Methods to experimentally control waterlogging and measure soil oxygen in field trials

Abstract

A method is described for the establishment of controlled waterlogging events in the field. Special plots were constructed at a site with a loamy sand overlying an indurated siliceous pan of low hydraulic conductivity. The plots were isolated from lateral water flow with polyvinyl chloride sheeting, and were either waterlogged or drained by sub-irrigation or drainage through slotted polyethylene pipe buried 0.45 m below the soil surface. In a test of the plots, waterlogging was imposed for 26 days. Samples of soil water were removed from waterlogged plots for the measurement of oxygen. Concentrations of oxygen rapidly decreased after the commencement of waterlogging, but increased again after drainage.