2.6. Estimation of ground cover and soil water
Percent ground cover was estimated by the line-transect
method (mean of three transects and ten observations per transect
in each plot), and mean volumetric soil water content () was
determined(Table 1)using a capacitance sensor (ThetaprobeML2x,
Delta-T Devices4, Cambridge, UK) equipped with 60 mm rods at
four locations within each plot. Soil cores were taken at the center
of each of the four immediate outside edges of each plot (a total
of 24 cores per block), homogenized, and analyzed for extant soil
fertility properties (Table 4). Biosolids or MF were spread manually
on each plot with careful attention to uniformity.