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Enhancing Soil Resilience to Climate Change: Long-Term Effects of Organic Amendments on Soil Thermal and Physical Properties in Tea-Cultivated Ultisols

Author

Listed:
  • Duminda N. Vidana Gamage

    (Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka)

  • Thilanjana Peiris

    (Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka)

  • Isuru Kasthuriarachchi

    (Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka)

  • Keerthi M. Mohotti

    (Tea Research Institute, Talawakelle 22100, Sri Lanka)

  • Asim Biswas

    (School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada)

Abstract

This study examined the impact of the long-term application (25 years) of tea waste (TW), compost (COM), and neem oil cake (NOC) compared to conventional synthetic fertilizers (CONV) on soil thermal and physical properties of a tea-cultivated Ultisol. Soil samples were collected from 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm depths of an experimental site of the Tea Research Institute in Sri Lanka. These samples were analyzed for soil thermal conductivity (k), volumetric heat capacity (C), thermal diffusivity (D), bulk density (BD), aggregate stability, soil organic carbon (SOC), and volumetric water contents at 0 kPa (θ 0 ) and 10 kPa (θ 10 ). TW and COM significantly ( p < 0.05) increased surface SOC, leading to better aggregation, lower BD, and, consequently, a substantial reduction in k and D compared to CONV plots. Further, TW and COM amendments slightly increased C compared to CONV plots due to elevated SOC and water content. However, NOC had no impact on soil thermal and physical properties compared to CONV. The reduced thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity indicated an improved soil capacity to buffer extreme temperature fluctuations. Moreover, soils treated with TW and COM exhibited greater water retention and improved soil resistance to erosion. The findings suggest that the long-term application of tea waste and compost could be a sustainable soil management strategy for improving soil health and enhancing resilience to climate change in tea-cultivated Ultisols.

Suggested Citation

  • Duminda N. Vidana Gamage & Thilanjana Peiris & Isuru Kasthuriarachchi & Keerthi M. Mohotti & Asim Biswas, 2025. "Enhancing Soil Resilience to Climate Change: Long-Term Effects of Organic Amendments on Soil Thermal and Physical Properties in Tea-Cultivated Ultisols," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:1184-:d:1581823
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ben Bond-Lamberty & Vanessa L. Bailey & Min Chen & Christopher M. Gough & Rodrigo Vargas, 2018. "Globally rising soil heterotrophic respiration over recent decades," Nature, Nature, vol. 560(7716), pages 80-83, August.
    2. Manuel Matisic & Ivan Dugan & Igor Bogunovic, 2024. "Challenges in Sustainable Agriculture—The Role of Organic Amendments," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-25, April.
    3. Ananda, Jayanath & Herath, Gamini & Chisholm, Anthony H., 2001. "Determination of yield and erosion damage functions using subjectively elicited data: application to smallholder tea in Sri Lanka," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 45(2), pages 1-15.
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