The soil's pH readings fell within the alkaline range, ranging from 8.1 to 8.5. The soil pH of the soils in relation to texture was in the order of SL˃CL˃C = SCL. Zhu et al (2021) also reported similar results. In their research on soil texture, soil texture also had a significant effect on soil pH, which was substantially negatively correlated with clay content but significantly positively correlated with silt and sand particle contents. Increased porosity in soil leads to an expansion of water-filled areas, which in turn impacts the conduction of electrical current. Therefore, increased soil porosity while moist improves electrical conductivity; a particle that possesses a large surface area and enough pore space exhibits more conductivity, which in turn impacts its potential for yield (Ortiz et al, 2009). However, in relation to salinity, the soil samples exhibit electrical conductivity values ranging from 119 to 547 µmhoscm− 1 in the order of SCL˃C = CL˃SL, placing them within the saline and mildly saline class. The soil samples in the current study exhibited a carbonates content ranging from 11–30%. However, the distribution of carbonates content across different soil particle sizes was not uniform. The recorded order of carbonates content from highest to lowest was C˃SL˃SCL˃CL. Soils exhibiting diverse textures exhibit a range of 0.9–2.4% organic matter content. Statistical significance was observed in the impact of varying soil texture on pH, electrical conductivity (EC), lime content, and organic matter. The nitrogen level of the soils was in the range of 223–441 mgkg− 1, with the soil possessing a sandy clay loam texture demonstrating the highest nitrogen content. The soil sample with a clay loam texture exhibited the lowest nitrogen level. The phosphorus content in soils exhibiting varying textures ranges from 6 to 12 mgkg− 1, indicating low to medium levels.
Table 1
Effects of soils with different on textures pH, salinity, lime and organic matter, macro and micro elements
Properties | Textural classes | Methods |
Sandy loam | Clay loam | Clay | Sandy clay loam | |
pH | 8.5 a | 8.3 b | 8.1 c | 8.1 c | Richards 1954 |
EC (µmhos cm− 1) | 119 c | 161 b | 195 b | 547 a | U.S. Salinity Lab. Staff 1954 |
CaCO3 (%) | 24 b | 11 d | 30 a | 19 c | Hızalan and Ünal 1966 |
Organic Matter (%) | 1.0 b | 1.0 b | 2.4 a | 0.9 b | Smith and Weldon 1941 |
N (NH4 + NO3) | mgkg− 1 | 233 c | 223 c | 362 b | 441 a | Bremner 1965 |
P | 6.0 c | 6.0 c | 12.0 a | 8.0 b | Olsen et al. 1954 |
K | 140 b | 179 a | 107 c | 73 d | Soltanpour and Workman 1981 |
Ca | 4075 c | 4937 b | 6976 a | 4086 c | Soltanpour and Workman 1981 |
Mg | 323 d | 762 a | 668 b | 434 c | Soltanpour and Workman 1981 |
Fe | 4.2 d | 6.5 b | 7.9 a | 5.3 c | Lindsay and Norvell 1978 |
Cu | 0.3 b | 0.6 a | 0.6 a | 0.3 b | Lindsay and Norvell 1978 |
Mn | 5.9 b | 6.3 b | 16.6 a | 4.8 b | Lindsay and Norvell 1978 |
Zn | 0.4 b | 0.3 b | 0.9 a | 0.5 b | Lindsay and Norvell 1978 |
B | 1.8 c | 2.6 b | 2.9 a | 1.6 d | Richards 1954 |
The soil with a sandy clay loam texture exhibited the lowest potassium level, measuring at 73 mgkg− 1. The soil with clay texture exhibited the highest calcium content, measuring 6976 mgkg− 1. The magnesium concentrations in soils with varying textures ranged from 323 to 762 mgkg− 1. The statistical significance of the impact of soil texture on macro elements was determined as shown in Table 1. The iron concentration in soils of varying textures ranges from 4.2 to 7.9 mgkg− 1, falling within the category of adequate levels. The soil sample with a clayey texture exhibited the highest iron content as calculated. From Table 3, the soil samples exhibit a range of copper concentrations, ranging from 0.3 to 0.6 mgkg− 1. According to the data presented in Table 3, the soil sample with a clay texture exhibited the highest manganese level, measuring 16.6 mgkg− 1. Conversely, the soil sample with a sandy clay loam texture displayed the lowest manganese content, measuring 4.8 mgkg− 1. The study revealed that the zinc concentration in the soils exhibited a range of 0.3 to 0.9 mgkg− 1. The boron concentrations exhibit a range of values spanning from 1.6 to 2.9 mgkg− 1. The soil sample with clay texture often exhibited the greatest microelement levels when analyzed. The statistical significance of the impact of soil texture on microelement levels was observed.
