Soil Physical Characteristics Research Articles

Exploring the viability of Organic Farming for Sustainable Agriculture in India

Organic farming commonly known as ecological or biological farming is a type of farming that emphasises methods like crop rotation and companion planting and employs organic fertilisers including compost manure, crop residues, mineral grade rock additives, green manure, and bone meal. Organic farming is an agricultural system that creates safe, healthy or environmentally friendly products and works in the protection of nature. It excludes the use of synthetic inputs such as fertilizers; hormones feed additives, herbicides, pesticides. In order to preserve ecological balance and safeguard the environment, organic farming was adopted. It supports and improves the health of the agro-ecosystem, including the biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. This paper aims to delve into the principles of organic farming and the concept of organic products. It also undertakes an analysis of the opportunities within the domain of organic farming and evaluates potential markets for organic products. Furthermore, the paper scrutinizes the challenges associated with marketing organic products. Organic farming provides nutrients to the plants and improves the physical and biological quality and characteristic of soil.

Integrated crop‐livestock versus conventional systems: Effects on the chemical and physical characteristics of an Oxisol

AbstractStudies have reported improvements in soil quality in integrated crop‐livestock systems (ICLS) when compared to conventional systems. The hypothesis of this study was that ICLS improve Oxisol quality due to the use of intercropping, adding pasture and cattle to the systems. The aim of the study was to evaluate the chemical and physical characteristics of an Oxisol and pasture production in the integrated system versus conventional system. We compared two conventional systems: crop system (maize grain production) and livestock system (beef cattle on single pasture) and, four ICLS: maize plus Marandu palisade grass sown simultaneously without herbicide (ICLS‐1); maize plus Marandu palisade grass sown simultaneously with herbicide (ICLS‐2); maize plus Marandu palisade grass in lagged sowing (ICLS‐3); and maize plus Marandu palisade grass sown simultaneously in maize rows and inter‐rows with herbicide (ICLS‐4). A randomized block design with six treatments and three replicates was used. The results suggest improvements in soil quality, including soil organic carbon (ICLS‐4), total nitrogen, and nitrogen stocks (ICLS‐1, ICLS‐2, and ICLS‐4). The intercropping technique influenced pasture production and soil quality during the implementation of integrated systems. The lowest soil strength was obtained for the crop system compared to systems with grazing animals but there were no changes in the soil physical characteristics that could compromise the production system.

Effects of Biochar and Municipal Solid Waste Compost on Soil Physical Quality and Productivity Index Under Sorghum Cultivation Irrigated with Saline Water

ABSTRACT Amending soil with different materials is gaining acceptance as an effective and inexpensive technique for reclamation of salt-affected soils. The main idea of this study was to investigate the effects of biochar, compost of municipal solid waste and different water salinities level on soil physical quality (SDexter) and soil productivity index (SPI). The treatments were as followed: Control: Soil without biochar or compost and irrigated with tap water, S1: Soil without biochar or compost and irrigated with saline water (EC = 4.5 dS m−1), S2: Soil without biochar or compost and irrigated with saline water (EC = 9 dS m−1), B: Soil amended with 1.5%w/w biochar and irrigated with tap water, B+S1: Soil amended with 1.5%w/w biochar and irrigated with saline water (EC = 4.5 dS m−1), B+S2: Soil amended with 1.5%w/w biochar and irrigated with saline water (EC = 9 dS m−1), C: Soil amended with 1.5%w/w compost and irrigated with tap water, C+S1: Soil amended with 1.5%w/w compost and irrigated with saline water (EC = 4.5 dS m−1), C+S2: Soil amended with 1.5%w/w compost and irrigated with saline water (EC = 9 dS m−1). Soil water characteristic curve (SWCC), Field capacity (FC), Plant wilting point (PWP), Plant available water (PAW), Dexter’s index of soil physical quality (SDexter) and SPI were examined in a greenhouse experiment. The SPI was calculated by integrating the effects of six soil quality indices: plant available water, organic matter (OM), Electrical conductivity (EC), pH, Bulk density (BD) and Root weighting factor (RF) for all treatments were calculated. The results showed that the B treatment had a slightly higher effect on SWCC. The applied B and C treatments caused insignificant increase in PAW relative to the control. In addition, application of biochar or compost to soil significantly increased the SDexter. The application of C treatment had insignificantly higher value of SDexter compared to other treatments. Compared with the control, SPI was significantly higher for the B and C treatments. Overall, the application of biochar/compost minimized the destructive effects of saline irrigation water and improved the quality of the salt-affected fine-textured soil.

