The effects of rock fragmentation and/or deep tillage on soil skeletal material and chemical properties in a Mediterranean climate

Abstract

In Puglia, Italy, deep tillage and rock fragmentation are common agricultural practices to prepare land for vineyards or orchards. Unfortunately, little is known about how these practices influence soil structure and quality. There is a lack of information on the consequences of these practices on the soil fractions coarser than 2 mm, which are known as rock fragments or skeletal material, the focus of this study. Soil samples were obtained from depths of 0-20 and 20–40 cm and analysed for pH, electrical conductivity, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and total and active calcium carbonate. For each soil depth, we determined the amount of fine earth and skeletal material by volume. The results indicate that rock fragmentation and ⁄ or deep ploughing cause a major change in soils, leading to the progressive reduction in total organic carbon and nitrogen, and to an increase in total and active calcium carbonate. In addition, there was a marked increase in skeletal material compared to undisturbed soil. The results confirm that rock fragmentation causes significant changes in soil physical properties and greatly increases the amount of skeletal material.


Tutti gli autori

  • BRUNETTI G.;FERRARA G.

Titolo volume/Rivista

Non Disponibile


Anno di pubblicazione

2012

ISSN

0266-0032

ISBN

Non Disponibile


Numero di citazioni Wos

6

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile


Numero di citazioni Scopus

9

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile


Settori ERC

Non Disponibile

Codici ASJC

Non Disponibile