Soil temperature and moisture dynamics under different amounts of decomposing sugarcane straw

A manutenção da palha de cana-de-açúcar sobre a superfície do solo promove diversos benefícios à qualidade do solo, como a redução das altas temperaturas e a manutenção da umidade do solo. Com base nisso, os objetivos deste trabalho consistiram em avaliar o impacto da palha de cana-de-açúcar na dinâmica da umidade e da temperatura do solo em situações edáficas distintas em três regiões do Estado de São Paulo e verificar a influência da temperatura e umidade do solo na decomposição de diferentes quantidades de palha de cana-de-açúcar. O estudo foi conduzido nos municípios de Igaraçu do Tietê, Piracicaba e Dois Córregos (solo muito argiloso, textura média e arenoso, respectivamente) com delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso. As quantidades de palha utilizadas foram: 0; 2; 3,2; e 7,5 Mg ha-1 (Igaraçu do Tietê) e 0; 3; 6; e 12 Mg ha-1 (Piracicaba e Dois Córregos). Para a determinação da umidade do solo foram realizadas coletas periódicas de amostras indeformadas de solo nas linhas de plantio (0-20, 20-40, 40-60 e 60-80 cm de profundidade) e analisadas através do método da pesagem. A avaliação da temperatura do solo foi feita por sensores termopares inseridos no solo a 0-5 e 5-10 cm de profundidade. Na análise da decomposição da palha utilizaram-se caixas plásticas onde as diferentes quantidades de palha foram mantidas. Cinco coletas de palha (30, 60, 120 e 180 e 360 dias após a implantação do experimento) foram realizadas para quantificar a perda de massa. Os resultados demonstraram que em relação ao solo descoberto, os tratamentos com diferentes quantidades de palha interferiram significativamente (p<=0,05) na manutenção da umidade do solo, principalmente entre 7 e 30 dias após o corte nas camadas de 0-20 e 20-40 cm. A temperatura média, máxima e amplitude térmica do solo foram as variáveis que apresentaram as maiores diferenças entre o solo descoberto e o solo com diferentes quantidades com palha, com um comportamento semelhante nas duas profundidades avaliadas. A temperatura mínima foi a variável que menos sofreu efeito dos tratamentos. Em geral, quando foram mantidas quantidades maiores de palha sobre a superfície do solo verificou-se maior umidade e menor a amplitude térmica do solo. A textura do solo afetou a dinâmica da água do solo, onde a manutenção da palha sobre solo arenoso manteve maior a umidade em todas as camadas avaliadas em comparação aos solos de textura mais argilosa que apresentaram diferenças apenas na fase inicial de crescimento da cultura. Diferentes quantidades de palha mantidas sobre o solo pouco alteraram a matéria seca remanescente de palha nas em Piracicaba e Dois Córregos, enquanto em Igaraçu do Tietê o processo foi diretamente proporcional a quantidade de palha mantida na superfície do solo. Os resultados demonstram a importância da adoção de práticas conservacionistas de manejo como a manutenção de parte da palha, de modo que concilie a produção de etanol de segunda geração (2G) e evite eventuais problemas com déficit hídrico, temperaturas extremas e consequentes implicações negativas às plantas.The sugarcane straw maintenance on soil surface promotes several benefits to soil quality, such as reduction of extreme temperatures and preservation of soil moisture. Based on this, the objective of this study was to evaluate the sugarcane straw removal effects on the soil moisture and temperature dynamics in three regions of São Paulo State, as well as verify the influence of soil temperature and moisture on the sugarcane straw decomposition. The study was conducted in the municipalities of Igaraçu do Tietê, Piracicaba and Dois Córregos (clay soil, medium texture and sandy soil, respectively), under a randomized block experimental design. The amounts of straw were: 0; 2; 3.2; and 7.5 Mg ha-1 (Igaraçu do Tietê) and 0; 3; 6; and 12 Mg ha-1 (Piracicaba e Dois Córregos). Undisturbed soil samples were periodically collected within the crop planting line at the 0-20, 20-40, 40-60 and 60-80 cm depths, and the soil moisture was quantified using the weighing method. The soil temperature was mensured every hour by thermocouple sensors inserted at 0-5 and 5-10 cm soil depths. In the straw decomposition analysis, plastic boxes were used to keep the different amounts of straw over time. Five destructive sampling were performed (30, 60, 120 and 180 and 360 days after the experiment implantation) to quantify dry mass losses. The results showed that, in relation to the uncovered soil, the treatments with different amounts of straw preserved higher soil moisture (p<=0,05), especially, between 7 and 30 days in the 0-20 and 20-40 cm soil depths. The average temperature, maximum and thermal amplitude of the soil were the variables that presented the greatest differences between the uncovered soil and the soil with different amounts of straw, with a similar pattern for both depths evaluated. The minimum temperature was less effected by the treatments. Overall, the larger the straw amount left on soil surface the higher the soil moisture and lower the soil thermal amplitude. Soil texture affected soil water dynamics, where straw maintenance on sandy soil kept moisture at all depths compared to clayey soils that showed differences only in the initial growth stage of the crop. Different amounts of straw left on the soil surface slightly altered the remaining dry matter in Piracicaba e Dois Córregos, while in Igaraçu do Tietê the process was inversely proportional to the amount of straw left on the soil surface. The results showed the importance of the adoption of conservationist management practices such as the straw maintenance, so that part can be destined for the production of second generation ethanol (2G) and another part can be maintained in the field to avoid possible problems with water deficit, extreme temperatures and consequent negative implications to plants

