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SOME EFFECTS OF INTENSIVE IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE ON VALENTINE SOILS IN THE NEBRASKA SANDHILLS (ACIDITY)
Abstract
Fertilization and irrigation of coarse textured soils has resulted in marked increases in soil acidity. Stable levels of organic matter seem to buffer the soil against adverse effects of acidity such as aluminum toxicity. Attention in the Sandhills of Nebraska has focused in the past on plant communities, with the soils of the area studied only in terms of range management. Presently much attention has been turned to the secondary environmental effects of irrigated agriculture as increasing development raises questions of groundwater pollution and eventual re-establishment of range vegetation. This study was undertaken to quantify some chemical, physical, and mineralogic characteristics of Valentine soils and to identify further detailed research needs arising from current management trends to assist with future management of the Sandhills resources. Irrigated samples had lower soil pH values than range samples paired with them. Both irrigated and range samples increased in acidity with depth throughout the 1.25 m sampling depth. Cation exchange capacities and exchangeable cation contents were greater in the surface samples than lower in the profile, as were the clay and organic matter contents. Irrigated soils had lower exchangeable calcium contents than range soils paired with them, but had more exchangeable potassium and manganese than did the range soils.
Subject Area
Agronomy
Recommended Citation
SPAUGH-BARBER, ELIZABETH ANNE, "SOME EFFECTS OF INTENSIVE IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE ON VALENTINE SOILS IN THE NEBRASKA SANDHILLS (ACIDITY)" (1986). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8614478.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8614478