Characterization of physical, chemical and microstructure properties in the soft clay soil of the paddy field area

Muhammad Rendana, Wan Mohd Razi Idris, Sahibin Abdul Rahim, Zulfahmi Ali Rahman, Tukimat Lihan

Abstract

The soft clay soil has been categorized as infertile soil. The occurrence of soft clay soil in paddy field areas can decline soil quality and rice production. Therefore, to find the best technique for amending this soil, this study aimed to analyze the physical, chemical, and microstructure properties of the soft clay soil in the paddy field area. The soft clay soil samples were collected from two paddy blocks in Kedah, Malaysia. The physical and chemical properties of the soil were determined using the standard method in the laboratory. The microstructure properties were analyzed using Zeiss SUPRA 55VP microscopes. The results found that the soft clay soil was composed of silt – clay (> 90%) with the texture of silty clay. The soft clay soil was characterized by low values of organic matter (2.63-3.42%), pH (3.32-3.69), cation exchange capacity (6.89-8.72 cmolc kg-1), available P (0.14-0.41 mg kg-1), aggregate stability (16.53-17.78%), and hydraulic conductivity (0.17 cm hr-1). In contrast, it indicated high values of soil water content (42.24-43.21%), and exchangeable Na+ ions (2.48-2.50 cmolc kg-1). In addition, the analysis of heavy metals content revealed that their concentrations were below the critical level in the soil. The soft clay soil was largely governed by kaolinite minerals, and it had less compact structures with many large voids among soil aggregates. In conclusion, the quality of soft clay soil in the study area was poor with low physical and chemical parameters. The quality of the soil could be improved by the addition of soil amendments such as zeolite, cement, and other additive materials to absorb the excess water in the soil and increase the soil strength.

Keywords

Paddy soil; Kaolinite; Organic matter; Soft clay; Soil structure;

Full Text:

PDF

References

Abdeldjouad, L., Asadi, A., Nahazanan, H., Huat, B. B. K., Dheyab, W., & Elkhebu, A. G. (2019). Effect of Clay Content on Soil Stabilization with Alkaline Activation. International Journal of Geosynthetics and Ground Engineering, 5(1), 4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40891-019-0157-y

Abdi, E., Babapour, S., Majnounian, B., Amiri, G. Z., & Deljouei, A. (2018). How does organic matter affect the physical and mechanical properties of forest soil? Journal of Forestry Research, 29(3), 657-662. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-017-0494-4

Adesanwo, O. O., Ige, D. V., Thibault, L., Flaten, D., & Akinremi, W. (2013). Comparison of Colorimetric and ICP Methods of Phosphorus Determination in Soil Extracts. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 44(21), 3061-3075. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2013.832771

Ahmad, M. T., Khadzir, M. K., & Omar, M. F. Z. (2020). Performance of a Triangular Rubber Tracked Tractor in Paddy Fields. Advances in Agricultural and Food Research Journal, 1(2), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.36877/aafrj.a0000132

Al-Shammary, A. A. G., Kouzani, A. Z., Kaynak, A., Khoo, S. Y., Norton, M., & Gates, W. (2018). Soil Bulk Density Estimation Methods: A Review. Pedosphere, 28(4), 581-596. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1002-0160(18)60034-7

Bagarello, V., Di Prima, S., Iovino, M., & Provenzano, G. (2014). Estimating field-saturated soil hydraulic conductivity by a simplified Beerkan infiltration experiment. Hydrological Processes, 28(3), 1095-1103. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.9649

Besalatpour, A. A., Ayoubi, S., Hajabbasi, M. A., Mosaddeghi, M. R., & Schulin, R. (2013). Estimating wet soil aggregate stability from easily available properties in a highly mountainous watershed. CATENA, 111, 72-79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2013.07.001

Bottinelli, N., Angers, D. A., Hallaire, V., Michot, D., Le Guillou, C., Cluzeau, D., Heddadj, D., & Menasseri-Aubry, S. (2017). Tillage and fertilization practices affect soil aggregate stability in a Humic Cambisol of Northwest France. Soil and Tillage Research, 170, 14-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2017.02.008

Carrijo, D. R., Akbar, N., Reis, A. F. B., Li, C., Gaudin, A. C. M., Parikh, S. J., Green, P. G., & Linquist, B. A. (2018). Impacts of variable soil drying in alternate wetting and drying rice systems on yields, grain arsenic concentration and soil moisture dynamics. Field Crops Research, 222, 101-110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2018.02.026

da Silva, Y. J. A. B., do Nascimento, C. W. A., & Biondi, C. M. (2014). Comparison of USEPA digestion methods to heavy metals in soil samples. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 186(1), 47-53. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-013-3354-5

