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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #138408
Title: IN-FIELD CARBON DIOXIDE EFFLUX IN COMPACTED SOILS AMENDED WITH POULTRY LITTER

Author
item PENGTHAMKEERATI, PATTHRA - UNIV OF MISSOURI
item MOTAVALLI, PETER - UNIV OF MISSOURI
item Kremer, Robert
item ANDERSON, STEPHEN - UNIV OF MISSOURI

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/29/2002
Publication Date: 11/10/2002
Citation: PENGTHAMKEERATI, P., MOTAVALLI, P.P., KREMER, R.J., ANDERSON, S.H. IN-FIELD CARBON DIOXIDE EFFLUX IN COMPACTED SOILS AMENDED WITH POULTRY LITTER. AGRONOMY ABSTRACTS. 2002. CD-ROM (UNPAGINATED). AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AGRONOMY. MADISON, WI.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Soil compaction is a major cause for reduced crop productivity in agricultural systems. Among the effects of soil compaction are increased soil bulk density, decreased soil total porosity, and reductions in the proportion of macropores that may reduce decomposition rates and limit nutrient availability. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of surface soil compaction on soil carbon dioxide (CO2) efflux in a claypan soil amended with poultry litter. The research was conducted from 2001 to 2002 on a Mexico silt loam in North Central Missouri. A tractor-pulled 1.9 m3 filled water wagon was used to uniformly compact the soil in the spring of each year. Surface soil CO2 efflux was measured periodically using a portable infrared CO2 gas analyzer. Poultry litter was incorporated into the soil at average rates of 0, 4.8, 9.3, and 16.0 Mg ha-1. Soil CO2 efflux was initially significantly decreased in compacted treatments, possibly due to the reduction of the proportion of soil macropores and total porosity. The results indicate that compaction reduces decomposition rates primarily through changes in soil physical properties in interaction with variations in climate.