The Use of Different Indicators to Evaluate Chernozems Fluvisols Physical Quality in the Odra River Valley: A Case Study

摘要

The physical quality of alluvial soils in the Odra River Valley was studied. The field study was carried out on arable land in Tworkow, in the south of Poland, in four soil pits (5 layers each) from which samples for laboratory analysis were taken. The assessment of the soil physical quality (SPQ) was determined for selected indicators, including: plant-available water (PAW), soil bulk density (BD), organic carbon content (C-org) structural stability index (StI) and soil physical quality index (S index). The examined soils are heterogeneous in terms of texture and characterized by their high sand and silt content affecting the selected quality parameters of soil. Mean value of PAW content was "ideal" for maximal root growth. The effect of human and agricultural activities are seen in a mean value of BD, which show moderate signs of compaction, low C-org content, and also according to StI very high risk of degradation. The use of S index as an indicator of SPO is less reliable than other indicators, because it is calculated based on results from RETC simulation. On the other hand, the values of S are significantly correlated with PAW content, which were obtained from the laboratory measurements.