Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Enkhtuya Enkhtaivan Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Oldřich Vacek Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Petra Vokurková Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Marko Spasić Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Radim Vašát Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Ondřej Drábek Title: Temporal changes of soil characteristics on Lítov spoil heap, Czech Republic Abstract: This study aimed to examine the changes in selected soil properties at Lítov spoil heap (Sokolov, Czech Republic) and compare the current situation with the situation described twenty years ago. A total of 110 soil samples were taken at Lítov at the same sites as in 1998. The analyses of basic soil characteristics involved: exchangeable soil pH (pHKCl), organic carbon content (Cox), quality of humic substances (A400/A600), exchangeable acidity (Ea), and two types of aluminium contents in the soil. Changes in all soil characteristics between 1998 and 2018 were statistically evaluated, compared, and visualized using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). We have observed an increase of pHKCl, Cox and a slight improvement in humus quality compared to the results from 1998. The temporal changes of soil characteristics were evident in the whole area, and the influence of reclamation methods was also pronounced. Soil development close to the regional common natural conditions was found in the area where agricultural reclamation measures (i.e., covering with topsoil) were carried out. Furthermore, afforestation - mainly by deciduous trees - supported the improvement of soil characteristics favourable for plant growth. High pyrite content and marshland were identified as the main causes that led to vegetation cover mortality. Keywords: acidification, aluminium, anthropogenic soil, mining, pH, reclamation Journal: Soil and Water Research Pages: 133-143 Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Year: 2024 DOI: 10.17221/17/2024-SWR File-URL: http://swr.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/17/2024-SWR.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/swr-202403-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlswr:v:19:y:2024:i:3:id:17-2024-SWR Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Madalina Iordache Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Sustainable Development and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I", Timisoara, Romania Author-Name: Liliana Brei Author-Workplace-Name: Office for Pedological and Agrochemical Studies, Timiș County, Romania Author-Name: Isidora Radulov Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I", Timisoara, Romania Author-Name: Ioan Gaica Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Sustainable Development and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I", Timisoara, Romania Author-Workplace-Name: Research Centre of Bioresources, Environment and Geospatial Data, University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I", Timisoara, Romania Author-Name: Daniel Dicu Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Sustainable Development and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I", Timisoara, Romania Author-Workplace-Name: Research Centre of Bioresources, Environment and Geospatial Data, University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I", Timisoara, Romania Author-Name: Codruta Chis Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Sustainable Development and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I", Timisoara, Romania Author-Workplace-Name: Research Centre of Bioresources, Environment and Geospatial Data, University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I", Timisoara, Romania Title: The water repellency of earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) casts depends on their particle size composition, organic carbon content and calcium carbonate content Abstract: At the soil level, earthworms are key indicators of water-related processes which help soils to accept, retain, release and transmit water by influencing the soil structure through their burrowing, casts, and drilosphere. The water repellency is an indicator of soil structure stability both for the natural soil and for the earthworm casts (bioturbated soil). The water repellency of earthworm casts is a complex property that should be approached both at ecological and functional level in earthworm categorization because this cast property influences the transport and flow processes in soil, such as those of water, nutrients, pollutants, and gas diffusion. The earthworms have been described as bioremediators of soil water repellency. Casts of the earthworm species Lumbricus terrestris collected from an urban green space have been analysed for particle size composition (texture), organic carbon (OC) content and CaCO3 content in relation to their water repellency (the hydrophobicity). The findings of this study showed that the main drivers determining the water repellency of the casts of L. terrestris, as indicator of their structural stability, are chemical (the contents of OC and respectively CaCO3) and physical (contents of clay, silt and fine sand). The water repellency (hydrophobicity) of the casts decreased with their content of clay and silt and increased with their content of organic matter and CaCO3. The hydrophobicity of earthworm casts is in direct positive relation with their previous water accumulation, i.e. the current penetration time of water increases or decreases if the previous penetration time of the water increased or decreased, respectively. The water drop penetration times indicated that the analysed earthworm casts were slightly water-repellent. A small to medium degree of water repellency has been mostly reported as appropriate for the aggregate stability of the soil. Keywords: clay, hydrophobicity, sand, silt, texture, water drop penetration time Journal: Soil and Water Research Pages: 144-153 Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Year: 2024 DOI: 10.17221/93/2023-SWR File-URL: http://swr.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/93/2023-SWR.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/swr-202403-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlswr:v:19:y:2024:i:3:id:93-2023-SWR Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Olivia Peters Author-Workplace-Name: United States Department of Agriculture, Fresno, USA Author-Name: Samuel I. Haruna Author-Workplace-Name: School of Agriculture, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, USA Title: Does no-till cover crop influence in situ measured soil water potential and saturated hydraulic conductivity? Abstract: Soil water energy determines soil water balance, plant water uptake, and soil thermal properties, but the effects of cover crops (CCs) on in situ measured soil water energy and temperature are not well understood. This study investigated how CCs affect in situ measured soil water potential (SWP), temperature, and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) during 2 years, with the hypothesis that CC-induced water transpiration can lower SWP. The CCs used included crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), winter wheat (Triticum aestavum L.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), oats (Avena sativa), triticale (Titicale haxaploide Lart.