Soil puddling for rice production under glasshouse conditions - its quantification and effect on soil physical properties

The effect of soil puddling on soil physical properties of 3 different textured soils (clay, loam, and silty loam) and growth of rice (Oryza sativa) on these soils was investigated under glasshouse conditions. Puddling intensity was expressed as the ratio of soil volume subjected to the puddling implement and the total soil volume in the puddled layer, thus integrating the effects of speed and time of the puddling operation. This parameter was well related to soil dispersion, bulk density, and saturated hydraulic conductivity. However, following prolonged periods of submerged conditions during rice growth, saturated hydraulic conductivity decreased with a decrease in soil dispersion, in contrast to an expected reduction in saturated hydraulic conductivity with increased dispersion. There was indication that continuous waterlogging reduced the effect of soil puddling, in particular on heavy-textured soils.