Improving the water retention properties of our soils

Abstract

Changes in weather patterns over recent decades have had a significant impact on agricultural production. Due to changes in the distribution of precipitation extremes and an increase in the frequency and length of drought periods the loss of soil moisture is increasing. By studying soil samples collected in Szekszárd (Hungary), the area around our residence, by designing soil mixtures and analysing them, we would like to draw conclusions and make suggestions for improving soil water management. Our hypothesis is that the water management of soils can be improved by the application of soil improvers, which could have a significant positive impact on the water balance of Hungary. Changes in climatic elements started with an analysis of 40 years of meteorological data from the area where we live. Soil samples, soil mixtures and soil amendments (perlite, alginate, zeolite, compost, peat, cattle manure) were analysed for texture, water retention capacity, humus content and pH, and finally, our soil samples, our nine soil mixtures and the two soil samples treated with soil cover were tested for water retention capacity by growing wheat in 120 pots under the same conditions for 13 weeks. The soils tested are silt, silty loam soils, with soil amendments mainly enhancing the sand fraction. The water retention capacity improved with the amendments; the humus content increased more significantly with organic amendments. The pH of the soil mixtures shifted the soil samples towards the alkaline direction. Soil mixtures and soils treated with soil cover were able to retain water to a greater extent than the soil sample.