Articles | Volume 10, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-335-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-335-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Original research article
| 
28 May 2024
Original research article |
| 28 May 2024
| 28 May 2024
Optimized fertilization using online soil nitrate data
Yonatan Yekutiel
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Hydrology & Microbiology, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
Yuval Rotem
Department of Hydrology & Microbiology, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
Shlomi Arnon
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
Ofer Dahan
Department of Hydrology & Microbiology, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
Related authors
No articles found.
Rezaul Karim, Lucy Reading, Les Dawes, Ofer Dahan, and Glynis Orr
SOIL, 9, 381–398, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-381-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-381-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The study was performed using continuous measurement of temporal variations in soil saturation and of the concentration of pesticides along the vadose zone profile and underlying alluvial aquifers at sugarcane fields in the Wet Tropics of Australia. A vadose zone monitoring system was set up to enable the characterization of pesticide (non-PS II herbicides) migration with respect to pesticide application, sugarcane growing period, and, finally, rainwater infiltration.
Ilil Levakov, Zeev Ronen, Tuvia Turkeltaub, and Ofer Dahan
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-1179, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-1179, 2022
Preprint withdrawn
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents a novel approach for in-situ large-scale remediation of contaminated unsaturated zone and groundwater. Flow and transport models were calibrated against continuously monitored data, enabling evaluation of the required conditions for optimal contaminate removal. The results enabled realistic data-based predictions of the time frame that is required to attain full contaminant removal through efficient and low-cost in-situ treatment technique.
Elad Yeshno, Ofer Dahan, Shoshana Bernstain, and Shlomi Arnon
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 2159–2168, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-2159-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-2159-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In this research, we present a novel approach, enabling the measurement of nitrate concentrations in natural soil porewater containing natural soil dissolved organic carbon. This method can be used as the basis onto which an affordable and miniaturized nitrate monitoring sensor for soils can be developed. This sensor can play a significant role in reducing nitrate pollution in water resources, optimizing fertilizers application during agricultural activity and decreasing food production costs.
Elad Yeshno, Shlomi Arnon, and Ofer Dahan
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 23, 3997–4010, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-3997-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-3997-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Lack of adequate instrumentation for monitoring nutrient availability in agricultural soils leads in most cases to over-application of fertilizers, often resulting in groundwater pollution. This research presents a novel approach for real-time, in situ monitoring of nitrate in soils using absorption spectroscopy techniques while preventing interference from dissolved organic carbon. Column experiments with this system resulted in accurate nitrate measurements in three different soil types.
Ofer Dahan, Idan Katz, Lior Avishai, and Zeev Ronen
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 4011–4020, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-4011-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-4011-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
In situ bioremediation of a perchlorate-contaminated vadose zone was conducted through infiltration of electron-donor-enriched water. A vadose zone monitoring system (VMS) provided real-time tracking of the hydraulic and chemical conditions across the unsaturated zone. Variations in concentration profiles of perchlorate, chloride, DOC and bromide in the vadose zone pore water showed limited migration capacity of biologically consumable carbon and significant mobilization of perchlorate.
Tuvia Turkeltaub, Daniel Kurtzman, and Ofer Dahan
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 20, 3099–3108, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-3099-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-3099-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
Efficient groundwater protection from pollution originating in agriculture requires effective monitoring means capable of tacking pollution processes in the vadose zone, long before groundwater pollution turns into an unavoidable fact. In this study, a vadose zone monitoring system that was installed under a crop field fertilized by dairy slurry enabled real-time tracking of nitrate plum migration down the vadose zone from the land surface to the water table at 18m depth.
Natalia Fernández de Vera, Jean Beaujean, Pierre Jamin, David Caterina, Marnik Vanclooster, Alain Dassargues, Ofer Dahan, Frédéric Nguyen, and Serge Brouyère
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2016-79, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2016-79, 2016
Revised manuscript not accepted
Short summary
Short summary
Soil and groundwater remediation at industrial contaminated sites require suitable field instrumentation for subsurface characterization. The proposed method provides chemical, hydraulic information and images from the subsurface via customized sensors installed in boreholes. Their installation at a brownfield allows flow and transport characterization of water and contaminants across a heterogeneous subsurface. The results proof the effectiveness of the method for characterization purposes.
D. Kurtzman, S. Baram, and O. Dahan
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 20, 1–12, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-1-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-1-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
Vertisols are cracking clayey, arable soils that often overlay groundwater reservoirs. The soil cracks enable flow that bypasses soil blocks, which results in both relatively fresh recharge of the underlying groundwater and contamination with reactive contaminants. These special phenomena, as well as unique mechanism of salinization after cultivation and relative resilience to contamination by nitrate typical to groundwater under vertisols, are reviewed in this study.
