Optimal drainage depth of five cultivated organic soils

Abstract

Optimal drainage depth with regard to crop growth of five cultivated organic soils, including moss peat, fen peat and gyttja soils, was determined in lysimeter experiments in a greenhouse with supplementary investigations in the field and in the laboratory. The variation range in physical and chemical properties of organic soils is much greater than in mineral soils and drainage recommendations have to vary accordingly. Gyttja soils in general are well aerated, due to their permanent crack system, but root growth in the subsoil can be restricted by low pH and toxic levels of soluble aluminium. Water levels should therefore be kept high (40-50 cm under the surface), during periods of high evaporative demand, to avoid shortage of water for plant growth and development of soil water repellence due to dehydration. Moss peats and compacted fen peats often suffer from aeration problems and ground water levels should be kept lower (60-70 cm). On well structured fen peats, with high hydraulic conductivity, ground water levels may be kept slightly higher. At low evaporative demand, during spring operations and at harvest time, ground water levels should be lowered to improve bearing capacity and avoid aeration problems. Low water tables will bring more air into the profile, allow more microbial activity with more nitrogen available for the plants but also induce a faster subsidence rate.

Published in

Swedish Journal Of Agricultural Research
1995, volume: 25, number: 4, pages: 185-196
Publisher: SCANDINAVIAN UNIVERSITY PRESS

SLU Authors

• Berglund, Kerstin

  • Department of Soil Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Soil Science

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/42525