Influence of Conservation Agriculture on Certain Soil Qualities Both Physical and Chemical in Relation to Sustainable Agriculture Practices a Review

Conventional tillage raises the possibility of soil erosion and degrades crucial physical characteristics of the soil, such as soil organic carbon (SOC) reduction. Additionally, ineffective management techniques result in a decrease in soil organic matter, a breakdown of the soil's structure, and more erosion. As a result, crop yields have decreased. Conservation agriculture (CA) is being considered as a potential system having the capability of improving soil quality and providing stable yields. This review's primary goal is to demonstrate how conservation agricultural practices affect certain physical and chemical characteristics of soil in order to support sustainable agriculture. So as to produce production system that are sustainable, conservation agriculture refers to cropping system management approaches that support permanent soil cover, low soil disturbance, and appropriate crop rotation. With the use of conservation agriculture techniques, it is possible to enhance the physical and structural health of the soil (by reducing bulk density and improving soil aggregation), in addition to increase soil water infiltration, decrease water runoff and soil loss, decrease evaporation loss, decrease soil organic carbon, and lower greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. These factors are crucial for maintaining soil health and sustainable crop production. In general, applying the conservation agriculture concepts of limited tillage, soil cover, and legume integration would promote the development of soil microorganisms and organic matter by decreasing erosion. Conservation agriculture is therefore regarded as one of the agricultural systems that have the ability to favorably contribute to soil physical and chemical improvement as well as techniques for mitigating and adapting to climate change.

Temporal variability of physical quality of a sandy loam soil amended with compost

AbstractCompost can enhance the soil's ability to retain water, resulting in an overall improvement of soil physical quality (SPQ). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the temporal variability of physical and hydraulic properties of a sandy loam soil amended with a compost obtained from orange juice processing wastes and garden cleaning. The soil water retention curve of repacked soil samples at varying compost to soil ratios, r, was determined at the time of compost embedding (M0) and after six months (M6), and twelve months (M12). Indicators of SPQ linked to soil water retention curve such as air capacity (AC), macroporosity (Pmac), plant available water capacity (PAWC), relative field capacity (RFC) and Dexter S-index (S), were estimated. The effect of compost addiction of the pore volume distribution function was also evaluated.The elapsed time from compost application influenced all SPQ indicators but the maximum beneficial effects of compost amendment were achieved within approximately the first six months. Indicators linked the macro- and mesoporosity (Pmac and AC) decreased with r whereas indicators linked to plant water availability (PAWC and RFC) increased with r. The combined effect of time and rate was statistically observed only for Pmac, PAWC and S.Compost addiction reduced the soil compaction and modified the pore system, as the fraction of structural porosity (i.e., macropores) decreased and the fraction of textural porosity (i.e., micropores) increased. It was concluded that even a single application of compost could have a significant impact on soil water retention and microstructure with positive implications for soil health, precision agriculture and crop productivity.

Evaluation of the impact of wastewater irrigation on the soil's dielectric parameters

AbstractThis study investigates the impact of wastewater irrigation on soil dielectric parameters, focusing on the often‐overlooked aspect of dielectric properties in contaminated soil. Wastewater, a significant contributor to soil and groundwater degradation, has long‐term effects on soil physical, chemical, and dielectric characteristics. Experimental measurements conducted overtime at 2.45 and 5.8 GHz frequencies reveal a correlation between wastewater irrigation and changes in dielectric properties. Emphasizing time variation as a pivotal independent variable, the study sheds light on its substantial influence on soil dielectric behavior. Notably, the research introduces an alternative methodology for the comprehensive evaluation of wastewater‐induced pollution effects on soil properties. This approach is substantiated by meticulous physicochemical analyses conducted on both pollution sources and the affected soil. The study further presents a robust response surface method‐based model, showcasing impressive accuracy with dielectric properties (ε′ and ε″) and penetration depth with R2 values of 0.9845, 0.9831, and 0.9528, respectively. Beyond unveiling crucial insights into the intricate interplay of wastewater and soil dielectric behavior, this research contributes to the development of effective strategies for pollution monitoring and management in soil ecosystems.

