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Wayne F. TruterPh.D., M.Sc.Agric, B.Sc.Agric. Pri. Sci. Nat. MGSSA, IAEA
Integrated Agricultural / Environmental Systems Scientist Programme Director: Centre of Environmental Studies (CFES) - Land Reclamation
Forage, Pasture & Land Reclamation Science GroupDepartment of Plant and Soil Sciences
University of Pretoria
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THE FUNDAMENTALS
How to prepare soil for the effective growth of plants
Water management for plants
Challenges for growing plants on contaminated soil
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How to prepare soil for the effective growth of plants
Water management for plants
Challenges for growing plants on contaminated soil
Challenges for growing plants on contaminated soil
Water management for plants
How to prepare soil for the effective growth of plants
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THE FUNDAMENTALS
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Land capability classes of South Africa
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AGRICULTURE
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MINING
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MINING
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AGRICULTURE / CONSERVATION
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AGRICULTURE / CONSERVATION
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DEGRADED / CONTAMINATED LAND
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DEGRADED / CONTAMINATED LAND
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UNDERSTANDING ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION !!!!
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WHAT IS ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION ???
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WHAT IS ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION ???
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WHAT IS AGROECOSYSTEM FUNCTION ???
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Soil CarbonSequestration
Carbon InputAtmospheric
CO2
Plantrespiration
Animalrespiration
Soil respiration
Photosynthesis
Soilorganisms
Soilorganicmatter
DissolvedCO
in water2
Leachate
AtmosphericN2
Mineralization
Denitrification
BiologicalN fixation
Carbonateminerals
Fossil fuels
CO2
NN ON
2
2
O
NHvolatilization
3
NHfixation
4
Plantuptake
Fertilizer
ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION
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THE COUPLED CYCLING OF H20, C,N,P,S AND THE ECOSYSTEM
SERVICES GENERATED (Lal, 2010)
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Biogeochemical processes
(ecosystem function)
ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION
Environmental drivers (e.g. DOM, 02, temp, pH, etc.)
Species Composition(Ecosystem structure)
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Disturbance
Producer species
Consumer species
Decomposer speciesClimate
Physicochemical
Primary ProductionSecondary Production
Carbon sequestrationCarbon cyclingNutrient cycling
Abiotic drivers Biodiversity Ecosystem function
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Mean annual precipitation – wettest year in 10 years
Climate
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Mean annual precipitation – driest year in 10 years
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Mean annual atmospheric temp
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Generalised soil organic carbon of virgin top soils
Physicochemical properties
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Total depth to plant available water
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Land capability classes
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CHEMICAL
HEALTHIER SOIL
PHYSICAL
BIOLOGICAL
SUSTAINABLE PLANT GROWTH
Soil pHElectrical conductivityFertility
Bulk densityInfiltration rateWater holding capacity
PLANT GROWTH RESPONSES
Biomass productionBotanical compositionBasal cover
Microbial activity
SOIL PROPERTIES
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Soil Handling
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Soil preservation
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SOIL DYNAMICS
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NRCS (USDA)
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Soil Physical Properties
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Water infiltration rate
Soil Science Society of America: Colorado State Extension
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Soil water holding capacity
Soil Science Society of America
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Soil structure
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Soil cover / root mass / soil carbon relationships
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Soil strength
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Soil organic matter / soil organic carbon
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BiologicalChemical
Physical
TOTALOC
• Energy for biological processes
• Large storage of nutrients
• Improves soil resilience
• Mulching reduces water / soil loss
• Buffers soil temperature
• Buffers pH
• Complexes cations
• Immobilises pollutants
• Binds heavy metals
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• Improves soil structural stability• Influences water retention
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Soil organic matter / Soil temperature relationship
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Soil pH / Soil organic matter relationship
Blaskó Lajos (2008)
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0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
00.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9
1
Control Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Car
bon
%
upg
FDA
hydr
olyz
ed/ g
soi
l / m
inMicrobial Activity Carbon %
Root mass (kg/ha)Root mass (kg/ha)
Root mass / Soil carbon / Soil microbial activity relationship
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Healthy soil microbiology (i.e. prescence of mychorhiza etc.)