O. Dahan, A. Babad, N. Lazarovitch, E. E. Russak, and D. Kurtzman
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 18, 333–341, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-333-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-333-2014, 2014
S. Baram, Z. Ronen, D. Kurtzman, C. Külls, and O. Dahan
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 17, 1533–1545, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-17-1533-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-17-1533-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Soils and water
Intensive agricultural management-induced subsurface accumulation of water-extractable colloidal P in a Vertisol
Perspectives on the misconception of levitating soil aggregates
Combining lime and organic amendments based on titratable alkalinity for efficient amelioration of acidic soils
Sequestering carbon in the subsoil benefits crop transpiration at the onset of drought
Pesticide transport through the vadose zone under sugarcane in the Wet Tropics, Australia
Reproducibility of the wet part of the soil water retention curve: a European interlaboratory comparison
The higher relative concentration of K+ to Na+ in saline water improves soil hydraulic conductivity, salt-leaching efficiency and structural stability
Agricultural use of compost under different irrigation strategies in a hedgerow olive grove under Mediterranean conditions – a comparison with traditional systems
Potential of natural language processing for metadata extraction from environmental scientific publications
Soil and crop management practices and the water regulation functions of soils: a qualitative synthesis of meta-analyses relevant to European agriculture
Effects of innovative long-term soil and crop management on topsoil properties of a Mediterranean soil based on detailed water retention curves
Polyester microplastic fibers affect soil physical properties and erosion as a function of soil type
Modelling the effect of catena position and hydrology on soil chemical weathering
Long-term impact of cover crop and reduced disturbance tillage on soil pore size distribution and soil water storage
Effective hydraulic properties of 3D virtual stony soils identified by inverse modeling
Biochar alters hydraulic conductivity and impacts nutrient leaching in two agricultural soils
Impact of freeze–thaw cycles on soil structure and soil hydraulic properties
Added value of geophysics-based soil mapping in agro-ecosystem simulations
Particulate macronutrient exports from tropical African montane catchments point to the impoverishment of agricultural soils
A review of the global soil property maps for Earth system models
Saturated and unsaturated salt transport in peat from a constructed fen
Sensitivity analysis of point and parametric pedotransfer functions for estimating water retention of soils in Algeria
Water in the critical zone: soil, water and life from profile to planet
Deriving pedotransfer functions for soil quartz fraction in southern France from reverse modeling
Morphological dynamics of gully systems in the subhumid Ethiopian Highlands: the Debre Mawi watershed
Characterization of stony soils' hydraulic conductivity using laboratory and numerical experiments
Quantification of the impact of hydrology on agricultural production as a result of too dry, too wet or too saline conditions
Sediment concentration rating curves for a monsoonal climate: upper Blue Nile
Nonstationarity of the electrical resistivity and soil moisture relationship in a heterogeneous soil system: a case study
Interactions between organisms and parent materials of a constructed Technosol shape its hydrostructural properties
Potential effects of vinasse as a soil amendment to control runoff and soil loss
Quantification of the inevitable: the influence of soil macrofauna on soil water movement in rehabilitated open-cut mined lands
Coupled cellular automata for frozen soil processes
Shouhao Li, Shuiqing Chen, Shanshan Bai, Jinfang Tan, and Xiaoqian Jiang
SOIL, 10, 49–59, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-49-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-49-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The distribution of water-extractable colloids with soil profiles of 0–120 cm was investigated in a Vertisol under high-intensity agricultural management. A large number of experimental data show that colloidal phosphorus plays an important role in apatite transport throughout the profile. Thus, it is crucial to consider the impact of colloidal P when predicting surface-to-subsurface P loss in Vertisols.
Gina Garland, John Koestel, Alice Johannes, Olivier Heller, Sebastian Doetterl, Dani Or, and Thomas Keller
SOIL, 10, 23–31, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-23-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-23-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The concept of soil aggregates is hotly debated, leading to confusion about their function or relevancy to soil processes. We propose that the use of conceptual figures showing detached and isolated aggregates can be misleading and has contributed to this skepticism. Here, we conceptually illustrate how aggregates can form and dissipate within the context of undisturbed soils, highlighting the fact that aggregates do not necessarily need to have distinct physical boundaries.
Birhanu Iticha, Luke M. Mosley, and Petra Marschner
SOIL, 10, 33–47, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-33-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-33-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Little effort has been made to develop methods to calculate the application rates of lime combined with organic amendments (OAs) needed to neutralise soil acidity and achieve the desired pH for plant growth. The previous approach of estimating appropriate lime and OA combinations based on field trials is time-consuming and costly. Hence, we developed and successfully validated a new method to calculate the amount of lime or OAs in combined applications required to ameliorate acidity.
Maria Eliza Turek, Attila Nemes, and Annelie Holzkämper
SOIL, 9, 545–560, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-545-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-545-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we systematically evaluated prospective crop transpiration benefits of sequestering soil organic carbon (SOC) under current and future climatic conditions based on the model SWAP. We found that adding at least 2% SOC down to at least 65 cm depth could increase transpiration annually by almost 40 mm, which can play a role in mitigating drought impacts in rain-fed cropping. Beyond this threshold, additional crop transpiration benefits of sequestering SOC are only marginal.
