Characterization of soil surface properties following disturbance of a clay soil in southern Manitoba

This research demonstrated the use of a laser profiling system (LPS) and digital imagery as useful tools in measuring soil micro-topography and crop residue cover following a soil disturbance event. The soil micro-topography was characterized in terms of surface roughness using two geostatistical approaches; semivariance analysis and the mean absolute-elevation-difference method. Univariate statistical analysis was also used. All three procedures used to describe surface roughness were successful in detecting changes in surface roughness due to soil disturbance and the addition of corn residue. There was a definite advantage in using the geostatistical approaches to characterize surface roughness as the indices they provide give insight into the characteristics of the surface roughness. Crop residue cover was measured using digital images and image analysis software to contrast the soil and the crop residues.The series of field experiments examined the roles of both soil disturbance and corn residue and their interactions on surface roughness, crop residue cover, exposed surface area, and near-surface porosity. Soil disturbance and the addition of corn residue were both found to be significant factors affecting the surface roughness, crop residue cover, exposed surface area, and near-surface porosity. Due to the interaction and added effects of crop residue, it was also demonstrated that the calculated surface area may not be a measure of exposed soil area, but rather it is a combination of soil and residue surface areas. Similarly, the roughness of a surface does not only reflect the soil clods produced during tillage but that of the residue itself. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the information gathered by the LPS and digital imagery can be used to evaluate surface characteristics arising from different tillage practices.