Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth.) affects soil structure differently depending on soil texture

• DOI: 10.1007/s11104-019-04144-4
• Publication Date: 2019-06-11T09:02:35Z
• Authors: A. Bacq-Labreuil; J. Crawford; S. J. Mooney; A. L. Neal; K. Ritz
• Keywords: Soil texture; Soil structure

We studied the effects of Phacelia tanacetifolia, increasingly used as a cover-crop species in arable agricultural systems, upon soil structural properties context two contrasting textures. hypothesised there would be differential plants structure contingent on texture. A sandy-loam and clay were destructured by passing through 2 mm sieves, planted with replicated pot experiment, associated unplanted controls. X-ray Computed Tomography was to visualise quantify pore networks 3D. For soil, no impact aggregate size distribution porosity, connectivity, surface density decreased presence plants, whereas for clay, significant increase aggregates <1000 μm, porosity constant, pore-connectivity decreased, increased plants. Plants can genesis depending its inherent textural characteristics, leading development architecture different contexts. These results have implications both from an ecological perspective terms prescription remediate or condition managed systems.