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Plant Soil (2013) 363:157174 DOI 10.1007/s11104-012-1266-8
REGULAR ARTICLE
Mechanical properties and soil stability affected by fertilizer treatments for an Ultisol in subtropical China
Wei Yang & Zhaoxia Li & Chongfa Cai &
Zhonglu Guo & Jiazhou Chen & Junguang Wang
Received: 24 October 2011 /Accepted: 19 April 2012 /Published online: 30 May 2012 # Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012
AbstractBackground and aims Soil mechanical properties are crucial for plant growth, soil erosion, tillage and traffic. The soil mechanical properties and stability of an Ultisol were determined in a 13-year fertilization experiment in subtropical China. The effect of organic matter on soil structure was also evaluated.
W. Yang : Z. Li : C. Cai : Z. Guo : J. Chen : J. WangSoil and Water Conservation Research Centre of Huazhong Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Arable Land Conservation (Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtze River), Ministry of Agriculture,430070 Wuhan, Peoples Republic of China
W. Yange-mail: [email protected]
Z. Guoe-mail: [email protected]
C. Caie-mail: [email protected]
J. Chene-mail: [email protected]
J. Wang [email protected]
Z. Li (*)
College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University,Wuhan 430070, Peoples Republic of China e-mail: [email protected]
Z. Lie-mail: [email protected]
Methods The treatments include: unfertilized, mineral fertilized, mineral mixed with straw, and animal manure. Bulk soil strengths (shear strength and penetration resistance) were tested in field. Aggregate strengths (penetration resistance and tensile strength), water stability, organic carbon (OC), hot-water-extractable carbohydrate (HWEC) and some related factors were determined in laboratory.
Results Fertilizer increases aggregate penetration resistance, tensile strength, water stability and organic matter content in cultivated horizon (015 cm depth), especially at the 05 cm layer. OC and HWEC showed significantly regression relationships with aggregate water stability, porosity and water repellency for the whole soil profile (040 cm). Aggregate strengths also increased with OC and HWEC in cultivated horizon. Conclusions Animal manure is most effective in improving soil structure while aggregate water stability is the most sensitive index of fertilizer management. Soil organic matter is a strong determinant of soil structure. Both OC and HWEC are good indicators of surface aggregate strengths and stability, and thus, soil quality in this region.
Keyword Fertilizer. Shear strength . Penetration resistance . Tensile strength . Organic matter. Aggregate stability. Ultisol
Introduction
Fertilizers are common amendments to agricultural soils routinely to maintain...