Abstract
ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine how crop residue placement and composition would affect soil water content and temperature during the dry season in the central region of Espírito Santo state, Brazil. A 19-week field study was conducted from April to August 2017. A 2 x 4 factorial study with four replications was implemented using a randomized complete block design. Factors were soil management [conventional tillage (CT) and no soil disturbance (ND)] and residue amendment [maize (Zea mays L.), sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), a maize-sunn hemp mixture, and a no amendment control]. Soil water content and temperature were measured weekly at predetermined soil depth intervals. Soil water content was higher in ND plots amended with surface residues than under all other treatments in the 0 to 0.05 m depth range. All residue amendments in this range were equally effective in conserving soil water. Surface residues reduced soil temperature by up to 8.4 °C relative to the control in ND plots. Incorporating residue amendments by CT cancelled all temperature-moderating benefits provided by surface residues. These results indicate that surface residues from cereals, legumes, or cereal/legume mixtures are equally effective in conserving soil water and moderating soil temperature during the dry season. Additional research is needed to determine how improved soil environmental conditions, generated by surface residues, would affect nutrient acquisition and crop performance.
Highlights
Reduced tillage practices that minimize soil disturbance can enhance crop productivity by improving soil structure, which facilitates root development and nutrient acquisition by crops (PRIMAVESI, 2002; RAI et al, 2017)
Visual observations during the study indicated our expectation was met as maize residues persisted longer than other residue amendments, making it difficult to explain the lack of residue composition effect on soil water retention
While no soil disturbance (ND) has a positive impact on soil biology, structure and fertility, results from our study clearly show that ND alone does not moderate soil temperature and water conditions relative to conventional tillage (CT) and should be used in conjunction with residue retention as a best management practice for potential vegetable production during the dry season in Espírito Santo, Brazil
Summary
Reduced tillage practices that minimize soil disturbance can enhance crop productivity by improving soil structure, which facilitates root development and nutrient acquisition by crops (PRIMAVESI, 2002; RAI et al, 2017). Considering the importance of soil water as a determinant of nutrient availability and crop productivity (OLIVEIRA; ROQUE, 2016), growers should consider soil and crop management practices that enhance soil water retention. Leaving crop residues on the soil surface moderates soil temperature and can be used by farmers to improve soil temperature conditions for crop growth, especially during warm months (AWAL et al, 2019; STEFANOSKI et al, 2013). In addition to moderating soil temperature, surface residues mitigate soil erosion rates, enhance soil organic carbon and nutrient concentrations, and increase infiltration rate and volumetric water content at field capacity (ESSER, 2017; HUBBARD; STRICKLAND; PHATAK, 2013; RYKEN et al, 2018; SOUZA et al, 2018)
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