Changes in soil hydraulic and physio-chemical properties under treated wastewater irrigation: A meta-analysis

Treated wastewater (TWW) is increasingly used for irrigation, but its higher salt content compared to conventional water sources can induce soil salinization and sodification. This, in turn, may result in structural degradation and deterioration of soil hydraulic properties. The practice of using TWW for irrigation is not new, and it has long been applied in arid countries, with limited other water resources, while in recent years it is also getting used elsewhere given the worldwide influence on water resources. However, comparing and extrapolating results from existing studies on the use of TWW for irrigation is challenging due to the heterogeneity between experimental setups in terms of water quality, irrigation techniques applied, and pedo-climatic conditions. To explore the effect of TWW quality on soil hydraulic and physio-chemical following TWW irrigation and to examine to what extent these effects are soil type dependent, we compiled a database with results from 24 peer-reviewed studies across different soil types containing information on the link between TWW irrigation, and hydraulic and physio-chemical properties through various measurements. The meta-analysis revealed that application of TWW significantly increases sodium adsorption ratio (on average 71 ± 6%) and electrical conductivity (on average 51 ± 5%) of soil as compared to the use of conventional water source. Overall, there were no significant effects on the soil pore space (bulk density, soil total porosity) or pH. Interestingly, the application of TWW significantly increased soil organic carbon and aggregate stability, potentially even benefiting soil structure. In addition, the organic compounds in TWW also might lead to hydrophobicity. Yet, the effects of TWW on soil hydraulic and physio-chemical properties are not consistent across different TWW types and soil classes. A larger number of studies is required to draw sound conclusions on this topic. Anyway, this analysis already indicated that different soil textures might react differently to TWW irrigation. While in medium-textured soils, salt accumulation was observed and TWW significantly increased soil organic carbon and saturated hydraulic conductivity, fine-textured soils are more prone to clogging and reduced in saturated hydraulic conductivity. We also noticed an impact of the type of TWW, since the degree of treatment has a big impact on the remaining components added to the soils together with the water. Primary TWW, from which settleable and floatable solids are removed, resulted in the highest accumulation of salts and significantly increased soil organic carbon and improved soil aggregate stability. However, the elevated biochemical oxygen demand or chemical oxygen demand in this type of TWW leads to an accumulation of organic materials in the soil, negatively affecting its permeability and reducing soil saturated hydraulic conductivity. This study stresses the need for more standardized experiments quantifying the effect of TWW not only in terms of transfer of contaminants and biosafety, but also an effect on soil quality, and more specifically soil physical quality, especially at the longer term.

Management dampens seasonal variability in soil microclimates and alters its chemical and physical properties in a semi-arid region

Abstract The urbanization process substantially alters every aspect of the soil environment. In this study, we compared soil microclimate, chemistry, and physical characteristics of unmanaged natural soils with managed soils of three common urban land uses (stormwater natural treatment systems, ornamentally landscaped areas, and lawns) across three University of California campuses. Over the course of 1-year, average monthly soil temperatures among land uses showed fewer than expected differences. Average monthly soil moisture reflected wet and dry seasonal changes, but this pattern was muted in managed land uses compared to natural soils due to irrigation. From April through December, lawns and landscaped areas were significantly wetter than natural soils (e.g. 1.5–3 times higher in August and September). Soil organic matter, total carbon, and total nitrogen were significantly higher in lawns compared to other land uses, while their bulk density was significantly lower. Principle component analysis confirmed that natural and lawn soil properties were distinct from each other. These differences in the managed soils, particularly lawns, are attributable to typical urban land management practices such as fertilization, irrigation, and the installation of organic-rich sod. As urbanization continues to change the native landscape of semi-arid regions, these changes to soil microclimate, chemistry, and physical characteristics are important to consider for urban best practices and sustainable development.

