Effect Of Different Tillage Systems Research Articles

Long-Term Effects of Different Tillage Systems and Their Impact on Soil Properties and Crop Yields

The scientific aim of this article is to elucidate the effects of various tillage practices on soil properties and crop yields; additionally, it seeks to highlight the significant potential of specific farming systems in enhancing soil organic carbon, thereby positively influencing CO2 emissions from soil. In the experimental station of Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas District, Lithuania (54°52′50″ N and 23°49′41″ E), a long-term field experiment has been established since 1999, and studies have been conducted since 2003. The soil of the experimental site is classified as Epieutric Endocalcaric Planosol (Endoclayic, Episiltic, Aric, Drainic, Endoraptic, Uterquic), according to the World Reference Base (WRB, 2022). Two primary factors were assessed. Factor A incorporated practices of straw removal versus straw chopping and spreading, while Factor B evaluated a spectrum of tillage techniques: conventional deep plowing and two no-tillage practices, one of which involved cover crops. The findings from this long-term study highlight a significant increase in SOC stocks across all treatments over the 20-year period. Notably, the no-tillage practices, coupled with the spreading of chopped straw, demonstrated the most substantial growth in SOC levels, particularly in the top 0–10 cm soil layer. This trend underscores the effectiveness of minimizing soil disturbance and incorporating organic matter in boosting SOC stocks. The different tillage systems influence CO2 emissions from soil. Initially, direct sowing into uncultivated land, both with and without cover crops, led to a notable reduction in CO2 emissions compared to conventional plowing. However, this effect was found to vary over the growth cycle of the plant, highlighting the dynamic interaction between tillage practices, soil properties, and environmental conditions. Collaborative research efforts that involve farmers, scientists, policymakers, and other stakeholders are crucial for the development of holistic, practical, scalable solutions that enhance the sustainability and productivity of agricultural systems. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable agriculture, providing insights for farmers, agronomists, and policymakers in their quest to promote environmentally sound and productive agricultural systems.

Assessing the effects of different tillage systems on selected physical and chemical properties of a silty clay loam soil under different field conditions in the Czech Republic

AbstractUnder the recent water‐limiting crisis on farmlands in the Czech Republic, more sustainable approaches to improve water infiltration and suction within the soil layer useful for plant growth is crucial. This study sought to explore changes induced by applied tillage system, and time after tillage (considering two field conditions; at crop maturity when the soil had consolidated long after tillage, and after tillage and seeding operations). The tillage systems investigated were reduced tillage (RT), occasional tillage (OT), no tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT). Soil properties at 0–30 cm depth analysed were dry bulk density, soil organic matter content, saturated volumetric water content and saturated hydraulic conductivity. After the tillage and seeding operations, soil organic matter increased on all conservation tillage plots (RT, OT and NT) but decreased under CT. Insignificant changes in dry bulk density were observed on the conservation tillage plots, whereas CT reduced dry bulk density by 15.3%. Saturated hydraulic conductivity fluctuated significantly under OT and CT, while remaining stable under RT and NT. Generally, significant variability in organic matter influenced changes in saturated volumetric water content and saturated hydraulic conductivity. Changes in dry bulk density on all the tilled plots (RT, OT, and CT) did not show any significant relationship with saturated volumetric water content. Likewise, no significant relationship between changes in bulk density and saturated hydraulic conductivity on all plots were observed. While organic matter improvements under OT positively correlated with saturated volumetric water content, its seasonal dynamics under saturated hydraulic conductivity can be further studied. CT causes high instabilities in both saturated volumetric water content and saturated hydraulic conductivity leading to impaired characteristics during the soil's consolidated state.

