Profile modification persistence in a fragipan soil1
1983
FRITTON, D. D. | SWADER, F. N. | HODDINOTT, K.
We studied the modification of an Erie channery silt loam soil in which a shallow fragipan horizon limits crop production to evaluate the use of supplemental organic matter to stabilize mechanically loosened fragipan soil horizons. Four treatments were applied in a factorial arrangement with two replications. The treatments represented mechanical loosening with 0 and 2 percent organic matter added and coarse fragments either removed by sieving and replaced or removed and replaced with number 2 limestone (a simulation of crushed coarse fragments). We measured bulk density and soil surface elevations for 10 years, and at the end of that time we evaluated the plots for root distribution, aggregate stability, bulk density, organic matter content, and pH. We found that the coarse fragment treatments had no significant effect on the consolidation of the soil material and concluded that adding 2 percent organic matter to the fragipan material delayed the rapid increase in bulk density observed where no organic matter was added. The effect was statistically significant for approximately 5 years.
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