Impact of sodium adsorption ratio of irrigation water on the structural form of two Vertosols used for cotton production
S. D. Speirs A B D , S. R. Cattle B and G. J. Melville C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University), Private Mail Bag, Pine Gully Road, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia.
B Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
C Industry and Investment NSW, Trangie Agricultural Research Institute, Trangie, NSW 2823, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: simon.speirs@industry.nsw.gov.au
Soil Research 49(6) 481-493 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR11083
Submitted: 21 October 2010 Accepted: 13 June 2011 Published: 25 August 2011
Abstract
In recent years, the production of cotton in Australia has been limited by the availability of irrigation water. To overcome this problem, poorer quality (Na+-rich) irrigation sources have been used in some situations, despite the effects elevated levels of Na+ may have on soil physical and chemical properties. This paper reports on changes in the surface-connected structural form attributes of two Vertosols from eastern Australia (one Red Vertosol, one Black Vertosol) after treatment with a range of different water-quality solutions. Intact soil columns from each of the Vertosols were irrigated through six wet–dry cycles using one of six treatment solutions with varying Na+ concentrations. Replicate columns for each treatment of each soil were analysed post-irrigation for selected chemical attributes. A second set of replicate columns was impregnated with a fluorescent resin post-irrigation, horizontally sectioned, and photographed under ultraviolet light. Image analysis was carried out on the section photographs to yield quantitative estimates of porosity (P), surface area (Sv), solid and pore star lengths (ls* and lp*), and solid and pore genus (gs and gp). Generally, the soil treated with the low-Na+ solution had the most desirable structural form attributes (larger P, Sv, and gp and smaller ls* and gs), while the soil treated with the high-Na+ solution had the least desirable structural attributes. The structural attributes and chemical properties of the Red Vertosol changed more markedly with water quality than did those of the Black Vertosol. The difference in response to water quality between these two soils is presumed to be related to the clay mineral suites and the exchange capacity of these soils; the Black Vertosol contains appreciably more smectite and has a much larger effective cation exchange capacity than the Red Vertosol.
Additional keywords: exchangeable sodium percentage, stability, mineralogy, morphology.
References
Bagarello V, Iovino M, Palazzolo E, Panno M, Reynolds WD (2006) Field and laboratory approaches for determining sodicity effects on saturated soil hydraulic conductivity. Geoderma 130, 1–13.| Field and laboratory approaches for determining sodicity effects on saturated soil hydraulic conductivity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XmtVGl&md5=81f140a2afee4fc66ba07670f5458821CAS |
Bakker AC, Emerson WW (1973) The comparative effect of exchangeable calcium, magnesium, and sodium on some physical properties of red-brown subsoils. III. The permeability of Shepparton soil and comparison of methods. Australian Journal of Soil Research 11, 159–165.
| The comparative effect of exchangeable calcium, magnesium, and sodium on some physical properties of red-brown subsoils. III. The permeability of Shepparton soil and comparison of methods.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE2cXisFCg&md5=d4d76c1c5ff1b2b0de3c7371578bb3a7CAS |
Ben-Hur M, Yolcu G, Uysal H, Lado M, Paz A (2009) Soil structure changes: aggregate size and soil texture effects on hydraulic conductivity under different saline and sodic conditions. Australian Journal of Soil Research 47, 688–696.
| Soil structure changes: aggregate size and soil texture effects on hydraulic conductivity under different saline and sodic conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhtlOgs7vK&md5=9d89d74f52cd5f061eb9963d3675e57fCAS |
Bresson LM, Moran CJ (1995) Structural change induced by wetting and drying in seedbeds of a hard-setting soil with contrasting aggregate size distribution. European Journal of Soil Science 46, 205–214.
