Ridge Tillage Research Articles

Short-term effects of tillage practices on soil aggregate fractions in a Chinese Mollisol

Soil aggregate-size distribution and soil aggregate stability are used to characterize soil structure. Quantifying the changes of structural stability of soil is an important element in assessing soil and crop management practices. A 5-year tillage experiment consisting of no till (NT), moldboard plow (MP) and ridge tillage (RT), was used to study soil water-stable aggregate size distribution, aggregate stability and aggregate-associated soil organic carbon (SOC) at four soil depths (0–5, 5–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm) of a clay loam soil in northeast China. Nonlinear fractal dimension (Dm) was used to characterize soil aggregate stability. No tillage led to a significantly greater aggregation for >1 mm aggregate and significant SOC changes in this fraction at 0–5 cm depth. There were significant positive relationships between SOC and >1 mm aggregate, SOC in each aggregate fraction, but there was no relationship between soil aggregate parameters (the proportion of soil aggregates, aggregate-associated SOC and soil stability) and soil bulk density. After 5 years, there was no difference in Dm of soil aggregate size distribution among tillage treatments, which suggested that Dm could not be used as an indicator to assess short-term effects of tillage practices on soil aggregation. In the short term, > 1 mm soil aggregate was a better indicator to characterize the impacts of tillage practices on quality of a Chinese Mollisol, particularly in the near-surface layer of the soil.

Tillage effects on energy use for corn silage in Mediterranean Coastal of Turkey

One of the main concepts of tillage should be to create the most appropriate soil conditions by taking into consideration energy use efficiency because it allows financial savings, fossil resources preservation and environment pollution decrease. Therefore, the study was perform to evaluate the effects of different tillage systems on energy use, the energy output/input ratios and profitability for silage corn ( Zea mays L) production. The tillage systems were consisted of conventional tillage without stubble (CT), minimum tillage (MT), band tillage (BT), ridge tillage (RT) and no-tillage (NT). The effects of tillage were found to be statistically on energy parameters. The highest energy use efficiency (8.78), energy productivity (2.12 kg MJ −1), and energy profitability (7.78) were in MT while the lowest in NT. But, the highest energy intensiveness was in NT (24.83 MJ EUR −1). Indirect energy, non-renewable energy and commercial energy shares were higher for all the systems. More renewable energy was used in NT than the other treatments. The highest benefit/cost ratio and productivity were in the MT (2.13), and followed by NT (2.07). For this reason, conservation tillage treatments (i.e. MT and NT) should be supported for the energy and profitability sustainability of corn silage agriculture.

Responses of rainwater conservation, precipitation-use efficiency and grain yield of summer maize to a furrow-planting and straw-mulching system in northern China

In the rain-fed areas of northern China, maize ( Zea mays L.) is a main field crop, as it is well adapted to high temperatures and bright sunshine. However, low and variable rainfall and high evapotranspiration rates are common in water-limited environments during the growing season, and often mismatched rainfall events with the critical growth stages, making yield unstable. In this study, the performance of a furrow-planting and straw-mulching system was compared with the conventional flat-planting system in a double-crop culture of winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) and summer maize for two consecutive years (2005–2006 and 2006–2007). The four tested treatments were: conventional flat planting (F), furrow planting between ridges (B), flat planting with wheat straw-mulching (FS), and furrow planting between ridges with wheat-straw mulch (BS). Soil water content and leaf area index (LAI) were measured throughout the growing season each year, and grain yield and precipitation-use efficiency (PUE Y) were determined. On average, ridge tillage combined with furrow planting increased maize yield by 430 kg ha −1 (7.3%) and PUE Y by 10.7% (1.5 kg ha −1 mm −1), compared with the conventional flat planting; furrow planting coupled with straw mulching increased yield by an additional 16.9% and PUE Y by 19.4%, respectively. From jointing to maturity, LAI values of BS were significantly higher than those of F-system (55.6% vs. 26.1% in 2006 and 81.4% vs. 21.7% in 2007). Our data suggest that maize production adopted by furrow planting with straw-covered ridges performed best under seasonal average rainfall below 480 mm, which was associated with better synchronization of seasonal soil water supply and crop needs, leading to improved maize yield and PUE Y.

