Temporal Variation of Hydro‐Physical Properties of Paddy Clay Soil under Different Rice‐Based Cropping Systems

Spatial variability of hydro‐physical properties has long been observed, whereas temporal variation is much less documented and considered in studies and applications, particularly of paddy clay soils under different cropping systems. The objective of this study was therefore to assess the seasonal‐ and inter‐seasonal variation of selected hydro‐physical properties of a paddy clay soil under different rice‐based cropping systems with contrasting tillage. In a long‐term experiment, plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four treatments and four replications: (i) rice–rice–rice; (ii) rice–maize–rice; (iii) rice–mung bean–rice; and (iv) rice–mung bean–maize. Soil samples were collected at three depths (0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm) at three times during two cropping seasons, i.e., 15 days after soil preparation (DASP), 45 DASP and 90 DASP during the winter–spring and spring–summer seasons. Results show that temporal variability of soil bulk density, macro‐porosity (MacP) and matrix‐porosity within both seasons and between seasons was limited for cropping systems with upland crop rotations, whereas within season variation was significant for rice monoculture system. Observed variation in bulk density, matrix‐porosity and MacP was mainly associated with cropping system and soil depth. Field saturated hydraulic conductivity of topsoil showed great temporal variability, both seasonal and inter‐seasonal, in correspondence with MacP (r  = 0·58). These results highlight the need of depth differentiated soil sampling and time consideration when evaluating management practices on soil physical properties and modeling the hydrological behavior of paddy soil. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Factors controlling aggregation in a minimum and a conventionally tilled undulating field

Wind and water erosion induce breakdown of soil aggregates and loss of soil organic matter. Whereas most of the relations between aggregation and its driving factors have been established on a plot scale, these relations might be very different within an undulating landscape where both erosion (by wind or water) and deposition occur. The aim of this study was to investigate to what degree spatial patterns in soil variables influence spatial patterns in aggregation under different tillage intensities. We studied an agricultural field of about 3 ha in the silty region of Belgium. The site was split into a conventional tillage (CT) and a minimum tillage (MT) system. Within the field, 396 geo‐referenced surface soil samples (0–5 cm) were taken and analyzed for organic matter content, quantity of aggregates and a number of other soil properties. Under CT, 28.5% of the total sample variation was explained by the occurrence of depositional areas, 20.8% by the amount of soil organic matter, and 13.8% by the presence of a clay‐rich B horizon which surfaced due to progressive water and tillage erosion. Regression analysis revealed that 27% of the variation in the quantity of macroaggregates (>0.25 mm) was accounted for by these three factors. Under MT, 27.1% of the total sample variation was related to the surface cover of Tertiary sand, 22.6% to the amount of soil organic matter, and 13% to erodibility. These three factors explained 53% of the variation in the quantity of macroaggregates. In the CT system, the correlation between grass‐ or maize‐ carbon and the quantity of macroaggregates was strongly linked to erodibility, while this was not the case in the MT system. We concluded that at this site, macroaggregation is dominated by landscape‐scale processes (such as water or tillage erosion) rather than determined by the commonly considered local variables (such as small variations in texture or organic matter content).     

Long‐Term Tillage and Cropping System Effects on Chemical and Biochemical Characteristics of Soil Organic Matter in a Mediterranean Semiarid Environment

Several studies have reported how tillage and cropping systems affect quantity, quality, and distribution of soil organic matter (SOM) along the profile. However, the effect of soil management on the chemical structure of SOM and on its hydrophobic and hydrophilic components has been little investigated. In this work, the long‐term (19 years) effects of two cropping systems (wheat monoculture and wheat/faba bean rotation) and three tillage managements (conventional, reduced, and no tillage) on some chemical characteristics of SOM and their relationships with labile carbon (C) pools were evaluated. Soil samples were taken from the topsoil (0–15 cm) of a Chromic Haploxerert (central Sicily, Italy). After 19 years of different tillage and cropping systems management, total organic C significantly differed among treatments with the labile organic C pools showing the greater amount in no till and in wheat/faba bean plots. Hydrophobic and hydrophilic components of SOM, determined by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, were mainly affected by cropping system, whereas aromatic components of SOM by tillage. Soil organic matter components and characteristics showed significant correlations with the soil biochemical parameters, confirming the expected synergism between chemical and biochemical properties. This study demonstrated that (i) no tillage and crop rotation improve the chemical and biochemical properties of SOM of Vertisols under semiarid environment; and (ii) tillage management and cropping systems have affected, after 19 years, more the chemical and biochemical properties of SOM than its quantity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

