Seedbed consolidation and surface sealing for soils of different texture and soil organic carbon contents

The soil structure near the surface of agricultural soils changes with season mainly by land management together climatic and biological factors. Quantitative analysis post-tillage in related hydraulic properties are necessary for evaluating improving models hydrological transport processes. objectives this study were to quantify seedbed induced rainfall drainage estimate eff ;ects texture SOC on these changes. We collected samples from harrowed layer twenty-six fine coarse textured Swedish mineral soils. Air-dried was placed cylinders (5 cm high, diameter 5 cm) exposed simulated mm h−1 4 h) (−50 pressure potential) cycles laboratory. used X-ray tomography pore networks a thin whole cylinder. Infiltration rates at -5 potential measured using mini disc tension infiltrometer replicate air-dried included consolidation experiments final state. Total imaged specific volumes generally decreased initial state size distributions shifted towards larger proportions below image resolution pores (< 80 μm). There strong positive correlation between clay content (i.e. state-initial state) volume <80 μm. Soils high organic carbon (SOC) often have aggregates that resist Nevertheless, both contents negatively correlated volume. These results highlight importance swelling, which is largely controlled content, consolidation. In line previous studies, when excluding soil, porosity silt content. Changes infiltration capacity not significantly any basic properties. Our suggest shrinking-swelling should be central part model