| Structural change induced by wetting and drying in seedbeds of a hard-setting soil with contrasting aggregate size distribution.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bullock P, Loveland PJ (1974) Mineralogical analysis. In ‘Soil survey laboratory methods’. Soil Survey Technical Monograph. No. 6. (Eds BW Avery, CL Bascombe) (Rothamsted Experimental Station: Harpenden, UK)
Bullock P, Fedoroff N, Jongerius A, Stoops G, Tursina T (1985) ‘Handbook for soil thin section description.’ (International Society of Soil Science/Waine Research Publications: Wolverhampton, UK)
Cattle SR, Farrell RA, McBratney AB, Moran CJ, Roesner EA, Koppi AJ (2001) ‘Solicon©-PC Version 2.1.’ (The University of Sydney and Cotton Research and Development Corporation: Sydney)
Crescimanno G, Provenzano G, Iovino M (1995) Influence of salinity and sodicity on soil structural and hydraulic characteristics. Soil Science Society of America Journal 59, 1701–1708.
| Influence of salinity and sodicity on soil structural and hydraulic characteristics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXpvVSqs74%3D&md5=ed1d01384ca20bc8c5b5f6266a8e469cCAS |
Crescimanno G, De Santis A, Provenzano G (2007) Soil structure and bypass flow processes in a vertisol under sprinkler and drip irrigation. Geoderma 138, 110–118.
| Soil structure and bypass flow processes in a vertisol under sprinkler and drip irrigation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Curtin D, Steppuhn H, Selles F (1994) Clay dispersion in relation to sodicity, electrolyte concentration and mechanical effects. Soil Science Society of America Journal 58, 955–962.
| Clay dispersion in relation to sodicity, electrolyte concentration and mechanical effects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXlsFKmtLk%3D&md5=0024f45659108cf738564591a34e0ac7CAS |
Dang YP, Dalal RC, Buck SR, Harms B, Kelly R, Hochman Z, Schwenke GD, Biggs AJW, Ferguson NJ, Norrish S, Routley R, McDonald M, Hall C, Singh DK, Daniells IG, Farquharson R, Manning W, Speirs S, Grewal HS, Cornish P, Bodapati N, Orange D (2010) Diagnosis, extent, impacts and management of subsoil constraints in the northern grains cropping region of Australia: a summary. Australian Journal of Soil Research 48, 105–119.
| Diagnosis, extent, impacts and management of subsoil constraints in the northern grains cropping region of Australia: a summary.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dawes L, Goonetilleke A (2006) Using undisturbed columns to predict long term behaviour of effluent irrigated soil under field conditions. Australian Journal of Soil Research 44, 661–676.
| Using undisturbed columns to predict long term behaviour of effluent irrigated soil under field conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dudal R, Eswaran H (1988) Distribution, properties and classification of vertisols. In ‘Vertisols: Their distribution, properties, classification and management’. (Eds LP Wilding, R Puentes) pp. 1–22. (Texas A&M University Printing Centre: College Station, TX)
Field DJ, McKenzie DC, Koppi AJ (1997) Development of an improved vertisol stability test for SOILpak. Australian Journal of Soil Research 35, 843–852.
| Development of an improved vertisol stability test for SOILpak.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gee GW, Bauder JW (1986) Particle-size analysis. In ‘Methods of soil analysis’. (Ed. A Klute) (ASSS: Madison, WI)
Gilmour AR, Gogel BJ, Cullis BR, Thompson R (2006) ‘ASREML User Guide Release 2.0.’ (VSN International Ltd: Hemel Hempstead, UK)
Heng LK, Tillman RW, White RE (1999) Anion and cation leaching through large undisturbed soil cores under different flow regimes. 1. Experimental results. Australian Journal of Soil Research 37, 711–726.
| Anion and cation leaching through large undisturbed soil cores under different flow regimes. 1. Experimental results.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXltVSkt7Y%3D&md5=9f960b74e361a0a087d49ee1228e357aCAS |
Holland JE, White RE, Edis R (2007) The relation between soil structure and solute transport under raised bed cropping and conventional cultivation in south-western Victoria. Australian Journal of Soil Research 45, 577–585.
| The relation between soil structure and solute transport under raised bed cropping and conventional cultivation in south-western Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXhsVamtbjE&md5=df356133aa3f81dfa8ac3e89f17fc449CAS |
Hulugalle NR, Finlay LA (2003) EC1:5/exchangeable Na, a sodicity index for cotton farming systems in irrigated and rain fed vertosols. Australian Journal of Soil Research 41, 761–769.
