engleski

Investigating Soil-Water Electroconductivity Using a Sensor and Lysimeter Network in SUPREHILL Hillslope Observatory

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the electroconductivity (EC) of soil- water, and variable soil conditions in a hillslope vineyard. The investigations were performed at the SUPREHILL observatory (Croatia) during 2021. EC was monitored via sensors (TEROS 12, METER, USA) at the depth of 40 cm throughout the hillslope (top, middle, and bottom) in three repetitions. The sensors were accompanied by self-constructed passive wick lysimeters installed at the same depth and used to determine the EC of the lysimeter outflow. Additional sensor network equipment installed at each position (9) included: volumetric water content (TDR), soil-water potential, and soil temperature sensors. For a detailed perspective, mentioned sensors were also installed throughout a soil profile (15, 30, 50, 75, and 100 cm depth). Data analysis of leachate EC was performed with the analysis of variance using One-Way ANOVA, and the significance of differences was determined using Tukey's test at P<0.01. Correlation matrix revealed differences in relation to the hillslope position. The significant difference between leachate EC regarding the position on the slope was confirmed with the highest measured at the bottom of the slope (42.7 mS m-1). The highest coefficient of variation of sensor EC was found at the bottom of the hillslope (11.7 %), along with the highest soil moisture (0.42 cm3 cm-3). The highest coefficient of variation for EC in the soil profile was found at 75 cm depth (16.8 %). Higher leachate EC was related to lower lysimeter outflows. Performed investigations suggest that soil heterogeneity is present in relation to the hillslope position, while EC in the vineyard soil is significantly affected by the sloping.

EC ; moisture ; wick lysimeters ; TDR ; sloping

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