Soil physical properties and maize root growth under different tillage systems in the North China Plain

Abstract

The standard cultivation system in the North China Plain is double cropping of winter wheat and summer maize. The main effects of this cultivation system on root development and yield are decreases in soil nutrient content and depth of the plow layer under either long-term no-tillage or rotary tillage before winter wheat sowing and no tillage before summer maize sowing. In this study, we investigated the combined effects of tillage practices before winter wheat and summer maize sowing on soil properties and root growth and distribution in summer maize. Zhengdan 958 (ZD958) was used as experimental material, with three tillage treatments: rotary tillage before winter wheat sowing and no tillage before summer maize sowing (RTW + NTM), moldboard plowing before winter wheat sowing and no tillage before summer maize sowing (MPW + NTM), and moldboard plowing before winter wheat sowing and rotary tillage before summer maize sowing (MPW + RTM). Tillage practice showed a significant (P < 0.05) effect on grain yield of summer maize. Grain yields under MPW + RTM and MPW + NTM were 30.6% and 24.0% higher, respectively, than that under RTW + NTM. Soil bulk density and soil penetration resistance decreased among tillage systems in the order RTW + NTM > MPW + NTM > MPW + RTM. Soil bulk densities were 3.3% and 515% lower in MPW + NTM and MPW + RTM, respectively, than that in RTW + NTM, and soil penetration resistances were respectively 17.8% and 20.4% lower, across growth stages and soil depths. Root dry matter and root length density were highest under MPW + RTM, with the resulting increased root activity leading to a yield increase of summer maize. Thus the marked effects of moldboard plowing before winter-wheat sowing on root length density, soil penetration resistance, and soil bulk density may contribute to higher yield.