Abstract

SORACCO, C German et al. Persistence of subsoiling effect on soil water movement in a no tillage system: Use of two theoretical models. Cienc. suelo [online]. 2009, vol.27, n.1, pp.77-87. ISSN 1850-2067.

Use of the no-till system in Argentina is under continuous expansion. The machinery used in this system, characterized by a high axle load, is often used beyond the recommendable soil-moisture range and has led to a generalized increment in the bulk density of the soils. Hydraulic properties are the most affected by this process, and loosening is recommended to improve water entry into the soil profile. Different physico-mathematical models for estimating hydraulic properties based on use of the tension disc infiltrometer method give rise to different and often contradictory results. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of soil loosening on hydraulic properties in plots under no-till management with and without loosening practices, and to evaluate the performance of two theoretical models to detect differences between treatments. The studied variables were Steady State Flux (q∞), Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity (Ksat) and Sorptivity (S0), working with a disc infiltrometer. Loosening led to an increase in Ksat with respect to the control. The level of Ksat did not change in control plots after harvesting traffic. In loosened plots, however, harvesting traffic led to a significant decrease in Ksat. Sorptivity values showed no clear dependency on measurement time, treatment or model, suggesting the need for further study. Moreover, it was concluded that q∞ obtained using the disc infiltrometer method could not always be taken as equivalent to Ksat.

Keywords : Steady-state flux; Unsteady-state flux; Infiltrometry.

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