Although, the potential of management induced changes of soil organic matter, soil hydraulic properties (SHPs) and soil physical quality has been studied particularly in relation to tillage, few studies have evaluated combined effect of tillage, crop residue retention and cropping sequence, which are essential components of conservation agriculture (CA), on stratification and storage of soil organic matter, its effect on near-saturated soil hydraulic properties and soil physical quality in intensive cereal based irrigated cropping systems. Hence, the present study critically analyses the effects of CA on organic matter and hydro-physical properties of soil in a long-term CA field trial in NWIGP, India, which is one of the most fragile agro-ecosystems in the world. The objectives were (I) to investigate the stratification of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), C/N ratio and evaluate SR as an indicator of storage of SOC and TN and soil quality for different CA practices, (II) to assess the long-term effect of CA practices and short-term effect of crops on near-saturated soil hydraulic conductivity and water transmission properties, and (III) to assess the effect of CA practices on soil physical quality using capacitive and dynamic indicators. There were four treatments: (1) conventionally tilled rice-wheat cropping system (CT-RW), (2) reduced till CA-based rice-wheat-mungbean system (RT-RWMB), (3) no-till CA-based rice-wheat-mungbean system (NT-RWMB), and (4) no-till CA-based maize-wheat-mungbean system (NT-MWMB). To achieve these objectives, soil bulk density, SOC and TN were measured in an increment of 5 cm up to 30 cm soil depth. Furthermore, the effects of CA were also evaluated in terms of soil hydro-physical properties. Soil physical properties such as bulk density and soil aggregate distribution were evaluated in two cropping seasons along with near saturated hydraulic properties. Steady state infiltration rates were obtained at four pressure heads by hood infiltrometer consecutively over two cropping seasons, i.e. during harvest season of rice/maize (October 2017) and maximum crop growth stage of wheat (February 2018). Data were analysed in terms of soil hydraulic conductivity, k(h), flow weighted mean pore radius (r0), hydraulically active porosity (ε) and threshold pore radius (rbp), a new pore measure indicative of macropore stability derived by substituting soil’s bubble pressure in the capillary equation. Finally, the effects of CA on soil physical quality in terms of both capacitive and dynamic indicators, derived from soil moisture retention curve and field measured hydraulic conductivity, respectively, were assessed and related with crop yield to infer which indicator better represented the soil physical quality and its effect on crop yield under irrigated intensive cereal based cropping systems. Results showed that CA had profound impacts on distribution of SOC and TN in the soil profile. Significantly higher proportion of both SOC and TN were observed in the top soil in the CA-based treatments as compared with conventional intensive tillage-based treatment. The mean stratification ratio of both SOC and TN were found > 2 in CA-based treatments whereas the same was < 2 in intensive tillage-based treatment. Storage of SOC and TN in the 0-30 cm were found higher in CA-based treatments as compared with the intensive tillage-based treatment. These results on vertical distribution and storage of SOC and TN indicated a relatively better soil carbon sequestration and soil quality in CA-based treatment. The higher concentrations and storage of soil organic matter in CA-based treatments were, however, not translated into significantly (p < 0.05) lower bulk density due to probable compaction effect of no-tillage and harvest machinery and hydraulic pressure exerted by the flooded irrigation water. However, the increased soil organic matter in the top soil in CA-based treatments improved the soil aggregation significantly which helped in enhancing soil structural quality. Improvement in soil structure was reflected in relatively higher near saturated hydraulic conductivity in CA-based treatments. Irrespective of crop seasons, higher k(h) was observed under CA due to formation of macropores with better continuity, greater size and numbers as compared with conventional intensive tillage treatment. Moreover, higher r0 values were observed for a given k(h) for CA treatments suggesting that interaggregate pores are the dominant pathways of infiltration in CA. A relatively smaller temporal variation of rbp was indicative of a more stable macropore system established by rice-based CA as compared with maize-based CA. CA also enhanced hydraulically active macropores as compared with intensive tillage based