Enhancing Vertical Infiltration By Artificial Macropores for Increasing Biomass in Degraded Soils.

Artificial macropores with fibrous material were installed in degraded red yellow soils to enhance vertical infiltration along with organic matter and nutrients transport. They enhanced vertical infiltration without cultivation which could cause small particle loss from the surface soils. Macropore and no macropore plots were prepared and total carbon in 10, 30, 50 cm depth were measured each half year. Infiltrated soil water was sampled through wick sampler to measure total organic carbon and ion concentration.

Results showed that total carbon in macropore plot increased in spring while it decreased in fall, which would be caused by vegetation. Total carbon concentration in soil water was always higher in macropore plot. Nitrate nitrogen concentration was also higher in macropore plot, which was generated by biological activity. Resulted vegetation was significantly higher in macropore plot than no macropore plot.

This vegetation would be possible organic matter source for future soils. This technique enhanced vertical infiltration, provided organic matter in soils, and restored the vegetation in degraded land.