Structural changes with time of use of a Hapludand

• Published in: Agro sur Vol. 22; no. 1
• Main Authors: Ellies, Achim, Ramirez, C, MacDonald, R, Figueroa, S. (Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia (Chile). Fac. de Ciencias Agrarias)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: 01.06.1994
• Subjects: CHILE; CHILI; COMPACTACION DEL SUELO; COMPACTAGE DU SOL; ESTRUCTURA DEL SUELO; GENERO HUMANO; GENRE HUMAIN; IMPACT SUR L'ENVIRONNEMENT; IMPACTO AMBIENTAL; SOL D'HERBAGES; SOL VOLCANIQUE; STRUCTURE DU SOL; SUELO DE PRADERAS; SUELO VOLCANICO
• ISSN: 0304-8802

The effect of the history of pasture management on the volumetric properties of Hapludand soil profiles situated in Mariquina in Southern Chile was evaluated. The places selected were from a native forest up to sites with pasture with different ages and under different managements. The reference to evaluate the amount and direction of changes was the soil under native forest. Undisturbed soil samples were taken for the determination of the volumetric soil components. A settlement of the soil was detected through a decrease of pore volume after the elimination of native forest. Further use showed only a small reduction of soil volume. With the lost of pore volume there were changes in pore size distribution. These modifications depended on pedogenetical processes related to structure formation and soil management. This loose volcanic ash soil generates structure with the loss of pore space and reduction of specially the large pores. The amount of loss of pore volume goes with the time of soil used. With time the coarse pores were reduced and the middle ones increased. Soil management was reflected in changes on the very fine pores. Settling curves were primary under native forest and transformed to secondary with soil use and increasing soil bearing capacity