Aeration studies on arable soil, 1: The effect of a sand/peat mulch on aeration regime in a silty clay loam
1989
McAfee, M. | Lindstroem, J. | Johansson, W. (Sveriges Lantbruksuniv., Uppsala (Sweden). Inst. foer Markvetenskap)
A number of aeration parameters were measured in a ploughed and a mulched, unploughed silty clay loam (63% silt). Aeration status of this soil after ploughing was characterized by large fluctuations in air permeability caused by wetting and drying. Oxygen content of soil air was temporarily lowered in the plough pan by surface crusting, giving a characteristic curved oxygen profile with depth. Mulching mitigated yield losses caused by adverse weather conditions by stabilizing the structure of the surface and by reducing evaporative water losses in dry periods. The general effects of mulching on aeration were (a) reduction of extreme values in air permeability in the field and (b) reduction of oxygen content of soil air due to higher respirative demand combined with a decrease in porosity of the surface layer. Air-filled porosity at the depth of the plough pan area was higher in mulched soil but here, the effects of mulching could not be isolated from those of not ploughing.
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