Basal soil respiration across the textural classes was in the order of C˃CL˃SCL˃SL indicating that the finer the soil texture was, the higher the soil respiration rate was. This is because the higher the amount of micropores in the soil, the higher the amount of basal soil respiration in low rain fed areas like central Anatolia. The investigation revealed that there was a notable disparity in the carbon dioxide emissions among soils with varying textures, and this discrepancy was determined to possess statistical significance. The soil texture had an impact on the carbon dioxide levels, with the soil containing clay texture exhibiting the greatest value of 31.16 mg CO2 100 g− 1 dry soil 24 h− 1, while the soil with sandy loam texture had the lowest value of 15.97 16 mg CO2 100 g− 1 dry soil 24 h− 1 both of which are within the required range of 14.29–28.57 units base on the report by Doran and Brinton (2001). According to a study conducted by Eivazi and Zakaria (1993), it has been established that clayey soil has a higher level of biological activity compared to other types of soils. The results reveal that the higher the clay content of the soil, the soil respiration as the order C˃CL˃SCL˃SL can deduced from the figure showing relationship between soil respiration and textural classes. According to Dick (1994), urease is an enzyme that facilitates the hydrolysis of urea, resulting in the production of carbon dioxide and ammonia. This enzyme has been identified as the sole catalyst that significantly influences the condition and efficacy of urea, a crucial fertilizer, inside the soil. The study observed variations in urease enzyme activity among soils with distinct textures, and these differences were determined to be statistically significant (p < 0.01). The soil with sandy clay loam texture exhibited the highest urease enzyme activity, measuring 43.39 µg N g− 1 dry soil− 1 followed by clay loam and sandy loam while the soil with clay texture displayed the lowest urease enzyme activity, measuring 25.24 µg N g− 1 dry soil− 1. According to Tabatai (1977), urease activity in soils is affected by organic matter content, soil depth, soil amendments, heavy metals, and environmental factors including temperatures, among others. Though the obtained values of urease enzyme activities are okay base on the reported ranges by Hofmann et al (1966) however, Anatolia soils are mostly clayey and most farmers apply nitrogen in form of urea so, soil amendments that lead to increase in activities of urease in the regions of Anatolia would increase soil productivity. Organic matter in central Anatolia is low which could cause low urease activity. As for the effect of temperature on the activity of urease fertilization of farms with urea could be done when it hot to increase the activity of the enzyme in the region. The sensitivity of dehydrogenase enzyme activity to environmental conditions, including soil moisture, temperature, and organic matter content, has been extensively studied (Dick, 1994). The activities of dehydrogenase enzymes in soils exhibiting varying textures were observed to be distinct, and this disparity was determined to possess statistical significance. The study revealed that the activity values of the dehydrogenase enzyme in the soils ranged from 5.57 to 28.90 µg TPF g dry soil 24 h− 1, as depicted in Fig. 3. The soil exhibiting sandy loam texture demonstrated the highest level of dehydrogenase enzyme activity, while the soil characterized by clay loam texture exhibited the lowest dehydrogenase activity. Dehydrogenase enzyme activity less than 50 µg TPF g soil 24 h− 1 is regarded low (Tosun et al, 1975). Most soils in central Anatolia belong to clay loam texture which according to current study exhibit lower activity of dehydrogenase. Makoi and Ndakidemi (2008) emphasize the significance of studying the activities of the dehydrogenase enzyme in soil. This research provides valuable insights into the soil's capacity to support vital biochemical processes that are crucial for preserving soil fertility. The catalase enzyme is responsible for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into water and oxygen. It is produced because of the respiratory and metabolic processes occurring within living organisms. The catalase enzyme activity levels of soils exhibiting distinct textures exhibit a range of 1.73–5.60 ml O2 5 g− 1, with this variation being determined to possess statistical significance. The soil sample with clay texture exhibited the highest catalase enzyme activity value, whereas the soil with sandy clay loam texture displayed the lowest catalase enzyme activity value. The extended duration of the enzyme activity can be attributed to the beneficial protective effect resulting from the significant adsorption capacity of clay and silt particles for enzymes (Busto and Perez-Mateos, 1995). When there is a signal indicating P deficiency in the soil, plant roots secrete more acid phosphatase to increase the solubilization and remobilization of phosphate, thereby affecting the plant's ability to tolerate P-stressed conditions (Versaw and Harrison, 2002). The soil texture was found to have a considerable impact on the acid phosphatase enzyme activity values, as evidenced by statistically significant differences observed. The activity of the acid phosphatase enzyme exhibited a range of values spanning from 75.15 to 170.78 µg p-nitrophenol g− 1 dry soil h− 1. Notably, the soil with a clay texture demonstrated the highest recorded value for acid phosphatase enzyme activity. The soil sample exhibiting sandy loam texture displayed the most minimal acid phosphatase enzyme activity value. The alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity values of the soils exhibited variations based on the soil texture, and these variations were determined to be statistically significant. The range of alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity values observed was 167.11-528.89 µg p-nitrophenol g− 1 dry soil h− 1, with the greatest value recorded in soil characterized by a clay texture. The soil sample with a sandy clay loam texture exhibited the lowest recorded value of alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity. The activity values of the arylsulfatase enzyme in soils with varying textures exhibited variations among the soil types, although these variations were determined to lack statistical significance. The activity of the arylsulfatase enzyme exhibited a range of values from 273.56 to 281.49 µg p-nitrophenol g− 1 dry soil h− 1. Notably, the soil with a sandy clay loam texture displayed the highest recorded arylsulfatase enzyme activity value. The soil sample exhibiting a clay loam texture displayed the lowest observed arylsulfatase enzyme activity value.