Effects of irrigation on soil physical properties in predominantly pastoral farming systems: a review

Drewry, John; Carrick, Sam; Penny, Veronica; Houlbrooke, D. J.; Laurenson, Seth; Mesman, Nicole L.

doi:10.1080/00288233.2020.1742745

Cited by 26 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 81 publications

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“…This suggests that irrigation has the potential to shift SOC dynamics by translocating clay particles downward, thereby decreasing the proportion of the fine fraction in irrigated surface soils and altering soil hydrological properties at all depths (Warrington et al, 2007 ). Similarly, Drewry et al, ( 2020 ) found that soil bulk density increased, and macroporosity declined, in irrigated pastures and cropland in New Zealand. Further work examining changes in soil texture over time due to irrigation and at depth is necessary to better understand the role of soil texture in mediating irrigated agriculture‐related changes in SOC, particularly on arid and semi‐arid sites, where irrigation is employed most intensely.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Soil organic carbon in irrigated agricultural systems: A meta‐analysis

Emde

Hannam

Most

et al. 2021

Global Change Biology

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Over the last 200 years, conversion of non‐cultivated land for agriculture has substantially reduced global soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in upper soil layers. Nevertheless, practices such as no‐ or reduced tillage, application of organic soil amendments, and maintenance of continuous cover can increase SOC in agricultural fields. While these management practices have been well studied, the effects on SOC of cropping systems that incorporate irrigation are poorly understood. Given the large, and expanding, agricultural landbase under irrigation across the globe, this is a critical knowledge gap for climate change mitigation. We undertook a systematic literature review and subsequent meta‐analysis of data from studies that examined changes in SOC on irrigated agricultural sites through time. We investigated changes in SOC by climate (aridity), soil texture, and irrigation method with the following objectives: (i) to examine the impact of irrigated agriculture on SOC storage; and (ii) to identify the conditions under which irrigated agriculture is most likely to enhance SOC. Overall, irrigated agriculture increased SOC stocks by 5.9%, with little effect of study length (2–47 years). However, changes in SOC varied by climate and soil depth, with the greatest increase in SOC observed on irrigated semi‐arid sites at the 0–10 cm depth (14.8%). Additionally, SOC increased in irrigated fine‐ and medium‐textured soils but not coarse‐textured soils. Furthermore, while there was no overall change to SOC in flood/furrow irrigated sites, SOC tended to increase in sprinkler irrigated sites, and decrease in drip irrigated sites, especially at depths below 10 cm. This work sheds light on the nuances of SOC change across irrigated agricultural systems, highlights the importance of studying SOC storage in deeper soils, and will help guide future research on the impacts of irrigated agriculture on SOC.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Soil organic carbon in irrigated agricultural systems: A meta‐analysis

Emde

Hannam

Most

et al. 2021

Global Change Biology

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“…Since soil compaction decreases physical fertility of the soil by reducing the storage and supply of water and nutrients, so it could lead to additional fertilizer requirements and higher production costs (Hamza & Anderson, 2005). Irrigation is also applied in some grasslands, either when water scarcity is an important constraint for forage growth (Tianming et al, 2012) or when land use is also intensified (Drewry et al, 2020). Experiments have shown that soil physical properties are important for efficient irrigation with affecting water storage, water availability to plants, water and air transmission, soil workability, drainage, and resilience of soil to change, all of which can consequently affect forage yield to have higher and more stable rates (Drewry et al, 2020).…”

Section: Grassland Yield Responses To Soil Attribute Changesmentioning

confidence: 99%

How does grassland management affect physical and biochemical properties of temperate grassland soils? A review study

Mayel

Jarrah

Kuka

2021

Grass and Forage Science

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Temperate grasslands occupy 9 million km 2 , representing 8% of earth's terrestrial surface (Figure 1) (Sala et al., 2013;White et al., 2000). Most permanent grasslands are land-use systems established by humans over centuries and therefore a part of our cultural landscape (Hejcman et al., 2013). Grasslands occur most commonly where site-specific conditions are less favourable for crop farming, while primarily found on marginal land. Grassland herbaceous plant communities evolved in close relation with herbivores and are adapted to defoliation. Defoliation is defined as removing plant shoots by grazing or mowing, and it is described in terms of intensity, interval between events, timing relative to season or plant growth stage, or by its spatial heterogeneity (Sollenberger

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“…The effect of flood irrigation on soil physical properties was studied in New Zealand for a wide range of pastoral soils Cossens 1966, 1968;Cossens and Rickard 1969;Rickard and Cossens 1973). These irrigated soils generally showed an increase in bulk density, field capacity, and AWC, compared with soils without irrigation, but results reviewed in the wider literature vary (Drewry et al 2021b). With the exception of a few studies (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There was a 203% increase in irrigated land area for Canterbury Suitable soils and water availability are key resources needed for agriculture but are under increasing pressure from the intensification of agricultural land and changing land use (Godde et al 2018;Kopittke et al 2019;Koppe et al 2021). Intensification of agricultural land includes the irrigation of previously dryland areas to increase yields and, associated with this, often an increase in nutrient inputs, stock numbers, and changing grassland management practices or stock type (Cherubin et al 2016;Drewry et al 2021b;Koppe et al 2021). Improved technologies and practices are being developed to use water more efficiently (Evett et al 2020), and reduce the impacts of intensification on water quality (Chapman et al 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research on the effect of irrigation on soil physical properties has been focused on arid, semi-arid, or tropical environments and non-pastoral land use, often with furrowor flood-irrigated systems (Singh et al 2013;Drewry et al 2021b). The effect of flood irrigation on soil physical properties was studied in New Zealand for a wide range of pastoral soils Cossens 1966, 1968;Cossens and Rickard 1969;Rickard and Cossens 1973).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of irrigation on soil physical properties on temperate pastoral farms: a regional New Zealand study

et al. 2022

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Context Many regions in the world have undergone rapid land use change and intensification of agricultural land, such as through irrigation expansion, upgrading irrigation systems, and changing grassland, stock, and nutrient management practices. With more intensive land use, changes to soil properties can occur, such as soil compaction and changes in soil water storage. The effects of modern sprinkler-irrigated pastoral farming on soil physical properties are not well quantified internationally, particularly for temperate climates. Aims This regional study evaluates the effect of irrigation on soil physical properties in topsoil and subsoil, under modern pastoral grazing and sprinkler irrigation, across Canterbury, New Zealand. Methods Paired sites were sampled, consisting of a spray-irrigated paddock (field) and an adjoined part of the same paddock that was dryland (unirrigated), with other management the same for each pair. Key results Under irrigation there was a shift towards a greater abundance of smaller pores. This was reflected in macroporosity and readily available water capacity being significantly lower under irrigation, while semi-available water capacity and unavailable water held below permanent wilting point both increased. Conclusions These differences reflect increased compaction under irrigated grazed pasture, particularly under dairy grazing, consistent with findings in similar studies. This study quantified changes in both the topsoil and subsoil but showed that most differences were confined to the topsoil (30 cm depth). Implications For irrigation management, our study indicates the lower readily available water capacity on irrigated pasture is significant, with farmers potentially having to irrigate more frequently. Adopting deficit irrigation could minimise impacts of compaction.

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Effects of irrigation on soil physical properties in predominantly pastoral farming systems: a review

Cited by 26 publications

References 81 publications

Soil organic carbon in irrigated agricultural systems: A meta‐analysis

Soil organic carbon in irrigated agricultural systems: A meta‐analysis

How does grassland management affect physical and biochemical properties of temperate grassland soils? A review study

Effect of irrigation on soil physical properties on temperate pastoral farms: a regional New Zealand study

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