Effects of ridge and conventional tillage systems on soil properties and cotton growth

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) seeds are susceptible to low temperature and excess moisture in soil during seed emergence in years with high rainfall and low temperature in spring. Therefore, a two-year field experiment was carried out to evaluate effects of ridge tillage formed in autumn (RT-I), ridge tillage formed about a month before planting (RT-II) and flat conventional tillage (CT) cultivation systems on physical properties of soil and cotton growth. The RT-I and RT-II resulted in higher soil temperature and lower soil penetration resistance than CT at all depths. The RT-II gave highest emergence, earliest maturity and greatest seed cotton yield. In conclusion, ridge tillage formed a month before planting may be considered a good agronomic practice because it can provide favorable physical conditions in soil, while also improving growth and yield of cotton under weather conditions in spring in South East Anatolia Region of Turkey.

Tillage and fertilizer effect on root distribution, water uptake and yield of maize in inland valley swamps in southwestern Nigeria

Information on the hydraulic properties of a soil is important in understanding soil drainage, solute transport and water supply to plants, for improved agricultural production. Such information is, however, scarce for the wetlands in southwestern Nigeria. This study evaluated the effect of mound-tillage (MT), ridge-tillage (RT), and no-tillage (NT), with fertilizer (F) and without fertilizer (Fo) on root growth, water extraction and yield of maize in three representative inland valley swamps, namely, very poorly drained (AY11L), poorly drained (AY13D), and imperfectly drained (AY22R) in the Ayepe area of Southwestern Nigeria. Root growth of maize was significantly (P Keywords : Wet inland valley swamps, productive soils, tillage systems, crop production.

Effect of ridge tillage, no-tillage, and conventional tillage on soil temperature, water use, and crop performance in cold and semi-arid areas in Northeast China

In cold and semi-arid Northeast China, insufficient soil accumulative temperature and low water use efficiency (WUE) are the limiting factors for the further development of agriculture. Ridge tillage (RT) has been proposed to improve soil temperature and water conservation. Data from a 3-year field experiment conducted at two locations (Sujiatun and Lanxi) in Northeast China were used to compare RT, no-tillage (NT), and conventional tillage (CT) in a spring maize cropping system. At both sites, RT and NT significantly (P < 0.05) increased mean soil temperature to 0.10 m depth, relative to CT, by 0.7–2.4°C in the cold season during the spring maize growing stage. Mean soil moisture depletion in the RT treatment was greater by 1.2–4.1% (Sujiatun) and 0.6–3.0% (Lanxi) than in NT and CT, respectively. Mean maize yields over 3 years for RT were ~9.9% greater than for CT, whereas the yield advantage in the NT treatment was only slight. In Sujiatun, WUE was 8.0% and 8.6% greater under RT than under NT and CT, respectively, and in Lanxi, WUE was 7.7% and 9.6% greater under RT than NT and CT. Ridge tillage is recommended to the farmers to obtain higher crop yield and WUE in Northeast China.

Effect of sigmoidal releasing-type coated urea fertilizer and ridge tillage on nitrogen accumulation and rate of side-wrinkled seeds in soybean cultivated in rotated paddy fields under poor drainage conditions

Effect of sigmoidal releasing-type coated urea fertilizer and ridge tillage on nitrogen accumulation and rate of side-wrinkled seeds in soybean cultivated in rotated paddy fields under poor drainage conditions

The influence of ridge tillage of soil and sulphur fertilization of potato on the weed seed reserve in the soil

The influence of ridge tillage of soil and sulphur fertilization of potato on the weed seed reserve in the soil

Weed infestation of potato canopy depended on different ridge tillage of soil and sulphur fertilization

Weed infestation of potato canopy depended on different ridge tillage of soil and sulphur fertilization

Spatial patterns of soil biological and physical properties in a ridge tilled and a ploughed Luvisol

The present study was conducted to determine the spatial heterogeneity of bulk density, soil moisture, inorganic N, microbial biomass C, and microbial biomass N in the ridge tillage system of Turiel compared to conventional mouldboard ploughing on three sampling dates in May, July, and August. The soil sampling was carried out under vegetation representing the ridge in a high spatial resolution down the soil profile. Bulk density increased with depth and ranged from 1.3 g cm −3 at 10 cm depth to 1.6 g cm −3 at 35 cm in ploughed plots and from 1.0 g m −3 at 5 cm to 1.4 g m −3 at 35 cm in the ridges. In the ploughed plots, the contents of microbial biomass C and microbial biomass N remained roughly constant at 215 and 33 μg g −1 soil, respectively, throughout the experimental period. The microbial biomass C/N ratio varied in a small range around 6.4. In the ridged plots, the contents of microbial biomass C and microbial biomass N were 5% and 6% higher compared to the ploughed plots. Highest microbial biomass C contents of roughly 300 μg g −1 soil were always measured in the crowns in July. The lowest contents of microbial biomass C of 85–137 μg g −1 soil were measured in the furrows. The ridges showed strong spatial heterogeneity in bulk density, soil water content, inorganic nitrogen and microbial biomass.

