Pore Size Distribution as a Soil Physical Quality Index for Agricultural and Pasture Soils in Northeastern Iran

Assessment of soil quality is important for optimum production and natural resources conservation. Agricultural and pasture soil qualities of Deh-Sorkh region located at south of Mashhad, northeastern Iran were assessed using the integrated quality index (IQI) and Nemero quality index (NQI) models in combination with two datasets, i.e., total data set (TDS) and minimum data set (MDS). In this study 6 soil properties considered as MDS were selected out of 18 properties as TDS using principle component analysis. Soil samples were divided into 3 groups based on optimum ranges of 8 soil physical quality indicators. Soil samples with the most indicators at optimum range were selected as group 1 and the samples having fewer indicators at optimum range were located in groups 2 and 3. Optimum ranges of soil pore size distribution functions were also determined as soil physical quality indices based on 8 soil physical quality indicators. Pore size distribution curves of group 1 were considered as the optimum pore size functions. The results showed that relatively high organic carbon contents could improve pore size distribution. Mean comparisons of soil physical quality indicators demonstrated that mean weight diameter of wet aggregates, structural stability index, the slope of moisture retention curve at inflection point, and plant available water content in agricultural land use decreased significantly in relation to pasture land use. In addition, the results demonstrated that the studied MDS could be a suitable representative of TDS. 78% of pasture soils had the optimum pore size distribution functions, while this parameter for agricultural soils was only 13%. In general, the soils of the studied region showed high limitations for plant growth according to the studied indicators.