Effects of soil deformation on clay dispersion in loess soil

摘要

Clay dispersibility is a good indicator of the vulnerability of soil to disperse and therefore of the associated risks of soil water erosion and crusting and subsequent losses of agricultural chemicals in overland flow. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of soil deformation of an erodible soil derived from loess (Haplic Luvisol) on the content of dispersible clay. The soil deformation levels were: non-compacted (NC, 0 tractor pass), moderately compacted (MC, 3 passes), and strongly compacted (SC, 5 passes). The amount of readily-dispersible clay (RDC) was determined using a Hach 2100AN ratio turbidimeter, by measurement of the turbidity of a suspension of soil in water.