The Effect of Coffee Canopy Pruning and Fertilization on Coffee Growth and Soil Physical Properties

Arabica coffee is primarily cultivated in agroforestry systems in Indonesia, but limited local knowledge and technology adoption hinder its productivity due to insufficient practices in coffee pruning management. This study aims to analyze variations in coffee canopy pruning (Pruning+Bending) management and the impact on plant growth and soil physical characteristics.. The experiment employed a split-plot experimental design and utilized the Fisher test (5%) to assess the treatment effects. The primary plot focused on coffee canopy pruning using two management options: (1) Pruning (PR) and (2) Bending (BN). The subplots included various types and doses of fertilizer treatments: (1) Control (F0), (2) Chicken manure (F1), (3) Chicken manure+NPK fertilizer (F2), and (4) NPK fertilizer (F3). Each experimental plot covered an area of 20x20 m and contained 50 coffee plants. Bending techniques represent alternative pruning methods, and, in general, they have a significant impact on improving several coffee parameters compared to total pruning. Regarding the soil’s physical properties, the bending technique exhibited a higher infiltration rate than pruning. The management approach of Bending+Chicken manure: NPK fertilizer (BNF2) enhanced various coffee parameters, resulting in an increased stem diameter of 4.79 cm, new shoot length of 471.20 cm, and chlorophyll content of 6.83 mg/g. Furthermore, this treatment increased soil organic carbon content by 7.51% and reduced bulk density to 0.58 g/cm. In conclusion, the bending technique wasproven to be more advantageous than pruning, especially when combined with chicken manure and NPK fertilizer for enhancing coffee management among farmers.

Exploring soil-root interactions: A comparative study of wheat species and soil types

Soil-plant interactions of different wheat species (e.g., common, synthetic, durum and wild emmer ancestor) have not been studied yet. Therefore, our study was conducted to examine the interactive effect of 39 treatments including four wheat species (twelve varieties) and three soil types (loamy sand, sandy loam and sandy clay loam) on soil physical and biophysical quality indicators in a greenhouse pot experiment. The rhizosphere data were compared with the no plant (control) soil as well. The results revealed that the rhizosphere soils had a greater soil organic carbon (SOC) storage compared to the no plant soil, with the synthetic wheat species possessing the highest SOC content (order of SOC: synthetic > durum > emmer > common > control). The highest and the lowest SOC values (0.79 and 0.69 kg 100 kg−1) were observed in the rhizosphere of synthetic wheat S88 and common wheat CK varieties, respectively. The SOC showed a positive correlation with root morphological traits such as root volume and root dry weight. Basal soil respiration (BSR) showed significant variation among the four wheat species, and common and emmer ones had the highest BSR values. The maximum and minimum values of BSR (21.9 and 10.9 mg CO2 kg−1 soil day−1) were observed in the rhizosphere of the common species planted in sandy loam soil and in the loamy sand bulk soil (control), respectively. The presence of plant roots significantly increased BSR compared to the control (bulk soil); on average, the BSR in the rhizosphere was 21% greater than the control. Both the wheat species and soil type significantly affected the soil water repellency index (RI) and wettability parameters, but the interactive effects of treatments (i.e., wheat species and soil type) were not significant. The soils in all of the studied treatments were sub-critically or slightly water repellent (i.e., contact angle lower than 90°). The RI values were measured in the order emmer > durum > common > control ≥ synthetic; however, the difference between the synthetic species and bulk soil was not significant. Plant roots increased the soil hydrophobicity by increasing the SOC storage and significant variations in RI among the wheat species indicated that the emmer, durum and common species with greater RI might have better soil physical quality in the rhizosphere. The wheat plants substantially increased water-stable aggregates and decreased water-dispersible clay in the rhizosphere compared to the bulk soil. These findings showed that wheat roots were able to alter the structural stability of the rhizosphere soil. Correlation analysis indicated that soil structural stability was closely related to the SOC, microbial activity, water repellency and root morphological traits. Principal component analysis was used to enhance visualization, identify interrelationships between soil quality indicators and categorize wheat varieties.