Seasonal and annual methane and nitrous oxide emissions affected by tillage and cover crops in flood-irrigated rice

Soil tillage plays an important role in methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in flood-irrigated rice production. Hence, this study measured the effects of soil tillage and cover crops on the seasonal and annual CH4 and N2O emissions in flood-irrigated rice. A field experiment was conducted for two agricultural years with conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT), no-tillage (NT), and NT with Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) (NT+PC). The effect of different tillage systems on CH4 emissions, which occur predominantly in rice cultivation, depends on the impact of tillage and the amount of straw remaining at the time of rice seeding. When straw incorporation in MT and CT reduces the quantity of straw remaining relative to NT, lower CH4 emissions occurred in the CT and MT. In contrast, when the amount of straw remaining on the soil is similar among the types of soil tillage, lower CH4 emissions occurred in the NT. The effect of tillage on annual N2O emissions was unclear, although the highest in-season N2O emissions occurred in the NT, where the highest water-filled pore space values were recorded in both years. High N2O emissions during rice cultivation occurred in the CT after nitrogen fertilization. The effect of the cover crop in the NT varied as a function of the performance of the clover. When the PC biomass production was satisfactory in the second year, annual CH4 and N2O emissions increased by 8 % and 23 %, respectively. The seasonal and annual quantification of CH4 and N2O emissions is important to reduce the uncertainty of the effect of different land management systems on CH4 and N2O emissions.

Effects of different tillage systems and mowing time on nutrient accumulation and forage nutritive value of Cyperus esculentus.

Revealing the complex relationships between management practices, crop growth, forage nutritive value and soil quality will facilitate the development of more sustainable agricultural and livestock production systems. Cyperus esculentus is known as the king of oil crops and high-quality forage. However, there is little information about the effects of different planting modes {continuous cropping (CC)/rotation cropping (RC)} and initial mowing time on the plant nutrient accumulation and forage nutritive value. Here, in a field experiment, we designed two planting patterns, C. esculentus CC and C. esculentus - wheat RC. The leaves, tubers, roots, and soil samples were collected at three mowing time (on the 78th, 101th, and 124th days after seed sowing). Results revealed that RC significantly increased the total nitrogen (TN) and potassium (TK) content of the tuber (p<0.05), while significantly decreased the TN, total phosphorus (TP), crude protein (CP), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents of the leaves. Under the CC pattern, the TN, TP, and TK content of roots increased significantly on the 78th days after seed sowing, and the TK content of tubers increased significantly. Under the RC pattern, the ether extract (EE) content of tubers increased significantly on the 124th days after seed sowing, while the CP and TN content of leaves decreased significantly. Correlation analysis showed that soil pH was negatively correlated with TN content in leaves, tubers, and roots. The structural equation model showed that the soil pH directly affected the plant nutrient accumulation and forage nutritive value (β=0.68) via regulating these properties by changing soil available nutrients, anions, cations, and total nutrients. Overall, we propose that RC for C. esculentus-wheat is should not be recommended to maximize tubers and forage yield.

How can pore characteristics of soil aggregates from contrasting tillage systems affect their intrinsic permeability and hydraulic conductivity?

Studies on how the alteration in the soil pore architecture can influence the permeability of small soil aggregates are still scarce. These aggregates affect the water dynamics mainly at the intra-aggregate pore scale. Thus, investigating the intra-aggregate pore space properties becomes crucial for comprehending the matter and energy transported into the soil. This paper focuses on analyzing the permeability and hydraulic conductivity of small soil aggregates from contrasting tillage systems (no-tillage – NT, minimum tillage – MT, conventional tillage – CT, and secondary forest – F) through synchrotron-based X-ray Computed Tomography. The 3D image segmentation was performed using machine and deep learning strategies. Permeability was measured based on the image-based parametrization of the Kozeny-Carman equation, which is dependent on porosity, hydraulic radius, and tortuosity. The porosity, hydraulic radius, and pore connectivity were not affected by the soil tillage systems at the scale of analysis (aggregates of a few millimeters). Conventional tillage had higher pore tortuosity relative to NT, demonstrating less favorable fluid transport at the aggregate scale. However, only the aggregates under F had significantly higher permeability and hydraulic conductivity relative to NT, MT, and CT. Our results brought new insights into the effects of different tillage systems on the soil structure and their possible impact on water dynamics at the microscale.