Soil temperature and moisture dynamics under different amounts of decomposing sugarcane straw

A manutenção da palha de cana-de-açúcar sobre a superfície do solo promove diversos benefícios à qualidade do solo, como a redução das altas temperaturas e a manutenção da umidade do solo. Com base nisso, os objetivos deste trabalho consistiram em avaliar o impacto da palha de cana-de-açúcar na dinâmica da umidade e da temperatura do solo em situações edáficas distintas em três regiões do Estado de São Paulo e verificar a influência da temperatura e umidade do solo na decomposição de diferentes quantidades de palha de cana-de-açúcar. O estudo foi conduzido nos municípios de Igaraçu do Tietê, Piracicaba e Dois Córregos (solo muito argiloso, textura média e arenoso, respectivamente) com delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso. As quantidades de palha utilizadas foram: 0; 2; 3,2; e 7,5 Mg ha-1 (Igaraçu do Tietê) e 0; 3; 6; e 12 Mg ha-1 (Piracicaba e Dois Córregos). Para a determinação da umidade do solo foram realizadas coletas periódicas de amostras indeformadas de solo nas linhas de plantio (0-20, 20-40, 40-60 e 60-80 cm de profundidade) e analisadas através do método da pesagem. A avaliação da temperatura do solo foi feita por sensores termopares inseridos no solo a 0-5 e 5-10 cm de profundidade. Na análise da decomposição da palha utilizaram-se caixas plásticas onde as diferentes quantidades de palha foram mantidas. Cinco coletas de palha (30, 60, 120 e 180 e 360 dias após a implantação do experimento) foram realizadas para quantificar a perda de massa. Os resultados demonstraram que em relação ao solo descoberto, os tratamentos com diferentes quantidades de palha interferiram significativamente (p<=0,05) na manutenção da umidade do solo, principalmente entre 7 e 30 dias após o corte nas camadas de 0-20 e 20-40 cm. A temperatura média, máxima e amplitude térmica do solo foram as variáveis que apresentaram as maiores diferenças entre o solo descoberto e o solo com diferentes quantidades com palha, com um comportamento semelhante nas duas profundidades avaliadas. A temperatura mínima foi a variável que menos sofreu efeito dos tratamentos. Em geral, quando foram mantidas quantidades maiores de palha sobre a superfície do solo verificou-se maior umidade e menor a amplitude térmica do solo. A textura do solo afetou a dinâmica da água do solo, onde a manutenção da palha sobre solo arenoso manteve maior a umidade em todas as camadas avaliadas em comparação aos solos de textura mais argilosa que apresentaram diferenças apenas na fase inicial de crescimento da cultura. Diferentes quantidades de palha mantidas sobre o solo pouco alteraram a matéria seca remanescente de palha nas em Piracicaba e Dois Córregos, enquanto em Igaraçu do Tietê o processo foi diretamente proporcional a quantidade de palha mantida na superfície do solo. Os resultados demonstram a importância da adoção de práticas conservacionistas de manejo como a manutenção de parte da palha, de modo que concilie a produção de etanol de