Soil Hydrology Characteristics among Forest Type, Stand Age and Successive Rotation in Eucalyptus Plantations in Southern China

The water holding capacity of forest soil plays a crucial role in ensuring forest productivity, particularly in Eucalyptus urophylla plantations. In this study, we investigated the soil water holding capacity and hydrological properties of Eucalyptus in a subtropical area of Guangxi, China. Different stand ages (five years old, seven years old, and 15 years old) and successive rotations (first, second, and third) of Eucalyptus plantations were compared, with Cunninghamia lanceolata (Chinese Fir) and Pinus massoniana (Pine) plantations serving as references. Soil physical properties, soil hydrological parameters, and litter characteristics were analyzed to assess soil water retention and conservation variations. Our findings revealed that Eucalyptus and Chinese Fir plantation forests exhibit superior soil physical characteristics compared to Pine plantations, resulting in better soil water retention. However, an increase in the age of Eucalyptus plantations significantly diminished the capillary water holding capacity of the soil, despite an increase in surface litter accumulation and litter moisture content. Furthermore, successive rotations led to a notable reduction in soil capillary porosity, soil moisture content, soil saturated permeability, and overall soil water holding capacity. In addition, soil bulk density emerged as a critical factor relating to the hydrological characteristics of Eucalyptus plantation forests. Decreasing soil bulk density in Eucalyptus forests may offer potential for optimizing their water retention function. These results reveal that Eucalyptus management practices significantly alter the hydrological properties of soil through their effects on soil and litter properties, and consequently, stand age, rotation, and species mixing should be given intensive attention in maintaining the maximization of soil water holding capacity.

Monitoring soil quality of different land use systems: a case study in Suha watershed, northwestern highlands of Ethiopia

The problem of soil quality degradation has been becoming more severe in the highlands of Ethiopia due to soil erosion; land use and land cover change, and poor land management. The level of soil quality degradation was not well known and documented in the study area and the results of this study could provide new information to improve soil conditions. The present study was conducted to evaluate soil quality in terms of its physical and chemical fertility under different land use types in the Suha watershed, northwestern highlands of Ethiopia. A total of 27 composite surface soil samples (0–30 cm) were collected from adjacently located land-uses in three replications from two elevation gradients. Standard procedures were followed to analyze selected soil physical and chemical quality indicators. The differences in the mean values of the parameters were tested using a two-way analysis of variance. In addition, Soil Quality Degradation Index was evaluated to see the direction and magnitude of change in soil quality indicators. The analysis of variance results revealed that soil quality indicators such as index of soil aggregate stability, organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), and C:N ratio were significantly decreased in the cultivated land use system compared to other land use systems. On the other hand, the content of available Phosphorus was significantly higher in the cultivated land. Soil quality deterioration index values were highly negative for SOC (− 71.3%) and TN (− 67.7%) in the cultivated land, followed by grazing land (SOM = − 35.5% and TN = − 27.7%). Aggregated Soil Quality Index values also indicated that the status of soil quality under cultivated fields is rated as low, grazing land as optimal, and forest land as high. Generally, results indicated that land use and cover changes had adverse effects on soil quality indicators. Hence, soil management strategies, mainly Integrated Soil Fertility Management which integrates soil and water conservation strategies, are required to alleviate the problem of soil quality deterioration and improve agricultural productivity.

Green Waste Compost Impacts Microbial Functions Related to Carbohydrate Use and Active Dispersal in Plant Pathogen-Infested Soil

The effects of compost on physical and chemical characteristics of soil are well-studied but impacts on soil microbiomes are poorly understood. This research tested effects of green waste compost on bacterial communities in soil infested with the plant pathogen Fusarium oxysporum. Compost was added to pathogen-infested soil and maintained in mesocosms in a greenhouse experiment and replicated growth chamber experiments. Bacteria and F. oxysporum abundance were quantified using quantitative PCR. Taxonomic and functional characteristics of bacterial communities were measured using shotgun metagenome sequencing. Compost significantly increased bacterial abundance 8 weeks after amendment in one experiment. Compost increased concentrations of chemical characteristics of soil, including phosphorus, potassium, organic matter, and pH. In all experiments, compost significantly reduced abundance of F. oxysporum and altered the taxonomic composition of soil bacterial communities. Sixteen bacterial genera were significantly increased from compost in every experiment, potentially playing a role in pathogen suppression. In all experiments, there was a consistent negative effect of compost on functions related to carbohydrate use and a positive effect on bacteria with flagella. Results from this work demonstrate that compost can reduce the abundance of soilborne plant pathogens and raise questions about the role of microbes in plant pathogen suppression.

