Soil respiration depending on different agricultural practices before maize sowing

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare soil respiration depending on different agricultural practices before sowing of maize (Zea mays L.). Results of the study were derived from the field experiment that was carried out in 2013–2015; the research indicates that soil respiration depends on cultivation method. The highest soil respiration was recorded in maize cultivation in monoculture using full tillage. The simplifications in maize cultivation caused a decrease of soil respiration, especially in direct sowing. The lowest level of this parameter was recorded in monoculture in direct sowing. Compared with other treatments, such as direct sowing, reduced tillage and crop rotation, soil respiration was higher by 65, 55 and 12%, respectively. The statistically significant differences in soil respiration in the tested agricultural practices were observed in the first date of measurement in all years of the study. The higher soil respiration values were noted in autumn. The yield of maize correlated with soil respiration, but stronger relationship was noted between soil respiration and grain yield of maize than straw yield. The simple regression analysis showed no linear relationship between soil respiration and evaporation, changes in soil moisture and biochemical parameters such as soil dehydrogenase activity, acid and alkaline phosphatase.