Properties Of Arable Soils Research Articles

Measuring and modelling the impact of outdoor pigs on soil carbon and nutrient dynamics under a changing climate and different management scenarios

AbstractA mixed agricultural system that integrates livestock and cropping is essential to organic, agroecological, and regenerative farming. The demand for improved welfare systems has made the practice of outdoor rearing of pigs very popular; it currently makes up 40% of the UK pig industry and has also been integrated into arable rotations. Besides the benefits of outdoor production systems, they also potentially pose environmental risks to farmlands, such as accumulation of nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil, soil erosion and compaction and carbon loss. Despite this, the impact of outdoor pigs and arable crop rotations on soil health has been under‐researched relative to other livestock species. This study was conducted at the University of Leeds Research Farm from 2018 to 2020 using a combined experimental and modelling approach to understand the impact of outdoor pigs on soil carbon and nutrient dynamics. The physio‐chemical properties of arable soil were measured prior to the introduction of the pigs and after introducing the pigs at the end of first and second years, consecutively. There was assessment of control sites (without pigs, mowing once a year) and pig pens (pigs in a rotation with arable crops). The soil was sampled at two different depths, 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm. It was observed that measured soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in the soil depths of 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm layer were decreased by 7% and 3%, respectively, in the pig pens from 2019 to 2020, and total available nitrogen and phosphorus were significantly higher in pig pens than the control sites. Hence, at a depth between 0 and 20 cm, the average total available nitrogen was 2.51 and 2.68 mg kg−1 in the control sites and 21.76 and 20.45 mg kg−1 in the pig pens in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The average total available phosphorus at 0–20 cm was 26.54 and 37.02 mg kg−1 in control sites and 48.15 and 63.58 mg kg−1 in pig pens during 2019 and 2020, respectively. A process‐based model (DayCent) was used to simulate soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics in the arable rotation with outdoor pigs and showed SOC stock losses of – 0.09 ± 0.23 T C ha−1 year−1 using the future climate CMIP5 RCP 8.5 scenario for 2020 to 2048. To reduce this loss, we modelled the impact of changing the management of the pig rotation and found that the loss of SOC stock could be decreased by shortening the period of pig retention in the field, growing grass in the field, and leguminous crops in the crop rotation.

Effects of organic carbon and clay contents on structure‐related properties of arable soils with high clay content

AbstractUnderstanding of factors governing soil structural features is necessary for managing key processes affecting crop productivity and environmental impacts of agriculture, for example, soil water balance, aeration, and root penetration. Organic matter is known to act as a major binding agent in soil aggregation and thus constitutes a central pillar in soil structure formation. However, knowledge of the structural role of organic matter or carbon (OC) in soils highly rich in clay‐sized particles (<0.002 mm) is limited. In this study, the effects of clay and OC contents on aggregate stability, water holding capacity, near‐saturated hydraulic conductivity, total porosity, and pore size distribution were assessed in cultivated fields with high clay content located in private crop production farms in southern Finland. Significant positive correlations were found between OC content and proportion of water stable aggregates and specific pore sizes from the range of 30 μm up to 1 mm diameter determined by image analysis. Porosities on a smaller size range derived from water retention measurements likewise showed a positive correlation with OC in <0.2 μm sizes. On the range of 0.2–1 μm, a negative relationship was observed, which induced a negative effect of OC on soil plant available water reserves. In line with the positive correlation between OC and larger soil pores, free water, representing the amount of water that can be drained by gravity, exhibited a positive relationship with OC suggesting that OC content can enhance aeration of soils with high clay content. Compared to OC, clay content tended to have an adverse effect on soil structural properties. Clay correlated negatively with pores larger than 30 μm, free water content, and extrapolated field saturated hydraulic conductivity. Further, our imaging results showed how saturated hydraulic conductivity was controlled by pore morphology, and there was a power law relationship between the conductivity and critical pore diameter. in agreement with the percolation theory. Overall, the structural impacts and hydrological implications of OC and clay in heavy clay soils vary by pore size ranges and their emergent practical impacts are thus not straightforward.

