Abstract
Abstract. Agricultural management practices influence soil structure, but the characterization of these modifications and consequences are still not completely understood. In this study, we combine X-ray microtomography with retention and hydraulic conductivity measurements in the context of tillage simplification. First, this association is used to validate microtomography information with a quick scan method. Secondly, X-ray microtomography is used to increase our knowledge of soil structural differences. Notably, we show a good match for retention and conductivity functions between macroscopic measurements and microtomographic information. Microtomography refines the shape of the retention function, highlighting the presence of a secondary pore system in our soils. Analysis of structural parameters for these pores appears to be of interest and offers additional clues for soil structure differentiation, through – among others – connectivity and tortuosity parameters. These elements make microtomography a highly competitive instrument for routine soil characterization.
Highlights
Tillage simplification has become a popular practice in recent years, mainly in order to save energy and reduce erosion
With the R fitting, relative root mean square error (RRMSE) are better with the dual porosity (DP) model for conventional tillage (CT) and RT2 but not for RT1, differences between van Genuchten (1980) equation (VG) and DP performances being quite important for CT
The central point of this paper is to show that X-ray microtomography brings supplementary and complementary information to macroscopic measurements in the context of agricultural practice evolution
Summary
Tillage simplification has become a popular practice in recent years, mainly in order to save energy and reduce erosion. Green et al, 2003; Cousin et al, 2004; Bhattacharyya et al, 2006; Strudley et al, 2008), though for most of them, pore size distribution, connectivity and orientation are involved. Researchers have drawn divergent conclusions over the impact of tillage practices on soil hydraulic properties These changes in porosity suggest that the related hydrodynamic properties will be affected, as well as water fluxes and their partition. The characterization of these modifications and consequences remains a challenge
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