segunda geração (2G) e evite eventuais problemas com déficit hídrico, temperaturas extremas e consequentes implicações negativas às plantas.The sugarcane straw maintenance on soil surface promotes several benefits to soil quality, such as reduction of extreme temperatures and preservation of soil moisture. Based on this, the objective of this study was to evaluate the sugarcane straw removal effects on the soil moisture and temperature dynamics in three regions of São Paulo State, as well as verify the influence of soil temperature and moisture on the sugarcane straw decomposition. The study was conducted in the municipalities of Igaraçu do Tietê, Piracicaba and Dois Córregos (clay soil, medium texture and sandy soil, respectively), under a randomized block experimental design. The amounts of straw were: 0; 2; 3.2; and 7.5 Mg ha-1 (Igaraçu do Tietê) and 0; 3; 6; and 12 Mg ha-1 (Piracicaba e Dois Córregos). Undisturbed soil samples were periodically collected within the crop planting line at the 0-20, 20-40, 40-60 and 60-80 cm depths, and the soil moisture was quantified using the weighing method. The soil temperature was mensured every hour by thermocouple sensors inserted at 0-5 and 5-10 cm soil depths. In the straw decomposition analysis, plastic boxes were used to keep the different amounts of straw over time. Five destructive sampling were performed (30, 60, 120 and 180 and 360 days after the experiment implantation) to quantify dry mass losses. The results showed that, in relation to the uncovered soil, the treatments with different amounts of straw preserved higher soil moisture (p<=0,05), especially, between 7 and 30 days in the 0-20 and 20-40 cm soil depths. The average temperature, maximum and thermal amplitude of the soil were the variables that presented the greatest differences between the uncovered soil and the soil with different amounts of straw, with a similar pattern for both depths evaluated. The minimum temperature was less effected by the treatments. Overall, the larger the straw amount left on soil surface the higher the soil moisture and lower the soil thermal amplitude. Soil texture affected soil water dynamics, where straw maintenance on sandy soil kept moisture at all depths compared to clayey soils that showed differences only in the initial growth stage of the crop. Different amounts of straw left on the soil surface slightly altered the remaining dry matter in Piracicaba e Dois Córregos, while in Igaraçu do Tietê the process was inversely proportional to the amount of straw left on the soil surface. The results showed the importance of the adoption of conservationist management practices such as the straw maintenance, so that part can be destined for the production of second generation ethanol (2G) and another part can be maintained in the field to avoid possible problems with water deficit, extreme temperatures and consequent negative implications to plants

Avaliação estocástica dos componentes do balanço hídrico do solo: desenvolvimento e aplicação em um cenário de solo coeso

