Dissolved and Soil Organic Carbon after Long‐Term Conventional and No‐Tillage Sorghum Cropping

Abstract

Distribution of dissolved (DOC) and soil organic carbon (SOC) with depth may indicate soil and crop‐management effects on subsurface soil C sequestration. The objectives of this study were to investigate impacts of conventional tillage (CT), no tillage (NT), and cropping sequence on the depth distribution of DOC, SOC, and total nitrogen (N) for a silty clay loam soil after 20 years of continuous sorghum cropping. Conventional tillage consisted of disking, chiseling, ridging, and residue incorporation into soil, while residues remained on the soil surface for NT. Soil was sampled from six depth intervals ranging from 0 to 105 cm. Tillage effects on DOC and total N were primarily observed at 0–5 cm, whereas cropping sequence effects were observed to 55 cm. Soil organic carbon (C) was higher under NT than CT at 0–5 cm but higher under CT for subsurface soils. Dissolved organic C, SOC, and total N were 37, 36, and 66%, respectively, greater under NT than CT at 0–5 cm, and 171, 659, and 837% greater at 0–5 than 80–105 cm. The DOC decreased with each depth increment and averaged 18% higher under a sorghum–wheat–soybean rotation than a continuous sorghum monoculture. Both SOC and total N were higher for sorghum–wheat–soybean than continuous sorghum from 0–55 cm. Conventional tillage increased SOC and DOC in subsurface soils for intensive crop rotations, indicating that assessment of C in subsurface soils may be important for determining effects of tillage practices and crop rotations on soil C sequestration.     

Soil carbon and nitrogen changes as affected by tillage system and crop biomass in a corn–soybean rotation

A wide range of tillage systems have been used by producers in the Corn-Belt in the United States during the past decade due to their economic and environmental benefits. However, changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (SON) and crop responses to these tillage systems are not well documented in a corn–soybean rotation. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of different tillage systems on SOC and SON, residue C and N inputs, and corn and soybean yields across Iowa. The first experiment consisted of no-tillage (NT) and chisel plow (CP) treatments, established in 1994 in Clarion–Nicollet–Webster (CNW), Galva–Primghar–Sac (GPS), Kenyon–Floyd–Clyde (KFC), Marshall (M), and Otley–Mahaska–Taintor (OMT) soil associations. The second experiment consisted of NT, strip-tillage (ST), CP, deep rip (DR), and moldboard plow (MP) treatments, established in 1998 in the CNW soil association. Both corn and soybean yields of NT were statistically comparable to those of CP treatment for each soil association in a corn–soybean rotation during the 7 years of tillage practices. The NT, ST, CP, and DR treatments produced similar corn and soybean yields as MP treatment in a corn–soybean rotation during the 3 years of tillage implementation of the second experiment. Significant increases in SOC of 17.3, 19.5, 6.1, and 19.3% with NT over CP treatment were observed at the top 15-cm soil depth in CNW, KFC, M, and OMT soil associations, respectively, except for the GPS soil association in a corn–soybean rotation at the end of 7 years. The NT and ST resulted in significant increases in SOC of 14.7 and 11.4%, respectively, compared with MP treatment after 3 years. Changes in SON due to tillage were similar to those observed with SOC in both experiments. The increases in SOC and SON in NT treatment were not attributed to the vertical stratification of organic C and N in the soil profile or annual C and N inputs from crop residue, but most likely due to the decrease in soil organic matter mineralization in wet and cold soil conditions. It was concluded that NT and ST are superior to CP and MP in increasing SOC and SON in the top 15 cm in the short-term. The adoption of NT or CP can be an effective strategy in increasing SOC and SON in the Corn-Belt soils without significant adverse impact on corn and soybean yields in a corn–soybean rotation.     