Suppression of Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Soil Amended with Autoclaved Lightweight Aerated Concrete Under Different Compaction and Moisture Conditions

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions has been highlighted worldwide as a contributor to the greenhouse effect. Soil physical characteristics such as bulk density and moisture content can influence the emissions of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) from soil. Soil conditioners applied to soil can also affect the terrestrial CO2 emissions. Autoclaved lightweight aerated concrete (ALC) is in use at present as a soil conditioner or calcium silicate fertilizer, it is a type of porous material made from industrial waste. In this study, we determined the effect of ALC (Inenica, Clion Co., Ltd, Japan) on CO2 emissions from paddy soil with considering soil compaction and moisture content. Laboratory experiments were conducted using soils with and without ALC (0 and 5%), under two levels of compaction (compacted and non-compacted), and two soil moisture contents (60% and 100% water holding capacity: WHC) in 200 mL glass vials. All treatments with triplicates were incubated at 25° C for 21 days under aerobic conditions. Emissions of CO2 were determined at 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days using gas chromatography with the thermal conductivity detector. The addition of ALC significantly decreased CO2 emissions from soil at the early stages of incubation. Emissions of CO2 were significantly lower at 100% WHC than at 60% WHC. Non-compacted treatments showed significantly higher emissions of CO2 than compacted treatments during the incubation time period. This is possibly due to improved soil aeration and porosity, which enhanced the activity of soil microorganisms responsible for the decomposition of organic matter. The interactions between moisture content with ALC addition and compaction on cumulative CO2 emissions were statistically significant (p<0.05). The effect of ALC addition on CO2 suppression was more effective at compacted and 100% WHC (51% reduction compared with control). Our study suggested that precise dosage of ALC application (5%) can effectively reduce CO2 emissions from soil, under 100% WHC and compaction conditions than 60% WHC and non-compaction conditions.
 
 Keywords: Aerobic, Autoclaved lightweight aerated concrete, Carbon dioxide, Compaction, Moisture content

Olericulture No-Till System at Mountain Region: Physical and Biological Attributes of the Soil

The production of vegetables and grains by the family farming in the mountains of the Atlantic Forest is characterized by intensive soil management with ploughing and harrowing practices. These practices are promoting hydric erosion and losses of soil quality in the region. In this context, the objective of this work was to evaluate soil physical and biological characteristics at two seasons of the year in agroecosystems producing vegetables and grains in the no-tillage system (NTS) for 3, 5, and 9 years compared to the conventional management system (CT) in the Atlantic Forest Biome, Brazil. Physical and organic matter attributes and carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stock were evaluated. NTS showed, in general, greater total porosity than CT systems. The main differences between the systems were found in the organic attributes and C and N stocks. The content of microbial biomass C in NTS with 3, 5, and 9 years was 767.5, 326.5, and 210.0 mg·kg−1, while the areas with CT had 93.75, 78.25, and 45.75 mg·kg−1, respectively. The stock of C in winter at the 9NTS area was 33.0 and 41.5 Mg·ha−1, and the respective area in CT presented only 21.75 and 25.00 Mg·ha−1 in the depths of 0–10 and 10–20 cm, respectively. The metabolic quotient of the NTS areas did not differ from the reference ecosystems and is promoting lower C-CO2 emissions than the CT system. The adoption of NTS in vegetable production improves soil quality in family farm areas of mountains relief at the Atlantic Forest Biome.

Physical properties and ash content of post-fire Sumatra coastal peat soil in Sei Kepayang District, Asahan Regency, North Sumatra

Fires in peatland have numerous detrimental effects as regards degradation of the environment especially changes of soil properties. The purpose of this study is to ascertain how drying and rewetting peatlands affects the physical and chemical characteristics of post-fire peat soil with two depths. This research was carried out in Dusun XIII, Perbangunan Village, Sei Kepayang, Asahan Regency. The factor was drying and re-wetting of the past fire peatland, namely: unburnt peat in wet conditions (P-nw), post-burnt peat in dry conditions (P-bd), and post-burnt peat in wet conditions (P-bw) within 2 tiers namely: 0-30 cm and 30-60 cm respectively. This research data analysis used a descriptive method presented through tables and graphs. The findings indicate that post-fire peat experience changes in moisture content, degree of decomposition, bulk density, soil color, and ash content. In conclusion, there are changes in peat properties in post-fire peat due to drying and rewetting.

