Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Pages: 119-128

Journal: Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science

Volume number: 183

Issue number: 2

ISSN: 1436-8730

eISSN: 1522-2624

Open access status: Hybrid

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.201900443

Publisher: Wiley-VCH Verlag

Abstract: 
As the land area of short-rotation coppice (SRC) increases, their soil physical impacts have to be evaluated. The objective of this study was to detect the effects of long-term SRC with poplar and willow on the vertical distribution of soil physical properties (bulk density, water retention, penetration resistance) and on solute transport patterns. An 18-year-old SRC located in northeastern Germany was compared to an adjacent continuous arable cropping system by means of soil sampling, penetrologger measurements and dye tracer experiments. The topsoil's bulk density was significantly lower under SRC than under cropland. This effect was especially pronounced in the uppermost 10 cm, where also the air capacity and the plant-available water content were higher under SRC. The penetration resistance in 25-50 cm depth was reduced under SRC compared to the cropland, indicating a loosening of the plough pan. Dye tracer experiments showed that the importance of preferential flow was higher under SRC due to tree root channels and an increasing colonisation with invertebrates. SRC has ecologically advantageous effects on soil physical properties of the topsoil, however, combined with an enhanced risk of preferential solute transport upon application of agrochemicals.

Harvard Citation style: Kahle, P. and Janssen, M. (2020) Impact of short-rotation coppice with poplar and willow on soil physical properties, Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science = Zeitschrift für Pflanzenernährung und Bodenkunde, 183(2), pp. 119-128. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.201900443

APA Citation style: Kahle, P., & Janssen, M. (2020). Impact of short-rotation coppice with poplar and willow on soil physical properties. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science = Zeitschrift für Pflanzenernährung und Bodenkunde. 183(2), 119-128. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.201900443