conventional agriculture. Results also indicated that crops play an important role in relative distribution of the hydraulically active macropores in the root zone. The impact of CA on soil organic matter stratification and soil hydraulic properties were found to be expressed in terms of changes in soil physical quality. Soil moisture retention curves and pore size distributions under different treatments suggested higher soil water storage in structural pores in CA as compared with intensive tillage-based conventional agriculture. The impact of CA on soil physical quality and consequent effect on crop yield was found to be more expressed through dynamic indicators such as hydraulically active porosity rather than capacitive indicators derived from soil moisture retention curve. Overall, this study reveals that conservation agriculture has great potentials to reverse the intensive tillage induced degradation of soil resources in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India by improving the soil hydro-physical properties and soil physical quality.:Table of Contents Declaration i Declaration of Conformity ii Acknowledgements iii Table of Contents v List of Figures vii List of Tables xi List of Symbols, Abbreviations and Acronyms xiv Abstract xvii 1 Introduction and Background 1 1.1 General Overview 1 1.2 Statement of the Research Problem 5 1.3 Objectives 6 1.4 Research Flow and Chapter Description 7 2 Materials and Methods 9 2.1 Study Area Description 9 2.1.1 Study site 9 2.1.2 Climate 9 2.1.3 Soil 10 2.1.4 Treatments 10 2.1.5 Field Campaigns and Measurement/Analysis 14 2.2 Methods and Theoretical Considerations 14 2.2.1 Soil Sampling and Analysis 14 2.2.1.1 Calculation of Stratification Ratio 15 2.2.1.2 Calculation of SOC and TN Storage 15 2.2.1.3 Aggregate Size Distribution 16 2.2.2 Infiltration Measurements 16 2.2.3 Soil Moisture Retention Experiments 17 2.2.4 Derivation of Hydraulic Properties from Steady State Infiltration Rates 18 2.2.4.1 Near-Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity 18 2.2.4.2 Flow Weighted Mean Pore Radius 20 2.2.4.3 Equivalent Threshold pore Radius 21 2.2.4.4 Hydraulically Active Porosity 21 2.2.5 Determiation of Soil Moisture Charachtristics and Pore Size Distribution 22 2.2.6 Derivation of Soil Physical Quality Indicators 23 2.3 Statistics 25 3 Results and Discussion 26 3.1 Stratification and Storage of Soil Organic Matter 26 3.1.1 Bulk Density 26 3.1.2 Concenrations of SOC 27 3.1.3 Concentrations of TN 28 3.1.4 C/N Ratio 29 3.1.5 Stratification Ratio of SOC, TN and C/N Ratio 30 3.1.6 Storage of SOC and TN 33 3.1.7 Discussion 34 3.1.8 Summary of Results 39 3.2 Soil Hydro-Physical Properties 40 3.2.1 Soil Physical Properties 40 3.2.2 Near-Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity 43 3.2.3 Soil Pore Characteristics-Conductivity Relationship 47 3.2.4 Hydrailically active Porosity 51 3.2.5 Summary of Results 54 3.3 Soil Physical Quality (SPQ) 56 3.3.1 Soil Moisture Retention Curve (SMRC) 56 3.3.2 Soil Pore Size Distribution (SPSD) 58 3.3.3 Capacitive Indicators 59 3.3.4 Dynamic Indicators 60 3.3.5 Relationship between capacitive indicators of SPQ with dynamic indicators of SPQ and long-term crop yield 60 3.3.6 Relationship between dynamic indicator of SPQ (hydraulically active porosity) and Long-term Crop Yield 62 3.3.7 Summary of Results 64 4 Synthesis and Conclusions 65 5 Implications and Outlook 69 References 71

Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar a variabilidade espacial e temporal do carbono no solo produzindo um mapa, sobre esse tema para toda a área da Estação Experimental de Mogi Mirim (EE Mogi Mirim), juntamente com a análise dos fluxos dos gases de efeito estufa (CO2, N2O e CH4) e a relação desses dois fenômenos com as variáveis do solo nos diferentes usos da terra. Para se alcançar objetivo proposto com relação aos estoques de carbono e avaliação das variáveis do solo foi feita a coleta e o prepara das amostras nas profundidades de 00 até 30 cm, foi feito o georreferenciamento e determinação dos teores de carbono, densidade do solo, calculo dos estoques de carbono e determinação da cor do solo. Por sua vez para o estudo e entendimento dos fluxos dos gases de efeito estufa (GEE), comparou-se um talhão considerado sem perturbação (Talhão 41) e a partir desse talhão avaliou-se comparativamente em uma seqüência com ambientes com histórico de uso da terra representativo da área com manejos. Os fluxos dos gases CO2, N2O e CH4 foram medidos utilizando-se câmaras estáticas. Nos resultados obtidos foi aplicada a estatística descritiva clássica e geoestatistica para avaliar a freqüência e distribuição dos dados. Resultados relativos as variáveis do solo mostram que praticamente a grande maioria tende a diminuir com a profundidade (Ca, soma das