Effect of tile drainage on soil temperature in heavy clay soils
PESAI
To assess the impact of tile spacing’s on soil temperature at two soil depths: 1 inch (seeding depth) and 6 inch (rooting depth) in spring.
This test in 2021 was a preliminary test. This project would be conducted again in 2022 with replicated measurements. Temperature measurements will be commenced around mid-April and will be continued during the seeding / plant establishment phase of the crops.
Removal of excess moisture or water in a waterlogged agricultural field facilitate timely field operations such as seeding and spray. Simultaneously, drainage either natural or artificial decreases heat capacity of the soil, raises soil temperature, thereby warms up and dries the soil quickly. Soil temperature governs the types and rates of chemical reactions in the soil. It also strongly influences biological processes, such as seed germination, seedling emergence and growth, root development, and microbial activity in the soil.
Tile drainage is considered an important agriculture practice to remove excess water or soil moisture from a waterlogged / saturated agricultural fields. Tile drainage practice is quite common in Mid-west and Northern Great Plains of United States. In Canada, this practice is common in Quebec and Ontario. In Manitoba, tile drainage is not common in Red River Basin. This region in Manitoba is a transition zone between humid climate of the east and arid climate to the west.