| EC1:5/exchangeable Na, a sodicity index for cotton farming systems in irrigated and rain fed vertosols.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXmsVKmurs%3D&md5=3f01b14d0377bdabb0acde07f811830aCAS |
Hulugalle NR, Weaver TB, Ghadiri H, Hicks A (2006) Changes in soil properties of an eastern Australian vertisol irrigated with treated sewage effluent following gypsum application. Land Degradation and Development 17, 527–540.
| Changes in soil properties of an eastern Australian vertisol irrigated with treated sewage effluent following gypsum application.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hussein J, Adey MA (1995) Changes of structure and tilth mellowing in a vertisol due to wet/dry cycles in the liquid and vapour phases. European Journal of Soil Science 46, 357–368.
| Changes of structure and tilth mellowing in a vertisol due to wet/dry cycles in the liquid and vapour phases.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hussein J, Adey MA (1998) Changes in microstructure, voids and b-fabric of surface samples of a vertisol caused by wet/dry cycles. Geoderma 85, 63–82.
| Changes in microstructure, voids and b-fabric of surface samples of a vertisol caused by wet/dry cycles.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Isbell RF (1989) Australian Vertisols. In ‘Characterisation, classification and utilization of cold Aridisols and Vertisols’. Sixth International Soil Correlation Meeting (VI ISCOM). (Ed. JM Kimble) pp. 73–80. (Soil Management Support Services: Washington, DC)
Jackson ML (1956) ‘Soil chemical analysis—advanced course.’ (ML Jackson, Department of Soils, University of Wisconsin: Madison, WI)
Lebron I, Suarez DI, Schaap MG (2002) Soil pore size and geometry as a result of aggregate-size distribution and chemical composition. Soil Science 167, 165–172.
| Soil pore size and geometry as a result of aggregate-size distribution and chemical composition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XisVWrsb0%3D&md5=2f335fcf8c11acbb910f80a43ab5ee50CAS |
McBratney AB, Moran CJ, Stewart JB, Cattle SR, Koppi AJ (1992) Modifications to a method of rapid assessment of soil macropore structure by image analysis. Geoderma 53, 255–274.
| Modifications to a method of rapid assessment of soil macropore structure by image analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McGarry D (1996) The structure and grain size distribution of vertisols. In ‘Vertisols and technologies for their management’. (Eds N Ahmad, A Mermut) pp. 231–259. (Elsevier: Amsterdam)
McKenzie DC (Ed.) (1998) ‘SOILpak for cotton growers.’ (NSW Agriculture: Orange, NSW)
McKenzie DC, Shaw AJ, Rochester IJ, Hulugalle NR, Wright PR (2003) ‘Soil and nutrient management for irrigated cotton.’ NSW Agriculture, Agdex 151/150, No. P5.3.6. (NSW Agriculture: Orange)
McLeod S (1975) Studies on wet oxidation procedures for the determination of organic carbon in soil. In ‘Notes on soil techniques’. pp. 73–79. (CSIRO Division of Soils: Canberra, ACT)
Menneer JC, McLay CDA, Lee R (2001) Effects of sodium-contaminated wastewater on soil permeability of two New Zealand soils. Australian Journal of Soil Research 39, 877–891.
| Effects of sodium-contaminated wastewater on soil permeability of two New Zealand soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXmtVKjsrs%3D&md5=ee9af36abdf4a9b0f6f8d4892887ff6fCAS |
Mooney SJ (2002) Three-dimensional visualization and quantification of soil macroporosity and water flow patterns using computed tomography. Soil Use and Management 18, 142–151.
| Three-dimensional visualization and quantification of soil macroporosity and water flow patterns using computed tomography.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Moran CJ, McBratney AB, Koppi AJ (1989) A rapid method for analysis of soil macrostructure. I. Specimen preparation and digital binary image production. Soil Science Society of America Journal 53, 921–928.
