Change in infiltration characteristics associated with cultivation history of soils in south-eastern Queensland

Abstract

Change in soil infiltration characteristics with cultivation can result in reduced soil water storage, increased runoff and erosion, and reduced crop production. We measured changes in infiltration characteristics associated with years of cultivation for 5 soil groups in south-eastern Queensland. Soils were grouped according to soil type and texture into Sodosols, light and heavy Vertosols, Red Ferrosols, and Red Chromosols/Kandosols. Soil infiltration characteristics were determined from measurements of permeability and water-holding properties of the cultivated layer (0–0·1 m deep) and the layer immediately below the plough layer (0·1–0·2 m deep). A rainfall simulator was used to measure the hydraulic conductivity of surface seals and infiltration of bare, tilled soil in the field. Hydraulic conductivity of the soil matrix and macropores and water-holding properties of the 0·1–0·2 m layer were measured with disc permeameters and pressure plate apparatus. Hydraulic conductivity of surface seals decreased exponentially in all soil groups with period of cultivation; half of the decline occurred within 2–6 years of first cultivation. Hydraulic conductivity, macroporosity, and moisture characteristic of the 0·1–0·2 m layer were similarly affected by longer periods of cultivation in all but light-textured soils. Cultivation of light-textured, hardsetting soils (18% clay) did not adversely affect hydraulic conductivity or macroporosity of the 0·1–0·2 m layer and the loosening effect of tillage was somewhat beneficial for the water-holding properties of this layer. The low hydraulic conductivities of the surface or 0·1–0·2 m layer after long periods of cultivation reduced infiltration of rainfall in the field.

Controlled traffic farming restores soil structure

“…The reduction in slope of the water retention curve in the cropping zone after the implementation of CTF was indicative of improved rhizosphere conditions due to the removal of cyclic compaction and tillage. Connolly et al (1997) demonstrated increased infiltration, and Radford et al (1995a) showed improved soil water storage, soil animal populations and yield increases that could be included among the benefits of changes in the slope of the SWRC. The reduction of the slope of the curve is in agreement with the increased textural porosity found and with the redistribution of pore sizes in favour of the relative number of macropores.…”

The Brigalow Catchment Study: I. Overview of a 40-year study of the effects of land clearing in the brigalow bioregion of Australia

“…The cropping catchment was used as a resource to study the impacts on soil structure and subsequent crop performance of cattle grazing crop residues (Radford et al 1999). Connolly et al (1997) and Connolly (2000) used the site to study soil hydraulic properties. The cropping area adjoining C2 has hosted studies of fallow management (Lawrence et al 1994), wheat establishment , nutrient stratification , fertiliser and fallow management interactions (Cowie et al 1995), and soil mixing .…”

Impact of soil conditions on hydrology and water quality for a brown clay in the north-eastern cereal zone of Australia

“…through wetting and swelling and formation of surface seals due to instability of the soil under rainfall reduces infiltration rates (Smith et al 1984;Connolly et al 1997). Soil carbon in the surface 0.1 m ranges from 0.7 to 0.9%, although before 25 years of cultivation the value was~2% (Connolly et al 1997).…”

“…Soil carbon in the surface 0.1 m ranges from 0.7 to 0.9%, although before 25 years of cultivation the value was~2% (Connolly et al 1997). A summary of soil chemical and physical properties is provided in Table 1.…”

“…No response to gypsum was observed, so this line of investigation was not pursued further and is not discussed in this paper. Pasture was established later in the study (1990) to further explore the possibilities of a pasture phase as a practice to improve soil structure and infiltration characteristics (Connolly et al 1997(Connolly et al , 1998. The breadth of conditions created by different management regimes is shown in Fig.…”