Concentration of selected micronutrients in sandy soil in relation to long-term direct drilling method

Abstract

Compared to conventional tillage method, physical and chemical properties of soil treated with long-term zero-tillage method (direct drilling without ploughing) are different, especially soil porosity, moisture conditions, concentration of organic carbon and macronutrients. The aim of a three-year field study was to compare the content of micronutrients in soil under traditional and zero-tillage. The difference in micronutrient concentration in soil treated with different soil tillage method can affect quantity and quality of yields. The study was conducted using seven fields with 4-5 or 11 years period under diverse tillage method. Soil samples were colleted from three random points in every field on the beginning of June. Samples were obtained from two layers: 0-10 and 10-20 cm in depth using an Eijkelkamp soil sampler (diameter 2.5 cm). Micronutrients (Cu, Mn, Zn) in soil samples were determined by the AAS method after extraction with HCl at 1 mol dm -3 . The results were compared using t-Student test. The tillage methods were found to have produced differences only in Cu concentrations in soil. However, it was impossible to point clearly which method resulted in a higher Cu concentration as the actual differences depended also on the year of study and the soil layer. The zero-tillage method compared to the conventional method did not produce differences in Mn and Zn concentrations. The general level of the three microelements and the differences in their levels in relation to a tillage method were similar in both soil layers.