Rezaul Karim, Lucy Reading, Les Dawes, Ofer Dahan, and Glynis Orr
SOIL, 9, 381–398, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-381-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-381-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The study was performed using continuous measurement of temporal variations in soil saturation and of the concentration of pesticides along the vadose zone profile and underlying alluvial aquifers at sugarcane fields in the Wet Tropics of Australia. A vadose zone monitoring system was set up to enable the characterization of pesticide (non-PS II herbicides) migration with respect to pesticide application, sugarcane growing period, and, finally, rainwater infiltration.
Benjamin Guillaume, Hanane Aroui Boukbida, Gerben Bakker, Andrzej Bieganowski, Yves Brostaux, Wim Cornelis, Wolfgang Durner, Christian Hartmann, Bo V. Iversen, Mathieu Javaux, Joachim Ingwersen, Krzysztof Lamorski, Axel Lamparter, András Makó, Ana María Mingot Soriano, Ingmar Messing, Attila Nemes, Alexandre Pomes-Bordedebat, Martine van der Ploeg, Tobias Karl David Weber, Lutz Weihermüller, Joost Wellens, and Aurore Degré
SOIL, 9, 365–379, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-365-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-365-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Measurements of soil water retention properties play an important role in a variety of societal issues that depend on soil water conditions. However, there is little concern about the consistency of these measurements between laboratories. We conducted an interlaboratory comparison to assess the reproducibility of the measurement of the soil water retention curve. Results highlight the need to harmonize and standardize procedures to improve the description of unsaturated processes in soils.
Sihui Yan, Tibin Zhang, Binbin Zhang, Tonggang Zhang, Yu Cheng, Chun Wang, Min Luo, Hao Feng, and Kadambot H. M. Siddique
SOIL, 9, 339–349, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-339-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-339-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The paper provides some new information about the effects of different relative concentrations of K+ to Na+ at constant electrical conductivity (EC) on soil hydraulic conductivity, salt-leaching efficiency and pore size distribution. In addition to Ca2+ and Mg2+, K+ plays an important role in soil structure stability. These findings can provide a scientific basis and technical support for the sustainable use of saline water and control of soil quality deterioration.
Laura L. de Sosa, María José Martín-Palomo, Pedro Castro-Valdecantos, and Engracia Madejón
SOIL, 9, 325–338, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-325-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-325-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Olive groves are subject to enormous pressure to meet the social demands of production. In this work, we assess how an additional source of organic carbon and an irrigation control can somehow palliate the effect of olive grove intensification by comparing olive groves under different management and tree densities. We observed that a reduced irrigation regimen in combination with compost from the oil industry's own waste was able to enhance soil fertility under a water conservation strategy.
Guillaume Blanchy, Lukas Albrecht, John Koestel, and Sarah Garré
SOIL, 9, 155–168, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-155-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-155-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Adapting agricultural practices to future climatic conditions requires us to synthesize the effects of management practices on soil properties with respect to local soil and climate. We showcase different automated text-processing methods to identify topics, extract metadata for building a database and summarize findings from publication abstracts. While human intervention remains essential, these methods show great potential to support evidence synthesis from large numbers of publications.
Guillaume Blanchy, Gilberto Bragato, Claudia Di Bene, Nicholas Jarvis, Mats Larsbo, Katharina Meurer, and Sarah Garré
SOIL, 9, 1–20, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-1-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-1-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
European agriculture is vulnerable to weather extremes. Nevertheless, by choosing well how to manage their land, farmers can protect themselves against drought and peak rains. More than a thousand observations across Europe show that it is important to keep the soil covered with living plants, even in winter. A focus on a general reduction of traffic on agricultural land is more important than reducing tillage. Organic material needs to remain or be added on the field as much as possible.
Alaitz Aldaz-Lusarreta, Rafael Giménez, Miguel A. Campo-Bescós, Luis M. Arregui, and Iñigo Virto
SOIL, 8, 655–671, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-655-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-655-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This study shows how an innovative soil and crop management including no-tillage, cover crops and organic amendments is able to improve the topsoil physical quality compared to conventional management for rainfed cereal cropping in a semi-arid Mediterranean area in Navarre (Spain).
Rosolino Ingraffia, Gaetano Amato, Vincenzo Bagarello, Francesco G. Carollo, Dario Giambalvo, Massimo Iovino, Anika Lehmann, Matthias C. Rillig, and Alfonso S. Frenda
SOIL, 8, 421–435, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-421-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-421-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The presence of microplastics in soil environments has received increased attention, but little research exists on the effects on different soil types and soil water erosion. We performed two experiments on the effects of polyester microplastic fiber on soil properties, soil aggregation, and soil erosion in three agricultural soils. Results showed that polyester microplastic fibers affect the formation of new aggregates and soil erosion and that such effects are strongly dependent on soil type.
