Modification of the soil temperature and water content regimes by a crop residue mulch: experiment and modelling

Bussière, François; Cellier, Pierre

doi:10.1016/0168-1923(94)90066-3

Cited by 112 publications

(78 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…This is in contrast with other published more detailed, physically-based mulch models that quantify surface residue effects on soil water content by solving the balance of energy and water at the soil surface [7,10,20]. Parameterisation of such models for application to practical problems remains, however, difficult because measurements of the necessary parameters are not available for a wide range of conditions.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 47%

“…There exist a number of detailed, mechanistic models that have been developed to analyse mulch effects on coupled mass and heat transfers in the soil [7,10,20]. However, such models are not appropriate for agro-climatic analysis because of the large number of parameters, for which values are not always easy to obtain.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Under semi-arid conditions surface plant residues also play an important role in conservation of soil water through reduced soil evaporation [27]. In addition, crop residues as a mulch moderate the temperature fluctuation in the top soil layer [7], which can enhance the activity of soil microorganisms and fauna [13], thus promoting the release of nutrients, improving water infiltration, and facilitating root development. Finally, a mulch of crop residues may also contribute to the control of weeds, by smothering them or through allelopathic effects [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modelling crop residue mulching effects on water use and production of maize under semi-arid and humid tropical conditions

et al. 2004

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-A key principle of direct seeding mulch-based cropping systems is the retention of crop residues on the soil surface to preserve soil water for crop growth. In this study the impact of surface crop residue on water use and production risk associated with rainfall variability is analysed for two contrasting tropical sites. The two sites are La Tinaja in semi-arid Mexico and Planaltina in humid Brazil. The crop growth model STICS, version 3.0 was updated with a simple empirical module, incorporating the following effects of surface residue on soil water balance: (1) rainfall interception and subsequent mulch evaporation; (2) radiation interception with associated reduction of soil evaporation and (3) reduction of surface water runoff. The results of the model simulations showed that the effect of radiation interception at both sites was much more important than the effect of intercepting rain. The high sensitivity of model yield predictions to surface water runoff, especially in La Tinaja, highlighted the importance of a careful parameterisation of the surface water runoff formalism. The model results suggested that even small amounts of surface residue are effective at reducing water loss and increasing yield. In La Tinaja, grain yield was increased at least twofold with retention of 1 Mg ha -1 surface residue. In Planaltina, the advantage of water conservation by surface residue is partly offset by increased drainage losses. As a consequence, the impact of crop residue mulching on grain yield was lower at that site.crop growth model / mulching / climatic risk / surface residue / water balance

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 47%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modelling crop residue mulching effects on water use and production of maize under semi-arid and humid tropical conditions

et al. 2004

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“…In these systems, crop residues that are retained as mulch at the soil surface increase the C retained in the top soil, modulate the soil temperature, enhance water infiltration, reduce the loss of soil through erosion, capture rain water and decrease the loss of water from the soil through evaporation (Bussiere and Cellier 1994;Baumhardt and Jones 2002;Fuentes et al 2011). Savabi and Stott (1994) demonstrated that mulch crop residues, an organic porous type of media, can store significant amounts of water, while Coppens et al (2007) showed that the water storage capacity of rye and rape residues was modified during their decomposition.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Tissue density determines the water storage characteristics of crop residues

et al. 2012

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Background and aims The water storage properties of plant residues play an important role in the regulation of water retention and water transport in no-till agricultural soils. The objective of this work was to understand how the characteristics of crop residues determine their water absorption and retention properties. Methods A range of eleven undecomposed crop residues and maize stem residue of different particle sizes at three stages of decomposition were characterized regarding their physical and chemical features. Water immersion for varying periods of time was used to determine the kinetics of water absorption and the maximal water storage for each type of residue. Results The immersion time required to reach an equilibrium moisture content varied greatly according to the residue type, ranging from 6 to 30 h at 20°C. The maximal water content ranged from 1.28 to 3.81 g H 2 O g −1 dry residue for undecomposed residues and increased with increasing decomposition. The proportions of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in the plant cell walls did not explain the water storage capacities. Differences in porosity, resulting from different tissue densities and the creation of pores during decomposition, were highly correlated with differences in water storage properties. Conclusions The tissue density of plant residues, which can be inferred from simple characteristics of residue mass and volume, is a relevant criterion for explaining the maximal water storage capacity of plant residues.

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“…The effect of litter layer is similar to that of some opaque mulches widely used in agricultural practices (Bussière & Cellier, 1994), reducing heat exchange between soil and atmosphere and making the mineral soil a more thermally moderate environment. In forests, temperature-dependent soil biological processes are expected to be favored by the reduction of thermal amplitudes, so that retention of the litter layer may improve the rates of organic matter mineralization and root development in established plantations.…”

Section: Thermal Wave Damping With Depthmentioning

confidence: 54%

Influence of litter layer removal on the soil thermal regime of a pine forest in a mediterranean climate

Andrade

Abreu

Madeira

2010

Rev. Bras. Ciênc. Solo

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SUMMARYThe removal of the litter layer in Portuguese pine forests would reduce fire hazard, but on the other hand this practice would influence the thermal regime of the soil, hence affecting soil biological activity, litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics. Temperature profiles of a sandy soil (Haplic Podzol) under a pine forest were measured with thermocouples at depths to 16 cm, with and without litter layer. The litter layer acted as a thermal insulator, reducing the amplitude of the periodic temperature variation in the mineral soil underneath and increasing damping depths, particularly at low soil water contents. At the mineral soil surface the reduction of amplitudes was about 2.5 ºC in the annual cycle and 5 to 6.7 ºC in the daily cycle, depending on the soil water content. When soil was both cold and wet, mean daily soil temperatures were higher (about 1 -1.5 ºC) under the litter layer. Improved soil thermal conditions under the litter layer recommend its retention as a forest management practice to follow in general.Index terms: soil temperature, Fourier series, damping depth.(1) Received for publication in May 2010 and approved in July 2010.

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Modification of the soil temperature and water content regimes by a crop residue mulch: experiment and modelling

Cited by 112 publications

References 34 publications

Modelling crop residue mulching effects on water use and production of maize under semi-arid and humid tropical conditions

Modelling crop residue mulching effects on water use and production of maize under semi-arid and humid tropical conditions

Tissue density determines the water storage characteristics of crop residues

Influence of litter layer removal on the soil thermal regime of a pine forest in a mediterranean climate

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