the increased yield to the higher soil water availability.The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of biochar on the physical and hydraulic properties of a bare Padana Plain (Cadriano, Bologna) agricultural soil. A preliminary plot experiment in 2009 explored the influence of 10 and 30 kg ha–1of biochar on soil moisture, without effects from plants. Results of the first experiment suggested using higher biochar rates in a similar experimental scheme. During the second experiment, 30 and 60 t ha–1doses were investigated. Soil water content, bulk density, electrical conductivity and soil water retention were measured. The comparison between treated soils and the control indicates that the biochar rate is directly correlated to electrical conductibility and inversely correlated with bulk density. The effect on the density of soil can be very positive in case of heavy soils. The dark colour of the char increased the surface temperature with respect to the control, while no differences were detected at 7·5 cm depth. No influences were found on other soil characteristics, including soil pH, moisture and water retention.

scholarly journals Estimating soil water retention for wide ranges of pressure head and bulk density based on a fractional bulk density concept

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huihui Sun ◽  
Jaehoon Lee ◽  
Xijuan Chen ◽  
Jie Zhuang
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Pore Space ◽  
Pressure Head ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Residual Water ◽  
Soil Water Retention ◽  
Residual Water Content

Abstract Soil water retention determines plant water availability and contaminant transport processes in the subsurface environment. However, it is usually difficult to measure soil water retention characteristics. In this study, an analytical model based on a fractional bulk density (FBD) concept was presented for estimating soil water retention curves. The concept allows partitioning of soil pore space according to the relative contribution of certain size fractions of particles to the change in total pore space. The input parameters of the model are particle size distribution (PSD), bulk density, and residual water content at water pressure head of 15,000 cm. The model was tested on 30 sets of water retention data obtained from various types of soils that cover wide ranges of soil texture from clay to sand and soil bulk density from 0.33 g/cm3 to 1.65 g/cm3. Results showed that the FBD model was effective for all soil textures and bulk densities. The estimation was more sensitive to the changes in soil bulk density and residual water content than PSD parameters. The proposed model provides an easy way to evaluate the impacts of soil bulk density on water conservation in soils that are manipulated by mechanical operation.

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