Could conservation tillage increase the resistance to drought in Mediterranean faba bean crops?

Climate change, especially in Mediterranean countries, might have a detrimental effect on agro‑ecosystems and agricultural production, as well as on the price, quantity and quality of the products. This study assesses the potential impact of drought predictions on a faba bean crop, and evaluates the adoption of conservation tillage practices to reduce this effect. For this purpose, a rainfall exclusion experiment was carried out in a Mediterranean rotation in Southwest Spain, where a long-term tillage experiment was running since 2008. Soil water storage (SWS), crop productivity and mineral nutrition, plant ecophysiology and biomass quality, as well as the colonization of roots by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and symbiotic Rhizobium bacteria were evaluated over one growth cycle to study the combined effect of different tillage systems - non-tillage (NT), reduced tillage (RT) and traditional tillage (TT)- and rainfall reduction. Rainfall reduction had a negative impact on faba bean germination on the TT system, and on its aboveground biomass across the three tillage systems, but did not affect grain production. The percentage of biomass yield reduction by rainfall exclusion was 30% for NT, 50% for RT and 20% for TT. In the case of RT, low yields were influenced by a high incidence of weeds under rainfall reduction. The negative effect of water exclusion was especially evident on photosynthesis rates and stomatal conductance across all tillage types, while leaf water potential was affected by drought only in the TT system. These ecophysiological indicators were positively associated to some variables of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and Rhizobium nodulation in roots. Changes in the patterns of symbiotic interactions in response to drought depended on the tillage type. We conclude that, despite no effect on soil water storage, in the conservation tillage systems the increase in the mycorrhizal colonization in roots, particularly under NT, could be beneficial for plants to face drought stress. However, in a scenario of reduced rainfall it will be necessary to invest more resources in weed control under RT.

Effect of Different Tillage Systems and Soil Biostimulants on Agrochemical Properties and Intensity of Soil CO2 Emission in Wheat Crop

In this study, a field experiment was performed at the Experimental Station of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy in Lithuania from 2018 to 2020. The researched soil comprised carbonate deeper gleyic leachate (IDg4-k) (Calc(ar)i Endohypogleyic Luvisol) (LVg-n-w-cc). A two-factor field experiment was performed on spring and winter wheat. Factor A was soil tillage technology; factor B was the use of biostimulants and their mixtures (Ruinex, Penergetic, Azofix). The experimental fields were arranged randomly in four replicates. The aim of the work was to assess the soil CO2 emissions, soil carbon, soil nitrogen, humus, and humic substances using two different soil tillage management methods (no till—wheat straw left on the soil surface; and reduced till—soil incorporation of the wheat straw) and different biostimulants or nitrogen fertilization. The humus content of the soil remained sufficiently stable or slightly decreased when the straw was retained and the single-component biostimulators Azofix, Ruinex, and Penergetic were used. In contrast, when continuous straw application was combined with two- or three-component mixtures of these biological preparations or with compensatory nitrogen the humus content increased. Compared with the initial state, it increased by 1.4–12.8 % due to the improved complexity of extra conditions for microbiological biodiversity. Meanwhile, after three years of investigation, the soil tillage technology did not significantly impact the humus content, total nitrogen, and CO2 emissions. Tillage technologies had a significant impact on the content of water-soluble soil carbon. Under no-till, the carbon content increased by an average of 9.0%, and under reduced tillage, the carbon content increased by only 2.3%. It is likely that the combination of no-till with catch crops increased the stocks of soluble C in the soil. Compared to the use of compensatory nitrogen, this indicator was increased by all biostimulants, especially when using all three preparations in the mixture (Ruinex, Penergetic, Azofix). The effect of the two-preparation mixtures was also more pronounced than that of the single component. The results over three years show that biostimulants promote the release of mobile humic substances and mobile humic acids better than compensatory nitrogen for straw decomposition. The effect was the same for the organic carbon content.

