Articles | Volume 9, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-1-2023
© Author(s) 2023. 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-9-1-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Review article
| Highlight paper
| 
04 Jan 2023
Review article | Highlight paper |
| 04 Jan 2023
| 04 Jan 2023
Soil and crop management practices and the water regulation functions of soils: a qualitative synthesis of meta-analyses relevant to European agriculture
Guillaume Blanchy
Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Burgemeester van Gansberghelaan 92/1, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
Gilberto Bragato
Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology
(CREA-VE), via Trieste 23, 34170 Gorizia, Italy
Claudia Di Bene
Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), via della Navicella 2–4, 00184 Rome, Italy
Nicholas Jarvis
Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7014, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
Mats Larsbo
Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7014, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
Katharina Meurer
Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7014, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
Sarah Garré
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Burgemeester van Gansberghelaan 92/1, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
Related authors
Benjamin Mary, Veronika Iván, Franco Meggio, Luca Peruzzo, Guillaume Blanchy, Chunwei Chou, Benedetto Ruperti, Yuxin Wu, and Giorgio Cassiani
Biogeosciences, 20, 4625–4650, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4625-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4625-2023, 2023
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The study explores the partial root zone drying method, an irrigation strategy aimed at improving water use efficiency. We imaged the root–soil interaction using non-destructive techniques consisting of soil and plant current stimulation. The study found that imaging the processes in time was effective in identifying spatial patterns associated with irrigation and root water uptake. The results will be useful for developing more efficient root detection methods in natural soil conditions.
Guillaume Blanchy, Lukas Albrecht, Gilberto Bragato, Sarah Garré, Nicholas Jarvis, and John Koestel
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 2703–2724, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2703-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2703-2023, 2023
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We collated the Open Tension-disk Infiltrometer Meta-database (OTIM). We analysed topsoil hydraulic conductivities at supply tensions between 0 and 100 mm of 466 data entries. We found indications of different flow mechanisms at saturation and at tensions >20 mm. Climate factors were better correlated with near-saturated hydraulic conductivities than soil properties. Land use, tillage system, soil compaction and experimenter bias significantly influenced K to a similar degree to soil properties.
Elsa Coucheney, Anke Marianne Herrmann, and Nicholas Jarvis
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3883, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3883, 2024
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Simulation models can be used to evaluate changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in agricultural soils that are important to soil health and climate change mitigation. We describe a simple model that considers SOC turnover in a soil profile regulated by two processes: physical protection due to aggregation and microbial energy limitation. It accurately reproduces trends in SOC in plots receiving different OC inputs and matches survey data on SOC in the soil profile in one region of Sweden.
Solomon Ehosioke, Sarah Garre, Johan Alexander Huisman, Egon Zimmermann, Mathieu Javaux, and Frederic Nguyen
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2628, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2628, 2024
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We investigated the electrical properties of the primary roots of Brachypodium and Maize plants during the uptake of fresh and saline water using SIP measurements in a frequency range from 1 Hz to 45 kHz. Our results indicate that salinity tolerance varies with the species, and that Maize is more tolerant to salinity than Brachypodium.
Guillaume Blanchy, Waldo Deroo, Tom De Swaef, Peter Lootens, Paul Quataert, Isabel Roldán-Ruíz, and Sarah Garré
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2082, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2082, 2024
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This work uses automated electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) for belowground field phenotyping alongside conventional field breeding techniques, thereby closing the phenotyping gap. We show that ERT is not only capable of measuring differences between crops, but also has sufficient precision to capture the differences between genotypes of the same crop. We automatically derive indicators, which can be translated to static and dynamic plant traits, directly useful for breeders.
Benjamin Mary, Veronika Iván, Franco Meggio, Luca Peruzzo, Guillaume Blanchy, Chunwei Chou, Benedetto Ruperti, Yuxin Wu, and Giorgio Cassiani
Biogeosciences, 20, 4625–4650, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4625-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4625-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The study explores the partial root zone drying method, an irrigation strategy aimed at improving water use efficiency. We imaged the root–soil interaction using non-destructive techniques consisting of soil and plant current stimulation. The study found that imaging the processes in time was effective in identifying spatial patterns associated with irrigation and root water uptake. The results will be useful for developing more efficient root detection methods in natural soil conditions.
Guillaume Blanchy, Lukas Albrecht, Gilberto Bragato, Sarah Garré, Nicholas Jarvis, and John Koestel
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 2703–2724, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2703-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2703-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We collated the Open Tension-disk Infiltrometer Meta-database (OTIM). We analysed topsoil hydraulic conductivities at supply tensions between 0 and 100 mm of 466 data entries. We found indications of different flow mechanisms at saturation and at tensions >20 mm. Climate factors were better correlated with near-saturated hydraulic conductivities than soil properties. Land use, tillage system, soil compaction and experimenter bias significantly influenced K to a similar degree to soil properties.
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.
Nicholas Jarvis, Jannis Groh, Elisabet Lewan, Katharina H. E. Meurer, Walter Durka, Cornelia Baessler, Thomas Pütz, Elvin Rufullayev, and Harry Vereecken
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 2277–2299, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-2277-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-2277-2022, 2022
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We apply an eco-hydrological model to data on soil water balance and grassland growth obtained at two sites with contrasting climates. Our results show that the grassland in the drier climate had adapted by developing deeper roots, which maintained water supply to the plants in the face of severe drought. Our study emphasizes the importance of considering such plastic responses of plant traits to environmental stress in the modelling of soil water balance and plant growth under climate change.