LONG‐TERM LAND USE INFLUENCES SOIL MICROBIAL BIOMASS P AND S,PHOSPHATASE AND ARYLSULFATASE ACTIVITIES,AND S MINERALIZATION IN A BRAZILIAN OXISOL

Land use choices differentially affect soil physical and biological properties. Tillage choices in particular affect soil erosion, the retention of soil organic matter, and the biological activity that organic matter supports. The present study evaluated the consequences of different cropping and tillage systems (undisturbed forest, coffee plantation, conventional, and no‐tillage row cropping) for soil microbial indicators and sulfur mineralization after 24 years of cropping on an Oxisol (Typic Haplorthox) in an experimental area at Londrina, Brazil. Soil samples were taken at 0–5, 5–10, and 10–20 cm depths and evaluated for microbial biomass P and S, S mineralization, and phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities. Land use affected microbial biomass P and S, and enzyme activity at all depths studied. The cultivated sites had lower values of microbial activity than the undisturbed forested site. Although the coffee site was not tilled and had high organic carbon content, there was low microbial activity, probably due to higher soil acidity and Al content. The estimates of pool stock for microbial P and annual P flux through the soil microbial biomass suggest that these pools are large enough to significantly affect plant nutrient availability. The greater microbial biomass and activity under forested and no‐tillage sites may be attributed, at least partially, to higher organic matter content. The soil microbial variables examined proved to be strong indicators of soil sustainability. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Functional and Nutritional Characteristics of Soft Wheat Grown in No‐Till and Conventional Cropping Systems

The effects of no‐till versus conventional farming practices were evaluated on soft wheat functional and nutritional characteristics, including kernel physical properties, whole wheat composition, antioxidant activity, and end‐product quality. Soft white winter wheat cultivar ORCF 102 was evaluated over a two‐year period from three long‐term replicated no‐till versus conventional tillage studies in Oregon. Wheat from the no‐till cropping systems generally had greater test weight, kernel diameter, and kernel weight and had softer kernels compared with wheat from the conventional tillage systems. Compared with the conventional systems, no‐till whole wheat flour had lower protein and SDS sedimentation volume. Ash content as well as most minerals measured (calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, and zinc), except for manganese and phosphorus, were generally slightly lower in no‐till than in conventional wheat. Whole wheat flour from the no‐till cropping systems generally had slightly lower total phenolic content and total antioxidant capacity. Milling properties, including flour yield, break flour yield, and mill score, were not affected by tillage systems. Refined flour from no‐till systems had lower protein, SDS sedimentation volume, and lactic acid and sucrose solvent retention capacities compared with flour from conventional tillage. No‐till wheat generally had greater sugar‐snap cookie diameter than conventionally tilled wheat. In conclusion, no‐till soft white winter wheat generally had slightly reduced nutritional properties (protein, ash, most minerals, and total antioxidant content) compared with wheat from conventionally tilled systems, and it had equivalent or sometimes superior functional properties for baking cookie‐type products.     

Effect of tillage management on energy-use efficiency and economics of soybean (Glycine max) based cropping systems under the rainfed conditions in North-West Himalayan Region

The study on energy-use efficiency and economics of soybean based cropping system, viz., soybean–wheat (Glycine max 9 L., Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.), soybean–lentil (Lens culinaris Medicus) and soybean–field pea (Pisum sativum L., sensu lato), was carried out at the Hawalbagh experimental farm of Vivekananda Institute of Hill Agriculture, Almora, Uttarakhand, India during 2001–2003 (29°36′ N, 79°40′ E). These cropping systems, under rainfed conditions, were evaluated with different tillage management practices, viz., zero tillage (ZT), minimum tillage (MT) and conventional tillage (CT). Each tillage management practice, under each cropping system was evaluated for total energy output, energy input–output ratio, gross income, net income and marginal income, to variable cost of cultivation. Results revealed that the maximum energy was consumed in terms of chemical fertilizers, followed by seed and plant protection chemicals, in all cropping systems. Equivalent energy was used from literature for conversion purpose. The maximum output energy was observed in CT (44,253 MJ/ha), followed by MT for soybean–lentil cropping system (43,450 MJ/ha). The output–input energy ratio was maximum in ZT for soybean–lentil (4.9) followed by MT for soybean–pea cropping system (4.6). The economic analysis also revealed that the maximum benefits could be obtained from these sequences. Conventional tillage for all cropping sequences was found to be a better option as compared to minimum tillage and zero tillage. Benefit–cost ratios were higher in conventional tillage in all the three cropping systems. However, from the point of energy saving or cost reduction, zero tillage and minimum tillage may be considered depending on resources.     

