Conventional Tillage Field Research Articles

Effects of zero and conventional tillage on the length and irregularity of elongated pores in a clay loam soil under viticulture

Total porosity and width, length and irregularity of elongated pores from thin sections, prepared from undisturbed Ap horizon samples taken from a zero versus conventional-tillage field experiment, were analysed by means of a Quantimet 720 System 23 image analysing computer. Both total porosity and elongated pore area were significantly higher in conventionally-tilled plots. On the contrary, both the total number of pores and the proportion of elongated pores were significantly higher in no-tilled plots. Thus, zero tillage reduced the size of pores. Conventional tillage caused an increase in the length of a few large, elongated pores which also showed very strong irregularity. In samples from no-tilled plots the total length of elongated pores was smaller, but these pores were more numerous and more regular than in samples from conventionally-tilled plots. Consequently, soil conditions for root growth were better.