Physical Properties of Soils Affected by the Use of Agricultural Waste

Abstract

This chapter provided an overview of the physical properties of soils and their importance on the mobility of water and nutrients and the development of a vegetation cover. It also gives some examples of why the use of agricultural residues can affect positively soil physical properties. The incorporation of agricultural wastes can be a sustainable practice to improve soil characteristics, favoring a model of zero waste in agricultural production and allowing better management of soils. We review and analyze the effect of the use as amendments of different agricultural residues, on physical properties of the soil (e.g., bulk density, porosity, and saturated hydraulic conductivity), especially related to the movement of water in the soil.

The Effects of Catch Crops and Tillage Systems on Selected Physical Properties and Enzymatic Activity of Loess Soil in a Spring Wheat Monoculture

“…Furthermore, catch crop biomass beneficially affected soil enzymes, whose activity is positively correlated with soil organic matter content. After catch crops are introduced into agronomic practices, the soil compaction decreases by about 18%-20% (in the 5-10 cm layer) [6,31]. Organic matter increases soil porosity and promotes macropore formation.…”

“…Succession planting (including cover cropping) generally modifies to a small extent soil physical properties. Soil physical properties are of great importance for agricultural production and sustainable use of agricultural land [6] because they are fundamental for some essential chemical and enzymatic processes occurring in soil or can even be a determining factor in this respect. For instance, water infiltration, soil aeration, and root penetration are all determined by soil structure [6,7].…”

“…Soil physical properties are of great importance for agricultural production and sustainable use of agricultural land [6] because they are fundamental for some essential chemical and enzymatic processes occurring in soil or can even be a determining factor in this respect. For instance, water infiltration, soil aeration, and root penetration are all determined by soil structure [6,7]. Catch crops (organic matter) incorporated into soil increase soil C and N content and soil moisture content [8].…”

Parameter and State Estimation of One-Dimensional Infiltration Processes: A Simultaneous Approach

“…Then K s can be estimated by fitting hydraulic conductivity and capillary potential data sets into Equation (2). By using this approach, we can only get a snapshot of the soil properties at one time instant, however, soil properties do slowly change over time due to agricultural activities [34]. While the experiments can be repeated to get parameter estimates at different times, it is very time consuming and expensive, especially when the investigated field is large and has various soil types over the field.…”

The Increase of Soil Organic Matter Reduces Global Warming, Myth or Reality?

“…Soil acts as a biochemical reactor of organic matter and carbon store [18]. In fact, SOC usually comes from the turnover of plant and animal residues in natural ecosystems while in agricultural ecosystems, the addition of amendments and wastes is important [19]. For the reasons commented above and the complexity of the soils, understanding soil and plant interactions, soil-plant system, natural and agricultural systems, is basic to achieve the target of soil carbon accumulation.…”