The effect of tillage intensity on soil structure and winter wheat root/shoot growth

Despite a vast amount of data on the effect of tillage on crop productivity, surprisingly there is little detailed information available on the influence on below and aboveground crop growth dynamics. Such information is essential for developing sustainable cropping systems. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of tillage intensity on crop growth dynamics and soil structure. A tillage experiment was established in autumn 2002 on two Danish sandy loams (Foulum and Flakkebjerg) in a cereal‐based crop rotation. The tillage systems included in this study were direct drilling (D), harrowing 8–10 cm (H_8‐10), and ploughing (P). A single‐disc drill was used in the H_8‐10 and D treatments and a traditional seed drill in the P treatment. Measurements were carried out in 2004–05 and 2005–06 and winter wheat was grown in both years (first and second year winter wheat). Shoot and root growth was followed during the growing seasons using spectral reflectance and mini‐rhizotron measurements, respectively. A range of soil physical properties were measured. We found decreased early season shoot and root growth with decreasing tillage intensity. Differences diminished later in the growing season, although significant treatment effects were observed throughout the growing season for the second year winter wheat. The formerly ploughed layer in the D and H_8‐10 treatments was noticeably compacted as indicated by increases in both penetration resistance and bulk density. Nitrate leaching increased with decreasing tillage intensity for the first year winter wheat at Foulum. In general ploughing resulted in the highest grain yields. This study highlights the important interaction between soil structure and crop growth dynamics.     

Long‐term cropping systems and tillage management effects on soil organic carbon stock and steady state level of C sequestration rates in a semiarid environment

A calcareous and clayey xeric Chromic Haploxerept of a long‐term experimental site in Sicily (Italy) was sampled (0–15 cm depth) under different land use management and cropping systems (CSs) to study their effect on soil aggregate stability and organic carbon (SOC). The experimental site had three tillage managements (no till [NT], dual‐layer [DL] and conventional tillage [CT]) and two CSs (durum wheat monocropping [W] and durum wheat/faba bean rotation [WB]). The annually sequestered SOC with W was 2·75‐times higher than with WB. SOC concentrations were also higher. Both NT and CT management systems were the most effective in SOC sequestration whereas with DL system no C was sequestered. The differences in SOC concentrations between NT and CT were surprisingly small. Cumulative C input of all cropping and tillage systems and the annually sequestered SOC indicated that a steady state occurred at a sequestration rate of 7·4 Mg C ha⁻¹ y⁻¹. Independent of the CSs, most of the SOC was stored in the silt and clay fraction. This fraction had a high N content which is typical for organic matter interacting with minerals. Macroaggregates (>250 µm) and large microaggregates (75–250 µm) were influenced by the treatments whereas the finest fractions were not. DL reduced the SOC in macroaggregates while NT and CT gave rise to higher SOC contents. In Mediterranean areas with Vertisols, agricultural strategies aimed at increasing the SOC contents should probably consider enhancing the proportion of coarser soil fractions so that, in the short‐term, organic C can be accumulated. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Soil aggregation and bacterial community structure as affected by tillage and cover cropping in the Brazilian Cerrados

Microbial-based indicators of soil quality are believed to be more dynamic than those based on physical and chemical properties. Recent developments in molecular biology based techniques have led to rapid and reliable tools to characterize microbial community structures. We determined the effects of conventional and no-tillage in cropping systems with and without cover crops on bacterial community structure, total organic carbon (TOC) and soil aggregation. Tillage and rotation did not affect TOC from bulk soil. However, TOC was greater in the largest aggregate size class (7.98–19 mm), and had greater mean-weight diameter under no-tillage than under conventional tillage in the 0–5 cm soil layer. Soil bacterial community structure, based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of polymerase chain reaction amplified DNA (PCR/DGGE) using two different genes as biomarkers, 16S rRNA and rpoB genes, indicated different populations in response to cultivation, tillage and depth, but not due to cover cropping. Soil bacterial community structure and meanweight diameter of soil aggregates indicated alterations in soil conditions due to tillage system.     

