Physical properties of a Chernozemic clay loam soil under long-term conventional tillage and no-till

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Miller ◽  
F. J. Larney ◽  
C. W. Lindwall
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Soil Cores ◽  
Percentage Volume ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Plant Available Water ◽  
Water Holding

Conservation tillage practices such as no-till (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) with a heavy-duty cultivator can influence the physical properties of soils. This study was conducted to determine the effect of 24 yr of NT versus CT on the physical properties of a clay loam soil in southern Alberta. Physical properties quantified were bulk density (BD), mean weight diameter (MWD), plant-available water-holding capacity (PAWHC), saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), soil water characteristic [θ(ψ)] and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity [K(ψ)] relationships, and pore-size distribution (PSD). Bulk soil samples and small soil cores (5-cm depth increments to 20 cm) were taken from CT and NT fields in 1992, and tension infiltrometer measurements were made in 1994. The results from this study are reported as general trends for the tillage fields. Statistical probability levels are not reported because of the unreplicated nature of the experiment, the limited number of sampling locations within each tillage field, and to a lesser extent, the different sampling times for CT and NT in 1992. Plant-available water-holding capacity was higher for the CT field (14.3%) than the NT field (10.8%), and a greater amount of water was held at a given water potential (−1500 to −1.5 kPa) for the former, indicating a higher potential for soil water conservation under conventional tillage. Geometric mean Ksat values (small soil cores) were higher for the NT field (18.20 × 10−6 m s−1) than the CT field (1.74 × 10−6 m s−1). The K(ψ) values (small soil cores) between −10 and −2 kPa were higher for the CT field than the NT field at the 0- to 5-cm, 10- to 15-cm and 15- to 20-cm depths, but values were higher for the NT field at the 5- to 10-cm depth. Near-saturated K(ψ) values (−1.5 to −0.3 kPa) of the surface soil, as derived from tension infiltration measurements in 1994, were higher for the CT field (2.43 × 10−7 m s−1) than for the NT field (6.09 × 10−8 m s−1). There was a greater percentage volume of larger pores (30–40, 40–67, 67–200, >200 µm) for the NT field than for the CT field, and there was a lower percentage volume of smaller pores (0.2–0.6, 0.6–4 µm) for the CT field than for the NT field. Differences in certain soil physical properties between CT and NT fields may be related to the lag time between the most recent tillage event and sampling for the CT field. Key words: Conservation tillage, heavy-duty cultivator, physical attributes, soil water, hydraulic conductivity, porosity

Carbon availability limits the denitrification potential of sandy loam soil from corn agroecosystems with long-term tillage and residue management

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leanne Ejack ◽  
Joann K. Whalen ◽  
Chandra A. Madramootoo
Keyword(s):  
Crop Residues ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Sandy Loam Soil ◽  
Residue Management ◽  
Carbon Availability ◽  
Denitrification Potential ◽  
Soluble Organic Carbon ◽  
Loam Soil

Conservation tillage and crop residues should increase the soluble organic carbon and nitrate concentration in agricultural soil, which increases the denitrification potential. Basal denitrification (72 h laboratory incubation) was 2.1–2.7 times higher in a sandy loam soil under 15 yr of conservation tillage than conventional tillage and 1.8–2.0 times higher with high-residue (additional input 8.6–9.4 Mg dry matter·ha−1·yr−1) than low-residue inputs. Adding glucose and nitrate increased the soil denitrification potential 3- to 14-fold. Denitrification was limited by carbon availability, even in soil with 15 yr of conservation tillage and high-residue inputs.

scholarly journals Influence of different tillage systems on soil physical properties and crop yield

2011 ◽  
Vol 48 (No. 6) ◽  
pp. 249-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Husnjak ◽  
D. Filipović ◽  
S. Košutić
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Ct System ◽  
Air Capacity

An experiment with five different tillage systems and their influence on physical properties of a silty loam soil (Albic Luvisol) was carried in northwest Slavonia in the period of 1997–2000. The compared tillage systems were: 1. conventional tillage (CT), 2. reduced tillage (RT), 3. conservation tillage I (CP), 4. conservation tillage II (CM), 5. no-tillage system (NT). The crop rotation was soybean (Glycine max L.) – winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) – soybean – winter wheat. Differences between tillage systems in bulk density, total porosity, and water holding capacity and air capacity were not significant in winter wheat seasons. In soybean seasons, significant differences between some tillage systems were recorded in bulk density, total porosity, air capacity and soil moisture. The deterioration trend of physical properties was generally increasing in the order CM, CT, CP, NT and RT. The highest yield of soybean in the first experimental year was achieved under CT system and the lowest under CP system. In all other experimental years, the highest yield of winter wheat and soybean was achieved under CM system, while the lowest under RT system.