CO 2 evolution from a ridge tilled and a mouldboard ploughed Luvisol in the field

This field study was initiated to measure soil CO 2 evolution of the Turiel ridge tillage system under faba bean ( Vicia faba L.) compared with mouldboard ploughing. The CO 2–C measurements were done in situ with a transportable infrared gas analyzer at different positions on the ridges and furrows and on mouldboard plough plots with and without vegetation, respectively. The CO 2 evolution at different ridge positions reflected a ridge pattern with a CO 2–C evolution in the order crown > shoulder > furrow. On a hectare basis the mouldboard ploughed soil evolved 0.11 t more CO 2–C ha −1 than ridges, and the plots with vegetation evolved 0.58 t more CO 2–C ha −1 than the plots without vegetation during the investigation period of 57 days. At higher air temperatures the soil temperature tended to be higher on ploughed plots compared to ridges. The CO 2 evolution on the planted plots decreased with time, reflecting the decreasing physiological activity of the plant roots. Overall, despite a high degree of soil disturbance, the amount of CO 2 evolved from the ridge tilled soil was lower compared to mouldboard plough tillage, probably reflecting less favorable conditions for soil microorganisms in the ridges compared to the ploughed soil.

Effect of tillage intensity on population densities of Heterodera glycines in intensive soybean production systems

The effects of tillage on Heterodera glycines, the most important yield-reducing pathogen of soybean in the U.S., were examined in a long-term tillage and crop sequence study initiated in 1975 on a mollisol at Purdue University. Population densities of H. glycines were monitored under corn–soybean rotation and soybean monoculture in 2003 and 2004. Tillage treatments included: (A) fall moldboard plow + spring secondary tillage; (B) fall chisel plow + spring secondary tillage; (C) ridge tillage; and (D) no-tillage. In both years in the rotational plots, final population densities of H. glycines were proportional to tillage intensity. Under both soybean and corn rotation crops, highest population densities were observed with plowing + secondary tillage and lowest population densities were detected under no-tillage. In 2004, population densities in monoculture soybean soil declined with depth intervals in layers of 0–10, 10–20, and 20–30-cm depth under no-till, but not in plowed plots. Multiple regression analysis determined that the stratification of nematode population densities was strongly correlated to penetrometer resistance and potassium concentration of the soil. Tillage seemed to affect population densities of H. glycines by modification of the soil physical parameters in corn–soybean rotation plots. Reducing tillage intensity was beneficial in reducing population densities of H. glycines in rotational soils. Thus, the choice of tillage system can reduce the risk for damage by this widely distributed pathogen.

Integrating local knowledge with science and technology in management of soil, water and nutrients: implications for management of natural capital for sustainable rural livelihoods

Harnessing local knowledge and practices for sustainable management of soil, water and nutrients is important for sustainable development. This work aims to understand soil productivity in traditional open-ridging practices and integrate scientific ideas and technologies into traditional practices for enhancing management of soil productivity. Participatory assessments, household surveys, field experiments, observations and analyses of outcomes were used. Participatory assessments revealed declining natural soil fertility and maize productivity over time, a concern reiterated by 82.5% of respondents. Evaluation of ridge tillage practices showed that bean yields were significantly (p < 0.05) higher by 19–35% in traditional open ridges and increased by 23–38% when ties were integrated. Integration of fertilizers resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) higher subsequent maize yields in tied ridges than in traditional open ridge and flat cultivation practices. Improved integrated tillage practices resulted in increased soil and water conservation, soil fertility and crop tolerance to prolonged no-rainfall spells. National development policies should create enabling environments for smallholder farmers to integrate modern knowledge and technologies with their traditional knowledge and practices in land management for high and sustained quality of natural capital for secure and sustainable livelihoods.