Tillage effects on selected physical properties of Grantsburg silt loam

Abstract

The objective of the project was to determine the effects of tillage on soil physical properties. A tillage project, involving three treatments with eight replications [no‐tillage (NT), chisel plowing (CP), and moldboard plowing (MP)], was initiated in the spring of 1989 in southern Illinois. The soil on which the work was conducted was a Grantsburg silt loam (fine‐silty, mixed, mesic Typic Fragiudalf), with a root‐restricting fragipan found at an average depth of 64 + 14 cm from the soil surface. Corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] were grown on the plot area on a yearly rotation. The soil physical properties evaluated were: penetration resistance; bulk density; aggregate stability; and pore size distribution by water‐release. Tillage effects on soil penetration resistance were mainly confined to the plow‐layer (i.e. top 23 cm of soil). Generally, the cone index (CI) values for the top 23 cm of soil for all treatments were below 2MPa, except at midseason in 1991, a dry year. Penetration resistance differences due to tillage treatments were not caused by differences in soil water content. Soil bulk density was generally highest for NT at planting, however, the bulk density for CP and MP increased later in the season attaining values comparable to those of NT treatment. Chiseling and moldboard plowing reduced soil aggregate stability. Soil temperature at planting was lower for no‐tillage compared to the moldboard plowed system. Effects of tillage on pore size distribution, for the first two years of the experiment, were significant only at planting. Total porosity was higher for MP than CP and NT in both years. At midseason, 1991, total porosity was lower with MP than with NT and CP. The improved NT crop performance relative to the CP and MP treatments could also be related to better seed bed and root bed conditions following soybean (third year) than sod (first year) and better weed control. Initial crop yield advantages of MP over the conservation tillage systems (NT and CP) deteriorated over time, resulting in decreased soil aggregation, total porosity and soil productivity.     

保护性耕作下土壤团聚体组成及其有机碳分布特征

依据吉林省德惠市田间定位试验（始于2001年）,对玉米-大豆轮作和玉米连作模式下秋翻（MP）、垄作（RT）和免耕（NT）3种耕作方式的机械稳定性团聚体和水稳性团聚体粒级分布、水稳性团聚体有机碳含量及团聚体稳定性进行了研究。结果表明,3种耕作方式下,〉0.25 mm机械稳定性团聚体含量均在70%以上,最高可达93.29%,各粒级含量在两个土层中表现规律性不强。水稳性团聚体含量均在20%以上,最高可达35.5%,且表层高于底层。与干筛法测定的团聚体相比,〉0.25 mm团聚体含量明显减少,最大减少幅度为58.76%。两个土层中玉米-大豆轮作和玉米连作下的机械稳定性团聚体与水稳性团聚体对耕作处理的响应表现出一定的相似性,即RT〉NT〉MP。水稳性团聚体有机碳含量随粒径的减小而增大,3种耕作方式下有机碳含量表现为NT〉RT〉MP,表层高于底层,且玉米-大豆轮作高于玉米连作。比较3种耕作方式,垄作更有利于团聚体的形成和稳定,且玉米-大豆轮作好于玉米连作。     

免耕对土壤团聚体特征以及有机碳储量的影响

以实施7年的中国科学院禹城综合试验站冬小麦夏玉米轮作免耕长期定位试验场为对象,研究免耕条件下土壤水稳性团聚体和有机碳储量的变化,为进一步评价免耕措施对黄淮海平原土壤结构和质量的影响提供科学依据。设置免耕(NT)、免耕秸秆不还田(NTRR)、常规耕作(CT)3种处理,分析土壤表层(0~20 cm)及深层(20~60 cm)水稳性团聚体分布特征、土壤有机碳以及团聚体有机碳的变化和相互关系。研究结果表明:由于减少了对土壤的破坏以及增加了秸秆还田和有机肥的施用,与常规耕作相比,NT和NTRR可提高表层土壤有机碳含量和储量、水稳性团聚体平均重量直径(MWD)和几何平均直径(GMD),以及大团聚体有机碳的含量和储量。其中,秸秆覆盖比施用有机肥对表层土壤有机碳储量和0.25~2 mm团聚体有机碳储量的提高具有更显著的作用。与表层不同,深层土壤有机碳和大团聚体有机碳的含量和储量表现为NT相似文献   