scholarly journals Effect of Tillage Systems on Physical Properties of a Clay Loam Soil under Oats

Agriculture ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Ordoñez-Morales ◽  
Martin Cadena-Zapata ◽  
Alejandro Zermeño-González ◽  
Santos Campos-Magaña
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Pore Space ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Clay Loam ◽  
Clay Loam Soil ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Loam Soil

In many regions, conservation tillage has been shown to contribute to preserving soil properties. However, in order to promote this practice in new areas, it is necessary to generate information about its results in local environmental conditions. Our objective was to study the effect of No Tillage (NT), Vertical Tillage (VT) and Conventional Tillage (CT) on physical soil properties of a clay loam soil and on yields (Avena sativa L.), in a semiarid area of Mexico. From 2013 to 2016 an experiment was conducted in random blocks, with the three tillage systems as treatments. Four variables were measured; bulk density (Bd), pore space (P), hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and crop yield. Our results did show scarce differences between the tillage systems. Values ranged between 1.21 g cm−3 to 1.39 g cm−3 for Bd, 45% to 55% for P, and 4.29 mm h−1 to 13.61 mm h−1 for Ks. Although differences were not significant among treatments, Bd decreased 6.7% for CT, 5.6% for NT and 0.7% for VT. P increased 6% for CT, 5% for NT and 0.5% for VT. Ks for CT decreased 6% more than for NT and VT. Average yield was 13% less in NT compared to CT and VT. A long-term investigation is needed in order to determine the effects of tillage methods, in our particular environmental conditions.

scholarly journals Comparative analysis of the profile variability of black soil water-physical properties when long-term applying plowing and no-till technologies use (the case of Panfily Research Station)

2021 ◽  
pp. 101-133
Author(s):  
S. S. Kolomiiets ◽  
A. S. Bilobrova ◽  
V. M. Vyr’ovka ◽  
T. V. Tarasenko
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Fundamental Result ◽  
Research Station ◽  
No Till ◽  
Profile Distribution ◽  
Water Holding ◽  
Moisture Conductivity

The results of actual research on profile variability of soil water-physical properties of undisturbed structure at the plots, where traditional plowing and no-till technology have been applied for 11 years, are given. The comparative research was conducted based on a stationary field experiment, which is carried out at Panfily Research Station of the National Scientific Center "Institute of Agriculture NAAS" when applying a system of laboratory diagnostics of water-physical properties created in the Institute of Water Problems and Land Reclamation of NAAS based on hydrophysical methods. The characteristics of main hydrophysical functions, namely moisture conductivity and water holding capacity, as well as hydrological constants -  maximum hygroscopic moisture, withering point, minimal water holding capacity, maximum water holding capacity,  specific surface area and active moisture range were obtained for three different depths. Based on the results of comparison, it was found that mesoporosity was more developed in the soil on the plots under plowing, while macroporosity was more developed on the no-till plots. The fundamental result is determining the inversion type of profile distribution of moisture conductivity in unsaturated soil. Thus, under on the no-till plots the highest values of moisture conductivity were observed in the deepest soil layer (0,70-0,85 m), decreasing to the soil surface, while on the plots under plowing the highest values of moisture conductivity were observed in cultivated soil layer (0,00-0,15 m), which naturally decreased in depth. The profile distribution of moisture conductivity on the no-till plots contributed to the infiltration supply of groundwater and capillary feeding of soil root layers from the deeper ones.

scholarly journals Amending a Gravel Based Growing Medium with Calcined Clay Improves Physical Properties and Seedling Growth

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 49-156
Author(s):  
Catherine A. Bohnert ◽  
Christopher Starbuck ◽  
Stephen Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Growth Medium ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Calcined Clay ◽  
Growing Medium ◽  
Plant Available Water ◽  
Bare Root ◽  
Water Holding