SOIL PHYSICAL QUALITY INDICES OF MINING-INDUCED DISTURBANCES IN SOIL WITHIN THE LOESS REGION OF WESTERN CHINA

Soil sampling and in situ measurements were conducted at 24 locations at three time points from May 2015 to April 2016. The statistical analysis showed that the variabilities of soil water content and soil penetration were moderate, while particle size and soil saturated hydraulic conductivity varied considerably. Rainfall before measurements contributed positively to the mean soil water content and negatively to particle size. This was mainly due to the soil aggregates and large soil particles being broken into smaller particles from rain splash. The detached small-sized soil particles could coalesce into larger-sized ones and even soil aggregates. Stressors in zones differ, resulting in variations between soil physical quality indices. The point-to-point comparisons indicated that the mean measured soil water content and soil saturated hydraulic conductivity were similar, if the measurements for these two indices were conducted under similar weather conditions during the same period between years. The investigation on the relationships among soil physical quality indices showed a negative relationship between the measured soil water content and soil saturated hydraulic conductivity. A positive correlation was also found between soil particle size and soil saturated hydraulic conductivity. Lower soil strength resulted in higher soil saturated hydraulic conductivity.

Monitoring the Impacts of Artificial Recharge Structures on Water Table at Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India

To study the groundwater recharge through rainfall and artificial recharge structures in selected dry well in different locations of UP was experimented. The data was recorded (1998-2017) to execute the artificial recharge structure at the appropriate locations with best geological condition to enhance the recharge rate at least cost for control of declining groundwater level. Study reveals that the stochastic auto regressive lime series model is an effective tool for management of ground water resource at pre and post monsoon. The variation of pre and post monsoon ground water level is maximum as the physical soil characteristics including hydraulic conductivity may enhance the recharge rate at least cost.

Utilization of Sengon Wood Ash for Soil Stabilization and Its Impact on Unsoaked CBR Value

Soil is one of the critical factors influencing construction robustness. The land situated in Cibingbin Village, Cibaliung District, Pandeglang Regency, falls under the category of soil with low bearing capacity. Therefore, the soil in this area requires stabilization to enhance its load-bearing capacity. The field's CBR value, determined through DCP testing, was found to be 2.67%. The target CBR value for subgrade suitability is 6%, indicating the necessity for soil stabilization at this location. This study aims to assess the physical characteristics of the native soil and its CBR value after stabilization using sengon wood ash. Various percentages of sengon wood ash, namely 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%, and 12%, were utilized with curing periods of 0 and 3 days. Soil classification was performed using the USCS method, and the CBR test conducted was the unsoaked CBR test. The results revealed that the addition of 4% sengon wood ash, with a 3-day curing period, yielded an optimum CBR value of 7%. Sengon wood waste ash proved effective in increasing the CBR value. Furthermore, the use of sengon wood ash did not significantly reduce the plasticity index (PI) value. After stabilization with sengon wood ash, the PI value remained at 35.685%, categorizing it as highly plastic. Additional research is recommended to address the limitations of sengon wood ash and achieve a significant reduction in the PI value to meet the subgrade criteria

The Other Side of Fire in a Changing Environment: Evidence from a Mediterranean Country

In forested ecosystems all over the world, usually, fire is the main disturbance, and due to global climate change, its effects are worsening in many areas. Although fire impacts have been studied for many years, integrative analyses of their effects on various ecosystem services (ES) at different scales are uncommon. This study tries to assess the ecological role of fire in a changing environment, focusing on a Mediterranean country. Data were collected by the use of an online questionnaire in Greece, where the summer fires in the last decades have had significant impacts on the environment and the economy and, in many cases, there were many human and animal victims from them. The sample size of the survey was 384 workers in the primary production sector from all over the country. The study showed that fire has several effects on animal husbandry, the quality of soil nutrients and fertility, the overall vegetation cover, and on general biodiversity. It seems that the degree to which fire has an effect on ecosystem components depends on the intensity, frequency, and length of the fires. Additionally, the frequency, intensity, and length of fire affect the impacts of fire on herbaceous plant, woody vegetation, soil physical qualities, and on the different animals’ habitats.