Tillage effects on soil aggregation and soil organic carbon profile distribution under Mediterranean semi‐arid conditions

In rainfed semi‐arid agroecosystems, soil organic carbon (SOC) may increase with the adoption of alternative tillage systems (e.g. no‐tillage, NT). This study evaluated the effect of two tillage systems (conventional tillage, CT vs. NT) on total SOC content, SOC concentration, water stable aggregate‐size distribution and aggregate carbon concentration from 0 to 40 cm soil depth. Three tillage experiments were chosen, all located in northeast Spain and using contrasting tillage types but with different lengths of time since their establishment (20, 17, and 1‐yr). In the two fields with mouldboard ploughing as CT, NT sequestered more SOC in the 0–5 cm layer compared with CT. However, despite there being no significant differences, SOC tended to accumulate under CT compared with NT in the 20–30 and 30–40 cm depths in the AG‐17 field with 25–50% higher SOC content in CT compared with NT. Greater amounts of large and small macroaggregates under NT compared with CT were measured at 0–5 cm depth in AG‐17 and at 5–10 cm in both AG‐1 and AG‐17. Differences in macroaggregate C concentration between tillage treatments were only found in the AG‐17 field at the soil surface with 19.5 and 11.6 g C/kg macroaggregates in NT and CT, respectively. After 17 yr of experiment, CT with mouldboard ploughing resulted in a greater total SOC concentration and macroaggregate C concentration below 20 cm depth, but similar macroaggregate content compared with NT. This study emphasizes the need for adopting whole‐soil profile approaches when studying the suitability of NT versus CT for SOC sequestration and CO₂ offsetting.     

Effects of rotational tillage practices on soil structure,organic carbon concentration and crop yields in semi‐arid areas of northwest China

Continuous conventional tillage can cause serious soil degradation in rain‐fed agriculture, which reduces crop productivity. Adopting suitable tillage practices is very important for improving the soil and increasing crop productivity. Between 2007 and 2010, a 3‐year field study was conducted in semi‐arid areas of southern Ningxia, China, to determine the effects of rotational tillage practices on bulk density, soil aggregate, organic carbon concentration and crop yields. Three tillage treatments were tested: no‐tillage the first and third year and subsoiling the second year (NT/ST/NT); subsoiling the first and third year and no‐tillage the second year (ST/NT/ST); and conventional tillage each year (CT). A conventional tillage treatment was used as the control. Under the rotational tillage treatments, the mean soil bulk density at a depth of 0–60 cm was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased by 4.9% compared with CT, and with the best effect under ST/NT/ST. The soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration and aggregate size fractions and stability at 0–40 cm depth were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in rotational tillage treatments when compared with the conventional tillage, and the ST/NT/ST treatment produced the highest increases. Significant differences were detected in the SOC concentration in 2 to 0.25–mm size fractions at 0–30 cm depth between rotational tillage treatments and conventional tillage. Biomass and grain yield with the rotational tillage practices were significantly positively influenced over 3 years, and ST/NT/ST produced the highest average crop yields among the three treatments. Therefore, it was concluded that the application of rotational tillage with subsoiling every 2 years and no‐tillage every other year (ST/NT/ST) should be of benefit in promoting the development of dryland farming in semi‐arid areas of northwest China.     