Abstract The Missouri Gravel Bed (MGB) is a system that uses pea gravel with 10% sand (v/v) as a root growth medium, allowing plants to be removed from the gravel and planted, bare root, during the growing season. However, the low water holding capacity of the medium necessitates frequent irrigation. This study was conducted to determine the effects of amending pea gravel with calcined clay (Terra-Green®) on the physical properties of the medium and on growth of Gymnocladus dioicus (L.) K. Koch seedlings. Adding 10% sand (v/v) increased water holding capacity of the medium slightly at water tensions above 1 kPa. Gravel amended with 40% calcined clay had 16% air-filled porosity and had 3.5 times more plant available water than gravel with sand only. Dry weights of seedlings grown in gravel amended with 40% calcined clay and no sand were over twice as great as those of seedlings grown in the standard MGB medium.

Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of conventional and conservation tillage soils in southern Alberta

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 643-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Miller ◽  
N. J. Sweetland ◽  
F. J. Larney ◽  
K. M. Volkmar
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Tension Infiltrometer ◽  
Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Southern Alberta ◽  
Nonlinear Regression Method

Conservation tillage is increasing on the Canadian prairies and its long-term effect on soil physical properties warrants investigation. Tension infiltrometer measurements were conducted on conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT) and no-till (NT) loam to clay loam soils in southern Alberta to determine if 26 yr of conservation tillage (MT, NT) modified the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, K(ψ), relative to CT. Tillage of CT and MT plots was performed using a wide-blade cultivator. Measurements were performed on tillage treatments that were replicated on two adjacent parcels of land, with readings taken at the west parcel (Site 1) in 1993 and at the east parcel (Site 2) in 1994. Infiltration rates were determined at water potentials (ψ) of −0.3, −0.6 and −1.5 kPa. The K(ψ) values at −0.3, −0.6, −1.0 and −1.5 kPa (equivalent circular pore diameters of 1000, 500, 300 and 200 µm, respectively) were estimated from infiltration data using the nonlinear regression method of Logsdon and Jaynes. Tillage had a significant (P < 0.10) effect on K(ψ). Geometric mean K(ψ) values for NT (12.8 × 10−8 m s−1) were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than for CT (21.9 × 10−8 m s−1), but there was no significant difference between MT (13.6 × 10−8 m s−1) and CT, or between MT and NT. Although there was no significant tillage × site-year interaction (P > 0.10) for K(ψ), there was a trend for higher K(ψ) values at −0.6, −1.0 and −1.5 kPa in CT than MT and NT for Site 1 in 1993 compared to Site 2 in 1994. This trend was consistent with a shorter lag time between the most recent tillage event and subsequent infiltration measurements in CT for Site 1 in 1993 (1–16 d) compared with Site 2 in 1994 (28–45 d). Key words: Tillage, tension infiltrometer, unsaturated hydraulic conductivity

EFFECT OF LONG-TERM MINIMUM TILLAGE PRACTICES ON SOME PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF A CHERNOZEMIC CLAY LOAM

1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. CHANG ◽  
C. W. LINDWALL
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Infiltration Rate ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Clay Loam ◽  
Minimum Tillage ◽  
No Till

This study was conducted to compare the long-term (20 yr) effects of conventional tillage, minimum tillage and no-till on various soil-water related properties within the tilled layer (0–30 and 30–60 mm) and immediately below the tilled layer (90–120 mm) under a spring cereal-summerfallow rotation cropping system. Parameters measured included saturated hydraulic conductivity, saturation percentage, plant-available water-holding capacity, large pore porosity, bulk density, and infiltration rate of the soil. Tillage treatment effects on these soil properties in each of the four sampling periods were not significantly different. The confidence interval test showed some temporal changes in these soil physical properties, of which hydraulic conductivity was the most affected. In the summerfallow field, regardless of the previous cereal crops, the steady infiltration rate was significantly lower in the soil under conventional tillage than with that under no-till. The results indicate that the surface soil structure was most stable under no-till. In the fresh stubble field, the type of cereal crop had an effect on the infiltration rate of the soil. The mean infiltration rate was higher in the summerfallow field than in the fresh stubble field and also was higher in the fresh barley stubble than in the fresh wheat stubble. Except for infiltration rates, there is no significant advantage of one tillage method over the other with respect to the soil physical properties measured in this Brown Chernozemic clay loam soil. Key words: No-till, minimum tillage, hydraulic conductivity, bulk density, infiltration

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