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Modeling Earth Systems and Environment (2018) 4:777–791
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-018-0450-0
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Multivariate statistical technique for variability analysis of physical
and chemical properties along a paddy soils toposequence
Javad Seyedmohammadi
1
· Hamid Reza Matinfar
1
· Leila Esmaeelnejad
2
Received: 9 January 2018 / Accepted: 26 March 2018 / Published online: 6 April 2018
© Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018
Abstract
Data related to physical and chemical properties of paddy soils is necessary for improving rice productivity and designing
of sustainable farming techniques and environment protection. In this research, Sefidrood plateaus and upper terraces, river
alluvial plain, lowland and Caspian Sea coastal plain landforms in a toposequence were recognized which located in Guilan
province of Northern Iran. Five profiles were studied on each landform, which one of them was selected in order to detail
study as reference profile. Physical and chemical characteristics were studied by providing disturbed soil samples from the
horizons of described soils. Results showed that soil structure was weak granular in all surface horizons and single grain in the
subsurface horizons of the Coastal plain. Soil structure was sub-angular blocky and angular blocky in the subsurface horizons
of other units. Soil organic matter was high in surface horizons because of accumulation of rice plant residues. Organic matter
was the highest level in lowland due to high ground water table and lower decomposition rate. Cation exchange capacity was
high in lowland and alluvial plain due to high organic matter and clay content in soils. Clay particles in plateaus lands were
lower than other units because of alteration, suitable aeration and occurrence of ferrolysis process. Electrical conductivity
was high in subsurface horizons of lowlands and coastal plain because of high ground water table. Exchangeable Na
+
was
high in subsurface horizons of coastal plain and lowlands due to sea water seepage from depth in these soils. Soil reaction
was nearly neutral because of natural and artificial submerged effect. Finally, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA)
model was performed on soil physical and chemical properties and showed significant difference among landforms. Mean
comparison of soil physical and chemical properties using least significant difference test proved significant difference of
these properties on soils of studied landforms. Therefore, multivariate statistical analysis i.e. MANOVA model could be
applied in exact surveying of paddy soils properties, sustainable land management for agriculture and environment protection.
Keywords Chemical properties · Guilan · MANOVA · Paddy soils · Physical properties
Introduction
Soil has a central role in the global challenges, including
food and fiber production, freshwater provision, biodiversity
conservation, greenhouse gases buffer, energy sustainability
and ecosystem services provision (McBratney et al. 2014).
There is a need to maintain and improve soil resources
in order to cope with these global challenges. Soil condi-
tions are highly dynamic and soil changes can be acceler-
ated by climate change and anthropogenic influences. The
ever-growing human population has put pressure on soil
resources. Agricultural production and soil condition are
linked through, for example, soil carbon levels, soil ero-
sion, acidification, salinization and soil nutrient imbalances
(Minasny et al. 2016).
The study of soils evolution is very important due to study
of soil processes. Rice is the staple food of approximately
one-half of the world’s populations. Much of the paddy is
grown and consumed in Asia. Paddy is usually grown by
transplanting seedlings under flooded conditions (Abubakar
et al. 2010). Electrical conductivity of paddy soils was high
in lowlands with respect to uplands. It was probably related
* Javad Seyedmohammadi
seyedmohammadi.javad@gmail.com
1
Department of Soil Science and Engineering, Faculty
of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lorestan University,
Khorramabad, Iran
2
Department of Soil Science and Engineering, Faculty
of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, College
of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran,
Karaj, Iran
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