Relationships between some soil properties and bulk density under different land use

Abstract

In this study, the changes of some soil physical and chemical properties were investigated under different land use conditions in Turhal, Turkey. Soil samples were collected from 0-20 cm depth from twenty four plots under eight different land uses which are sunflower, wheat, vegetable, orchard, sugar beet, meadow, pasture and alfalfa plants. Some soil properties where these plants are grown and their effects on the bulk density were investigated. The findings show that basic soil properties and practices related to plant management are effective on the bulk density. While the lowest mean bulk density value was determined in meadow (1.00 g cm-3) areas, the highest bulk density value was determined in soils cultivated with sugar beet (1.71 g cm-3). Correlations between the investigated parameters were tested with the use of Pearson’s correlation method. Bulk density and some soil parameters used in the evaluation of structural stability and sensitivity to erosion were found significant relationships.