Tillage Practices and Their Impacts on Soil Fertility in Farmer' Fields in Semi-Arid Central Tanzania

We assessed impact of 5 years continuous application of traditional tillage practices (no-till (NT), shallow tillage (ST) and ridging tillage (RT)) applied by smallholder farmers in central Tanzania. Soil samples were collected at two different soil depths to verify farmer' perceptions. At 0–15 cm, ANOVA showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) for tested parameters except total N which was significantly different and rich in NT. Whereas no significant difference were observed for chemical properties analysed at 15–30 cm, percentage clay, silt and sand content were significantly different (p < 0.05) over tillage practices with NT having more silt and clay.

Increasing crop yield in water scarce environments using locally available materials: An experience from semi-arid areas in Mpwapwa District, central Tanzania

This paper presents experience on working with farmers in water scarce environments in improving crop yield through the application of locally available materials in semi-arid areas of Mpwapwa District, central Tanzania. Findings are presented from the interdisciplinary study that involved documenting farmers perceptions and on-farm field experimentation. In the farmers’ perceptions study, three different traditional tillage practices applied by smallholder farmers in the area were identified. These are traditional no-till (TNT), shallow tillage (ST) and ridging tillage (RT). The impacts of various tillage practices on soil fertility improvement, reduced weed infestation, soil moisture retention and crop yield were the main factors considered by farmers when selecting a particular tillage practice to apply. In two cropping seasons (i.e. 2006/7 and 2007/8) on-farm field experimentations were carried to test the effects of the three traditional tillage practices, manure and mulching practices on soil moisture retention and crop yield. Results from this experiment showed traditional no-till fields to have the lowest soil moisture retention capacity and the lowest infiltration flow rate as well as lowest crop yield compared to other studied practices. It was observed that improving the current tillage practices by the application of manure to both ST and RT, and mulching to ST at rates affordable to smallholder farmers as identified during perception study (i.e. 5 tons/ha for manure and 3 tons/ha for mulching materials) results in increased crop yield. When the grain yield is compared between traditional no-till and shallow tillage with manure and mulching practices, the yield increase is between 50 and 100%. It was concluded that crop yield in water scarce environments such as the semi-arid areas of Mpwapwa District can be increased by applying locally available materials such as cow manure and mulching at rates affordable to smallholder farmers.

Is Deep Zone Tillage Agronomically Viable in Minnesota?

Deep zone tillage is a strategy used to alleviate compaction problems, including plow pans, and to improve internal drainage. Midwestern soils do not typically form a defined plow pan under normal production practices. Despite lack of scientific evidence for yield benefits associated with deep tillage, it is still used in Minnesota as a low cost alternative to tile drainage. To evaluate the soil and economic impact of deep zone tillage on crop yield when a restrictive layer is lacking, a 20-acre field was deep zone tilled to a 20-inch depth, every other 12 rows at 30-inch spacing. After zone tilling, the entire field was ridge tilled. Ridge tillage confines wheel traffic to the same rows, reducing the percent of the field trafficked. All crop and soil measurements were collected in the depressional and upland areas of the field to distinguish if zone till is of benefit in different landscape areas. Crop yields were measured for two seasons following zone tilling a ridge-tilled field. Zone till failed to increase corn and soybean yields. A restrictive layer was not observed in this field and as a result, potential economic losses occurred due to deep zone tillage.

Land Use Effects on Runoff and Water Quality on an Eastern Arkansas Soil Under Simulated Rainfall

ABSTRACT Over the past century, a significant proportion of the native grasslands that once occupied much of the middle third of the United States have been converted to cultivated agriculture, causing short- and long-term variations in soil physical and hydraulic properties that influence runoff-infiltration partitioning and runoff water quality. Eastern Arkansas is highly agriculturally productive when irrigated. However, the long history of irrigated agriculture and more recent shifts in rainfall patterns during the growing season have resulted in regional groundwater aquifer depletion with minimal regional recharge. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of land use on soil physical properties, runoff-infiltration partitioning, and runoff water quality on a typical agricultural soil in the Mississippi River Delta region of eastern Arkansas. Small-plot rainfall simulations were conducted on an Immanuel silt loam, (fine-silty, mixed, active, thermic, Oxyaquic Glossudalf) in plots (1.5 × 2 m) under native tallgrass prairie (PR) and two cultivated agroecosystems, ridge-tillage (RT), and conventional-tillage (CN). Residue cover was greatest in the PR and lowest in the CN system and differed significantly (p < 0.05) among all three land uses. However, runoff from the two agroecosystems did not differ, averaging 87% of the total amount of water applied, but both were significantly greater (p < 0.05) than that from the PR system, which averaged 62% of the total amount of water applied. Runoff turbidity and suspended solid concentration and load were greater (p < 0.05) from the CN than from the RT or PR systems. The CN system also had the greatest (p < 0.05) total P concentration and load, but the RT system produced runoff with the greatest (p < 0.05) soluble reactive P concentration and load of the three systems. Results indicate that land use and the degree of soil disturbance significantly affects runoff-infiltration partitioning and runoff water quality on this typical eastern Arkansas agricultural soil. Should results prove consistent on other regional soils, further depletion of local aquifers and degradation of surface water quality will likely continue if more sustainable agricultural practices are not increased.