Vanesa García-Gamero, Tom Vanwalleghem, Adolfo Peña, Andrea Román-Sánchez, and Peter A. Finke
SOIL, 8, 319–335, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-319-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-319-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Short-scale soil variability has received much less attention than at the regional scale. The chemical depletion fraction (CDF), a proxy for chemical weathering, was measured and simulated with SoilGen along two opposite slopes in southern Spain. The results show that differences in CDF could not be explained by topography alone but by hydrological parameters. The model sensitivity test shows the maximum CDF value for intermediate precipitation has similar findings to other soil properties.
Samuel N. Araya, Jeffrey P. Mitchell, Jan W. Hopmans, and Teamrat A. Ghezzehei
SOIL, 8, 177–198, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-177-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-177-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We studied the long-term effects of no-till (NT) and winter cover cropping (CC) practices on soil hydraulic properties. We measured soil water retention and conductivity and also conducted numerical simulations to compare soil water storage abilities under the different systems. Soils under NT and CC practices had improved soil structure. Conservation agriculture practices showed marginal improvement with respect to infiltration rates and water storage.
Mahyar Naseri, Sascha C. Iden, and Wolfgang Durner
SOIL, 8, 99–112, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-99-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-99-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We simulated stony soils with low to high volumes of rock fragments in 3D using evaporation and multistep unit-gradient experiments. Hydraulic properties of virtual stony soils were identified under a wide range of soil matric potentials. The developed models for scaling the hydraulic conductivity of stony soils were evaluated under unsaturated flow conditions.
Danielle L. Gelardi, Irfan H. Ainuddin, Devin A. Rippner, Janis E. Patiño, Majdi Abou Najm, and Sanjai J. Parikh
SOIL, 7, 811–825, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-811-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-811-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Biochar is purported to alter soil water dynamics and reduce nutrient loss when added to soils, though the mechanisms are often unexplored. We studied the ability of seven biochars to alter the soil chemical and physical environment. The flow of ammonium through biochar-amended soil was determined to be controlled through chemical affinity, and nitrate, to a lesser extent, through physical entrapment. These data will assist land managers in choosing biochars for specific agricultural outcomes.
Frederic Leuther and Steffen Schlüter
SOIL, 7, 179–191, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-179-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-179-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Freezing and thawing cycles are an important agent of soil structural transformation during the winter season in the mid-latitudes. This study shows that it promotes a well-connected pore system, fragments dense soil clods, and, hence, increases the unsaturated conductivity by a factor of 3. The results are important for predicting the structure formation and hydraulic properties of soils, with the prospect of milder winters due to climate change, and for farmers preparing the seedbed in spring.
Cosimo Brogi, Johan A. Huisman, Lutz Weihermüller, Michael Herbst, and Harry Vereecken
SOIL, 7, 125–143, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-125-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-125-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
There is a need in agriculture for detailed soil maps that carry quantitative information. Geophysics-based soil maps have the potential to deliver such products, but their added value has not been fully investigated yet. In this study, we compare the use of a geophysics-based soil map with the use of two commonly available maps as input for crop growth simulations. The geophysics-based product results in better simulations, with improvements that depend on precipitation, soil, and crop type.
Jaqueline Stenfert Kroese, John N. Quinton, Suzanne R. Jacobs, Lutz Breuer, and Mariana C. Rufino
SOIL, 7, 53–70, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-53-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-53-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Particulate macronutrient concentrations were up to 3-fold higher in a natural forest catchment compared to fertilized agricultural catchments. Although the particulate macronutrient concentrations were lower in the smallholder agriculture catchment, because of higher sediment loads from that catchment, the total particulate macronutrient loads were higher. Land management practices should be focused on agricultural land to reduce the loss of soil carbon and nutrients to the stream.
Yongjiu Dai, Wei Shangguan, Nan Wei, Qinchuan Xin, Hua Yuan, Shupeng Zhang, Shaofeng Liu, Xingjie Lu, Dagang Wang, and Fapeng Yan
SOIL, 5, 137–158, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-5-137-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-5-137-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Soil data are widely used in various Earth science fields. We reviewed soil property maps for Earth system models, which can also offer insights to soil data developers and users. Old soil datasets are often based on limited observations and have various uncertainties. Updated and comprehensive soil data are made available to the public and can benefit related research. Good-quality soil data are identified and suggestions on how to improve and use them are provided.
Reuven B. Simhayov, Tobias K. D. Weber, and Jonathan S. Price
SOIL, 4, 63–81, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-4-63-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-4-63-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Lab experiments were performed to understand solute transport in peat from an experimental fen. Transport was analyzed under saturated and unsaturated conditions using NaCl (salt). We tested the applicability of a physical-based model which finds a wide consensus vs. alternative models. Evidence indicated that Cl transport can be explained using a simple transport model. Hence, use of the physical transport mechanism in peat should be evidence based and not automatically assumed.
Sami Touil, Aurore Degre, and Mohamed Nacer Chabaca
SOIL, 2, 647–657, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-647-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-647-2016, 2016
M. J. Kirkby
SOIL, 2, 631–645, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-631-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-631-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
The review paper surveys the state of the art with respect to water in the critical zone, taking a broad view that concentrates on the global range of natural soils, identifying some areas of currently active research.