Farahani, E., Emami, H., Keller, T., Fotovat, A., & Khorassani, R. (2018). Impact of monovalent cations on soil structure. Part I. Results of an Iranian soil. International Agrophysics, 32(1), 57-67. https://doi.org/10.1515/intag-2016-0091

Ghorbani, M., Asadi, H., & Abrishamkesh, S. (2019). Effects of rice husk biochar on selected soil properties and nitrate leaching in loamy sand and clay soil. International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 7(3), 258-265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2019.05.005

Hore, R., Chakraborty, S., Bari, M. F., Shuvon, A. M., & Ansary, M. A. (2020). Soil Zonation and The Shaking Table Test of The Embankment on Clayey Soil. Geosfera Indonesia(2), 196-209%V 195. https://doi.org/10.19184/geosi.v5i2.17873

Jensen, J. L., Schjønning, P., Watts, C. W., Christensen, B. T., Peltre, C., & Munkholm, L. J. (2019). Relating soil C and organic matter fractions to soil structural stability. Geoderma, 337, 834-843. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2018.10.034

Jin, Z., Chen, C., Chen, X., Jiang, F., Hopkins, I., Zhang, X., Han, Z., Billy, G., & Benavides, J. (2019). Soil acidity, available phosphorus content, and optimal biochar and nitrogen fertilizer application rates: A five-year field trial in upland red soil, China. Field Crops Research, 232, 77-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2018.12.013

Johannes, A., Matter, A., Schulin, R., Weisskopf, P., Baveye, P. C., & Boivin, P. (2017). Optimal organic carbon values for soil structure quality of arable soils. Does clay content matter? Geoderma, 302, 14-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2017.04.021

Kabata-Pendias, A. (2011). Trace Elements in Soils and Plants (4th ed.). Boca Raton, FL, USA: CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0014479711000743

Kim Huat, B. (2010). Problematic soils in search for solution. Serdang: UPM Press. ISBN: 978-967-344-150-1.

Li, H., Xu, W., Dai, M., Wang, Z., Dong, X., & Fang, T. (2019). Assessing heavy metal pollution in paddy soil from coal mining area, Anhui, China. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 191(8), 518. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-019-7659-x

Li, M.-G., Zhang, Z.-J., Chen, J.-J., Wang, J.-H., & Xu, A.-J. (2017). Zoned and staged construction of an underground complex in Shanghai soft clay. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 67, 187-200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2017.04.016

Lin, B., & Cerato, A. B. (2014). Applications of SEM and ESEM in Microstructural Investigation of Shale-Weathered Expansive Soils along Swelling-Shrinkage Cycles. Engineering Geology, 177, 66-74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2014.05.006

Low, W. W., Wong, K. S., & Lee, J. L. (2018). Risk assessment framework on time impact: Infrastructure projects in soft soil during construction stage. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 344, 012022. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899x/344/1/012022

Metson, A. J. (1956). Methods of chemical analysis for soil survey samples. New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

Moreno-Barriga, F., Díaz, V., Acosta, J. A., Muñoz, M. Á., Faz, Á., & Zornoza, R. (2017). Organic matter dynamics, soil aggregation and microbial biomass and activity in Technosols created with metalliferous mine residues, biochar and marble waste. Geoderma, 301, 19-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2017.04.017

Nasir, R. M., Su, A. M., Yahya, A., Nawi, N. M., & Wagiman, N. (2019, 21 March). Soil Compaction Effects of Rubber-Wheel Tractors and Half-Track Tractors in Rice Cultivation. Konvensyen Kebangsaan Kejuruteraan Pertanian dan Makanan 2019, Wisma Tani, Kementerian Pertanian Malaysia, Putrajaya.