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), and winter peas (Lathyrus hirsutus L.). Soil water potential and temperature sensors were installed at 0-10, 10-20, and 20-30 cm depths. Additionally, Kfs was measured in situ using a Guelph permeameter. Results showed that actively growing CCs can lower SWP, leading to increased water transpiration from the field compared with no cover crop (NC) management. Also, by lowering soil temperature, CCs can increase evapotranspirational efficiency compared to NC management. Further, by increasing evapotranspirational efficiency, CC, management resulted in increased subsurface water infiltration and storage as shown by higher Kfs values compared to NC management. In general, CCs have the potential to reduce SWP and temperature during their growth stages and this can be beneficial to seed germination and microbial activities. Keywords: precipitation, quasi-steady infiltration rate, soil organic carbon, soil temperature, sorptivity, turgor pressure Journal: Soil and Water Research Pages: 154-167 Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Year: 2024 DOI: 10.17221/27/2024-SWR File-URL: http://swr.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/27/2024-SWR.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/swr-202403-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlswr:v:19:y:2024:i:3:id:27-2024-SWR Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jan Gregar Author-Name: Jan Petrů Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Land Use and Improvement, Faculty of Environmental Sciences,Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Jana Kalibová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Land Use and Improvement, Faculty of Environmental Sciences,Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Věra Ürge Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Land Use and Improvement, Faculty of Environmental Sciences,Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: David Kincl Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Land Use and Improvement, Faculty of Environmental Sciences,Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute for Soil and Water Conservation, Prague-Zbraslav, Czech Republic Author-Name: Jan Vopravil Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Land Use and Improvement, Faculty of Environmental Sciences,Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute for Soil and Water Conservation, Prague-Zbraslav, Czech Republic Title: Impact of intercrops on soil loss and surface runoff from sloping maize fields Abstract: Water erosion poses a significant threat to more than 50% of agricultural land in the Czech Republic. Maize (Zea mays L.) is particularly susceptible to soil erosion, with the bare soil space between maize rows exposed to erosive agents. Intercropping has emerged as a potential solution to mitigate soil erosion risks in maize cultivation. A series of soil erosion field experiments were conducted from 2022 to 2023 using natural rainfall to investigate the influence of selected intercrop mixtures during the growing season on sediment yields and surface runoff volume. The results revealed a gradual decrease in surface runoff volume and sediment yields over the growing season. Significantly reduced surface runoff volume and soil loss were observed in two tested intercropped plots S2 - rye (Secale cereale) and incarnate clover (Trifolium incarnatum); S3 - ryegrass only (Lolium)), compared to a control plot managed conventionally with maize (S1). Surface runoff volume and soil loss from S2 and S3 reached 2.57-43.5% and 1.26-11.65% of the control plot, respectively. These findings highlight the soil conservation effect of intercrop technologies (S2 and S3) in mitigating soil erosion in maize cultivation. The importance of vegetation cover in reducing soil erosion intensified over time. Intercropping holds promise as a sustainable agricultural management strategy for sloping maize fields. Keywords: agricultural management, corn, maize, soil conservation, soil erosion, water erosion Journal: Soil and Water Research Pages: 168-175 Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Year: 2024 DOI: 10.17221/43/2024-SWR File-URL: http://swr.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/43/2024-SWR.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/swr-202403-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlswr:v:19:y:2024:i:3:id:43-2024-SWR Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Lubica Pospíšilová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agrochemistry, Soil Science, Microbiology and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Pedology nad Geology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Jana Plisková Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agrochemistry, Soil Science, Microbiology and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Victory Armida Janine Jaques Author-Workplace-Name: CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Tomáš Zikmund Author-Workplace-Name: CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Luboš Sedlák Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Pedology nad Geology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Aleš Eichmeier Author-Workplace-Name: Mendeleum Institute of Genetics, Faculty of Horticulture, Mendel University in Brno, Lednice, Czech Republic Author-Name: Aleš Klement Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Radka Kodešová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Luboš Borůvka Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Jozef Kaiser Author-Workplace-Name: CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Ladislav Menšík Author-Workplace-Name: Division of Crop Management Systems, Crop Research Institute, Prague-Ruzyně, Czech Republic Title: Computed tomographic visualisation and 2D/3D microscopic evaluation of soil macro- and micromorphology Abstract: Erratum in: Soil & Water Res., 20: 69. Doi: 10.17221/2/2025-SWR Soil organic matter and pores distribution within aggregates were studied using X-ray computed tomography (XCT; Nikon XT H 225ST and GE Phoenix L240) and advanced 2D/3D measurements by the digital Keyence VHX-6000 microscope (Japan). A new methodological approach with computed tomography involvement for studying the spatial arrangement of pores, porosity, and soil morphology is presented. Changes in studied parameters are documented along the transect of intensively used Haplic Chernozem. Soil disturbance due to erosion and colluvial soil profile formation is reported. Moreover, soil organic matter quality and aggregate stability were evaluated. Obtained results showed statistically significant differences between the control and eroded sites and between eroded and accumulated sites. The correlation coefficients were the highest for soil organic carbon (SOC) and humic substances CHS (r = 0.805) and CHS and CHA/CFA (r = 0.764). The highest porosity, aggregates stability and coefficients stability were confirmed on the eroded site. The computed tomography measurements also document the high disturbance of Haplic Chernozem on the control site and the newly formed profile of Colluvisol. Despite excellent complementary technique further research is necessary to improve micro-XCT resolution and capacity for the soil micromorphological study. Keywords: aggregate stability, porosity, soil organic matter, X-ray computed tomography Journal: Soil and Water Research Pages: 176-189 Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Year: 2024 DOI: 10.17221/47/2024-SWR File-URL: http://swr.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/47/2024-SWR.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/swr-202403-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlswr:v:19:y:2024:i:3:id:47-2024-SWR