Jean-Christophe Calvet, Noureddine Fritz, Christine Berne, Bruno Piguet, William Maurel, and Catherine Meurey
SOIL, 2, 615–629, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-615-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-615-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
Soil thermal conductivity in wet conditions can be retrieved together with the soil quartz content using a reverse modelling technique based on sub-hourly soil temperature observations at three depths below the soil surface.
A pedotransfer function is proposed for quartz, for the considered region in France.
Gravels have a major impact on soil thermal conductivity, and omitting the soil organic matter information tends to enhance this impact.
Assefa D. Zegeye, Eddy J. Langendoen, Cathelijne R. Stoof, Seifu A. Tilahun, Dessalegn C. Dagnew, Fasikaw A. Zimale, Christian D. Guzman, Birru Yitaferu, and Tammo S. Steenhuis
SOIL, 2, 443–458, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-443-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-443-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
Gully erosion rehabilitation programs in the humid Ethiopian highlands have not been effective, because the gully formation process and its controlling factors are not well understood. In this manuscript, the severity of gully erosion (onsite and offsite effect), the most controlling factors (e.g., ground water elevation) for gully formation, and their arresting mechanisms are discussed in detail. Most data were collected from the detailed measurements of 13 representative gullies.
Eléonore Beckers, Mathieu Pichault, Wanwisa Pansak, Aurore Degré, and Sarah Garré
SOIL, 2, 421–431, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-421-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-421-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
Determining the behaviour of stony soils with respect to infiltration and storage of water is of major importance, since stony soils are widespread across the globe. The most common procedure to overcome this difficulty is to describe the hydraulic characteristics of a stony soils in terms of the fine fraction of soil corrected for the volume of stones present. Our study suggests that considering this hypothesis might be ill-founded, especially for saturated soils.
Mirjam J. D. Hack-ten Broeke, Joop G. Kroes, Ruud P. Bartholomeus, Jos C. van Dam, Allard J. W. de Wit, Iwan Supit, Dennis J. J. Walvoort, P. Jan T. van Bakel, and Rob Ruijtenberg
SOIL, 2, 391–402, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-391-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-391-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
For calculating the effects of hydrological measures on agricultural production in the Netherlands a new comprehensive and climate proof method is being developed: WaterVision Agriculture (in Dutch: Waterwijzer Landbouw). End users have asked for a method that considers current and future climate, which can quantify the differences between years and also the effects of extreme weather events.
Mamaru A. Moges, Fasikaw A. Zemale, Muluken L. Alemu, Getaneh K. Ayele, Dessalegn C. Dagnew, Seifu A. Tilahun, and Tammo S. Steenhuis
SOIL, 2, 337–349, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-337-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-337-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
In tropical monsoonal Africa, sediment concentration data in rivers are lacking. Using occasional historically observed sediment loads, we developed a simple method for prediction sediment concentrations. Unlike previous methods, our techniques take into account that sediment concentrations decrease with the progression of the monsoon rains. With more testing, the developed method could improve sediment predictions in monsoonal climates.
Didier Michot, Zahra Thomas, and Issifou Adam
SOIL, 2, 241–255, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-241-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-241-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
This study focuses on temporal and spatial soil moisture changes along a toposequence crossed by a hedgerow, using ERT and occasional measurements. We found that the relationship between ER and soil moisture had two behaviors depending on soil heterogeneities. ER values were consistent with occasional measurements outside the root zone. The shift in this relationship was controlled by root system density and a particular topographical context in the proximity of the hedgerow.
Maha Deeb, Michel Grimaldi, Thomas Z. Lerch, Anne Pando, Agnès Gigon, and Manuel Blouin
SOIL, 2, 163–174, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-163-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-163-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
This paper addresses the evolution of engineered soils (i.e., Technosols). The formation of such soils begins with proportional mixing of urban waste. Technosols are particularly well suited for investigating the role of organisms in soil function development. This is because they provide a controlled environment where the soil development can be monitored over time.
Organisms and their interaction with parent materials positively affect the structure of Technosols.
Z. Hazbavi and S. H. R. Sadeghi
SOIL, 2, 71–78, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-71-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-71-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
This study evaluates the influences of vinasse waste of sugarcane industries on runoff and soil loss at small plot scale. Laboratory results indicated that the vinasse at different levels could not significantly (P > 0.05) decrease the runoff amounts and soil loss rates in the study plots compared to untreated plots. The average amounts of minimum runoff volume and soil loss were about 3985 mL and 46 g for the study plot at a 1 L m−2 level of vinasse application.
S. Arnold and E. R. Williams
SOIL, 2, 41–48, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-41-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-41-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
Soil water models are used to design cover systems for containing hazardous waste following mining. Often, soil invertebrates are omitted from these calculations, despite playing a major role in soil development (nutrient cycling) and water pathways (seepage, infiltration). As such, soil invertebrates can influence the success of waste cover systems. We propose that experiments in glasshouses, laboratories and field trials on mined lands be undertaken to provide knowledge for these models.
