Enhancing Soil Resilience to Climate Change: Long-Term Effects of Organic Amendments on Soil Thermal and Physical Properties in Tea-Cultivated Ultisols

Duminda N. Vidana Gamage (), Thilanjana Peiris, Isuru Kasthuriarachchi, Keerthi M. Mohotti and Asim Biswas
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Duminda N. Vidana Gamage: Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka
Thilanjana Peiris: Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka
Isuru Kasthuriarachchi: Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka
Keerthi M. Mohotti: Tea Research Institute, Talawakelle 22100, Sri Lanka
Asim Biswas: School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-16

Abstract: This study examined the impact of the long-term application (25 years) of tea waste (TW), compost (COM), and neem oil cake (NOC) compared to conventional synthetic fertilizers (CONV) on soil thermal and physical properties of a tea-cultivated Ultisol. Soil samples were collected from 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm depths of an experimental site of the Tea Research Institute in Sri Lanka. These samples were analyzed for soil thermal conductivity (k), volumetric heat capacity (C), thermal diffusivity (D), bulk density (BD), aggregate stability, soil organic carbon (SOC), and volumetric water contents at 0 kPa (θ 0 ) and 10 kPa (θ 10 ). TW and COM significantly ( p < 0.05) increased surface SOC, leading to better aggregation, lower BD, and, consequently, a substantial reduction in k and D compared to CONV plots. Further, TW and COM amendments slightly increased C compared to CONV plots due to elevated SOC and water content. However, NOC had no impact on soil thermal and physical properties compared to CONV. The reduced thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity indicated an improved soil capacity to buffer extreme temperature fluctuations. Moreover, soils treated with TW and COM exhibited greater water retention and improved soil resistance to erosion. The findings suggest that the long-term application of tea waste and compost could be a sustainable soil management strategy for improving soil health and enhancing resilience to climate change in tea-cultivated Ultisols.

Keywords: soil thermal properties; organic amendments; tea cultivation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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