The effects of agrogenic transformation on soil profile morphology, organic carbon and physico-chemical properties in Retisols of Western Lithuania

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine changes in the morphological, physical and chemical properties of Retisols caused by their agrogenic transformation. The study carried out on Retisols on relatively natural and agrogenically affected land in 2016. Soil samples taken from the genetic horizons of all profiles to measure soil organic carbon, pH, hydromorphic and physical properties. Due to long-term, deep ploughing, the sequence of soil horizons in the Retisol profile had changed from O–Ah–El–ElBt to Ahp–ElBt. Intensive soil liming changed chemical properties and morphological features of Retisol. The clay and silt particles leached out of from the Ah and El horizons to the deeper layers due to illuviation and podsolization. The content of SOC in the 0–30 cm layer of the Ah horizon of agrogenically affected Retisol was 1.0%, and in the forest Retisol – 1.7%; however, forest Retisol was more acidic. Ploughing and no tillage management caused a reduction in total porosity, water holding capacity and plant available water content compared with the other land-uses. We conclude that the use of ploughless tillage on Retisol is not identical to the conditions of natural soil formation and soil fertility maintenance.

KEYWORDS:

• Tillage
• Retisols
• moraine
• soil texture
• SOC
• bulk density
• moisture condition

Acknowledgments

The paper presents research findings from the project “The influence of long-term contrasting intensity resources management on genesis of different soils and on other agro-ecosystems components” (SIT-9/2015) funded by the Research Council of Lithuania. Part of this study was conducted under the research programme “Productivity and sustainability of agricultural and forest soils” implemented by Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the “The influence of long-term contrasting intensity resources management on genesis of different soils and on other agro-ecosystems components”,, funded by the Research Council of Lithuania. [SIT-9/2015]. Part of this study was conducted under the research programme “Productivity and sustainability of agricultural and forest soils” implemented by Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry.