Effects of organic carbon and clay contents on structure‐related properties of arable soils with high clay content

• DOI: 10.1111/ejss.13424
• Publication Date: 2023-10-11T08:52:11Z
• Authors: Helena Soinne; Riikka Keskinen; Mika Tähtikarhu; Jukka Kuva; Jari Hyväluoma
• Keywords: Soil structure; Arable land

Abstract Understanding of factors governing soil structural features is necessary for managing key processes affecting crop productivity and environmental impacts agriculture, example, water balance, aeration, root penetration. Organic matter known to act as a major binding agent in aggregation thus constitutes central pillar structure formation. However, knowledge the role organic or carbon (OC) soils highly rich clay‐sized particles (<0.002 mm) limited. In this study, effects clay OC contents on aggregate stability, holding capacity, near‐saturated hydraulic conductivity, total porosity, pore size distribution were assessed cultivated fields with high content located private production farms southern Finland. Significant positive correlations found between proportion stable aggregates specific sizes from range 30 μm up 1 mm diameter determined by image analysis. Porosities smaller derived retention measurements likewise showed correlation <0.2 sizes. On 0.2–1 μm, negative relationship was observed, which induced effect plant available reserves. line larger pores, free water, representing amount that can be drained gravity, exhibited suggesting enhance aeration content. Compared OC, tended have an adverse properties. Clay correlated negatively pores than content, extrapolated field saturated conductivity. Further, our imaging results how conductivity controlled morphology, there power law critical diameter. agreement percolation theory. Overall, hydrological implications heavy vary ranges their emergent practical are not straightforward.