| A rapid method for analysis of soil macrostructure. I. Specimen preparation and digital binary image production.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pillai VP, McGarry D (1999) Structure repair of a compacted vertisol with wet-dry cycles and crops. Soil Science Society of America Journal 63, 201–210.
| Structure repair of a compacted vertisol with wet-dry cycles and crops.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXitFGgtrk%3D&md5=98989b84d661ef91ccf0e68baae62b97CAS |
Pires LF, Bacchi OOS, Reichardt K (2005) Gamma ray computed tomography to evaluate wetting/drying soil structure changes. Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research. Section B, Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms 229, 443–456.
| Gamma ray computed tomography to evaluate wetting/drying soil structure changes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXitFWqsL8%3D&md5=62c46ab2be06cad0e141782bd842ccc5CAS |
Rayment GE, Higginson FR (1992) ‘Australian laboratory handbook of soil and water chemical methods.’ (Inkata Press: Sydney)
Roesner EA (2003) Development of an image analysis technique for the practical assessment of soil pore structure. Unpublished PhD Thesis, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Serra J (1982) ‘Image analysis and mathematical morphology.’ (Academic Press: London)
Silvertooth JC (1990) Water management for upland and pima cotton. In ‘Beltwide Cotton Conference’. 6–12 January 1990, San Antonio, Texas. pp. 64–67. (National Cotton Council of America: Memphis, TN)
Singh B, Heffernan S (2002) Layer charge characteristics of smectites from Vertosols (Vertisols) of New South Wales. Australian Journal of Soil Research 40, 1159–1170.
| Layer charge characteristics of smectites from Vertosols (Vertisols) of New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XpsFGqur8%3D&md5=2976dc45e9cb3722b8934ccf01fb3bc4CAS |
Skene TM, Oades JM (1995) The effects of sodium adsorption ratio and electrolyte concentration on water quality: laboratory studies. Soil Science 159, 65–73.
| The effects of sodium adsorption ratio and electrolyte concentration on water quality: laboratory studies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXjsVSnt78%3D&md5=e730bd18104421a8fb500c4f76458b34CAS |
Stern R, Ben-Hur M, Shainberg I (1991) Clay mineralogy effect on rain infiltration, seal formation and soil losses. Soil Science 152, 455–462.
| Clay mineralogy effect on rain infiltration, seal formation and soil losses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK38XhtVGitro%3D&md5=1888e16b3f53ec0ccc31ea817f514ee7CAS |
Turner ML, Greene RSB, Knackstedt M, Senden TJ, Sakellariou A, White I (2008) Use of gamma emission computed tomography to study the effect of electrolyte concentration on regions of preferred flow and hydraulic conductivity in deep regolith materials. Australian Journal of Soil Research 46, 101–111.
| Use of gamma emission computed tomography to study the effect of electrolyte concentration on regions of preferred flow and hydraulic conductivity in deep regolith materials.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXjtlGlsLs%3D&md5=5d110551a5377218d787e68989b2e27aCAS |
Verbyla AP, Cullis BR, Kenward MG, Welham SJ (1999) Analysis of designed experiments and longitudinal data by using smoothing splines (with discussion). Applied Statistics 48, 269–311.
| Analysis of designed experiments and longitudinal data by using smoothing splines (with discussion).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vervoort RW, Cattle SR (2003) Linking hydraulic conductivity and tortuosity parameters to pore space geometry and pore-size distribution. Journal of Hydrology 272, 36–49.
| Linking hydraulic conductivity and tortuosity parameters to pore space geometry and pore-size distribution.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vervoort RW, Cattle SR, Minasny B (2003) The hydrology of Vertosols used for cotton production: I. Hydraulic, structural and fundamental soil properties. Australian Journal of Soil Research 41, 1255–1272.
| The hydrology of Vertosols used for cotton production: I. Hydraulic, structural and fundamental soil properties.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXpsFentLk%3D&md5=156bf56314e183739900f788576857a6CAS |
Whittig LD, Allardice WR (1986) X-Ray diffraction techniques. In ‘Methods of soil analysis: physical and mineralogical methods.’ (Ed. A Flute) pp. 331–361. (American Society of Agronomy: Madison, WI)