耕作与轮作方式对黑土有机碳和全氮储量的影响

土壤有机碳(SOC)及全氮(TN)对土壤肥力、作物产量、农业可持续发展以及全球碳、氮循环等都具有重要影响。为探索不同耕作和轮作方式对耕层黑土SOC和TN储量的影响,本文以吉林省德惠市进行了8 a的田间定位试验中层黑土为研究对象,对免耕、垄作和秋翻三种耕作方式及玉米-大豆轮作和玉米连作两种轮作方式下SOC和TN在各土层的含量变化进行了分析,并采用等质量土壤有机质储量计算方法,对比分析了不同处理对0～30 cm SOC和TN储量的影响。结果表明,与试验开始前相比,玉米-大豆轮作系统中,秋翻下SOC和TN储量均有所降低;免耕显著增加了0～5 cm SOC及TN含量,但SOC在亚表层亏损,导致其储量并未增加;而垄作处理下SOC及TN含量在0～5、5～10 cm的均显著增加,0～30 cm储量亦分别增加了4.9%和10.7%。玉米连作系统的两种耕作处理(免耕和秋翻)下SOC和TN储量均有所增加,且TN储量增幅均高于玉米-大豆轮作系统,其中免耕下TN储量增幅是玉米-大豆轮作的3.2倍。所有处理下C/N均呈降低趋势,其中垄作0～5 cm C/N由12.05降至11.04,降低幅度分别是免耕和秋翻的3.2和2.8倍。综上可知,对质地黏重排水不良的中层黑土,玉米-大豆轮作系统下免耕并不是促进SOC固定的有效形式,而垄作则促进了黑土SOC和TN的积累,这不仅有利于土壤肥力的改善,而且是使农田黑土由CO2"源"变为"汇"的有效形式之一。与玉米-大豆轮作相比,玉米连作下三种耕作方式都有利于SOC和TN积累。     

Soil carbon and nitrogen accumulation with long-term no-till versus moldboard plowing overestimated with tilled-zone sampling depths

Numerous investigators of tillage system impacts on soil organic carbon (OC) or total nitrogen (N) have limited their soil sampling to depths either at or just below the deepest tillage treatment in their experiments. This has resulted in an over-emphasis on OC and N changes in the near-surface zones and limited knowledge of crop and tillage system impacts below the maximum depth of soil disturbance by tillage implements. The objective of this study was to assess impacts of long-term (28 years) tillage and crop rotation on OC and N content and depth distribution together with bulk density and pH on a dark-colored Chalmers silty clay loam in Indiana. Soil samples were taken to 1 m depth in six depth increments from moldboard plow and no-till treatments in continuous corn and soybean–corn rotation. Rotation systems had little impact on the measured soil properties; OC content under continuous corn was not superior to the soybean–corn rotation in either no-till or moldboard plow systems. The increase in OC (on a mass per unit area basis) with no-till relative to moldboard plow averaged 23 t ha⁻¹ to a constant 30 cm sampling depth, but only 10 t ha⁻¹ to a constant 1.0 m sampling depth. Similarly, the increase in N with no-till was 1.9 t ha⁻¹ to a constant 30 cm sampling depth, but only 1.4 t ha⁻¹ to a constant 1.0 m sampling depth. Tillage treatments also had significant effects on soil bulk density and pH. Distribution of OC and N with soil depth differed dramatically under the different tillage systems. While no-till clearly resulted in more OC and N accumulation in the surface 15 cm than moldboard plow, the relative no-till advantage declined sharply with depth. Indeed, moldboard plowing resulted in substantially more OC and N, relative to no-till, in the 30–50 cm depth interval despite moldboard plowing consistently to less than a 25 cm depth. Our results suggest that conclusions about OC or N gains under long-term no-till are highly dependent on sampling depth and, therefore, tillage comparisons should be based on samples taken well beyond the deepest tillage depth.     

