Study of soil nutrients, physical and biological characteristics of paddy fields after lifting measures : A case study of China's Ganjiang region

Aim : Lifting measures combining stripping of soil surface with lifting of soil by stone and clay have been widely employed to solve land-flooding conflicts in water project construction. The aim of the present research was to demonstrate the physical, biological and nutrient characteristics of soil at different intervals after taking the lifting measures. Methodology : Considering farm field cultivation, thirty nine sites of three different kinds were selected to reflect the effect of construction of the Xiajiang Water Control Project on soil characteristics. Soils were collected to test the physical, chemical, and nutrient properties. Soil quality indices were combined with statistical analyses to evaluate the effect of the lifting measures. Results : After the lifting measures were employed, the quality of soil physical properties and nutrients, such as the level of soil moisture content, soil respiration intensity, soil organic carbon value and total nitrogen decreased significantly in the first year. Compared with non-lifted areas, both physical and chemical properties decreased to a certain degree. However, soil quality gradually recovered via continuous management and cultivation, and no significant difference between the lifted and non-lifted areas was observed after three years of cultivation based on the Integrated Fertility Index. Interpretation : Lifting measures can destroy the soil structure in the early stage and thus degrade the soil quality and nutrient cycles. Through scientific management and cultivation, soil physical and chemical properties could be gradually impact of titling measure on soil in China