Soil characteristics at the in-row and inter-row zones after strip-tillage

Abstract

Changes in soil physical and mechanical characteristics are indicators to evaluate the strip-tillage effect on the soil environment. In this study, soil moisture content, temperature, crumbling rate, bulk density, penetration resistance and shear strength were measured at the in-row and inter-row zones for different depths after using a strip-tillage system (combined chisel-rototilling machine). The results show no significant differences in soil moisture content with depth changes, although moisture content at inter-row zone was about 18% higher than in-row zone. Removal of residues from the row reduced in-row soil moisture content in the seed bed, while conserving inter-row soil moisture. Soil temperature had an inverse relationship with the amount of residue cover. The lower soil temperature at inter-row was due to the influence of surface residue by reflecting solar irradiation and insulating the soil surface. Crumbling rate at the in-row zone for the depth of up to 15 cm (aggregates size less than 20 mm) was more than 50%. Therefore, the seedbed soil with small aggregates enhances seed germination and root growth. Bulk density, penetration resistance and shear strength significantly reduced at in-row zone especially for depths less than 15 cm. In general, the findings show that strip-tillage can contribute effectively to improve in-row physical and mechanical characteristics while it conserves the advantages of remaining residual at the inter-row zone.