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Soil thermal, physical, and chemical responses to low-rank coal amendment in saline-sodic conditions: biomass outcomes
Dinámica térmica, física y química de suelo salino-sódico tratado con carbón de bajo rango: implicaciones en biomasa vegetal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15446/rfnam.v79.119944Keywords:
Soil salinization, Sodicity, Organic amendments, Soil thermal properties, Aggregate stability, Lignite (en)Salinización del suelo, Sodicidad, Enmiendas orgánicas, Propiedades térmicas del suelo, Estabilidad de agregados, Lignito (es)
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Soil salinization is a major constraint to agricultural productivity in the Caribbean region of Colombia. Low-rank coals (LRC), characterized by their high humic acid content, have been proposed as amendments capable of improving the physical and chemical conditions of degraded soils; however, their influence on soil thermal conductivity, a key property governing heat flow, soil microclimate, and plant performance, remains poorly understood. This study assessed the thermal, physical, and chemical responses of saline-sodic soils in Cesar following LRC application. A field experiment was conducted using three LRC application rates: 0, 2, and 4 t ha⁻¹. Measurements included thermal conductivity, soil physical and chemical properties, and plant biomass. Based on the results, LRC significantly decreased soil thermal conductivity by 36%, from 1.25 to 0.60 W m-1 K-1 (P<0.05), while increasing organic matter, aggregate stability, and porosity. Significant reductions (P<0.05) were also observed in pH, electrical conductivity, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Plant biomass increased by 200%, from 1 g to 9 g (P<0.05), indicating a strong positive response under saline-sodic conditions. Correlation analyses indicated a negative association between aggregate content and thermal conductivity and a positive association between bulk density and thermal conductivity. Overall, the results suggest that LRC improves soil physical and chemical conditions while modifying thermal behavior to enhance plant growth. This study provides evidence that LRC is an effective amendment capable of improving soil functionality and strengthening agricultural resilience in vulnerable regions.
La salinización del suelo limita significativamente la productividad agrícola en la región Caribe de Colombia. Los carbones de bajo rango (CBR), ricos en ácidos húmicos, se han propuesto como enmiendas capaces de mejorar las condiciones físicas y químicas de suelos degradados; sin embargo, su efecto sobre la conductividad térmica, propiedad clave para el flujo de calor, el microclima del suelo y el desarrollo vegetal, aún es poco conocido. Este estudio evaluó las respuestas térmicas, físicas y químicas de suelos salino-sódicos del Cesar tras la aplicación de CBR. Se desarrolló un experimento de campo con tres dosis: 0, 2 y 4 t ha-1. Se midieron conductividad térmica, propiedades físicas y químicas del suelo y biomasa vegetal. El CBR redujo la conductividad térmica en un 36%, de 1,25 a 0,60 W m-1 K-1 (P<0,05), y aumentó la materia orgánica, la estabilidad de agregados y la porosidad. También disminuyeron significativamente pH, conductividad eléctrica, relación de adsorción de sodio (SAR), porcentaje de sodio intercambiable (ESP) y capacidad de intercambio catiónico (CEC) (P<0,05). La biomasa vegetal aumentó un 200%, de 1 g a 9 g (P<0,05), evidenciando una respuesta positiva bajo condiciones salino-sódicas. Los análisis de correlación indicaron una relación negativa entre agregados y conductividad térmica, y positiva entre densidad aparente y conductividad térmica. En conjunto, los resultados sugieren que el CBR mejora las condiciones del suelo y su comportamiento térmico, favoreciendo el crecimiento vegetal y fortaleciendo la resiliencia agrícola en regiones vulnerables.
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