INFLUENCE OF FOLIAR APPLIED POTASSIUM AND DEFICIT IRRIGATION UNDER DIFFERENT TILLAGE SYSTEMS ON PRODUCTIVITY OF HYBRIDMAIZE

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Field experiment was carried out to study the effect of different tillage systems and skipping irrigation at different growth stages along with or without foliar applied potassium on phenology, growth and yield of maize hybrid. Results revealed that maximum grains per cob (381), 1000-grains weight (281.00 g), grain yield (7.82 t ha-1) and biological yield (14.78 t ha-1) were observed in conventional tillage system as compared to zero tillage. Regarding the irrigation levels and potassium (K) spray maximum grains per cob (390), 1000-grains weight (309 g), grain yield (8 t ha-1) and biological yield (15.33 t ha-1) were recorded with full irrigation + 1% Sulphate of Potash (SOP) spray. Skipping irrigation at tasseling stage had the most negative effect on yield attributes. Foliar application of SOP at 1%with full irrigationsunder conventional tillage system significantly improved the phonological and yield attributes of autumn planted maize.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

The effect of different tillage systems and fertilizer combinations on wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) growth and some of yield components and its weed Competition

A field experiment was conducted during the agricultural season 2020-2021, at the agricultural extension station in Al-Najmi district, 43 km northeast of the , the center of Al-Muthanna Governorate, to determine the effect of tillage depths and different fertilizer combinations on some traits of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) and its weed competition. The experiment was applied according to the arrangement of the split block by two factors using the (RCBD) design and with three replicates. The first factor; four treatments of the tillage systems (0, 10, 20 and 30 cm). The second factor; fertilizer combinations with the control treatment (P0 K0 ,P25 K30 ,P50 K60,, P75 K90,P100K120 kg ha-1). The results of the study showed a significant difference for the treatments of tillage systems in most of the studied traits, weed decreased. The treatment of tillage depth of 10 cm was superior in giving the highest average concentration of nitrogen and phosphorous in the plant. The results also showed the superiority of the fertilizer combination F4 in giving the highest average concentration of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in the plant.

Study of water productivity of wheat and moisture distribution under the influence of center pivot irrigation and different tillage systems for desert soils

A field experiment was conducted to grow the wheat crop during the fall season 2020 in Karbala province, north of Ain Al-Tamr District in two locations of different textures and parent materials. The first site (calcareous soil) with a sandy loam texture, is located at (44° 40′ 37′) east longitude and (32° 41′ 34′) north latitude, at an altitude of 32 m above sea level, and an area of 20 hectares. As for the second location (gypsum soil) with a loam texture, it is located at a longitude (45° 41′ 39′) east and a latitude (33° 43′ 34′ north) and at an altitude of 33 m above sea level and an area of 20 hectares. To find out the effect of different tillage systems on water productivity and wheat yield under center pivot irrigation system. Two treatments were used in the experiment, The first treatment: four-level tillage systems: zero tillage (T1), Spike pin harrows (T2), disc harrows (T3), and Moldboard plows (T4). As for the second treatment: Soil type with two levels: gypsum soil (G) and calcareous soil (C). The experiment was designed according to a randomized complete block design with three replications. The highest yield of crop and field water was with treatment C with the productivity of 10.40 and 9.82 kg m-3, respectively and with T1 treatment with yields of 10.10 and 9.50 kg m-3, respectively. And with the GT1 bi-interaction treatment with yields of 9.30 and 8.80 kg m-3, respectively and with CT2 treatment with yields of 11.70 and 11.10 kg m-3, respectively. The treatment of calcareous soil (C) gave the highest value of grain yield, biological yield and 7657 kg ha-1, 18167 kg ha-1, respectively. Tillage treatment T1 gave the highest value of grain yield and biological yield of 7735 kg ha-1 and 18475 kg ha-1, respectively. The bi- interaction treatment GT1 gave the highest value for grain yield, biological yield 7520 kg ha-1, 17,980 kg ha-, respectively. The interaction CT2 treatment gave the highest value for grain yield, biological yield 8660 kg ha-1, 19270 kg ha-1, respectively. The T1 and T2 tillage system under center pivot irrigation is better in terms of moisture content at all depths and time periods.

