Flood Effects On Soil Fertility Along a Microtopographical Gradient.

Flooding can cause a variety of soil quality concerns including changes in fertility, increased compaction, and fluctuations in soil biota populations.  Trends of extreme flooding events are increasing with the progression of climate change.  The scope of this preliminary study focuses on soil fertility changes on a micro-topographical scale with an elevation difference of 45 cm.  30 two-inch soil cores were taken from an active agricultural field at three sampling dates and analyzed for OM by LOI, bulk density, moisture, and micro and micro nutrients.  Data shows strong relationships of phosphorus, iron, and potassium with elevation shortly after the flood receded. This relationship did not hold after harvest.   Further study is needed on a larger scale in order to correlate fertility changes along slope with variable rate amendments.