bases, CTC, acidez potencial e carbono). Por sua vez o pH é sempre muito alto nas 3 camadas e a saturação por bases e o magnésio são muito baixos e permanecem inalterados em todas as profundidades. A variabilidade espacial dos estoques de carbono possui características isotrópicas. Especificamente na profundidade 00 - 10 cm, o modelo teórico que melhor se ajustou foi o exponencial, na profundidade 10 - 20 cm foi o esférico e na profundidade 20 - 30 cm foi o exponencial. Os estoque de C na profundidade 00 10 cm, tiveram como média 22.8 ton C/ ha-1, sendo o maior valor de 42.9 ton C/há-1 e o menor valor de 10.3 ton C/há-1. Na profundidade 10 - 20cm, a média do estoque de carbono foi de 14.9 ton C/há-1, sendo o maior valor de 31.5 ton C/há-1 e o menor valor de 6.99 ton C/há-1. Na profundidade 20 -30 cm, a média do estoque de carbono foi de 11.45 ton C/há-1, sendo o maior valor de 25.28 ton C/há-1 e o menor valor de 6.3 ton C/há-1. Os resultados das análises dos fluxos do gás carbônico, como um todo mostra que a respiração do solo variou entre 75.3 e 164.4mgC m-2 h-1. Relativo aos fluxos de N2O os valores médios para as emissões variaram entre 8,85 e 51,94 \'mü\'gN m-2 h-1, enquanto que a absorção variou, entre -1,32 e - 4,59 \'mü\'gN m-2 h-1. Os resultados dos fluxos do gás metano médio ficaram entre 4,63 e 31,51 mgC m-2 h-1, enquanto que os valores de oxidação média ficaram entre -5,41 e -22,79 mgC m-2 h-1 / The aim here is to evaluate the spacial and transient variability of carbon in soil, producing a map about this subject for all the area of the Experimental Station of Mogi Mirim (Estação Experimental de Mogi Mirim EE Mogi Mirim), with the emissions analyzes of greenhouse gases effect (CO2, N2O e CH4), and the relation between these phenomenon with the soil variables in different uses of the land. In order to reach the proposed objective related to the carbon storages, and the variable evaluation of the soil, a sample collect and preparation were made at a depth from 00 to 30cm. It was also made the georeferencial and the carbon levels determination, density of soil, the estimate of carbon storages, and the determination of soil color. The study and understanding of the greenhouse gas emissions (GGF), a área considered without disturbing, and from it a comparative evaluation in a sequence of environments with historical land use representative of the management area. The CO2, N2O and CH4 gas emissions were measured by using static chambers. In the results obtained, it was applied the classic statistic description and geostatistics to evaluate the frequency and the distribution of data. Results related to the soil variables show that the major trend to decrease, according to the depth (Ca, sum of bases, CTC, potential acidity, and carbon). On the contrary, the pH is always very high in 3 layers, and the saturation for bases and the magnesium are very low, maintaining unchangeable in all depths. The variability of the carbon storages have isotropic characteristics. Specifically in depth 00 - 10cm, the theorical model that better adjusted was the exponential; in depth 10 - 20cm, it was the spherical, and in depth 20 - 30cm it was the exponential. The carbon storage in depth 00-10cm had as na average 22.8ton C / ha-1, being the highest value of 42.9 ton C/ha-1, and the lowest value of 10.3 ton C/ha-1. In depth 10 - 20 cm, the average of carbon storage was 14.9 ton C/ha-1, being the highest value of 31.5 ton C/ha-1, and the lower value of 6.99 ton C/ha-1. In depths of 20 - 30cm, the average of carbon storage was of 11.45 ton C/há-1, being the highest value of 25.28 ton C/ha-1, and the lowest of 6.3 ton C/ha-1 The analyze results of carbon gás emissions as a whole, shows that the soil breath varied between 75.3 e 164.4 . mgC m-2 h-1 . Regard to N2O emissions, the average values to emissions varied between 8.85 and 51.94 \'mü\'gN m-2 h-1, while the absorption varied, between -1.32 e - 4.59 \'mü\'gN m-2 h-1. The results of average methane gas were between 4.63 e 31.51 mgC m-2 h-1, while the average oxidation values were between -5.41 e -22.79 mgC m-2 h-1

Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar a variabilidade espacial e temporal do carbono no solo produzindo um mapa, sobre esse tema para toda a área da Estação Experimental de Mogi Mirim (EE Mogi Mirim), juntamente com a análise dos fluxos dos gases de efeito estufa (CO2, N2O e CH4) e a relação desses dois fenômenos com as variáveis do solo nos diferentes usos da terra. Para se alcançar objetivo proposto com relação aos estoques de carbono e avaliação das variáveis do solo foi feita a coleta e o prepara das amostras nas profundidades de 00 até 30 cm, foi feito o georreferenciamento e determinação dos teores de carbono, densidade do solo, calculo dos estoques de carbono e determinação da cor do solo. Por sua vez para o estudo e entendimento dos fluxos dos gases de efeito estufa (GEE), comparou-se um talhão considerado sem perturbação (Talhão 41) e a partir desse talhão avaliou-se comparativamente em uma seqüência com ambientes com histórico de uso da terra representativo da área com manejos. Os fluxos dos gases CO2, N2O e CH4 foram medidos utilizando-se câmaras estáticas. Nos resultados obtidos foi aplicada a estatística descritiva clássica e geoestatistica para avaliar a freqüência e distribuição dos dados. Resultados relativos as variáveis do solo mostram que praticamente a grande maioria tende a diminuir com a profundidade (Ca, soma das bases, CTC, acidez potencial e carbono). Por sua vez o pH é sempre muito alto nas 3 camadas e a saturação por bases e o magnésio são muito baixos e permanecem inalterados em todas as profundidades. A variabilidade espacial dos estoques de carbono possui características isotrópicas. Especificamente na profundidade 00 - 10 cm, o modelo teórico que melhor se ajustou foi o exponencial, na profundidade 10 - 20 cm foi o esférico e na profundidade 20 - 30 cm foi o exponencial. Os estoque de C na profundidade 00 10 cm, tiveram como média 22.8 ton C/ ha-1, sendo o maior valor de 42.9 ton C/há-1 e o menor valor de 10.3 ton C/há-1. Na profundidade 10 - 20cm, a média do estoque de carbono foi de 14.9 ton C/há-1, sendo o maior valor de 31.5 ton C/há-1 e o menor valor de 6.99 ton C/há-1. Na profundidade 20 -30 cm, a média do estoque de carbono foi de 11.45 ton C/há-1, sendo o maior valor de 25.28 ton C/há-1 e o menor valor de 6.3 ton C/há-1. Os resultados das análises dos fluxos do gás carbônico, como um todo mostra que a respiração do solo variou entre 75.3 e 164.4mgC m-2 h-1. Relativo aos fluxos de N2O os valores médios para as emissões variaram entre 8,85 e 51,94 \'mü\'gN m-2 h-1, enquanto que a absorção variou, entre -1,32 e - 4,59 \'mü\'gN m-2 h-1. Os resultados dos fluxos do gás metano médio ficaram entre 4,63 e 31,51 mgC m-2 h-1, enquanto que os valores de oxidação média ficaram entre -5,41 e -22,79 mgC m-2 h-1 / The aim here is to evaluate the spacial and transient variability of carbon in soil, producing a map about this subject for all the area of the Experimental Station of Mogi Mirim (Estação Experimental de Mogi Mirim EE Mogi Mirim), with the emissions analyzes of greenhouse gases effect (CO2, N2O e CH4), and the relation between these phenomenon with the soil variables in different uses of the land. In order to reach the proposed objective related to the carbon storages, and the variable evaluation of the soil, a sample collect and preparation were made at a depth from 00 to 30cm. It was also made the georeferencial and the carbon levels determination, density of soil, the estimate of carbon storages, and the determination of soil color. The study and understanding of the greenhouse gas emissions (GGF), a área considered without disturbing, and from it a comparative evaluation in a sequence of environments with historical land use representative of the management area. The CO2, N2O and CH4 gas emissions were measured by using static chambers. In the results obtained, it was applied the classic statistic description and geostatistics to evaluate the frequency and the distribution of data. Results related to the soil variables show that the major trend to decrease, according to the depth (Ca, sum of bases, CTC, potential acidity, and carbon). On the contrary, the pH is always very high in 3 layers, and the saturation for bases and the magnesium are very low, maintaining unchangeable in all depths. The variability of the carbon storages have isotropic characteristics. Specifically in depth 00 - 10cm, the theorical model that better adjusted was the exponential; in depth 10 - 20cm, it was the spherical, and in depth 20 - 30cm it was the exponential. The carbon storage in depth 00-10cm had as na average 22.8ton C / ha-1, being the highest value of 42.9 ton C/ha-1, and the lowest value of 10.3 ton C/ha-1. In depth 10 - 20 cm, the average of carbon storage was 14.9 ton C/ha-1, being the highest value of 31.5 ton C/ha-1, and the lower value of 6.99 ton C/ha-1. In depths of 20 - 30cm, the average of carbon storage was of 11.45 ton C/há-1, being the highest value of 25.28 ton C/ha-1, and the lowest of 6.3 ton C/ha-1 The analyze results of carbon gás emissions as a whole, shows that the soil breath varied between 75.3 e 164.4 . mgC m-2 h-1 . Regard to N2O emissions, the average values to emissions varied between 8.85 and 51.94 \'mü\'gN m-2 h-1, while the absorption varied, between -1.32 e - 4.59 \'mü\'gN m-2 h-1. The results of average methane gas were between 4.63 e 31.51 mgC m-2 h-1, while the average oxidation values were between -5.41 e -22.79 mgC m-2 h-1