Hydraulic properties of clay soils as affected by biochar and charcoal amendments

Understanding soil hydraulic properties is crucial for planning effective soil and water management practices. A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different biochar and charcoal treatments on soil-hydraulic properties of agricultural soils. Biochar and charcoal treatments were applied o...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Bayabil, H.K., Lehmann, J.C., Yitaferu, B., Stoof, C., Steenhuis, Tammo S.
Formato: Capítulo de libro
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: International Livestock Research Institute 2013
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/34249
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author Bayabil, H.K.
Lehmann, J.C.
Yitaferu, B.
Stoof, C.
Steenhuis, Tammo S.
author_browse Bayabil, H.K.
Lehmann, J.C.
Steenhuis, Tammo S.
Stoof, C.
Yitaferu, B.
author_facet Bayabil, H.K.
Lehmann, J.C.
Yitaferu, B.
Stoof, C.
Steenhuis, Tammo S.
author_sort Bayabil, H.K.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Understanding soil hydraulic properties is crucial for planning effective soil and water management practices. A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different biochar and charcoal treatments on soil-hydraulic properties of agricultural soils. Biochar and charcoal treatments were applied on 54, undisturbed soil-columns, extracted from three-elevation ranges, with replications along three transects. Daily weight losses of freely draining soil-columns and soil moisture contents, at five tensions, were measured. In addition, field infiltration tests and soil analyses for particle size distribution, bulk-density and organic carbon content were conducted. Moreover, five year event precipitation data, from the watershed, was analysed and exceedance probability of rainfall intensity was computed. Results show treatments reduced soil moisture contents, for most of the cases. However, treatment effects were significant only at lower tensions (10 and 30 kPa) and within two days after saturation (p<0.05). On the other hand, relative hydraulic conductivity (Kr) coefficients, near saturation, of amended soils were higher than the control. Acidic to moderately acidic soils with high average clay (42%) and low organic carbon contents (1.1%) were dominant. Infiltration rate ranged between 1.9 and 36 mm/h, with high variability (CV = 70%). At the same time, storms with short duration (< 15 min) and high average intensity (6.3 mm/h) contributed for 68% of annual precipitation (1616mm/year). Dominant soil properties and rainfall characteristics suggest that infiltration could be a major problem on considerable number of fields, in the watershed. This implies, on such fields, constructing physical soil and water conservation structures alone will not reduce runoff and erosion effectively, unless soil infiltration and permeability rates are enhanced through integrated soil management approaches. 
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spelling CGSpace342492023-09-25T07:47:41Z Hydraulic properties of clay soils as affected by biochar and charcoal amendments Bayabil, H.K. Lehmann, J.C. Yitaferu, B. Stoof, C. Steenhuis, Tammo S. soil Understanding soil hydraulic properties is crucial for planning effective soil and water management practices. A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different biochar and charcoal treatments on soil-hydraulic properties of agricultural soils. Biochar and charcoal treatments were applied on 54, undisturbed soil-columns, extracted from three-elevation ranges, with replications along three transects. Daily weight losses of freely draining soil-columns and soil moisture contents, at five tensions, were measured. In addition, field infiltration tests and soil analyses for particle size distribution, bulk-density and organic carbon content were conducted. Moreover, five year event precipitation data, from the watershed, was analysed and exceedance probability of rainfall intensity was computed. Results show treatments reduced soil moisture contents, for most of the cases. However, treatment effects were significant only at lower tensions (10 and 30 kPa) and within two days after saturation (p<0.05). On the other hand, relative hydraulic conductivity (Kr) coefficients, near saturation, of amended soils were higher than the control. Acidic to moderately acidic soils with high average clay (42%) and low organic carbon contents (1.1%) were dominant. Infiltration rate ranged between 1.9 and 36 mm/h, with high variability (CV = 70%). At the same time, storms with short duration (< 15 min) and high average intensity (6.3 mm/h) contributed for 68% of annual precipitation (1616mm/year). Dominant soil properties and rainfall characteristics suggest that infiltration could be a major problem on considerable number of fields, in the watershed. This implies, on such fields, constructing physical soil and water conservation structures alone will not reduce runoff and erosion effectively, unless soil infiltration and permeability rates are enhanced through integrated soil management approaches.  2013-11-01 2013-12-14T14:52:55Z 2013-12-14T14:52:55Z Book Chapter https://hdl.handle.net/10568/34249 en https://hdl.handle.net/10568/33929 Open Access application/pdf International Livestock Research Institute Bayabil, H.K., Lehmann, J.C., Yitaferu, B., Stoof, C. and Steenhuis, T.S. 2013. Hydraulic properties of clay soils as affected by biochar and charcoal amendments. IN: Wolde, M. (ed). 2013, Rainwater management for resilient livelihoods in Ethiopia: Proceedings of the Nile Basin Development Challenge Science Meeting, Addis Ababa, 9–10 July 2013. NBDC Technical Report 5. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI.
spellingShingle soil
Bayabil, H.K.
Lehmann, J.C.
Yitaferu, B.
Stoof, C.
Steenhuis, Tammo S.
Hydraulic properties of clay soils as affected by biochar and charcoal amendments
title Hydraulic properties of clay soils as affected by biochar and charcoal amendments
title_full Hydraulic properties of clay soils as affected by biochar and charcoal amendments
title_fullStr Hydraulic properties of clay soils as affected by biochar and charcoal amendments
title_full_unstemmed Hydraulic properties of clay soils as affected by biochar and charcoal amendments
title_short Hydraulic properties of clay soils as affected by biochar and charcoal amendments
title_sort hydraulic properties of clay soils as affected by biochar and charcoal amendments
topic soil
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/34249
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AT yitaferub hydraulicpropertiesofclaysoilsasaffectedbybiocharandcharcoalamendments
AT stoofc hydraulicpropertiesofclaysoilsasaffectedbybiocharandcharcoalamendments
AT steenhuistammos hydraulicpropertiesofclaysoilsasaffectedbybiocharandcharcoalamendments