Legumes pastures can fixate between:
75 – 350 kg / Nitrogen ha‐1
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Soil Chemical Properties
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Soil Chemical Properties
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Reclamation practices
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Reclamation practice
Soil preparation
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Reclamation practice
Landscaping
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Soil amelioration
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SOIL FACTOR TREATMENT
Acidic soils Alkaline treatmentsImprove nutrient status FertilizationSoil organic matter Compost / ManuringImprove bulk density Compost / ManuringRelieve compaction Mechanical rippingImprove microbial
populationCompost / Manuring
Improve microbial population
Improve soil chemical / physical properties
Amelioration Strategies
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Reclamation practice
Re‐vegetation
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Biomes of South Africa
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VEGETATION BIOME
Agricultural Function Ecological Function
SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURITY
Biodiversity
Landscape Function
PROTEIN Production
Cultivated Pastures
CROP & FIBRE Production
Natural Grazing
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Natural Grazing
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• Improves soil health through:– Providing the soil with
• Organic matter • Above ground (Litter / green manure)
• Below ground (Roots)• Nutrients• Food for micro organisms –(improving nutrient use efficiency)
FUNCTION OF VEGETATION
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FUNCTION OF VEGETATION
• Alleviates surface crusting / compacted underground layers (Deep rooted crops)
• Soil moisture conservation – Better infiltration
– Less evaporation
• Good quality roughage / green manure production
• Weed control
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• Slope Stabilization – Deep rooting vegetation– Vigorous root systems
• Surface stabilization– Creeping species– Vigorous root systems
• Waterways (drainage channels)– Creeping species– Tolerant of waterlogged periods
FUNCTION OF VEGETATION
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• Factors that contribute to stand failure– Seedbed not fine enough– Depth of sowing (to deep or to shallow)– Time of sowing– No rolling– To much fertilizer (seed burn)– Poor quality seed– Low seeding rate– Poor soil condition (acid soils)– Seed coat maybe
• Impenetrable for water and oxygen• To hard for seedling to get through
– Seed maybe to fresh– Germination inhibiting substances present– Not enough oxygen in the soil– Temperature unfavorable– Crust formation
Revegetation
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• Factors determining seeding success– Seed size– Weight of seed– Seed form – light fluffy seeds– Growth form of plant– Method of seeding– Row spacing– Seed viability (Germination %)– Purity of seed (certified)– Planting objective– Irrigation– Soil moisture content– Seedbed condition– Soil fertility
Revegetation ‐ Seeding
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• Factors that determine when to revegetate– The crop
• Annuals vs perennial
• Temeperate vs sub-tropical
– Length of growing season
– Lowveld vs Highveld
(Height above sea level)
– Degree of weed infestation
– Distribution of rainfall
Revegetation
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• Factors that facilitate establishment– Mulching
• Limits moisture losses
• Creates favourable microclimate
• Prevents crust formation
• Enhances germination
– Nurse / cover crops (Leys)
• Areas with harsh winters, hot summers, weeds
• Annual crops
• Protects young seedling
• Harvest before blocks out light
Revegetation
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Revegetation – Vegetative
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Soil water balance
ET = P + I – R – Dr ‐∆θ(Pennman Monteith Equation)
ET = Evapotranspiration (mm)P = Precipitation (mm)I = Irrigation (mm)R = Runoff (mm)Dr = Drainage (mm)∆θ = Difference in soil water content (mm)
Water Management
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CROP WATER REQUIREMENTS
ET = Kc ETo
Where:ETc ‐ crop evapotranspiration [mm d‐1]Kc ‐ crop coefficient [dimensionless]ETo ‐ reference crop evapotranspiration [mm d‐1]
Water use efficiency (WUE) = Dry matter yield (kg DM ha‐1 )
ETc (mm)
= kg (DM / CP) ha‐1 mm‐1
PAR – Photosynthetic Active Radiation
LAI = Leaf Area Index
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The effect of different levels of N (0, 150, 300 and 450 kg N ha‐1) and time of defoliation (2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks) on the WUE of Italian ryegrass
(modified from Theron & van Rensburg, 1998).
CROP WATER USE EFFICENCY
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ATMOSPHERIC EVAPORATIVE DEMAND responsible for higher water requirement
Average water use should not be used25 mm.week-1X
CROP WATER MANAGEMENT
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Nutrient loss (Leaching)
Higher costs ton‐1 DM (certain times of year)
Under / over irrigation
Variable cutting cycles
Lower yields
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POST LAND RECLAMATION MANAGEMENT
New Agroecosystems
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Rehabilitation Target
Land Capability Classes
End Land Use
Vegetation Growth conditions
Soil /Substrate amelioration strategies
Vegetation selection
Soil handling /storage / reuse /
landscaping
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MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS“LAND CAPABILITY CLASSES”
ARABLECrop / Forage / Fibre
Production GRAZINGPlanted Pasture Grazing
WILDERNESS / CONSERVATION
Natural Rangeland Grazing
RECLAMATION PRINCIPLES
1. Soil Amelioration
2. Vegetation Establishment(Species selection)
3. Management
4. MONITORING
Harvesting
Grazing / Defoliation
Fertilization
Irrigation
Burning
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AGROECOSYSTEMSDIVERSIFIED LAND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
FEATURES
FUNCTION
SERVICES
FUNCTIONAL BIODIVERSITY
Synergies + biodiversity
Biological control
Pollination
Soil health
Water balance Productivity Microclimate
amelioration
Pest reduction< yield loss
Biological activity> SOM
< erosion< degradation
Moisture storage
infiltration
Yield stability
C sequestrationResiliency
Landscape diversity
Species diversity
Genetic diversity
Biomass production & recycling
Soil cover
Canopy stratification
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