Some fundamental relations between soil structure and treatment

Abstract

Five soil types from coastal Queensland, representing humid tropical, relatively dry tropical, and relatively dry sub-tropical districts, were examined for changes in structure induced by various kinds of physical treatment. In order to assess change in structure, measurements were made of relative percolation rate, maximum water-holding capacity, total pore space, hardness of soil crust, and dispersion of silt and clay. Treatments applied were dry working, wet working (at moisture equivalent and at at sticky point), cropping to beans, partial sodium-saturation and some combinations of these.