Evidence of a union between organic carbon and water content in soil

Abstract

Soil organic matter, comprising ∼58% soil organic carbon (SOC), is attributed with increased water holding capacity in the surface horizon of agricultural soil. This paper addresses the role of SOC as a component of a common functional unit in soil from analysis within a single field and over multiple fields. Soil data measured on the fields during the SMAPVEX12 satellite prelaunch algorithm development campaign exhibited high correlation among SOC, field-mean soil water content (SWC), bulk density, and soil texture. The analysis extended over a wide range of soil texture and wetness in the top 5 cm of soil over 50 agricultural fields covering ∼400 km 2 of southern Manitoba. Data collected over a much smaller area from Ontario silt loam soils at the Elora Research Centre demonstrated a similar correlation between SOC and SWC in intensive field sampling. This intercorrelation of SOC and SWC is examined with partial least-squares regression, principal component analysis, and geostatistical semivariograms. A model is proposed to interpret the feedback process between SOC and SWC to explain the persistent correlation. Further work to substantiate the strengths and limits of the relationship between SOC and SWC may be beneficial for estimating SWC for remote sensing, agriculture, hydrology, and ecosystem function.Key words: soil organic carbon, soil water content, organic matter molecule, partial least-squares analysis, carbon feedback.Résumé : On estime que la matière organique, qui se compose d'environ 58 % de carbone organique (CO), retient l'eau davantage dans l'horizon superficiel des sols agricoles. Cet article examine le rôle du CO en tant que composante d'une unité fonctionnelle commune du sol d'après l'analyse du sol d'un ou de plusieurs terrains agricoles. Les données relevées au champ lors du développement de l'algorithme SMAPVEX12 avant le lancement du satellite montrent qu'il existe une étroite corrélation entre le CO, la teneur en eau moyenne du sol (TEM) au champ, la masse volumique apparente et la texture du sol. L'analyse a porté sur un large éventail de textures et de concentrations d'eau dans la couche supérieure de 5 cm d'une cinquantaine de parcelles cultivées couvrant une superficie de ∼400 km 2 dans le sud du Manitoba. Les données recueillies sur une superficie plus modeste constituée de loams limoneux, au centre de recherche d'Elora, en Ontario, montraient une corrélation analogue entre le CO et la TEM pour les parcelles échantillonnées, cultivées intensivement. Les auteurs examinent la corrélation entre le CO et la TEM du sol au moyen de la méthode de régression partielle par les moindres carrés, de l'analyse en composantes principales et de semivariogrammes en géostatistique. Ils proposent un modèle permettant d'interpréter les mécanismes de rétroaction entre le CO et la TEM en vue d'expliquer cette corrélation tenace. Des recherches plus poussées pour étoffer les forces et les limites du lien entre le CO et la TEM du sol auraient leur utilité pour estimer la TEM en vue de son util...

Soil organic matter and water retention

“…Reducing the need for irrigation be increasing soil water storage through increase in SOM content Klein and Klein (2015) Brazil SOM content improved aggregation under pasture Suzuki, Reichert, and Reinert (2013) Brazil High SOM under no-till increased water storage Figueiredo, Ramos, and Tostes (2008) Burkina Faso SOM increases field capacity and permanent wilting point Leu et al (2010) Canada: Manitoba High correlation among SOC, soil water conditions, content, and bulk density Manns, Parkin, and Martin (2016) China Total organic carbon was correlated with water holding capacity Li, Li, Zed, Zhan, and Singh (2007) China SOM content suppresses evaporation losses Ding et al (2014) China SOM has a positive effect on soil water content S. X. Zhang, Zhang, Jiang, and Yu (2013) China: Alpine SOM content plays a dominant role in SWR Yang et al 2015Hungary A slight effect of SOM on moisture storage C Rajkai et al 2015Italy Input of compost and manure increased water capacity Elia, Conversa, Trotta, and Rinaldi (2007) Spain SOM content increased water retention and aggregation Acín-Carrera et al 2013Spain Humic acids with aliphatic domain displayed favorable hydrological properties of semi-arid soils Álvarez, Carral, Hernández, and Almendros (2013) Turkey Organic matter incorporation can enhance soil resilience against extreme weather Mujdeci, Simsek, and Uygur (2019) USA Crop residue management and conservation tillage for semi-arid regions Unger, Stewart, Parr, and Singh (1991) USA Maintaining and improving hydrological functions of soil Hatfield, Cruse, and Tomer (2013) The current and projected climate change, as well as the increase in risks of soil degradation, may aggravate the drought stress during crop growth because of reduction in PAWC (pedological drought) of soil, and depletion of soil water in the root zone at the critical stage of crop growth (i.e., flowering stage) in conjunction with high air and soil temperatures associated with a heat wave (agronomic drought).…”

“…Reducing the need for irrigation be increasing soil water storage through increase in SOM content Klein and Klein (2015) Brazil SOM content improved aggregation under pasture Suzuki, Reichert, and Reinert (2013) Brazil High SOM under no-till increased water storage Figueiredo, Ramos, and Tostes (2008) Burkina Faso SOM increases field capacity and permanent wilting point Leu et al (2010) Canada: Manitoba High correlation among SOC, soil water conditions, content, and bulk density Manns, Parkin, and Martin (2016) China Total organic carbon was correlated with water holding capacity Li, Li, Zed, Zhan, and Singh (2007) China SOM content suppresses evaporation losses Ding et al (2014) China SOM has a positive effect on soil water content S. X. Zhang, Zhang, Jiang, and Yu (2013) Hatfield, Cruse, and Tomer (2013) The current and projected climate change, as well as the increase in risks of soil degradation, may aggravate the drought stress during crop growth because of reduction in PAWC (pedological drought) of soil, and depletion of soil water in the root zone at the critical stage of crop growth (i.e., flowering stage) in conjunction with high air and soil temperatures associated with a heat wave (agronomic drought).…”

Forest structure and carbon stocks of Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, Nigeria

“…This is probably because of its close proximity to the Osun-Osogbo water body, which passes through the Re-growth forest. Manns et al (2016) revealed that soil that remains moistened for most times of the year has potential for carbon accumulation and stabilization. Hence, a developed forest structure of the Old-growth forest may have influenced tree stem carbon; but was unable to enhance soil carbon stock.…”

Compost Amended with N Enhances Maize Productivity and Soil Properties in Semi‐Arid Agriculture

“…It seems that compost amendments tend to reduce soil water loss leading to greater water holding capacity. Other authors such as Yang et al (2014) and Manns et al (2016) have provided evidence that higher SOC often corresponds with augmented soil moisture conditions following organic amendment applications.…”