Transitioning from standard to minimum tillage: Trade-offs between soil organic matter stabilization, nitrous oxide emissions, and N availability in irrigated cropping systems

Few studies address nutrient cycling during the transition period (e.g., 1–4 years following conversion) from standard to some form of conservation tillage. This study compares the influence of minimum versus standard tillage on changes in soil nitrogen (N) stabilization, nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, short-term N cycling, and crop N use efficiency 1 year after tillage conversion in conventional (i.e., synthetic fertilizer-N only), low-input (i.e., alternating annual synthetic fertilizer- and cover crop-N), and organic (i.e., manure- and cover crop-N) irrigated, maize–tomato systems in California. To understand the mechanisms governing N cycling in these systems, we traced ¹⁵N-labeled fertilizer/cover crop into the maize grain, whole soil, and three soil fractions: macroaggregates (>250 μm), microaggregates (53–250 μm) and silt-and-clay (<53 μm). We found a cropping system effect on soil N_new (i.e., N derived from ¹⁵N-fertilizer or -¹⁵N-cover crop), with 173 kg N_new ha⁻¹ in the conventional system compared to 71.6 and 69.2 kg N_new ha⁻¹ in the low-input and organic systems, respectively. In the conventional system, more N_new was found in the microaggregate and silt-and-clay fractions, whereas, the N_new of the organic and low-input systems resided mainly in the macroaggregates. Even though no effect of tillage was found on soil aggregation, the minimum tillage systems showed greater soil fraction-N_new than the standard tillage systems, suggesting greater potential for N stabilization under minimum tillage. Grain-N_new was also higher in the minimum versus standard tillage systems. Nevertheless, minimum tillage led to the greatest N₂O emissions (39.5 g N₂O–N ha⁻¹ day⁻¹) from the conventional cropping system, where N turnover was already the fastest among the cropping systems. In contrast, minimum tillage combined with the low-input system (which received the least N ha⁻¹) produced intermediate N₂O emissions, soil N stabilization, and crop N use efficiency. Although total soil N did not change after 1 year of conversion from standard to minimum tillage, our use of stable isotopes permitted the early detection of interactive effects between tillage regimes and cropping systems that determine the trade-offs among N stabilization, N₂O emissions, and N availability.     

应用15N示踪技术研究耕作方式对甘蔗氮肥吸收利用的影响

为探讨甘蔗适宜的机械耕作方式,以甘蔗品种桂糖42号为材料,采用田间微区¹⁵N示踪技术,研究深松45 cm+旋耕25 cm(T1)、深翻40 cm+圆盘耙碎土25 cm(T2)和旋耕25cm(T3)3种耕作方式对氮肥利用效率及去向的影响。结果表明,3种耕作方式下新植蔗吸收的N有43.40%~46.45%来自当季施用的氮肥,氮肥利用率、残留率和损失率范围分别为14.39%~18.43%、50.70%~55.49%和26.08%~34.91%;宿根蔗吸收的N来自上季施用氮肥的比率为13.27%~14.78%,上季氮肥在宿根季的利用率、残留率和损失率范围分别为7.79%~10.35%、31.41%~34.12%和11.02%~11.50%;两季甘蔗收获后,氮肥残留均随土层深度的增加而明显递减,但T3在0~20 cm土层残留较多,其他耕作方式在20~60 cm土层残留较多。两季甘蔗干物质积累量、肥料氮来源比率、氮肥利用率及氮肥残留率以T1最高,T2次之,T3最低,T1与T3间差异达显著水平;两季甘蔗氮肥损失率以T3最高,T2次之,T1最低,其中在新植蔗3个处理间的差异达显著水平。综上,在红壤旱地,深松深翻能促进甘蔗对氮肥的吸收,减少氮肥损失,增加甘蔗产量,其中深松45 cm+旋耕25 cm(T1)的耕作方式效果较好。本研究结果可为红壤蔗地合理耕作提供科学依据。     

Does no‐till farming induce water repellency to soils?