Soil Conservation Tillage Effects on Yield and Water Use Efficiency on Irrigated Crops in Central Italy

AbstractDespite possible agronomic and environmental benefits, the diffusion of soil conservation tillage systems in Italy is currently rather low. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of different soil tillage techniques, in an effort to identify suitable soil management options for irrigated crops in Central Italy. An experiment was carried out on maize and soybean from April to October in two consecutive years (1993 and 1994) in Maccarese (a coastal location near Rome). The systems compared were: conventional mouldboard ploughing (CT), minimum tillage, ridge tillage and no‐tillage (NT). In 1993, actual crop evapotranspiration was measured throughout the growing season on NT and CT soybean, using a micrometeorological technique.No significant differences due to soil tillage were found for grain yield and yield irrigation water use efficiency (IWUEy), except for soybean in 1994, in which yields and IWUEy were 59 % higher on conservation tillage treatments compared with CT. In 1994 soybean yield water use efficiency was 10.1 and 9.5 kg ha−1 mm−1 for NT and CT respectively. The results suggest that the adoption of soil conservation tillage is feasible, for the specific cropping system, with equivalent or better performances as conventional tillage.

Yield and profitability of corn and soybean under different tillage in the black soils of Northeast China

The effect of no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage on yield and economic benefit of corn and soybean was studied to provide practical information for promoting conservation tillage in Northeast China. The experiment was established in Dehui County, Jilin Province, in the fall of 2001. We compared continuous corn, corn-soybean rotation and corn-corn-soybean cropping systems under different tillage treatments—no-tillage (NT), fall plough (FP) and ridge tillage (RT). The results show that under NT, the number of field operations for corn and soybean is 3～6 times less than under RT and FP respectively. The effect of different tillage treatments on corn yield is insignificant before 2006. Corn yield in RT is highest (10 136 kg·hm-2), 12.3% higher than continuous corn under NT. However, differences in corn and soybean yield under different tillage treatments are insignificant. Production cost decreases in the following order: FPNTRT for corn and FPRTNT for soybean. The profitability of corn differs in the following order: RTNTFP (for continuous corn), RTNTFP (for corn-soybean rotation) and NTRTFP (for corn-corn-soybean system). The 5-year study shows, with the exception of continuous corn, that conservation tillage does not lead to a decrease in crop yield. The rotation of corn and soybean in NT treatment gives approximately equal corn yield and even higher soybean yield compared to FP and RT treatments. Under NT, cost of labor and machinery drops, hence profitability surpasses that of FP. In conclusion, we recommend further studies on long-term effect of these cropping systems.

The impact of tillage systems on soil microclimate, growth and yield of cassava (Manihot utilisima) in Midwestern Nigeria

Cassava is the most widely cultivated root crops among traditional farmers in the Midwestern Nigeria. Majority of the traditional farmers employ the zero tillage system. It is unclear if zero tillage is the best practice for optimizing yield? This study investigates the impact of tillage types on soil microclimatic condition, growth and yield of cassava in Midwestern Nigeria. An experimental area that measured 17 by 47 m was established in Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria for two planting seasons 1997/1998 and 1998/1999. The microclimatic parameters monitored include air and soil temperatures and relative humidity while the physiological parameters measured were emergence, growth rate, leaf area accumulation and yield. Time series, multiple correlation, chi-square., ANOVA and stepwise regression analyses were the statistical tools employed in analysing the data. The results showed that soil moisture at 0 - 15 cm depth was significantly higher in zero tillage, followed by ridge and mound. The reverse is true with soil temperature. Ridge tillage (9.6 t ha-1) significantly produced more cassava tubers, followed by mound tillage (7.5 t ha-1) and zero tillage (5.2 t ha-1). The conventional ridge tillage method is recommended because it yielded more than the local practice of the zero tillage by 46%. Key words: Nigeria, tillage types, microclimate, hydrothermal, ethnoscience, cassava yield.