JDJCSET | Sigma Xi Poster Competition

Linking Land Use Systems in Rural and Urban Areas to Soil Physical Characteristics

Academic Level at Time of Presentation

Senior

Major

Agriscience Technology

Minor

Emphasis in Public Service and Leadership

List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)

Iin Handayani

Presentation Format

Poster Presentation

Abstract/Description

Linking Land Use Systems in Rural and Urban Areas to Soil Physical Characteristics

Sara Schacht and Iin Handayani

Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University, Kentucky

ABSTRACT

Soil physical characteristics are considered the most sensitive indicators in soil quality changes. They are generally used to evaluate sustainable land management in agroecosystems. The objective of this study was to investigate the soil physical characteristics, including water holding capacity (WHC), macroporosity, bulk density and aggregate stability under various land uses in rural and urban areas. The study was conducted in silt loam soils in Marshall and McCracken Counties of Western KY. Land use systems in rural areas included both natural and agricultural ecosystems such as undisturbed grasslands, undisturbed deciduous woodlands while agricultural ecosystems included conventional tilled agriculture soils and no-till agriculture soils. Urban areas consists of lawn, park, residential, and garden land uses. Undisturbed soil cores were sampled from topsoil of 0 to7.5 cm and 7.5 to 15 cm to measure bulk density, macroporosity and water holding capacity (WHC). The disturbed soil samples were used to measure soil organic matter (SOM), aggregate stability and soil pH. The data was statistically performed using ANOVA single factor at α 5%. The results from this study will be discussed in the poster. Findings will reveal the most sensitive soil physical characteristics that can be used to monitor soil quality changes within short time (less than one year).

Keywords: Bulk density, macroporosity, soil organic matter, water holding capacity

Affiliations

Sigma Xi Poster and General Posters

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Linking Land Use Systems in Rural and Urban Areas to Soil Physical Characteristics

Linking Land Use Systems in Rural and Urban Areas to Soil Physical Characteristics

Sara Schacht and Iin Handayani

Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University, Kentucky

ABSTRACT

Soil physical characteristics are considered the most sensitive indicators in soil quality changes. They are generally used to evaluate sustainable land management in agroecosystems. The objective of this study was to investigate the soil physical characteristics, including water holding capacity (WHC), macroporosity, bulk density and aggregate stability under various land uses in rural and urban areas. The study was conducted in silt loam soils in Marshall and McCracken Counties of Western KY. Land use systems in rural areas included both natural and agricultural ecosystems such as undisturbed grasslands, undisturbed deciduous woodlands while agricultural ecosystems included conventional tilled agriculture soils and no-till agriculture soils. Urban areas consists of lawn, park, residential, and garden land uses. Undisturbed soil cores were sampled from topsoil of 0 to7.5 cm and 7.5 to 15 cm to measure bulk density, macroporosity and water holding capacity (WHC). The disturbed soil samples were used to measure soil organic matter (SOM), aggregate stability and soil pH. The data was statistically performed using ANOVA single factor at α 5%. The results from this study will be discussed in the poster. Findings will reveal the most sensitive soil physical characteristics that can be used to monitor soil quality changes within short time (less than one year).

Keywords: Bulk density, macroporosity, soil organic matter, water holding capacity