Soil Water Characteristic Curves of Long-Term Cropping Systems in South Central Wisconsin.

Understanding the long-term effects of cropping systems on soil water dynamics is crucial for water stress management, particularly in the face of climate change. One way that cropping systems may lead to more resilient agroecosystems is through changes to the soil water characteristic curves (SWCC). The Nimmo (1997) property transfer model partitions the SWCC into structural and textural components. Over time, different management practices and rotations can alter soil structure, while texture typically remains similar. This research explores the influence of twenty years of various cropping rotations and management practices on the SWCC in a Typic Argiudoll. Three systems from the Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems Trial (WICST) are measured: strip-tilled corn-soybean, corn and three years of alfalfa, and rotationally grazed pasture. In situ SWCC, constructed using FDR moisture probes and tensiometers, are compared to SWCC calculated using particle and aggregate size property transfer models. The results provide insight into the influence of cropping systems on soil structure and plant water availability, and the accuracy of in situ curve construction.