Effects of tillage systems and landscape on soil

Abstract

The rolling nature of much of the glaciated western cornbelt results in poorly- and well-drained soils being managed in a similar manner. The effects of four tillage systems (moldboard plow, chisel plow, ridge-till and no-till) and two cropping systems (continuous corn and corn/soybean rotation) on soil properties was studied across well drained Beadle (fine-loamy, montmorillonitic, mesic Typic Argiustoll) and poorly drained Worthing (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Typic Argiaquoll) soils. Worthing surface soil had a lower hydraulic conductivity, higher volumetric moisture, pH, and available thing surface soil had a lower hydraulic conductivity, higher volumetric moisture, pH, and available P and K than the Beadle soil. Ridge-till and no-till treatments resulted in higher surface volumetric water and bulk density, and lower soil temperature than the moldboard plow plots in the Beadle soil. Saturated hydraulic conductivity increased over time for the ridge-till and no-till treatments on the Beadle soil. Water use (evapotranspiration) was similar among tillage treatments in either soil. Surface aggregate stability was influenced only within the corn/soybean rotation, in which stability was higher in no-till than the moldboard or chisel plow treatments in the Beadle soil. Few differences in chemical properties attributable to tillage systems were found in these soils. High residue tillage systems resulted in greater differences in soil properties on the well-drained member of the soil catena. The beneficial effects of the soil property changes on the well-drained Beadle soil appear to outweigh the effects of high residue tillage on the Worthing soil.