Dynamics of Changes in Selected Soil Traits in the Profiles of Arable Soils Anthropogenically Alkalised by the Cement and Lime Industry within the Kielecko-Łagowski Vale (Poland)

This study presents the influence of the cement and lime industry on the physical and chemical properties of arable soils. In spite of using modern forms of environmental protection against dust emissions, this type of industry causes unfavourable phenomenon of excessive alkalisation of soil. This process is relatively rare in Poland. However, in the Świętokrzyskie Province, it has been responsible for the largest transformation of soils in recent years. The analysis included soil samples taken from five profiles located in the vicinity of Dyckerhoff Polska Sp. z o.o. Nowiny Cement Plant. The study results obtained in 2019 were compared with those obtained in 1978 and 2005. The most attention was paid to soil pH; CaCO3 content; organic carbon and nitrogen content; concentrations of available components such as P2O5, K2O and Mg; and the saturation level of sorption complex with alkaline cations. It was found that long-term imission of pollutants caused significant changes in the basic soil properties, which remain in soils despite the evident decrease in the cement-lime dust emission. These include high pH values, excessive CaCO3 content, high soil saturation with alkaline cations and decreases in total carbon content, which were especially visible in soil humus horizons.

Теоретичні і прикладні аспекти прогнозування стану ґрунтового покриву

Goal. To substantiate on the basis of generalization of the available experience theoretical aspects of forecasting changes in the state of soil cover and to develop models of forecasting changes in the basic physical, agrochemical, physicochemical properties of arable soils of Ukraine. Methods. Information-analytical, mathematical-statistical (correlation-regression, pedotransfer modeling). Results. Based on the analysis of literature sources, the relevance is proved of issues related to forecasting changes in the basic properties of arable soils of Ukraine to prevent the development of degradation processes and timely use of soil protection measures that will stabilize their fertility in modern conditions. The main methods of forecasting (expert, extrapolation, interpolation, etc.) are analyzed and the theoretical aspects of forecasting in soil science are substantiated. Using samples from the database «Soil Properties of Ukraine» they developed models for predicting changes in humus, physical, physicochemical, and agrochemical properties of arable soils. The main state priorities for technological measures to protect and stabilize the level of fertility of arable soils are proposed. Conclusions. It is established that with the preservation of the current level of relationships in the agrosphere, which is characterized by the development of degradation processes in conditions of existing deficit of essential nutrients, acidification and contamination of soils with radionuclides and heavy metals, forecasting changes in soil properties and biodiversity will remain negative. The main state priorities for technological measures to protect and stabilize the level of fertility of arable soils are outlined.

Can soil properties of Fluvisols be influenced by river flow gradient?

Can soil properties of Fluvisols be influenced by river flow gradient?

Physical and water properties of arable soils located in the area of a predicted depression cone of “Tomisławice” lignite open-cast mine (central Poland)

In this paper we presents the characteristics of selected physical and water properties of four arable soils situated within the range of the predicted depression cone of “Tomislawice” lignite open-cast mine. In the sampled soil material of undisturbed and disturbed structure following properties were determined: texture, particle density, bulk density, total porosity, hygroscopic moistures, maximal hygroscopic capacity, saturated hydraulic conductivity, potentials of water bonding in soil, total and readily available waters, total retention in the soil layers of 0-50 and 0-100 cm, drainage porosity and content of organic matter. Study soils were developed from sands, sandy loams and sapric peat material. All of the analyzed soil properties were determined by clay fraction or organic matter content in particular. In the most of the investigated soils high field water capacity and wide scopes of total and readily available water were recorded. Measured saturated hydraulic conductivity was typical for arable soils with similar origin. Study soils showed a precipitation water regime and probably won’t be exposed to drainage degradation caused by open-cast mine.

Seasonal variations in some properties of arable soil

Seasonal variations in some properties of arable soil