Organic amendments and conservation tillage improve cotton productivity and soil health indices under arid climate

Long-term different tillage system field trials can provide vital knowledge about sustainable changes in soil health indices and crop productivity. This study examined cotton productivity and soil health indices under different tillage systems and organic materials. The present study was carried out at MNS University of Agriculture, Multan to explore the effect of different tillage systems: conventional tillage (T1), conservation tillage (T2), and organic materials: control (recommended dose of synthetic fertilizers; 160:90:60 kg ha−1NPK), poultry manure (10 t ha−1 PM), compost (10 t ha−1 CM), farmyard manure (20 t ha−1 FYM), and biochar (7 t ha−1 BC) on cotton productivity and soil health indices. Two years field trials showed that different tillage systems and organic materials significantly improved the growth, morphological, and yield attributes of cotton and soil health indices. The cotton showed highest seed cotton yield (3692–3736 kg ha−1), and soil organic matter (0.809–0.815%), soil available nitrogen (74.3–74.6 mg kg−1), phosphorus (7.29–7.43 mg kg−1), and potassium (213–216 mg kg−1) under T2 in comparison to T1 system during both years of field experiment, respectively. Similarly, PM (10 t ha−1) showed highest seed cotton yield (3888–3933 kg ha−1), and soil organic matter (0.794–0.797%), nitrogen (74.7–75.0 mg kg−1), phosphorus (7.39–7.55 mg kg−1), and potassium (221–223 mg kg−1) when these are compared to FYM (20 t ha−1), CM (10 t ha−1), and BC (7 t ha−1) during both years of field experiment, respectively. These findings indicate that conservation tillage system with application of 10 t ha−1 PM are the best practices for the sustainable cotton production and to ensure improvement in the soil health indices under arid climatic conditions.

Effects of different tillage systems and cropping sequences on soil physicochemical properties and greenhouse gas emissions

The greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) are major contributor to climate change and farmlands are prominent source of GHGE that are affected by soil chemical and physical properties. Field management practices e.g. no-till (NT) and cropping sequences (CSs) can regulate GHGE by changing soil physicochemical properties. To understand the role of soil physicochemical properties on GHGE under different tillage and CSs, a field experiment was conducted during 2019 and 2020 consisting of two tillage systems (NT and rotary tillage (RT)) and CSs (maize-wheat-soybean-wheat (MWS), soybean-wheat-maize-wheat (SWM), wheat-soybean (SW) and wheat-maize (WM)). The results showed that N2O emissions were higher in 2019, mainly under SWM and SW as compared to other CSs. Higher cumulative N2O emissions (28.89% (2019) and 37.94% (2020)) under RT were observed than NT. RT had higher CH4 sink in 2019 (20.93%) and 2020 (19.6%) in comparison to NT. Moreover, CH4 uptake was increased almost 91.49% in 2020 as compared to 2019. These inter-annual changes between GHGE were mainly due to water filled pore spaces (WFPS) induced by inter-annual precipitation anomalies, where higher precipitation (79.91%) in 2019 increased about 50.71% WFPS as compared to 2020. The global warming potential (GWP) was negatively correlated to TN, PON, SOC, POC and SOC stock, but positively correlated to WFPS. These results suggested that RT could negatively impact WFPS, SOC, TN and their associated fractions in different CSs and enhance GWP. In conclusion, NT with diversified CSs could offer a solution for decreasing GWP and improving maize equivalent yield.

