Slumping dynamics in tilled sandy soils under natural rainfall and experimental flooding

Abstract

International audienceCompaction of tilled layers under the single effect of rainfall or irrigation was called slumping. Slumping affects strongly root development and plant biomass production. It has been observed in different soil types, but sandy soils appear particularly prone to this physical degradation. Our objectives in this study were (i) to measure in the field the changes in soil structure and water status simultaneously, (ii) to study the effects of rainfall and management practices on slumping, and (iii) to propose a conceptual model for sandy soil slumping. An experimental site was selected in Northeast Thailand and we studied the effect of tillage depth and initial water content on slumping dynamic. Plots (9 m × 15 m each) were tilled at (i) two depths (20 and 40 cm, called S and previous termDnext term respectively) in dry conditions, (ii) at 20 cm depth in dry or wet conditions (called Y and W respectively). These plots were submitted to natural rainfall for 20 or 61 days to get different total rainfall amounts (114 and 212 mm respectively). In addition, smaller plots (0.24 m2 each) were used for experimental flooding irrigation (similar to measured rainfalls, i.e. 100 and 200 mm). Soil bulk density, soil surface elevation, soil water content and matric potential were measured. A decrease in soil elevation was observed in all treatments. In the absence of erosion it was interpreted as a loss of porosity which resulted from slumping. Bulk density increased in all layers of the tilled profile (from 1.38 to 1.57 g cm−3). In the surface layer (0-5 cm) this increase was systematically higher compared to deeper layer. No significant difference in final bulk density was found between the S and W treatments, and between the Y and W treatments. Bulk density increased more rapidly in the Y and W treatments than in the S and previous termDnext term treatments, even though the cumulative rainfall was lower. After the flooding experime

Mitigating floods and attenuating surface runoff with temporary storage areas in headwaters

“…Soil structure can change over periods as short as major weather events or tillage (Castellini et al, 2019; Schwen et al, 2011) and over longer periods through agricultural and biological activity (Lu et al, 2020). Prolonged periods of inundation have been shown to reduce soil infiltration rates (Hallett et al, 2016; Hao et al, 2011) and when drainage is impeded in wetter soils, greater slumping (Augeard et al, 2008) and surface sealing can occur (Assouline & Mualem, 2001). TSAs are usually positioned at the lowest point of a field, which can increase the risk of compaction due to hillslope hydrology.…”

A framework for modelling soil structure dynamics induced by biological activity

“…ploughing) lifts, loosens and fragments the soil, which increases the soil volume and creates larger soil voids, thereby improving some soil functions in topsoil. However, the benefits of tillage are usually rapidly lost since the loose structure is unstable and collapses (Hao et al., 2011). Therefore, tillage alone cannot completely restore the physical structure of a soil damaged, for example, by traffic compaction.…”