Soil water repellency (SWR) is an intrinsic and dynamic soil property that can influence soil hydrology and crop production. Although several land use systems have been shown to induce water repellency in soil, the specific effects of no‐till cropping on SWR are poorly understood. This article reviews the impacts of no‐till on SWR and identifies research needs. No‐till cropping generally induces 1.5 to 40 times more SWR than conventional tillage, depending on soil type. This may result from near‐surface accumulation of hydrophobic organic C compounds derived from crop residues, microbial activity and reduced soil disturbance. While large SWR may have adverse impacts on soil hydrology and crop production, the level of SWR under no‐till relative to conventional tillage may contribute to aggregate stabilization and intra‐aggregate C sequestration. More research is needed to discern the extent and relevance of no‐till induced SWR. This includes: (1) further assessment of SWR under different tillage systems across a wide range of soil textures and climates, (2) comparison of the various methods for measuring SWR over a range of water contents, (3) inclusion of SWR in routine soil analysis and its use as a parameter to evaluate management impacts, (4) assessment of the temporal and spatial changes in SWR under field conditions, (5) further assessment of the impacts of the small differences in SWR between no‐till and conventionally tilled soils on crop production, soil hydrology and soil C sequestration, and (6) development of models to predict SWR for different tillage systems and soils.     

Soil chemical quality changes and implications for fertilizer management after 11 years of no‐tillage wheat production systems in semiarid Morocco

A long‐term experiment comparing no‐till with conventional tillage systems across five rotations was evaluated 11 years after initiation. The objectives of the present paper are (1) to report differences in soil chemical properties (namely soil organic matter, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and pH) that have resulted by converting from conventional to no‐till under contrasting cropping systems and (2) to draw tentative conclusions and recommendations on fertility status and fertilizer use and management. Soil in the no‐till system had increased surface soil organic C levels relative to conventional tillage regardless of rotation. In addition, depending on the rotation, the N and P content of the soil improved with no‐till compared with conventional tillage. In other words, no‐till has helped to retain soil organic matter (SOM), conserved more N, and resulted in increased extractable P and exchangeable K concentrations in the upper root‐zone. Hence, wheat produced in a no‐till system may receive more nutrients from decomposition of SOM and acidification of the seed zone. It is possible that lesser amounts of fertilizer nutrients will be needed because of the greater efficiency of nutrient cycling in no‐till systems relative to conventional systems. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of tillage on productivity of a winter wheat-vetch rotation under dryland Mediterranean conditions

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of three tillage systems on crop yield in a winter wheat-vetch (Vicia sativa L.) rotation during 3-year growing seasons on a clay-loam soil in the northwest region of Turkey. The three tillage treatments were: (1) conventional tillage (CT); (2) shallow tillage (ST); (3) double disk tillage (DD).The wheat grain yield was significantly affected by tillage when averaged across years. The highest wheat grain yield was obtained with shallow tillage treatment. The year affected wheat grain yield significantly, mainly due to the distribution of rainfall through the growing season and probably due to the wheat-vetch rotation. Heads density and head length increased significantly with shallow tillage when compared with conventional tillage. Tillage practices had no significant influence on thousand kernel weight. Results from this study indicated that for a dryland wheat-vetch rotation cropping system, shallow tillage had higher wheat grain yields than that obtained from conventional tillage. Furthermore, mouldboard ploughing tillage in this crop rotation could be replaced by shallow tillage that would increase yield and would be likely to improve soil properties in the long-term. On the other hand, double disk tillage proved to be a promising soil management practice to improve vetch grain yield when compared with conventional tillage.     

中国亚热带不同种植制度下的土壤侵蚀

In order to optimise land use systems, to prevent erosion-induced degradation and to restore the degraded red soils in subtropical China, five cropping systems and four agroforestry systems were conducted in red soils with a slope of 7° from 1993 to 1995. The results showed that erosion risk period occurred from April to June, and the annual runoff and the losses of soil and nutrients with sediment were alarming for two conventional farming systems, whereas they were negligible for the farming systems with ridge tillage. Enrichment ratios of the lost soils from erosion were more than 1.20 for all nutrients with much higher values for hydrolysable N and organic matter. Compared with the control, the alley cropping systems also distinctly decreased runoff by 30% or 50%. However, the coverage of soil surface varied with alley cropping systems for the competition of nutrients and soil water, which made a profound difference in runoff. The cropping systems of sweet potato intercropped with soybean, the alley cropping systems and the measures of mulching and ridge tillage were the alternatives for red soil reclamation so as to prevent erosion-induced degradation.     

