Abstract

CERISOLA, Cecilia Isabel; GARCIA, Mirta G  and  FILGUEIRA, Roberto R. Soil porosity distribution of a clay loam soil (alfisol) in semi-arid conditions after 15 years under direct drilling. Cienc. suelo [online]. 2005, vol.23, n.2, pp.167-178. ISSN 1850-2067.

On a long-term essay under direct drilling, the evolution of the physical properties of a clay loam soil, such as distribution by origin of soil porosity, has been assessed during two growing seasons. The cereal crops in each growing seasons were spring barley and winter barley, respectively. Soil physical properties were measured on a 2 m length transect located in a perpendicular line to the direction of vehicular traffic for field operations. Five sampling opportunities, within crop cycle, were used to measure the variables. Structural soil porosity, due principally to shrinkage and swelling cycles, was assessed in the 0 to 35 cm depth soil profile. This natural process seemed to be sufficient to guarantee good drainage and normal crop development, unless in the moisture content range included in field capacity.

Keywords : Direct drilling; Structural soil porosity; Moisture content; Water-air filled porosity.

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