Pore size distribution versus soil inherent properties and management

IMHOFF, S.; DA SILVA, AP.; KAY, B.

Charlotte (NC)

Congreso; SUSTAINING EARTH AND ITS PEOPLE: TRANSLATING SCIENCE INTO PRACTICE; 2001

ASA

Pore size distribution (PSD) is an important indicator of soil quality and it is affected by soil texture and management. This paper tested the hypothesis that the soil tillage effects on PSD changes continuously with soil texture. The experimental design was a field scale side-by-side comparison of zero and conventional tillage as a strip across three soil types (Aquic Hapludalfs, Psammentic Hapludalfs, and Typic Hapludalfs). Five pore size classes (p) were established: p>150,75,50,37.5,30, and p>20 micrometers. The difference in porosity between tillage (zero< conventional tillage) was positively related with clay content. Therefore the results confirmed the hypothesis that tillage effects on pore size distribution depends on soil texture.