Katharina Hildegard Elisabeth Meurer, Claire Chenu, Elsa Coucheney, Anke Marianne Herrmann, Thomas Keller, Thomas Kätterer, David Nimblad Svensson, and Nicholas Jarvis
Biogeosciences, 17, 5025–5042, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-5025-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-5025-2020, 2020
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We present a simple model that describes, for the first time, the dynamic two-way interactions between soil organic matter and soil physical properties (porosity, pore size distribution, bulk density and layer thickness). The model was able to accurately reproduce the changes in soil organic carbon, soil bulk density and surface elevation observed during 63 years in a field trial, as well as soil water retention curves measured at the end of the experimental period.
Sathyanarayan Rao, Félicien Meunier, Solomon Ehosioke, Nolwenn Lesparre, Andreas Kemna, Frédéric Nguyen, Sarah Garré, and Mathieu Javaux
Biogeosciences Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2018-280, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2018-280, 2018
Revised manuscript not accepted
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This paper illustrates the impact of electrical property of maize root segments on the Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) inversion results with the help of numerical model. The model includes explicit root representation in the finite element mesh with root growth, transpiration and root water uptake. We show that, ignoring root segments could lead to wrong estimation of water content using ERT method.
Gaël Dumont, Tamara Pilawski, Thomas Hermans, Frédéric Nguyen, and Sarah Garré
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2018-163, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2018-163, 2018
Preprint withdrawn
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We used long time lapse geoelectrical profiles to monitor water infiltration through a landfill cover layer. The obtained electrical resistivity changes are smoothed and reflect both moisture variations, the background resistivity heterogeneity, and temperature and salinity changes due to water infiltration. Interpretation limits were investigated by using synthetic modelling. Using these results to avoid over-interpretation, field observations revealed zones where large infiltration occurs.
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
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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.
M. Larsbo, J. Koestel, and N. Jarvis
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 18, 5255–5269, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-5255-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-5255-2014, 2014
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The characteristics of the macropore network determine the potential for fast transport of solutes through soil. Such characteristics computed from 3-dimensional X-ray tomography images were combined with measured solute breakthrough curves and near-saturated hydraulic conductivities. At a given flow rate, smaller macroporosities, poorer local connectivity of the macropore network and smaller near-saturated hydraulic conductivities resulted in a greater degree of preferential transport.
K. Steffens, M. Larsbo, J. Moeys, E. Kjellström, N. Jarvis, and E. Lewan
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 18, 479–491, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-479-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-479-2014, 2014
N. Jarvis, J. Koestel, I. Messing, J. Moeys, and A. Lindahl
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 17, 5185–5195, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-17-5185-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-17-5185-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Soils and water
Depth extrapolation of field-scale soil moisture time series derived with cosmic-ray neutron sensing (CRNS) using the soil moisture analytical relationship (SMAR) model
Addressing soil data needs and data gaps in catchment-scale environmental modelling: the European perspective
Optimized fertilization using online soil nitrate data
The effect of groundwater depth on topsoil organic matter mineralization during a simulated dry summer in North-West Europe
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
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
Daniel Rasche, Theresa Blume, and Andreas Güntner
SOIL, 10, 655–677, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-655-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-655-2024, 2024
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Soil moisture measurements at the field scale are highly beneficial for numerous (soil) hydrological applications. Cosmic-ray neutron sensing (CRNS) allows for the non-invasive monitoring of field-scale soil moisture across several hectares but only for the first few tens of centimetres of the soil. In this study, we modify and test a simple modeling approach to extrapolate CRNS-derived surface soil moisture information down to 450 cm depth and compare calibrated and uncalibrated model results.
Brigitta Szabó, Piroska Kassai, Svajunas Plunge, Attila Nemes, Péter Braun, Michael Strauch, Felix Witing, János Mészáros, and Natalja Čerkasova
SOIL, 10, 587–617, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-587-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-587-2024, 2024
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This research introduces methods and tools for obtaining soil input data in European case studies for environmental models like SWAT+. With various available soil datasets and prediction methods, determining the most suitable is challenging. The study aims to (i) catalogue open-access datasets and prediction methods for Europe, (ii) demonstrate and quantify differences between prediction approaches, and (iii) offer a comprehensive workflow with open-source R codes for deriving missing soil data.
Yonatan Yekutiel, Yuval Rotem, Shlomi Arnon, and Ofer Dahan
SOIL, 10, 335–347, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-335-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-335-2024, 2024
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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.
Astrid Françoys, Orly Mendoza, Junwei Hu, Pascal Boeckx, Wim Cornelis, Stefaan De Neve, and Steven Sleutel
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-559, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-559, 2024
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To assess the impact of groundwater table (GWT) depth on soil moisture and C mineralization, we designed a laboratory setup using 200 cm undisturbed soil columns. Surprisingly, the moisture increase induced by a shallower GWT did not result in enhanced C mineralization. We presume this capillary moisture effect was offset by increased C mineralization upon rewetting, particularly noticeable in drier soils when capillary rise affected the topsoil to a lesser extent due to a deeper GWT.
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Executive editor
I think the paper contains some important messages for the management of soil water that have widespread implications
I think the paper contains some important messages for the management of soil water that have...
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.
European agriculture is vulnerable to weather extremes. Nevertheless, by choosing well how to...