Nordin, M. N., Abd Hamid, A., Sharu, E. H., Sulaiman, A. S. S., & Isa, M. F. (2014). Kaedah penggantian tanah untuk meningkatkan kekuatan struktur tanah di kawasan tanah jerlus. Jurnal Teknologi, 70(6), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.11113/jt.v70.3536

Nu, N. T., Toan, D. M., Phi, H. T., & Son, B. T. (2020). Determination of Particles and Minerals Content in Soft Clay Soil of the Mekong Delta Coastal Provinces, Southern Vietnam for Inorganic Adhesives Stabilization. Iraqi Journal of Science, 61(4), 791-804. https://doi.org/10.24996/ijs.2020.61.4.11

Paramananthan, S. (2013). Managing marginal soils for sustainable growth of oil palms in the tropics. Journal of Oil Palm, Environment and Health (JOPEH), 4, 1-15. https://www.jopeh.com.my/index.php/jopecommon/article/view/60

Qaswar, M., Yiren, L., Jing, H., Kaillou, L., Mudasir, M., Zhenzhen, L., Hongqian, H., Xianjin, L., Jianhua, J., Ahmed, W., Dongchu, L., & Huimin, Z. (2020). Soil nutrients and heavy metal availability under long-term combined application of swine manure and synthetic fertilizers in acidic paddy soil. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 20(4), 2093-2106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-020-02576-5

Rahim, F. H. A., & Abidin, N. Z. (2018). The Impact of Price Subsidy on Rice Self-Sufficiency Level in Malaysia: A System Dynamics Approach. The Journal of Social Sciences Research, 801-806: 806. https://ideas.repec.org/a/arp/tjssrr/2018p801-806.html

Rendana, M., Idris, W. M. R., Abdul Rahim, S., Ali Rahman, Z., & Lihan, T. (2020). Potential of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index for Mapping of Soft Clay Area in Paddy Fields of Kedah, Malaysia [Normalized Difference Vegetation Index; Paddy cultivation; Remote sensing; Soft clay]. 2020, 52(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.22146/ijg.43617

Rendana, M., Idris, W. M. R., Rahim, S. A., Rahman, Z. A., Lihan, T., & Jamil, H. (2018). Reclamation of acid sulphate soils in paddy cultivation area with organic amendments. AIMS Agriculture and Food, 3(3), 358-371. https://doi.org/10.3934/agrfood.2018.3.358

Sahibin, A., Razi, I. W. M., Lihan, T., Jamil, H., Rendana, I. M., Asmadi, I., & Rahman, Z. A. (2016). Effects of hasil tani organic compound product (htoc) on the physico-chemical properties of paddy soils in MADA. Proceeding of the Soil Science Conference of Malaysia,

Sato, J. H., Figueiredo, C. C. d., Marchão, R. L., Madari, B. E., Benedito, L. E. C., Busato, J. G., & Souza, D. M. d. (2014). Methods of soil organic carbon determination in Brazilian savannah soils. Scientia Agricola, 71(4), 302-308. https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-9016-2013-0306

Shah, A. N., Tanveer, M., Shahzad, B., Yang, G., Fahad, S., Ali, S., Bukhari, M. A., Tung, S. A., Hafeez, A., & Souliyanonh, B. (2017). Soil compaction effects on soil health and cropproductivity: an overview. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24(11), 10056-10067. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8421-y

Shamshiri, R. R., Ibrahim, B., Ahmad, D., Man, H. C., & Wayayok, A. (2018). An overview of the system of rice intensification for paddy fields of Malaysia. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 11, 18. https://doi.org/10.17485/ijst/2018/v11i18/104418

Šinkovičová, M., Igaz, D., Kondrlová, E., & Jarošová, M. (2017). Soil Particle Size Analysis by Laser Diffractometry: Result Comparison with Pipette Method. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 245, 072025. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899x/245/7/072025

Teutscherova, N., Vazquez, E., Masaguer, A., Navas, M., Scow, K. M., Schmidt, R., & Benito, M. (2017). Comparison of lime- and biochar-mediated pH changes in nitrification and ammonia oxidizers in degraded acid soil. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 53(7), 811-821. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-017-1222-0

Trueman, A. M., McLaughlin, M. J., Mosley, L. M., & Fitzpatrick, R. W. (2020). Composition and dissolution kinetics of jarosite-rich segregations extracted from an acid sulfate soil with sulfuric material. Chemical Geology, 543, 119606. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2020.119606

Wasoontharawat, M. (2017). Isolation and screening phosphoric solubilizing bacteria from organic anthill fertilizer and phosphorus release capacity. SNRU Journal of Science and Technology, 9(2), 454-464. https://ph01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/snru_journal/article/view/93306

Yang, J., Wang, J., Qiao, P., Zheng, Y., Yang, J., Chen, T., Lei, M., Wan, X., & Zhou, X. (2020). Identifying factors that influence soil heavy metals by using categorical regression analysis: A case study in Beijing, China. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 14(3), 37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-019-1216-2

Zhu, G., Deng, L., & Shangguan, Z. (2018). Effects of soil aggregate stability on soil N following land use changes under erodible environment. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 262, 18-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2018.04.012

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.