Abstract
The aim of the study was to compare the effect of conventional, simplified, and organic farming systems on changes in the content of soil organic carbon, organic matter fractions, total nitrogen, and the enzymatic activity. The research was conducted from 2016–2018 on arable land in the south-eastern part of Poland. The selected soils were cultivated in conventional tillage (C_Ts), simplified tillage (S_Ts), and organic farming (O_Fs) systems. The analyses were performed in soil from the soil surface layers (up to 25 cm depth) of the experimental plots. The highest mean contents of soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and organic matter fractions were determined in soils subjected to the simplified tillage system throughout the experimental period. During the study period, organic carbon concentration on surface soil layers under simplified tillage systems was 31 and 127% higher than the soil under conventional tillage systems and organic farming systems, respectively. Also, the total nitrogen concentration in those soils was more than 40% and 120% higher than conventional tillage systems and organic farming systems, respectively. Moreover, these soils were characterised by a progressive decline in SOC and Nt resources over the study years. There was no significant effect of the analysed tillage systems on the C:N ratio. The tillage systems induced significant differences in the activity of the analysed soil enzymes, i.e., dehydrogenase (DH) and catalase (CAT). The highest DH activity throughout the experiment was recorded in the O_Fs soils, and the mean value of this parameter was in the range of 6.01–6.11 μmol TPF·kg−1·h−1. There were no significant differences in the CAT values between the variants of the experiment. The results confirm that, regardless of other treatments, such as the use of organic fertilisers, tillage has a negative impact on the content of SOC and organic matter fractions in the O_Fs system. All simplifications in tillage reducing the interference with the soil surface layer and the use of organic fertilisers contribute to improvement of soil properties and enhancement of biological activity, which helps to maintain its productivity and fertility.
Highlights
The tillage system consists of processes modifying the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils
Regardless of the applied fertilisation and the crops cultivated, the highest soil organic carbon and total nitrogen content were on soils under simplified tillage systems compare to soils under conventional tillage and organic farming
It indicates that any simplifications in the tillage systems and reduced interference with soil surface layers most exposed to the impact of agrotechnical treatments enhance organic matter accumulation
Summary
The tillage system consists of processes modifying the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils. Soil cultivation is aimed at creation of appropriate conditions for the growth and development of crops, which are directly reflected in their yields. Cultivation practices have an effect on soil water retention capacity, temperature, aeration, and the rate of decomposition of crop residues [1,2]. The choice of an appropriate tillage system is mainly dependent on the local soil conditions, climate, and type of crops [3]. The application of suitable agricultural technological practices in arable land has an impact on soil productivity and fertility [4]. The progressive degradation of the soil environment caused by the use of heavy machinery and agricultural tools together with the intensified chemisation of agriculture necessitate the search for soil cultivation methods ensuring soil protection and restoration of natural biocoenoses, especially in areas with intensive agricultural production [5,6,7]
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