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Restoration of Soil Structure with Redtop and Other Sod Crops
Author(s) -
Wisniewski Adam J.,
Salomon Milton,
Smith John B.
Publication year - 1958
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1958.03615995002200040015x
Subject(s) - loam , organic matter , soil organic matter , decomposition , chemistry , agronomy , soil structure , water retention , soil water , moisture , water content , soil science , environmental science , biology , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , engineering
Water‐stable aggregates, soil organic matter, bulk densities, and soil moisture retention at 50‐cm. tension were determined for a Bridgehampton silt loam following various treatments involving sod crops in rotation with potatoes and continous potatoes. An overall positive correlation was found between organic matter and aggregation. Although plots that were in a redtop‐potato rotation were significantly better aggregated than those in a red clover‐potato rotation and plots in continous potatoes, increased aggregation was not always accompanied by an increase in total soil organic matter. This implied that the type of soil organic matter resulting from the decomposition of redtop is more effective in promoting water‐stable aggregates than either the native organic matter or that resulting from the decomposition of other plant residues studied. Potato yields appear to be more a function of aggregation than of total soil organic matter. Some evidence exists that the decomposition of native organic matter has been hastened by the addition of redtop residues. A microscopic examination of aggregates > 5 mm. shows that roots are partly responsible for binding some of the smaller aggregates into larger ones.