R. M. Nagare, P. Bhattacharya, J. Khanna, and R. A. Schincariol
SOIL, 1, 103–116, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-1-103-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-1-103-2015, 2015
Cited articles
Abascal, E., Gómez-Coma, L., Ortiz, I., and Ortiz, A.: Global diagnosis of nitrate pollution in groundwater and review of removal technologies, Sci. Total Environ., 810, 152233, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152233, 2022.
Azad, N., Behmanesh, J., Rezaverdinejad, V., Abbasi, F., and Navabian, M.: Evaluation of fertigation management impacts of surface drip irrigation on reducing nitrate leaching using numerical modeling, Environ. Sci. Pollut. R., 26, 36499–36514, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06699-2, 2019.
Ben-Gal, A., Ityel, E., Dudley, L., Cohen, S., Yermiyahu, U., Presnov, E., Zigmond, L., and Shani, U.: Effect of irrigation water salinity on transpiration and on leaching requirements: A case study for bell peppers, Agr. Water Manage., 95, 587–597, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2007.12.008, 2008.
Bijay-Singh and Ali, A. M.: Using hand-held chlorophyll meters and canopy reflectance sensors for fertilizer nitrogen management in cereals in small farms in developing countries, Sensors, 20, 1127, https://doi.org/10.3390/s20041127, 2020.
Bijay-Singh and Craswell, E.: Fertilizers and nitrate pollution of surface and ground water: an increasingly pervasive global problem, SN Appl. Sci., 3, 518, https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-021-04521-8, 2021.
Bijay-Singh, Varinderpal-Singh, Jaspreet Purba, Sharma, R. K., Jat, M. L., Yadvinder-Singh, Thind, H. S., Gupta, R. K., Chaudhary, O. P., Chandna, P., Khurana, H. S., Kumar, A., Jagmohan-Singh, Uppal, H. S., Uppal, R. K., Vashistha, M., and Gupta, R.: Site-specific fertilizer nitrogen management in irrigated transplanted rice (Oryza sativa) using an optical sensor, Precis. Agric., 16, 455–475, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11119-015-9389-6, 2015.
Carter, M. R. and Gregorich, E. G. (Eds.): Soil sampling and methods of analysis, 2nd Edn., CRC press, https://doi.org/10.1201/9781420005271, 2007.
Council Directive: Council Directive 91/676/EEC of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources, Official J. L, 375, 1–8, 1991.
Cui, Z., Zhang, F., Chen, X., Miao, Y., Li, J., Shi, L., Xu, J., Ye, Y., Liu, C., Yang, Z., Zhang, Q., Huang, S., and Bao, D.: On-farm evaluation of an in-season nitrogen management strategy based on soil Nmin test, Field Crop. Res., 105, 48–55, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2007.07.008, 2008.
Dahan, O., Babad, A., Lazarovitch, N., Russak, E. E., and Kurtzman, D.: Nitrate leaching from intensive organic farms to groundwater, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 18, 333–341, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-333-2014, 2014.
Etheridge, J. R., Birgand, F., Osborne, J. A., Osburn, C. L., Burchell, M. R., and Irving, J.: Using in situ ultraviolet-visual spectroscopy to measure nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus, and suspended solids concentrations at a high frequency in a brackish tidal marsh, Limnol. Oceanogr. Meth., 12, 10–22, https://doi.org/10.4319/lom.2014.12.10, 2014.
FAO: World Food and Agriculture – Statistical Yearbook 2022, FAO, https://doi.org/10.4060/cc2211en, 2022.
Feng, W., Yao, X., Zhu, Y., Tian, Y. C., and Cao, W. X.: Monitoring leaf nitrogen status with hyperspectral reflectance in wheat, Eur. J. Agron., 28, 394–404, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2007.11.005, 2008.
Górski, J., Dragon, K., and Kaczmarek, P. M. J.: Nitrate pollution in the Warta River (Poland) between 1958 and 2016: trends and causes, Environ. Sci. Pollut. R., 26, 2038–2046, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9798-3, 2019.
Gu, B., Ge, Y., Chang, S. X., Luo, W., and Chang, J.: Nitrate in groundwater of China: Sources and driving forces, Global Environ. Chang., 23, 1112–1121, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2013.05.004, 2013.
Israel Meteorological Service: Weather history for Hatzeva, centeral Arava valley (1994–2013), Israel Meteorological Service, 2013.
Knobeloch, L., Salna, B., Hogan, A., Postle, J., and Anderson, H.: Blue Babies and Nitrate-Contaminated Well Water, Environ. Health Persp., 108, 675–678, https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.00108675, 2000.
Kong, Q., Li, G., Wang, Y., and Huo, H.: Bell pepper response to surface and subsurface drip irrigation under different fertigation levels, Irrig. Sci., 30, 233–245, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-011-0278-0, 2012.