Hydrological modelling is an essential tool for understanding the processes that occur in the soil vadose zone. These processes are dependent on soil water retention parameters and hydraulic conductivity, which are normally determined using replicas of undisturbed soil samples. However, this method is not effective when trying to represent large areas, since an average of all replicas is usually performed. Based on this, we present a method to merge the hydraulic soil parameters of all replicas into a final set of data, with their associated statistics (standard errors and correlation matrix). To do so, we used VGM parameters obtained at sample scale in three replicas from a Brazilian savanna hardsetting soil from the eastern part of Maranhão state, Brazil through inverse modelling of laboratory evaporation experiments. The effectiveness and representativeness of the proposed methodology were evaluated by observing the frequency distribution of the output parameters, and comparing individual and merged sample properties (VGM parameters, retention, and hydraulic conductivity characteristics together with soil water balance components) stochastically predicted by a hydrological model. With the established method, a 31-year historical data set was analysed for three samples collected at three depths (0-15, 15-30, and 30-45 cm) in the hardsetting soil. The stochastic method allowed obtaining the variability of the combined replicas for the water balance components. Applying the technique to the 31 years, some generated VGM parameter sets, as well as the rainfall accumulation and distribution during the crop cycles, showed to be the determining factors for the dispersion of the simulated water balance components. Except for transpiration data, the other water balance components (bottom flux, evaporation, and runoff) showed a good correlation with the accumulated precipitation. A significant reduction in the dispersion of the transpiration rate was observed in high precipitation years. In general, using the mean hydraulic property parameter values to deterministically predict water balance components may yield values that are substantially different from the median values of stochastic realizations. This suggests that these values may generate unrepresentative results in hydrological modelling, showing the important role of stochastic analysis.A modelagem hidrológica é uma ferramenta essencial para a compreensão dos processos que ocorrem na zona vadosa do solo. Esses processos são dependentes de parâmetros de retenção de água no solo e da condutividade hidráulica, que normalmente são determinados em réplicas de amostras de solo não deformadas. No entanto, esse método não é eficaz quando se objetiva representar grandes áreas, pois geralmente é utilizada a média de todas as repetições. Com base nisso, apresenta-se um método para mesclar os parâmetros hidráulicos do solo de todas as repetições em um único conjunto de dados com suas estatísticas associadas (erros padrão e matriz de correlação). Para tanto, utilizaram-se parâmetros de van Genuchten-Mualem (VGM) de três repetições de um solo coeso de Cerrado da região leste do estado do Maranhão, Brasil, obtidos por meio de modelagem inversa de experimentos de evaporação em laboratório. A eficácia e a representatividade da metodologia proposta foram avaliadas observando-se a distribuição de frequências dos parâmetros, comparando-se as propriedades das amostras individuais e as mescladas (parâmetros VGM, características de retenção e condutividade hidráulica e componentes do balanço hídrico) previstas estocasticamente por um modelo hidrológico. Com o método estabelecido, ele foi utilizado em uma série histórica de 31 anos com resultados das três amostras coletadas em três profundidades (0-15, 15-30 e 30-45 cm) do solo. O método estocástico permitiu obter a variabilidade das repetições mescladas para os componentes do balanço hídrico. Aplicando a técnica ao período de 31 anos, alguns conjuntos de parâmetros de VGM gerados, bem como o acúmulo e distribuição de chuvas durante o ciclo das culturas se mostraram fatores determinantes para a dispersão dos resultados dos componentes simulados do balanço hídrico. Com exceção dos dados de transpiração, os demais componentes do balanço hídrico (drenagem profunda, evaporação e runoff) apresentaram boa correlação com a precipitação acumulada. Uma redução significativa na dispersão da taxa de transpiração foi notada em anos com alta precipitação. Em geral, o uso dos valores médios dos parâmetros das propriedades hidráulicas para prever deterministicamente os componentes do balanço hídrico pode produzir valores que são substancialmente diferentes dos valores medianos das realizações estocásticas. Isso sugere que esses valores podem gerar resultados não representativos na modelagem hidrológica, demonstrando o papel importante da modelagem estocástica

Changes in soil temperature and moisture due to sugarcane straw removal in central-southern Brazil