Effect of different tillage systems and cultivars on yield and yield attributes of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2019 at the Experimental Farm of the Department of Agronomy of CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur (H.P.) to investigate the effect of different tillage systems and varieties on yield of rice. The treatments consist of three rice varieties (HPR 1156, HPR 2656 and HPR 2795) which were tested under three tillage systems viz., conventional tillage, and minimum tillage without residue and minimum tillage with residue retention. The experiment was set up in a split plot design, with the tillage system in the main plot and rice cultivars in the sub plots, and it was triple replicated. The texture of the soil at the test site was silty clay loam in texture, acidic in reaction and in terms of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, it was evaluated as medium. Significantly higher no. of panicles per meter square were observed in minimum tillage without residue though this treatment was at par with conventional tillage while significantly lower number of panicles m-2 were recorded with minimum tillage with residue retention. Significantly greater number of grains per panicle and panicle length were recorded in conventional tillage while minimum tillage with residue retention recorded lower values of number of grains per panicle and panicle length. Different tillage practices had no effect on the test weight of rice. Among different varieties tested, HPR 2656 recorded greater number of panicles per square meter which was at par with variety HPR 1156. Significantly higher number of grains per panicle and panicle length were recorded with HPR 2795 while the other two varieties were at par with each other. Rice variety HPR 1156 produced grains that had significantly greater test weight while the other two varieties (HPR 2795 and HPR 2656) were at par with each other with respect to this parameter. In terms of yield, conventional tillage produced much larger grain yield, straw yield, and biological yield and was at par with minimum tillage without residue. Among different varieties tested, HPR 2795 recorded much greater grain, straw and biological yields.

Effect of Different Tillage Systems on Soil Organic Carbon and Enzymatic Activity

The aim of the study was to compare the effect of conventional, simplified, and organic farming systems on changes in the content of soil organic carbon, organic matter fractions, total nitrogen, and the enzymatic activity. The research was conducted from 2016–2018 on arable land in the south-eastern part of Poland. The selected soils were cultivated in conventional tillage (C_Ts), simplified tillage (S_Ts), and organic farming (O_Fs) systems. The analyses were performed in soil from the soil surface layers (up to 25 cm depth) of the experimental plots. The highest mean contents of soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and organic matter fractions were determined in soils subjected to the simplified tillage system throughout the experimental period. During the study period, organic carbon concentration on surface soil layers under simplified tillage systems was 31 and 127% higher than the soil under conventional tillage systems and organic farming systems, respectively. Also, the total nitrogen concentration in those soils was more than 40% and 120% higher than conventional tillage systems and organic farming systems, respectively. Moreover, these soils were characterised by a progressive decline in SOC and Nt resources over the study years. There was no significant effect of the analysed tillage systems on the C:N ratio. The tillage systems induced significant differences in the activity of the analysed soil enzymes, i.e., dehydrogenase (DH) and catalase (CAT). The highest DH activity throughout the experiment was recorded in the O_Fs soils, and the mean value of this parameter was in the range of 6.01–6.11 μmol TPF·kg−1·h−1. There were no significant differences in the CAT values between the variants of the experiment. The results confirm that, regardless of other treatments, such as the use of organic fertilisers, tillage has a negative impact on the content of SOC and organic matter fractions in the O_Fs system. All simplifications in tillage reducing the interference with the soil surface layer and the use of organic fertilisers contribute to improvement of soil properties and enhancement of biological activity, which helps to maintain its productivity and fertility.

Effects of Different Tillage Systems, Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates, and Mycorrhiza Inoculation on some Soil Physical Properties and Yield of Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.)

Effects of Different Tillage Systems, Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates, and Mycorrhiza Inoculation on some Soil Physical Properties and Yield of Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.)