Kurtzman, D., Kanner, B., Levy, Y., Nitsan, I., and Bar-Tal, A.: Maintaining intensive agriculture overlying aquifers using the threshold nitrate root-uptake phenomenon, J. Environ. Qual., 50, 979–989, https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20239, 2021.
Lasagna, M., De Luca, D. A., and Franchino, E.: Nitrate contamination of groundwater in the western Po Plain (Italy): the effects of groundwater and surface water interactions, Environ. Earth Sci., 75, 1–16, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-015-5039-6, 2016.
Levy, Y., Shapira, R. H., Chefetz, B., and Kurtzman, D.: Modeling nitrate from land surface to wells' perforations under agricultural land: success, failure, and future scenarios in a Mediterranean case study, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 3811–3825, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-3811-2017, 2017.
Li, P., Karunanidhi, D., Subramani, T., and Srinivasamoorthy, K.: Sources and Consequences of Groundwater Contamination, Arch. Environ. Con. Tox., 80, 1–10, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-020-00805-z, 2021.
Li, X., Hu, C., Delgado, J. A., Zhang, Y., and Ouyang, Z.: Increased nitrogen use efficiencies as a key mitigation alternative to reduce nitrate leaching in north china plain, Agr. Water Manage., 89, 137–147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2006.12.012, 2007.
Li, Z., Yang, Q., Xie, C., and Lu, X.: Source identification and health risks of nitrate contamination in shallow groundwater: a case study in Subei Lake basin, Environ. Sci. Pollut. R., 30, 13660–13670, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-23129-y, 2023.
Lollato, R. P., Figueiredo, B. M., Dhillon, J. S., Arnall, D. B., and Raun, W. R.: Wheat grain yield and grain-nitrogen relationships as affected by N, P, and K fertilization: A synthesis of long-term experiments, Field Crop. Res., 236, 42–57, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2019.03.005, 2019.
Minikaev, D., Zurgel, U., Tripler, E., and Gelfand, I.: Effect of increasing nitrogen fertilization on soil nitrous oxide emissions and nitrate leaching in a young date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L., cv. Medjool) orchard, Agr. Ecosyst. Environ., 319, 107569, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2021.107569, 2021.
Mohamed Ali, A., Singh Thind, H., and Sharma, S.: Site-Specific Nitrogen Management in Dry Direct-Seeded Rice Using Chlorophyll Meter and Leaf Colour Chart, Pedosphere, 25, 72–81, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1002-0160(14)60077-1, 2015.
Nkebiwe, P. M., Weinmann, M., Bar-Tal, A., and Müller, T.: Fertilizer placement to improve crop nutrient acquisition and yield: A review and meta-analysis, 196, 389–401, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2016.07.018, 2016.
Picetti, R., Deeney, M., Pastorino, S., Miller, M. R., Shah, A., Leon, D. A., Dangour, A. D., and Green, R.: Nitrate and nitrite contamination in drinking water and cancer risk: A systematic review with meta-analysis, Environ. Res., 210, 112988, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.112988, 2022.
Piri, H. and Naserin, A.: Effect of different levels of water, applied nitrogen and irrigation methods on yield, yield components and IWUE of onion, Sci. Hortic, 268, 109361, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2020.109361, 2020.
Powlson, D. S., Addiscott, T. M., Benjamin, N., Cassman, K. G., de Kok, T. M., van Grinsven, H., L'hirondel, J.-L., Avery, A. A., and van Kessel, C.: When Does Nitrate Become a Risk for Humans?, J. Environ. Qual., 37, 291–295, https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2007.0177, 2008.
Rahmati, O., Samani, A. N., Mahmoodi, N., and Mahdavi, M.: Assessment of the Contribution of N-Fertilizers to Nitrate Pollution of Groundwater in Western Iran (Case Study: Ghorveh–Dehgelan Aquifer), Water Qual. Expos. Hea., 7, 143–151, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-014-0135-5, 2015.
Rezayati, S., Khaledian, M., Razavipour, T., and Rezaei, M.: Water flow and nitrate transfer simulations in rice cultivation under different irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer application managements by HYDRUS-2D model, Irrig. Sci., 38, 353–363, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-020-00676-1, 2020.
Salvagiotti, F., Cassman, K. G., Specht, J. E., Walters, D. T., Weiss, A., and Dobermann, A.: Nitrogen uptake, fixation and response to fertilizer N in soybeans: A review, 108, 1–13, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2008.03.001, 2008.
Scavia, D. and Bricker, S. B.: Coastal eutrophication assessment in the United States, Biogeochemistry, 79, 187–208, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-006-9011-0, 2006.
Sela, S., van Es, H. M., Moebius-Clune, B. N., Marjerison, R., and Kneubuhler, G.: Dynamic model-based recommendations increase the precision and sustainability of N fertilization in midwestern US maize production, Comput. Electron. Agr., 153, 256–265, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2018.08.010, 2018.
