The Influence of Minimum Tillage Systems on Soil Organic Matter and Water Conservation in Some Soils of Transylvanian Plain

Abstract

SUMMARY The influence of conventional plough tillage system on soil, water and organic matter conservation in comparison with an alternative mini mum tillage system (paraplow, chisel plow and rotary harrow) was studied on several soil types at the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca. The application of minimum tillage systems increased the organic matter content 0.8 to 10.2% (Tab. 1) and water stabile aggregate content from 1.3 to 13.6%, in the 0-30 cm depth, as compared to the classical system. For the organic matter content and the wet aggregate stability, the statistical analysis of the data showed, increasing positive significanc e of minimum systems. While the soil fertility and the wet aggregate stability were init ially low, the effect of conservation practices on the soil features resulted in a positive impact on the water permeability of the soil. Availability of soil moisture during the crop growt h resulted in better plant water status. Subsequent release of conserved soil water regulate d proper plant water status (Tab. 2), soil structure, and lowered soil penetrometer resistance (Rusu et al., 2009).