The Effects of Physico-Chemical Factors on Soil Crusting

The aim of this research was to determine crusting problems of the Konya-Sarıcalar research station soils and offer some recommendations for solution of its crusting. For this purpose three soil profiles were excavated in this area. Fifteen soil samples were collected from three different spots and five depths at the area, soil samples were analyzed to determine its physical and chemical properties and the results were interpreted by using statistical methods. According to these analysis, it was found positive relationship between modulus of rupture of the soil and %silt, porosity, soluble potassium in water but negative relationship between modulus of rupture and mass density, shrinkage limit, aggregate stability, exchangeable and soluble Ca+Mg in ammonium acetate. In the multiple regression analysis significant relationship was found between modulus of rupture and shrinkage limit + soluble Ca+Mg in ammonium acetate as 84% in the multiple regression analysis. As it is understood from the results of regression analysis, the variations in the modulus of rupture of research area’s soils can be explained by properties of shrinkage limit and the content of soluble Ca+Mg in ammonium acetate. Furthermore currently soil tillage practices have been affecting physical properties and aggregate stabilities of soil. As a result, it is required to increase the organic matter content and to reduce the agricultural practices to the minimum tillage in order to prevent the crusting problems in the research soils.