THE EFFECTS OF ORGANIC AMENDMENTS ON SOIL WATER RETENTION CHARACTERISTICS UNDER CONVENTIONAL TILLAGE SYSTEM

Soil physical quality attributes such as pore distribution, water holding capacity, aggregation, and bulk density can be manipulated by enriching soil organic matter content. Addition of organic materials with differing origins is therefore efficient and environmentally friendly agricultural practice. The aims of this study were to test the effects biosolids (BS) and farmyard manure (FYM) application on water retention characteristics, bulk density and available water content of apple orchard soil under conventional tillage (CT) practice. FYM treatment performed better for the measured traits. Water holding capacities around wilting point and around field capacity were apparently improved and a net increase in plant available water holding capacity was obtained by organic matter treatments. We can therefore conclude that the organic matter incorporation into soil can increase the response of a soil against extreme water condition such as drought and floods.