Purpose Agricultural management as tillage systems and manure application can contribute effectively to controlling physical surface crusts (SCs), improving the soil’s technical characteristics and germination rates. While agronomic practices are generally applied to winter wheat fields in southern Iraq, no previous study has explored their impact in combination with SCs and soil physical attributes on wheat productivity (WP) under different soil textures. Materials and methods The impact of different agronomic management practices on the formation of soil physical surface crusts (SCs), soil compaction (measured by soil penetration resistance, SPR), soil volumetric water content (VWC), soil bulk density (ρb), mean weight diameter of aggregates (MWD), and WP was examined in two soil textures (clay loam, clay) during 2020 and 2022. Experimental data were subjected to an identical and randomized complete block design (RCBD) under a nested-factorial experimental design, where nine treatments with three replicates each were selected. This included three tillage practices (conventional tillage system (CT), till-plant (TP), and rotational tillage (NTCT)), alongside a sub-treatment with organic fertilizers (cattle manure (CF), and wheat straw (WR)), or without added fertilizer (WT). Results and discussion Results showed that CT treatment increased SCs during wheat growth stages by significantly increasing aggregate stability. A significant difference in ρb and SPR and a higher distribution of VWC were seen under CT treatment when compared to TP and NTCT treatments. TP treatment showed a significantly increased in SPR and ρb, particularly in clay loam. The MWD under TP and NTCT was significantly different to CT treatment, which may be explained by an increase in soil stability due to their management practices. Additionally, both organic fertilizers (CF and WR) significantly enhanced SCs, SPR, VWC, ρb, MWD, and WP. Conclusions These data showed a strong relationship between SCs and ρb and between VWC and SPR, which are directly affected by the soil’s water content.
The hydrological engineering projects that are built in the canals affect the dynamics of the rivers, which is reflected in the morphological and geomorphological Abstract | A study was conducted for the sediments of the Tigris River in Wasit Governorate, Iraq, near the Kut Dam, to determine its chemical, physical and mineral properties. After the soil horizons of the study were determined , samples were taken from each horizon according to the specific depth of each horizon, and the laboratory examination was conducted for the physical and chemical properties. As for the mineral examination, it was conducted for only two depths (surface depth and subsurface depth). The results showed a variation in the chemical properties represented by the electrical conductivity values, pH of soil, organic matter, carbonate minerals, and the cationic exchange capacity of the soil between the front and rear of the Kut Dam. As for the physical properties, there was a variation in the particle size distribution in the soil (sand and clay), as well as the values of the particle's density and bulk density and total porosity of the soil between the front and rear of the Kut Dam. There was also a variation in the size distribution of some sand fraction. As for the sand minerals, a discrepancy was noted in some heavy and light sand minerals between the front and rear of the dam. It was found that both the difference in the mineral content of the sedimentary cycles and the effect of the Kut Dam on the velocity of the flow of the river load had a role in the variation in the distribution of soils in that region.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.