Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Influence of Crop Phenology and Seasonality on Soil Conditions Across Depth Profiles

Ramona Bălc, Delia Gligor, Carmen Roba, Tiberius Dicu, Gheorghe Roşian, Laura Mico

Crops · 2025

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Summary

This field study characterises seasonal and depth-dependent variation in soil physico-chemical properties under three contrasting crops monitored over a six-month winter-spring period. The findings demonstrate distinct crop-mediated influences: maize maintained stable pH, triticale enhanced nitrite accumulation particularly at depth, and clover supported greater overall soil stability. The results suggest that crop-specific, depth-aware management approaches are necessary to optimise nutrient availability and microbial processes in agricultural soils.

UK applicability

The study's winter-to-spring monitoring window and temperate crop selection (clover, maize, triticale) are broadly relevant to UK farming systems. However, the geographic origin of the study is not specified in the abstract, so direct applicability to UK soil types, climate regimes, and management practices cannot be confirmed without additional information.

Key measures

Soil pH, redox potential (Eh), electrical conductivity (EC), and nitrite (NO2−) concentration measured monthly at four soil depths (0–20, 20–40, 40–60, 60–80 cm)

Outcomes reported

The study monitored monthly variation in soil pH, redox potential, electrical conductivity, and nitrite concentration across four soil depth profiles (0–80 cm) under three crop types—clover, maize, and triticale—from November to May. Results revealed crop-specific effects on soil stability, redox dynamics, and nitrogen cycling patterns over time and space.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Soil fertility & nutrient management
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Romania
System type
Arable cereals
DOI
10.3390/crops5050067
Catalogue ID
SNmov0fia4-nsrhhs

Topic tags

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