Integrated tillage-water-nutrient management effects on selected soil physical properties in a rice-wheat system in the Indian subcontinent

We studied few soil physical indicators after eighth cropping cycle of rice-wheat. The experiment was laid out in split-split plot design with two tillage (rice: puddling vs. non-puddling; wheat: conventional tillage vs. no-tillage), three water management (rice: submergence vs. drainage; wheat: five/three/two irrigations) and nine nutrient (N) management treatments (inorganic vs. integrated nutrient management). The bulk density (t m^?3) in non-puddled soil (1.33) was significantly less than puddled soil (1.59); while mean weight diameter (0.55 mm) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (0.43 cm h^?1) were higher in the former treatment. Irrigation after 3-days of drainage was found to enhance soil aggregation (0.54 mm) and moisture retention (71.6%) during rice. No-tillage in wheat had overall positive impact. Organic sources of nutrients increased soil water retention (biofertilizer for rice), water conductivity and aggregate stability (combined organics for rice and wheat). Interactions between (tillage × N), (water × N), (tillage × water) revealed crop-wise variations. The saturated hydraulic conductivity and soil aggregation for rice; and bulk density, water retention and saturated hydraulic conductivity for wheat were identified as sensitive soil physical indicators. We suggest an effective combination of no tillage and intermittent irrigation with integrated nutrient management for sustaining soil physical quality in rice-wheat rotation.     

A review of nitrogen fertilizer and conservation tillage effects on soil organic carbon storage

Abstract. The effects of nitrogen fertilizer and tillage systems on soil organic carbon (SOC) storage have been tested in many field experiments worldwide. The published results of this research are here compiled for evaluation of the impact of management practices on carbon sequestration. Paired data from 137 sites with varying nitrogen rates and 161 sites with contrasting tillage systems were included. Nitrogen fertilizer increased SOC but only when crop residues were returned to the soil; a multiple regression model accounted for just over half the variance (R²=0.56, P=0.001). The model included as independent variables: cumulative nitrogen fertilizer rate; rainfall; temperature; soil texture; and a cropping intensity index, calculated as a combination of the number of crops per year and percentage of corn in the rotation. Carbon sequestration increased as more nitrogen was applied to the system, and as rainfall or cropping intensity increased. At sites with higher mean temperatures and also in fine textured soils, carbon sequestration decreased. When the carbon costs of production, transportation and application of fertilizer are subtracted from the carbon sequestration predicted by the model, it appears that nitrogen fertilizer‐use in tropical regions results in no additional carbon sequestration, whereas in temperate climates, it appears to promote net carbon sequestration. No differences in SOC were found between reduced till (chisel, disc, and sweep till) and no‐till, whereas conventional tillage (mouldboard plough, disc plough) was associated with less SOC. The accumulation of SOC under conservation tillage (reduced and no till) was an S ‐shape time dependent process, which reached a steady state after 25–30 years, but this relationship only accounted for 26% of the variance. Averaging out SOC differences in all the experiments under conservation tillage, there was an increase of 2.1 t C ha^?1 over ploughing. However, when only those cases that had apparently reached equilibrium were included (all no till vs. conventional tillage comparisons from temperate regions), mean SOC increased by approximately 12 t C ha^?1. This estimate is larger than others previously reported. Carbon sequestration under conservation tillage was not significantly related to climate, soil texture or rotation.     

Soil organic carbon stock variability in the Northern Gangetic Plains of India: interaction between agro‐ecological characteristics and cropping systems

