Micro-CT Analysis of Pore Structure in Upland Red Soil Under Different Long-Term Fertilization Regimes

This study hypothesized that long-term fertilization alters the pore structure and aggregate stability in upland red soil. A long-term fertilization experiment in Qiyang, Hunan, was conducted with three treatments: no fertilization (CK), nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium fertilization (NPK), and nitroge...

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Main Authors: Huan Fang, Na Zhang, Zhenghong Yu, Dongchu Li, Xinhua Peng, Hu Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Agronomy
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/11/2668
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author Huan Fang
Na Zhang
Zhenghong Yu
Dongchu Li
Xinhua Peng
Hu Zhou
author_facet Huan Fang
Na Zhang
Zhenghong Yu
Dongchu Li
Xinhua Peng
Hu Zhou
author_sort Huan Fang
collection DOAJ
description This study hypothesized that long-term fertilization alters the pore structure and aggregate stability in upland red soil. A long-term fertilization experiment in Qiyang, Hunan, was conducted with three treatments: no fertilization (CK), nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium fertilization (NPK), and nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium combined with pig manure (NPKOM). X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning technology was used to assess three-dimensional pore structures at both the soil column (50 mm diameter and 50 mm height) and aggregate scales (diameter 3–5 mm), alongside the evaluation of the soil’s physical and chemical properties. Results showed that the soil organic carbon content (SOC) increased by 44.8% in NPK and 112.5% in NPKOM compared to CK. NPKOM improved the aggregate stability by 51.6%, whereas NPK had no significant effect. At the soil column scale, NPK increased the total porosity by 13.7% but reduced larger pores (>0.06 mm), whereas NPKOM decreased the total porosity by 7.8% and increased larger pores. At the aggregate scale, NPKOM increased the porosity for pores >0.098 mm by 7.6 times compared to CK and 9.5 times compared to NPK. In conclusion, long-term NPKOM significantly enhances the SOC and aggregate stability and promotes larger pore formation, unlike NPK, which mainly increases SOC but does not improve the soil structure.
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spelling doaj-art-d0cd27fdba1549a9bada65643daef38c2024-11-26T17:44:55ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952024-11-011411266810.3390/agronomy14112668Micro-CT Analysis of Pore Structure in Upland Red Soil Under Different Long-Term Fertilization RegimesHuan Fang0Na Zhang1Zhenghong Yu2Dongchu Li3Xinhua Peng4Hu Zhou5College of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, ChinaCollege of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, ChinaCollege of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, ChinaInstitute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, ChinaInstitute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, ChinaCollege of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, ChinaThis study hypothesized that long-term fertilization alters the pore structure and aggregate stability in upland red soil. A long-term fertilization experiment in Qiyang, Hunan, was conducted with three treatments: no fertilization (CK), nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium fertilization (NPK), and nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium combined with pig manure (NPKOM). X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning technology was used to assess three-dimensional pore structures at both the soil column (50 mm diameter and 50 mm height) and aggregate scales (diameter 3–5 mm), alongside the evaluation of the soil’s physical and chemical properties. Results showed that the soil organic carbon content (SOC) increased by 44.8% in NPK and 112.5% in NPKOM compared to CK. NPKOM improved the aggregate stability by 51.6%, whereas NPK had no significant effect. At the soil column scale, NPK increased the total porosity by 13.7% but reduced larger pores (>0.06 mm), whereas NPKOM decreased the total porosity by 7.8% and increased larger pores. At the aggregate scale, NPKOM increased the porosity for pores >0.098 mm by 7.6 times compared to CK and 9.5 times compared to NPK. In conclusion, long-term NPKOM significantly enhances the SOC and aggregate stability and promotes larger pore formation, unlike NPK, which mainly increases SOC but does not improve the soil structure.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/11/2668X-ray computed tomography3D pore structuresoil columnssoil aggregatesSouthern China
spellingShingle Huan Fang
Na Zhang
Zhenghong Yu
Dongchu Li
Xinhua Peng
Hu Zhou
Micro-CT Analysis of Pore Structure in Upland Red Soil Under Different Long-Term Fertilization Regimes
Agronomy
X-ray computed tomography
3D pore structure
soil columns
soil aggregates
Southern China
title Micro-CT Analysis of Pore Structure in Upland Red Soil Under Different Long-Term Fertilization Regimes
title_full Micro-CT Analysis of Pore Structure in Upland Red Soil Under Different Long-Term Fertilization Regimes
title_fullStr Micro-CT Analysis of Pore Structure in Upland Red Soil Under Different Long-Term Fertilization Regimes
title_full_unstemmed Micro-CT Analysis of Pore Structure in Upland Red Soil Under Different Long-Term Fertilization Regimes
title_short Micro-CT Analysis of Pore Structure in Upland Red Soil Under Different Long-Term Fertilization Regimes
title_sort micro ct analysis of pore structure in upland red soil under different long term fertilization regimes
topic X-ray computed tomography
3D pore structure
soil columns
soil aggregates
Southern China
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/11/2668
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AT dongchuli microctanalysisofporestructureinuplandredsoilunderdifferentlongtermfertilizationregimes
AT xinhuapeng microctanalysisofporestructureinuplandredsoilunderdifferentlongtermfertilizationregimes
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