Effects of porous clay ceramic rates on aeration porosity characteristics in a structurally degraded soil under greenhouse vegetable production

Soil structure degradation in greenhouse vegetable fields reduces vegetable production. Increasing aeration porosity is the key to ameliorating soil structure degradation. Thus, we tested the effect of a porous material, porous clay ceramic (PLC), on the amelioration of soil structure degradation under greenhouse vegetable production. A 6-month pot experiment was conducted with four PLC application levels based on volume, i.e., 0% (control), 5% (1P), 10% (2P), and 15% (3P) using Brassica chinensis as the test plant. At the end of the experiment, soil columns were sampled, and the aeration pore network was reconstructed using X-ray computed tomography (CT). The degree of anisotropy (DA), fractal dimension (FD), connectivity, aeration porosity, pores distribution, and shape of soil aeration pores and plant biomass were determined. The DA, FD, and connectivity did not significantly differ as the PLC application rate increased. Nonetheless, aeration porosity significantly linearly increased. The efficiency of PLC at enhancing soil aeration porosity was 0.18% per Mg ha–1. The increase in aeration porosity was mainly due to the increase in pores > 2 000 μm, which was characterized by irregular pores. Changes in aeration porosity enhanced the production of B. chinensis. The efficiency of PLC at increasing the plant fresh weight was 0.60%, 3.06%, and 2.12% per 1% application rate of PLC for the 1P, 2P, and 3P treatments, respectively. These results indicated that PLC is a highly efficient soil amendment that improves soil structure degradation by improving soil aeration under greenhouse conditions. Based on vegetable biomass, a 10% application rate of PLC was recommended.