TY - JOUR

T1 - Physical properties of a Luvisol for different long-term fertilization treatments

T2 - I. Mesoscale capacity and intensity parameters

AU - Holthusen, Dörthe

AU - Jänicke, Markus

AU - Peth, Stephan

AU - Horn, Rainer

PY - 2012/2

Y1 - 2012/2

N2 - The physical properties of a Luvisol derived from loess near Bonn, Germany, under different long-term fertilization treatments were examined. For the investigation of the impact of farmyard manure (FYM) on soil strength at the mesoscale (100 to 300cm 3 soil cores), undisturbed samples were taken from two different depths (10 and 40cm), either with no fertilization at all, with full mineral fertilization, with FYM only, and with both mineral and organic fertilization. We investigated hydraulic and mechanical parameters, namely precompression stress, pore-size distribution, saturated hydraulic and air conductivity, and calculated pore connectivity. Long-term organic fertilization resulted in significantly more and coarser pores which in addition were more conductant and mechanically stronger by trend. Mineral fertilization also increased pore volume by trend but not pore functionality. Mechanical strength generally increased with fertilization by trend, however, was reduced again when organic and mineral fertilization were combined. Nonetheless, FYM led to relatively higher soil strength as the FYM-treated plots with lower bulk density attained similar soil strength as the unfertilized but denser plots and thus supported the soil-improving impact of organic amendments. The subsoil physical properties were rather unaffected by fertilization, but were dominated by texture.

AB - The physical properties of a Luvisol derived from loess near Bonn, Germany, under different long-term fertilization treatments were examined. For the investigation of the impact of farmyard manure (FYM) on soil strength at the mesoscale (100 to 300cm 3 soil cores), undisturbed samples were taken from two different depths (10 and 40cm), either with no fertilization at all, with full mineral fertilization, with FYM only, and with both mineral and organic fertilization. We investigated hydraulic and mechanical parameters, namely precompression stress, pore-size distribution, saturated hydraulic and air conductivity, and calculated pore connectivity. Long-term organic fertilization resulted in significantly more and coarser pores which in addition were more conductant and mechanically stronger by trend. Mineral fertilization also increased pore volume by trend but not pore functionality. Mechanical strength generally increased with fertilization by trend, however, was reduced again when organic and mineral fertilization were combined. Nonetheless, FYM led to relatively higher soil strength as the FYM-treated plots with lower bulk density attained similar soil strength as the unfertilized but denser plots and thus supported the soil-improving impact of organic amendments. The subsoil physical properties were rather unaffected by fertilization, but were dominated by texture.

KW - Air permeability

KW - Hydraulic conductivy

KW - Long-term fertilization trial

KW - Organic fertilization

KW - Precompression stress

KW - Soil strength

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84856776831&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1002/jpln.201100075

DO - 10.1002/jpln.201100075

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:84856776831

VL - 175

SP - 4

EP - 13

JO - Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science

JF - Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science

SN - 1436-8730

IS - 1

ER -