Effects of different tillage systems on soil properties, and yield and yield components of barley

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to assess the influence of tillage systems on soil characteristics as well as barely yield. The two-year experiment with the tillage systems (NT, no-tillage; MT, minimum-tillage; and CT, conventional-tillage) and barley cultivars was done. Vetch was pre-planting in the rotation with barley. About 30% of vetch residue remained in the NT and MT systems, but in CT, these residues were buried by moldboard. Results showed that NT was superior to MT and CT in terms of the soil properties, earthworm number and earthworm body mass. Remains of vetch, as a pre-planted crop, were effective in increasing these indicators. Also, the improvement of these indicators made the no-tillage superior to the MT and CT in terms of geometric mean diameter, mean weight diameter and soil moisture content. In contrast, soil porosity was higher in CT system. In conclusion, soil structure improved during the two years of the experiment when MT or NT was used, while CT was not effective in improving the soil structure. Grain yield (5973 kg ha−1) and NFS (5163) were higher in NT than MT and CT, suggesting that the change in soil structure has provided a better environment for the yield.

The effect of different tillage systems upon some microorganisms

The aim of this research was to establish the influence of two tillage systems: one without ploughing, and one with conventional tillage, upon soil microorganisms. The experiment was carried out on the farm of Brezovo, in two variants - control, with applied conventional tillage and a second variant – without ploughing, on an area of 200 dk for each variant. The soil type of the field is sandy - clay, with medium to high cation exchange capacity. The nitrate nitrogen content was determined colometrically and spectrophotometrically for phosphorus and potassium. The ratio of carbon to nitrogen was measured twice - before sowing and during harvest time. The amount of total bacterial and fungal microflora, as well as the ratio of active bacteria and fungi was monitored. Based on the obtained results, it was found that the numbers of the total bacteria and fungi is higher in the variant without ploughing, compared to the control sample. The same trend is maintained in the quantitative ratio of active fungi and bacteria. Reduced tillage systems create better conditions for the development of the studied groups of microorganisms, compared to conventional cultivation technologies.

Effect of Residuses Clover and Yellow Corn (spring lug) under The effect of Different Tillage Systems in the Growth Characteristics and Yield of the yellow Corn crop (autumn lug) Cultivated according to Crop Rotation system in Soil Gypsiferous

Crop rotation system was practiced under the effect of different tillage systems to find their influence on the growth characteristics and yield of corn (autumn season) inagypsiferous soil. Clover and corn crop were planed in spring season 2018-2019. Under the effect no tillage system (NT) and the reduced tillage (RT) and conventional tillage (CT) , and keeping on levels (0% , 50% , 100%) for their residues after experiment harvesting. In autumn season planted corn was (autumn season) in the same site of spring season under the same effect of the same factors studied in the first experiment in addition to the factor of the percentage of residues of the previous crop. Growth characteristics, plant height and dry matter yield were studied. After harvesting, the yield characteristics were studied (number of rows, weight of cobs , weight of 500 seeds , grain yield) for each experimental unit to determine the effect of the studied factors on it. Results showed that there was no significant difference between the NT system and the RT system in the characteristic of plant height, both of which were significantly superior to the CT system, with a percentage greater than (2.13 and 1.9) % respectively. while for the dry matter yield the RT system was significantly superior to NT, with a percentage greater than (6.14)% and was not significant with CT. As for the yield characteristics the RT system significantly superior the NT system and the CT system in the characteristic (number of rows , weight of cobs , weight of 500 seeds , and grain yield) for the yield of maize (autumn season) and a percentage of superiority of (7.2 , 8.7 , 4.2 and 11.2) % respectively, compared to the lowest average. Also, clover residues were significantly superior over the corn residues (spring season) in plant height and dry matter in the rate of (1.72 and 8.66) % respectively, in percentase superior to (NS , 14.8 , 7.2 and 15.5 )% in the number of rows and weight of sprouts and weight of 500 seeds and the grain yield on respectively of the corn crop (autumn season) cultivated according to the crop rotation system. By increasing the level of residues from 0% to the level of 100%, the growth characteristics of plant height and dry matter increased significantly, the increase superior was (2.78 and 40.85)% , respectively. As for yield characteristics (weight of cobs , weight of 500 seeds , and grain yield) of corn yield (autumn season ) the level 100% superior on level of 0% from residues values ​​(263.34 g and 178.40 g and 6685.09 kg ha-1) and in the rate (10.5 , 7.6 and 16)%, respectively. As for the number of rows there was no significant between the levels and the three interferences treatment NT.C.C2Re100% and RT.C.C2Re100% gave the high significance in plant height a value of (198.33) cm for both. The treatment is NT.C.C2Re100% with a value of (5663.9) kg ha-1 in dry matter yield and the treatment is RT.C.C1Re 100% in the number of rows a value of (16.33) row sp-1 and the treatment NT.C.C2Re 100% in the weight of 500 seeds a value of (189.11) g and in the grain yield total value (7740.4) kg ha-1 compared to the other study treatments.

