Dynamics of Soil Characteristics in Cultivated Areas of Silt Loam, Kentucky.

Dynamics of Soil Characteristics in Cultivated Areas of Silt Loam, Kentucky

S. Schacht, I.P. Handayani, M. Derting and A. Schultz

Murray State University, Hutson School of Agriculture, Kentucky, USA

 

ABSTRACT

Land cultivation throughout a long period is likely to cause soil degradation. Therefore, monitoring soil characteristic changes in agricultural regions is essential for sustainable crop production and environmental quality.  The present study was conducted in western Kentucky consisting of samples collected from topsoil of forest land, pasture land, no till system, conventional system and community/private gardens. The study investigated differences between forest soils and agricultural soils in regard of soil properties such as soil pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), bulk density (BD), compaction, water holding capacity (WHC), available water content (AWC), ratio macro-to microaggregate, total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorous (AP) and available potassium (AK). In addition to soil properties, total plant residues left in the soil surface was observed as well. This study was also to identify potential soil degradation of particular soil property. The significant differences (p˂0.001) have been observed for all above mention soil properties (with exception of pH). Negative effect of tobacco conventional tillage system has been observed for SOC,TN, BD, ratio of macro-microaggregate and compaction suggesting degradation of these soil properties. This research showed there is a need to develop strategies to create sustainable soil management and cropping practices to reduce the ongoing soil degradation and improve soil structure in cultivated areas of the region.

Keywords: Acidity, aggregates, bulk density, soil organic carbon, soil water content.