SOIL AND SUBSOIL MOISTURE ACCUMULATION DUE TO DRYLAND AGRICULTURE IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA

Abstract
Subsoil moisture accumulation due to cultivation and particularly summerfallowing is considered as an important causative agent of dryland salinity. However, few studies have been conducted to quantify the magnitude of this accumulation. The amount of additional moisture that had accumulated under cultivated land as compared to adjacent native prairie was determined at two sites in Southern Alberta. In comparison to noncultivated sites, a total of 74.0 cm of additional moisture was found under the cultivated area of a Dark Brown Chernozem and 36.2 cm under a Brown Chernozem to a depth of 6 m. Only relatively insignificant changes in salt content were found. Key words: Dryland salinity, soil moisture, soluble salts

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