Impact of Agricultural Practices on Soil Pore System Parameters and Physical Soil Quality in New Reclaimed Land

Abstract

SOIL physical quality estimation is vital for enhancing crop yield, water productivity, and sustainable land management. The objective of this study was to compare soil physical quality estimated by an indirect approach using the S-index with a direct approach using the Soil Physical Quality Index (SQIP) under various agricultural management practices. Soil physical quality was assessed using both the S-index and SQIP. The results demonstrate that crop type, tillage practices, and long-term management significantly influence soil hydraulic properties, including porosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), and water retention. sugar beet cultivation under conventional tillage (CT) improved pore size distribution, reduced bulk density, and enhanced organic matter content, leading to optimal water infiltration and retention. In contrast, no-tillage (NT) practices in crops like faba bean resulted in lower macroporosity and reduced Ks, potentially limiting soil water retention and crop productivity. These findings were supported by higher S-index and SQIP values, along with improved pore structure and increased Ks. Strong correlations between the S-index and pore properties (macroporosity: r = 0.850, microporosity: r = 0.759, mesoporosity: r = 0.677) indicate that pore size distribution can effectively predict the S-index through multiple regression analysis. The study concludes that the S-index, together with SQIP, is a reliable indicator of soil physical quality, emphasizing the importance of sustainable agricultural practices for maintaining and improving soil quality.