Modification of Infiltration Rates in an Organic‐Amended Irrigated

Abstract

Slow water infiltration in some California soils results in considerable irrigation water loss through increased runoff and evaporation. This 25‐mo study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different organic amendments on soil physical parameters and water infiltration rates on an irrigated soil. Incorporation of three loadings (25 Mg ha−1 each) of poultry manure, sewage sludge, barley straw (Hordeum vulgare L.), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) to an Arlington soil (coarseloamy, mixed, thermic Haplic Durixeralf) for 2 yr increased soil respiration rates (139‐290%), soil aggregate stability (22‐59%), organic C content (13‐84%), soil saccharide content (25‐41%), soil moisture content (3‐25%), and decreased soil bulk density (7‐11%). The change in soil physical properties resulted in significantly increased cumulative water infiltration rates (18‐25%) in the organic‐amended plots as compared with the unamended plots. Although additions of poultry manure and sewage sludge contributed to higher soil organic matter compared with straw and alfalfa, the straw amendment was statistically more effective in increasing soil aggregate stability, total saccharide content, infiltration rates, and soil respiration rates and in decreasing bulk density in the tillage zone. The increase in cumulative infiltration rates measured with the first organic addition (April 1987–January 1988) were significantly correlated with increased soil aggregation (P ≤ 0.01). Cumulative infiltration rates during the second (February 1988–September 1988) and third (October 1988–May 1989) organic incorporation were significantly correlated with decreased bulk density (P ≤ 0.01), but not with aggregate stability. Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that water infiltration rates in the organic‐amended soils were initially increased by stimulation of microbial activity, which increased the stability of soil aggregates. Cumulative infiltration rates were further increased by a decrease in soil bulk density with additional organic treatments to the tillage zone.

Influence of organic waste amendments on selected soil physical and chemical properties

“…Similar enhancement of soil properties was reported previously as a result of the addition of organic amendments to soil (e.g. Martens and Frankenberger 1992). However, as reported by Turner et al (1994), the increase in water retention did not necessarily increase soil water-holding capacity, particularly when calculated on a soil volume basis.…”

“…Beneficial effects of organic soil amendments include decreased soil bulk density and increased waterholding capacity, aggregate stability, saturated hydraulic conductivity, water infiltration rate, and biochemical activity (e.g. Martens and Frankenberger 1992;Turner et al 1994).…”

Oilseed Radish Effects on Soil Structure and Soil Water Relations

“…Additions of organic matter, including that from an incorporated green manure, are commonly thought to increase soil organic carbon, aggregate stability, infiltration, and hydraulic conductivity (Martens and Frankenberger, 1992). Amendments can also reduce bulk density, alter soil pore size distributions, reduce a soil's susceptibility to erosion, and slow the formation of surface seals and crusts, thereby maintaining infiltration rates and thus delaying runoff (Bresson et al, 2001;Edmeades, 2003;Haynes & Naidu, 1998).…”

Uso de lodo de esgoto na reestruturação de solo degradado

“…Para as demais profundidades do solo (Quadro 4) verificou-se que, entre o contraste do tratamento com vegetação natural de Cerrado x demais, houve diferença estatística para a densidade do solo. Isso significa que os tratamentos de recuperação não alteraram essa propriedade nas profundidades abaixo de 0,05 m. O comportamento na profundidade superficial do solo (0,00-0,05 m) está de acordo com aquele observado por Martens & Frankenberger Jr. (1992), que, em estudo, com duração de 25 meses, conduzido para avaliar os efeitos de esterco de galinha, lodo de esgoto, palha de cevada e alfafa fresca sobre propriedades físicas de um solo de textura média, observaram que a densidade do solo diminuiu em relação à testemunha quando fizeram a aplicação de três doses desses materiais (25 Mg ha -1 cada, no início do experimento, após 10 meses e após 18 meses).…”