Pasture biomass and soil moisture dynamics in a newly formed Technosols and A-horizon with two compaction levels Pasture biomass and soil moisture dynamics in a newly formed Technosols and A-horizon with two compaction levels

This study examines the dynamics of pasture growth (soil cover, green intensity, and dry biomass) and hydrological dynamics in biosolid-based Technosols and A-Material in compacted and non-compacted layouts. A-Material exhibited higher initial soil cover than Technosols, with no differences later on. Compacted soils had lower soil cover (87.8%) than uncompacted soils (95.26%). Green intensity peaked at the third sampling, aligning with the maximum vegetative biomass, and was higher in Technosols (71.8%) than A-Material (62.7%), and in uncompacted (77.8%) compared to compacted soils (56.6%). The highest dry biomass yield was observed in Technosols, particularly in the uncompacted treatment (nearly 13 tn ha -1 ), whereas compaction led to significant biomass reductions—47% for A-Material and 34.2% for Technosols. Technosols maintained optimal relative field capacity and showed better moisture retention when compacted, though with later fluctuations, suggesting alternating conditions of flooding and drought stress. A-Material responded more to precipitation events but had poorer aeration when compacted. Uncompacted treatments showed distinct drying and wetting cycles, with A-Material exhibiting extended periods of available water retention, and uncompacted Technosols consistently maintained moisture within the available water thresholds, minimizing drought risk. Short-term monitoring revealed faster infiltration in Technosols, while A-Material showed uniform but brief moisture increases. This study presents the first long-term evaluation of biosolid-based Technosols in Buenos Aires Province, highlighting their effectiveness in enhancing soil structure, moisture retention, and biomass productivity for rehabilitating degraded landscapes, particularly in regions with fragile silty soils.