Resumen

NAVAS ROMERO, Ana L.; HERRERA MORATTA, Mario; MARTINEZ CARRETERO, Eduardo E.  y  FERNANDEZ BELMONTE, María C.. Influence of biological soil crust on the infiltration and moisture retention in different soil textures. Multequina [online]. 2021, vol.30, n.1, pp.17-30. ISSN 1852-7329.

The maximum use of water in arid systems is critical for the maintenance of the plant structure. Biological soil crusts can contribute to its maintenance and redistribution. Our objective was to determine the influence of biological soil crusts on infiltration and moisture retention in sites with different soil textures. The sampling was carried out in three sites belonging to the Monte Phytogeographic Province differentiated by the soil texture. Dominant biological soil crust samples were collected at each site. The saturation and subsequent weighing technique was used to determine their function as moisture retainers. To determine its effect on infiltration we used the method of Zaady et al. (1999). For the loam and loam-sandy textures, the crusts increased the infiltration rate, and the highest rate was presented by mosses. For the sandy texture, the impact of the crusts on the infiltration generated a reduction in the infiltration. In all textures, water loss was more abrupt in areas without crusts, and mosses held water longer. Biological soil crusts showed an important role in the redistribution of water, influencing infiltration and the persistence time of the water. The influence was determined by the dominant group and the soil texture. In systems where water limits productivity, water conservation and optimization become an advantage.

Palabras clave : Biological soil crusts; Hydrophobia; Infiltration; Moisture retention.

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