Crop residues left in the field cover and protect the soil surface, and regulate key processes and functions, such as gas and water exchanges. However, the Brazilian sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) sector has begun to use straw as feedstock to produce bioenergy. We conducted a field study to evaluate the effects of sugarcane straw removal in soil temperature and moisture changes at three sites (with different soil textures: Site 1 - clayey Oxisol, Site 2 - medium texture Oxisol, and Site 3 - sandy Ultisol) in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks with four rates of straw removal: i) no removal (NR); ii) moderate removal (MR); iii) substantial removal (SR), and iv) total removal (TR). Soil temperature was measured by sensors in the 0- to 5- and 5- to 10-cm soil layers. Undisturbed soil samples were collected from the 0- to 20- and 20- to 40-cm layers to determine soil moisture. Intensive straw removal (HR and TR) increased the soil temperature between 2 and 3 degrees C and the thermal amplitude between 5 and 9 degrees C in the 0- to 5-cm layer, compared to MR and NR. Soil moisture decreased between 0.03 and 0.07 g g(-1) in the 0- to 20-cm layer with intensive straw removal. The sandy soil was more susceptible to straw removal. Therefore, straw maintenance on the soil surface plays an essential role in temperature regulation and preservation of higher soil moisture, especially in regions with severe water deficits and long periods of water stress

Crop residue harvest for bioenergy production and its implications on soil functioning and plant growth: A review

ABSTRACT: The use of crop residues as a bioenergy feedstock is considered a potential strategy to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, indiscriminate harvesting of crop residues can induce deleterious effects on soil functioning, plant growth and other ecosystem services. Here, we have summarized the information available in the literature to identify and discuss the main trade-offs and synergisms involved in crop residue management for bioenergy production. The data consistently showed that crop residue harvest and the consequent lower input of organic matter into the soil led to C storage depletions over time, reducing cycling, supply and availability of soil nutrients, directly affecting the soil biota. Although the biota regulates key functions in the soil, crop residue can also cause proliferation of some important agricultural pests. In addition, crop residues act as physical barriers that protect the soil against raindrop impact and temperature variations. Therefore, intensive crop residue harvest can cause soil structure degradation, leading to soil compaction and increased risks of erosion. With regard to GHG emissions, there is no consensus about the potential impact of management of crop residue harvest. In general, residue harvest decreases CO2 and N2O emissions from the decomposition process, but it has no significant effect on CH4 emissions. Plant growth responses to soil and microclimate changes due to crop residue harvest are site and crop specific. Adoption of the best management practices can mitigate the adverse impacts of crop residue harvest. Longterm experiments within strategic production regions are essential to understand and monitor the impact of integrated agricultural systems and propose customized solutions for sustainable crop residue management in each region or landscape. Furthermore, private and public investments/cooperations are necessary for a better understanding of the potential environmental, economic and social implications of crop residue use for bioenergy production

Crop residue harvest for bioenergy production and its implications on soil functioning and plant growth: A review

<div><p>ABSTRACT: The use of crop residues as a bioenergy feedstock is considered a potential strategy to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, indiscriminate harvesting of crop residues can induce deleterious effects on soil functioning, plant growth and other ecosystem services. Here, we have summarized the information available in the literature to identify and discuss the main trade-offs and synergisms involved in crop residue management for bioenergy production. The data consistently showed that crop residue harvest and the consequent lower input of organic matter into the soil led to C storage depletions over time, reducing cycling, supply and availability of soil nutrients, directly affecting the soil biota. Although the biota regulates key functions in the soil, crop residue can also cause proliferation of some important agricultural pests. In addition, crop residues act as physical barriers that protect the soil against raindrop impact and temperature variations. Therefore, intensive crop residue harvest can cause soil structure degradation, leading to soil compaction and increased risks of erosion. With regard to GHG emissions, there is no consensus about the potential impact of management of crop residue harvest. In general, residue harvest decreases CO2 and N2O emissions from the decomposition process, but it has no significant effect on CH4 emissions. Plant growth responses to soil and microclimate changes due to crop residue harvest are site and crop specific. Adoption of the best management practices can mitigate the adverse impacts of crop residue harvest. Longterm experiments within strategic production regions are essential to understand and monitor the impact of integrated agricultural systems and propose customized solutions for sustainable crop residue management in each region or landscape. Furthermore, private and public investments/cooperations are necessary for a better understanding of the potential environmental, economic and social implications of crop residue use for bioenergy production.</p></div