The influence of different soil treatments and and cover crop on hydrophysical properties of the soil profile

David Kwesi Abebrese, MSc

Disertační práce

Abstract:

The scientific publications and manuscript presented in this thesis document comprise research activities spanning between 2020 and 2024 and linked to the established hypotheses and objectives they sought to explore under the research topic. Established scientific protocols were followed throughout all the methodologies to achieve comprehensive and representative findings. In terms of soil treatments, four different tillage practices were investigated, and their variations on soil physicochemical properties such as dry bulk density, soil organic matter, hydraulic conductivity, soil moisture content, pH, and electrical conductivity were reported. Wastewater from two different treatment procedures was also experimented on crops to estimate the effects on soil physicochemical properties and crop yield. All the procedures used are detailed and reproducible and thus can be referenced for further studies. The research from these studies draws from a comprehensive data source, consisting of field and laboratory experiments, remote sensing datasets, and statistical evaluations to derive meaningful conclusions. The findings from this study serve as an insightful piece for agriculture within the territory of the Czech Republic, especially now, as the government pushes for more conservative practices on farmlands across the country. The thesis is composed of the following papers: Abebrese, D.K., Matula, S. & Báťková, K. (2023). Relating Immediate Changes in Bulk Density to Changes in Hydraulic Properties on a Silty Clay Loam Under Different Tillage Systems in the Czech Republic. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 23, 819–830. Abebrese, D. K., Kara, R. S., Báťková, K., Biney, J. K. M., & Matula, S. (2024). Assessing the effects of different tillage systems on selected physical and chemical properties of a silty clay loam soil under different field conditions in the Czech Republic. Soil Use and Management, 40, e13007. Abebrese, D.K., Matula, S., Báťková, K., Kara, R. S., & Miháliková, M. Contrasting long-term tillage treatments and their spatio-temporal effects on soil physicochemical signatures in a cropping season under temperate conditions. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. (Under Revision) Abebrese, D. K., Biney, J. K. M., Kara, R. S., Báťková, K., Houška, J., Matula, S., Badreldin, N., Truneh, L. A., & Shawula, T. A. (2024). Estimating the spatial distribution of soil volumetric water content in an agricultural field employing remote sensing and other auxiliary data under different tillage management practices. Soil Use and Management, 40, e12981. Ofori, S., Abebrese D. K., Růžičková, I., & Wanner, J. (2024). Reuse of Treated Wastewater for Crop Irrigation: Water Suitability, Fertilization Potential, and Impact on Selected Soil Physicochemical Properties. Water, 16(3):484.

Keywords

Soil tillage, Hydrophysical properties, Soil organic matter, Remote Sensing, Treated Wastewater

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 25. 9. 2024

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedoucí: prof. Ing. Svatopluk Matula, CSc.
• Oponent: Radim Vácha, externi, Peter Šurda, externi, Jozef Kobza, externi

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Fakulta agrobiologie, potravinových a přírodních zdrojů

Doktorský studijní program / obor:
Agricultural Specialization / Exploitation and Protection of Natural Resources