The Effect of Different Soil Tillage Systems and Crop Residues on the Composition of Weed Communities

The composition of weed communities in agricultural crops is dependent on soil properties and the applied agronomic practices. The current study determined the effect of different tillage systems and crop residue on the soil weed community composition. The research programme encompassed 2013–2015 in a long-term field experiment located in the Experimental Station of Vytautas Magnus University in Lithuania. The soil type in the experimental field was qualified as Endocalcaric Stagnosol (Aric, Drainic, Ruptic, Amphisiltic). Weeds were categorised into communities according to soil pH, nitrogen and moisture indicators. The results of investigations were grouped using cluster analysis. Agricultural crops were dominated by different weed species depending on the soil pH and moisture. Weed species were relatively more frequent indicating nitrogen-rich and very nitrogen-rich soils. In the reduced tillage and no-tillage systems, an increase in the abundance of weed species indicating moderate acidity and low acidity, moderately wet and wet, nitrogen-rich and very nitrogen-rich soils was observed. The application of plant residues decreased the weed species abundance. In the reduced tillage and no-tillage systems, the quantitative distribution of weed was often uneven. By evaluating the association of weed communities with groups of different tillage systems with or without plant residues, their control can be optimised.

Long‐term zero‐tillage enhances the protection of soil carbon in tropical agriculture

AbstractContrasting tillage strategies not only affect the stability and formation of soil aggregates but also modify the concentration and thermostability of soil organic matter associated with soil aggregates. Understanding the thermostability and carbon retention ability of aggregates under different tillage systems is essential to ascertain potential terrestrial carbon storage. We characterized the concentration and thermostability of soil organic carbon (SOC) within various aggregate size classes under both zero and conventional tillage using novel Rock‐Eval pyrolysis. The nature of the pore systems was visualized and quantified by X‐ray computed tomography to link soil structure to organic carbon preservation and thermostability. Soil samples were collected from experimental fields in Botucatu, Brazil, which had been under zero‐tillage for 2, 15 and 31 years, and from adjacent fields under conventional tillage. Soils under zero‐tillage significantly increased pore connectivity whilst simultaneously decreasing interaggregate porosity, providing a potential physical mechanism for protection of SOC in the 0–20‐cm soil layer. Changes in the soil physical characteristics associated with the adoption of zero‐tillage resulted in improved aggregate formation compared to conventionally tilled soils, especially when implemented for at least 15 years. In addition, we identified a chemical change in composition of organic carbon to a more recalcitrant fraction following conversion to zero‐tillage, suggesting aggregates were accumulating rather than mineralizing SOC. These data reveal profound effects of different tillage systems upon soil structural modification, with important implications for the potential of zero‐tillage to increase carbon sequestration compared to conventional tillage.Highlights Different tillage systems may affect SOC thermostability and C retention potentials of soil aggregates. SOC thermostability was characterised by Rock‐Eval pyrolysis and pore systems were quantified by X‐ray CT within aggregate size classes. Profound effects of zero versus conventional tillage upon soil structural modification were observed Important implications for zero‐tillage to increase C sequestration versus conventional tillage.