Shalev, N., Burg, A., Gavrieli, I., and Lazar, B.: Nitrate contamination sources in aquifers underlying cultivated fields in an arid region – The Arava Valley, Israel, Appl. Geochem., 63, 322–332, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2015.09.017, 2015.
Šimůnek, J., Genuchten, M. T., and Šejna, M.: Recent Developments and Applications of the HYDRUS Computer Software Packages, Vadose Zone J., 15, 1–25, https://doi.org/10.2136/vzj2016.04.0033, 2016.
Tafteh, A. and Sepaskhah, A. R.: Application of HYDRUS-1D model for simulating water and nitrate leaching from continuous and alternate furrow irrigated rapeseed and maize fields, Agr. Water Manage., 113, 19–29, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2012.06.011, 2012.
Turkeltaub, T., Kurtzman, D., and Dahan, O.: Real-time monitoring of nitrate transport in the deep vadose zone under a crop field – implications for groundwater protection, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 20, 3099–3108, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-3099-2016, 2016.
Schmidhalter, U.: Development of a quick on-farm test to determine nitrate levels in soil, J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sc., 168, 432–438, https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.200520521, 2005.
Wang, B., Xin, M., Wei, Q., and Xie, L.: A historical overview of coastal eutrophication in the China Seas, Mar. Pollut. Bull., 136, 394–400, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.09.044, 2018.
Weissman, G., Dahan, O., and Bel, G.: Probability Distribution for Water Fluxes in a Heterogeneous Unsaturated Zone Using an Ensemble of 1D Simulations, Water Resour. Res., 58, e2022WR032322, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022WR032322, 2022.
Westermann, D. T. and Kleinkopf, G. E.: Nitrogen Requirements of Potatoes, Agron J., 77, 616–621, https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1985.00021962007700040024x, 1985.
Wey, H., Hunkeler, D., Bischoff, W. A., and Bünemann, E. K.: Field-scale monitoring of nitrate leaching in agriculture: assessment of three methods, Environ. Monit. Assess., 194, 4, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-021-09605-x, 2022.
Wolf, K. A., Pullens, J. W. M., and Børgesen, C. D.: Optimized number of suction cups required to predict annual nitrate leaching under varying conditions in Denmark, J. Environ. Manage., 328, 116964, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116964, 2023.
Xu, J., Cai, H., Wang, X., Ma, C., Lu, Y., Ding, Y., Wang, X., Chen, H., Wang, Y., and Saddique, Q.: Exploring optimal irrigation and nitrogen fertilization in a winter wheat-summer maize rotation system for improving crop yield and reducing water and nitrogen leaching, Agr. Water Manage., 228, 105904, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2019.105904, 2020.
Yamin, M., Bin Wan Ismail, W. I., Bin Mohd Kassim, M. S., Aziz, S. B. A., Akbar, F. N., Shamshiri, R. R., Ibrahim, M., and Mahns, B.: Modification of colorimetric method based digital soil test kit for determination of macronutrients in oil palm plantation, Int. J. Agr. Biol. Eng., 13, 188–197, https://doi.org/10.25165/j.ijabe.20201304.5694, 2020.
Yeshno, E., Arnon, S., and Dahan, O.: Real-time monitoring of nitrate in soils as a key for optimization of agricultural productivity and prevention of groundwater pollution, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 23, 3997–4010, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-3997-2019, 2019.
Yeshno, E., Dahan, O., Bernstain, S., and Arnon, S.: A novel analytical approach for the simultaneous measurement of nitrate and dissolved organic carbon in soil water, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 2159–2168, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-2159-2021, 2021.
Zhang, H., Yang, R., Guo, S., and Li, Q.: Modeling fertilization impacts on nitrate leaching and groundwater contamination with HYDRUS-1D and MT3DMS, Paddy Water Environ., 18, 481–498, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10333-020-00796-6, 2020.
Zhang, X., Zhang, Y., Shi, P., Bi, Z., Shan, Z., and Ren, L.: The deep challenge of nitrate pollution in river water of China, Sci. Total Environ., 770, 144674, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144674, 2021.
Zhang, Y., Li, F., Zhang, Q., Li, J., and Liu, Q.: Tracing nitrate pollution sources and transformation in surface- and ground-waters using environmental isotopes, Sci. Total Environ., 490, 213–222, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.05.004, 2014.
Zhang, Y., Li, M. Z., Zheng, L. H., Zhao, Y., and Pei, X.: Soil nitrogen content forecasting based on real-time NIR spectroscopy, Comput. Electron. Agr., 124, 29–36, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2016.03.016, 2016.
Short summary
A new soil nitrate monitoring system that was installed in a cultivated field enabled us, for the first-time, to control nitrate concentration across the soil profile. Frequent adjustment of fertilizer and water application followed the actual dynamic variation in nitrate concentration across the soil profile. Hence, a significant reduction in fertilizer application was achieved while preserving optimal crop yield.
A new soil nitrate monitoring system that was installed in a cultivated field enabled us, for...
