Abstract

A two-year study was conducted in 2002-2003 (season one) and 2003-2004 (season two) at a seepage irrigated vegetable farm in south Florida to investigate the effect of soil organic amendment (composted yard waste) on movement of water in a sandy soil. Season one result showed that for the same water table depth, soil moisture content in the compost field was higher than the noncompost field in the root zone (top 20 cm). The increased soil moisture was attributed to the increased upflux due to increased capillary rise. Increased capillary rise was a result of increased organic matter content of the soil from compost application. After a rainfall event, soil moisture at 10 cm depth in the compost field responded rapidly, suggesting a higher extent of capillary fringe in the compost field compared to the noncompost field, which did not show the similar response. Another addition of compost further enhanced the soil moisture effect in season two. Season two result showed a higher difference between compost and noncompost soil moisture from the previous season. Soil moisture and water table data from the compost field clearly showed that the addition of compost can provide the same soil moisture from a lower water table compared with the noncompost field. A lower water table depth in the compost field can result in higher retention of rainfall in the soil compared to the noncompost field, which in turn can reduce runoff, deep percolation, and seepage losses and achieve water conservation. Compost application increased the amount of N and P in the soil. Leaching of P to the groundwater was higher in noncompost field compared with the compost field. Statistically, no difference in groundwater N concentration was observed between compost and noncompost field. Results from this study indicate that water and P retention in the soil increased due to the application of compost. The compost application did not have any negative impact on water quality compared with the noncompost condition.

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