Impact of land use and tillage practice on soil macropore characteristics inferred from X-ray computed tomography

Quantification of soil macropores is important to enhance our understanding preferential flow behavior in soils. However, knowledge 3D architecture for different land uses a continental climate region limited. X-ray computed tomography novel technique that can provide valuable information about the features soil, such as connectivity, length density, and tortuosity, largely control water through macropores. In this study, image analysis were employed quantify macropore characteristics from four combinations tillage practices - native grassland (Nat), alfalfa (Alf), conventional till-corn (CT), no-till corn (NT) systems. A total 15 undisturbed columns, 150 mm diameter 500 length, collected fields. The distinctively use treatments, especially near surface depth (top 100 mm). under CT highly connected concentrated mostly layer. contrast, NT larger had well-developed pore networks. Alf field relatively more vertically oriented compared Nat field. Relatively macroporosity higher number observed soils Macropore similar between treatments. results study facilitate quantitative evaluation with significant implications non-equilibrium prediction contaminant transport modeling