Soil organic carbon (SOC) content and its spatial distribution in the Northern Gangetic Plain (NGP) Zone of India were determined to establish the cause–effect relationship between agro‐ecological characteristics, prevailing crop management practices and SOC stock. Area Spread Index (ASI) approach was used to collect soil samples from the NGP areas supporting predominant cropping systems. Exponential ordinary kriging was found most suitable geo‐statistical model for developing SOC surface maps of the NGP. Predicted surface maps indicated that 43.7% area of NGP had 0.5–0.6% SOC, while the rest of the area was equally distributed with high (0.61–0.75%) and low (< 0.5%) SOC content levels. Averaged across cropping systems, maximum SOC content was recorded in Bhabar and Tarai Zone (BTZ), followed by Central Plain Zone (CPZ), Mid‐Western Plain Zone (MWPZ), Western Plain Zone (WPZ) and South‐Western Plain Zone (SWPZ) of the NGP. The SOC stock was above the optimum threshold (> 12.5 Mg/ha) in 97.8, 57.6 and 46.4% areas of BTZ, CPZ and MWPZ, respectively. Only 9.8 and 0.4% area of WPZ and SWPZ, respectively, had SOC stock above the threshold value. The variation in SOC stock was attributed largely to carbon addition through recycling of organic sources, cropping systems, tillage intensity, crop or residue cover and land‐use efficiency, nutrient‐use pattern, soil texture and prevailing ecosystem. Adoption of conservation agriculture, balanced use of nutrients, inclusion of legumes in cropping systems and agro‐forestry were suggested for enhancing SOC stock in the region.     

Conservation tillage systems and their adoption in the United States

Conservation benefits of conservation tillage had been developed long before the production disadvantages were removed. Even though, in some cases, there are still production disadvantages and lower yields, compared to conventional tillage, conservation tillage is attractive to farmers primarily because of the potential for reduced production costs; conservation benefits are of secondary interest in most cases even though they accrue from the use of conservation tillage. This farmer interest in cost reduction will most certainly guide research inputs. Surveys of farmers have shown that more emphasis must be placed on all of the technology needed for a production system. In order to avoid financially-disastrous consequences, associated risk assessments are even required during the adoption period, i.e., the period when conservation tillage is replacing the conventional tillage.When a conservation-tillage-planting system is defined rigorously, based on the requirement that at least 30% of the surface should be covered with crop residue, the adoption averages about 25% of the cropland in the United States. Nine tillage management regions (TMR) in the United States were delineated based on climate, adapted crops and cropping systems. Adoption of conservation-tillage-planting systems ranged widely from 22 to 45% of the cropland in a TMR. Full-width systems such as mulch till, in which the whole field is tilled, were used much more than partial-width systems such as no-till, ridge till and strip till in which only strips are tilled. Adoption of these forms of conservation tillage are sensitive to the dominant-cropping systems in a TMR. Variations in adoption were often well related to the problems and benefits discussed by research on tillage-planting systems in the TMR.     

Response of organic matter to reduced tillage and animal manure in a temperate loamy soil

The impacts of tillage and organic fertilization on soil organic matter (SOM) are highly variable and still unpredictable, and their interactions need to be investigated under various soil, climate and cropping system conditions. Our work examined the effect of reduced tillage and animal manure on SOM stocks and quality in the 0–40 cm layer of a loamy soil under mixed cropping system and humid temperate climate. The soil organic carbon (SOC) and N stocks, particulate organic matter (POM), and C and N mineralization potential (301 days at 15 °C) were measured in a 8‐yr‐old split‐plot field trial, including three tillage treatments [mouldboard ploughing (MP), shallow tillage (ST), no tillage (NT)] and two fertilization treatments [mineral (M), poultry manure 2.2 t/ha/yr C (O)]. No statistically significant interactive effects of tillage and fertilization were measured except on C mineralization. NT and ST showed greater SOC stocks (41.2 and 39.7 t/ha C) than MP (37.1 t/ha C) in the 0–15 cm increment, while no statistical differences were observed at a greater depth. N stocks exhibited similar distribution patterns with regard to tillage effect. Animal manure, applied at a rate representative of typical field application rates, had a smaller impact on SOC and N stocks than tillage. The mean SOC and N stocks were higher under O than M, but the differences were statistically significant only in the 0–5 cm increment. MP showed lower C‐POM stocks than NT and ST in the 0–5 cm increment, whereas greater C‐POM stocks were measured under MP than under NT or under ST in the 20–25 cm increment. Organic fertilization had no impact on C‐POM or N‐POM stocks. In the 0–25 cm increment, NT showed a lower C and N mineralization potential than MP. Our work shows that the sensitivity of SOM to reduced tillage for the whole soil profile can be relatively small in a loamy soil, under humid‐temperate climate. However, POM was particularly sensitive to the differential effects of tillage practices with depth, and indicative of differentiation in total SOM distribution in the soil profile.