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How to measure soil quality? A case study conducted on cropland in the Czech Republic

Author

Listed:
  • Lenka Pavlů
  • Jiří Balík

    (Department of Agroenvironmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic)

  • Simona Procházková

    (Department of Agroenvironmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic)

  • Ivana Galušková

    (Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic)

  • Luboš Borůvka

    (Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic)

Abstract

This work presents the advantages and risks of selected soil quality criteria using data from the monitoring of agricultural soils in the Czech Republic. Soil samples were taken from 71 sites covering various soil types. Basic soil parameters and mid-infrared spectra were measured. Indicators describing the quality of soil organic matter (SOM), and soil were calculated. The results show that soil types differ significantly in the qualitative indicators of soil organic matter. More acidic soils with lower clay content contain lower proportions of aromatic and higher proportions of aliphatic organic compounds than neutral soils with higher clay particles content. These soils differ little in total carbon content and C/N ratio but considerably in C/clay ratio. Cambisols are the least degraded soils in the Czech Republic in terms of C/clay ratio, which is controversial in many respects. The results indicate that more aliphatic organic matter is important for the SOM content in the upper part of the agricultural soil, and more aromatic organic matter is mainly bound to the clay fraction. The results raise questions about the suitability of uniform C/clay target values proposed in European legislation as a criterion for assessing soil degradation due to carbon loss.

Suggested Citation

  • Lenka Pavlů & Jiří Balík & Simona Procházková & Ivana Galušková & Luboš Borůvka, 2024. "How to measure soil quality? A case study conducted on cropland in the Czech Republic," Soil and Water Research, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 19(4), pages 229-243.
    • Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlswr:v:19:y:2024:i:4:id:118-2024-swr
    DOI: 10.17221/118/2024-SWR
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Johannes Lehmann & Markus Kleber, 2015. "The contentious nature of soil organic matter," Nature, Nature, vol. 528(7580), pages 60-68, December.
    2. Lenka Pavlů & Jiří Balík & Simona Procházková & Petra Vokurková & Ivana Galušková & Ondřej Sedlář, 2023. "Soil organic matter quality of variously managed agricultural soil in the Czech Republic evaluated using DRIFT spectroscopy," Soil and Water Research, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 18(4), pages 281-291.
    3. Lenka PAVLŮ & Marcela MÜHLHANSELOVÁ, 2018. "Differences in humic acids structure of various soil types studied by DRIFT spectroscopy," Soil and Water Research, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 13(1), pages 29-35.
    4. Jakub Prudil & Lubica Pospíšilová & Tamara Dryšlová & Gabriela Barančíková & Vladimír Smutný & Luboš Sedlák & Pavel Ryant & Petr Hlavinka & Miroslav Trnka & Ján Halas & Štefan Koco & Jozef Takáč & Kat, 2023. "Assessment of carbon sequestration as affected by different management practices using the RothC model," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 69(11), pages 532-544.
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