耕作方式对华北农田土壤固碳效应的影响

研究不同耕作方式对华北农田土壤固碳及碳库管理指数的影响,可为探寻有利于农田固碳的耕作方式提供科学依据。该研究在中国农业大学吴桥实验站进行,试验于2008年设置了免耕秸秆不还田(NT0)、翻耕秸秆不还田(CT0)、免耕秸秆还田(NT)、翻耕秸秆还田(CT)和旋耕秸秆还田(RT)5个处理。研究测定分析了土壤容重、有机碳、易氧化有机碳含量及不同耕作方式下的碳库管理指数。通过对不同耕作方式下0～110cm土壤的分析,结果表明,随着土层的加深,土壤有机碳含量不断下降,NT显著增加了表层(0～10cm)土壤有机碳含量,而>10～50cm有机碳含量较其他处理(NT0除外)有所下降,深层(>50～110cm)处理间差异不明显;土壤容重与有机碳含量呈显著的负相关关系(P<0.01);0～30cm土层有机碳储量以NT最高,CT与其无明显差异,二者较CT0分别高出13.1%和11.0%,而至0～50cm土层,CT的碳储量最高,但与NT无显著差异(P<0.05);与CT0相比,NT0降低了各层土壤易氧化有机碳含量,而NT则在0～10cm土层表现为增加;RT、CT分别显著增加了0～10、>10～30cm土层的碳库管理指数。结果表明,秸秆还田可改善土壤质量,提高农田碳库管理指数,同时碳库管理指数受耕作方式的影响也较大,尤其是CT和RT;NT通过减少土壤扰动、增加有机质的输入,可提高上层土壤有机碳的储量。     

Rotation and tillage effects on soil organic carbon sequestration in a typic Hapludalf in Southern Ontario

Increased use of conservation tillage is being considered as a way to sequester atmospheric C in the soil. However, little information exists on the effect of rotation and its interaction with tillage on soil organic carbon (SOC). A research trial with combinations of rotations and tillage treatments was sampled 20 years after its establishment to assess the effects on SOC sequestration in a typic Hapludalf in southern Ontario, Canada. The cropping treatments included continuous corn (zea mays L.), six rotations comprised of 2 years of corn following 2 years of another crop or crop sequence, and continuous alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Each rotation was split into either fall moldboard plow (MP) or fall chisel plow (CP) treatments. Continuous alfalfa was plowed and replanted every 4 years. Soil samples were taken incrementally to a depth of 40 cm and SOC and bulk density determined. The average SOC concentration (0–40 cm) was greatest in continuous alfalfa (18.0 g C kg⁻¹). The treatments of soybean (Glycine max L.Merr.)+winterwheat (Triticum aestivum L.) or barley+barley (Trifolium pratense L.) (interseeded with red clover) followed by 2 years of corn had higher SOC concentrations (17.2–17.3 g C kg⁻¹) than continuous corn and the treatments of 2 years of corn following 2 years of alfalfa or soybean (16.4–16.5 g C kg⁻¹). The rotation of 2 years of barley followed by 2 years of corn had the lowest SOC concentrations (15.2 g C kg⁻¹). On an equivalent mass basis, the rotations of soybean+winterwheat or barley+barley (underseeded with red clover) followed by 2 years of corn, had 2–9 Mg ha⁻¹ more C than the other corn-based rotations. Including red clover in the winter wheat seemed to accelerate the rate of C mineralization compared to winter wheat without red clover; whereas interseeding red clover with barley increased SOC contents compared to excluding red clover in the barley rotation. More SOC was found in the top 10 cm and less in the 10–20 cm depth of the CP than in the MP soils. However, the CP did not increase the SOC content (0–20 cm) above that of MP indicating that this form of reduced tillage did not increase C sequestration in any of the rotations on this soil.     

Depth distribution of soil organic C and N after long-term soybean cropping in Texas

Crop management practices have potential to enhance subsoil C and N sequestration in the southern U.S., but effects may vary with tillage regime and cropping sequence. The objective of this study was to determine the impacts of tillage and soybean cropping sequence on the depth distribution of soil organic C (SOC), dissolved organic C (DOC), and total N after 20 years of treatment imposition for a silty clay loam soil in central Texas. A continuous soybean monoculture, a wheat–soybean doublecrop, and a sorghum–wheat–soybean rotation were established under both conventional (CT) and no tillage (NT). Soil was sampled after soybean harvest and sectioned into 0–5, 5–15, 15–30, 30–55, 55–80, and 80–105 cm depth intervals. Both tillage and cropping intensity influenced C and N dynamics in surface and subsurface soils. No tillage increased SOC, DOC, and total N compared to CT to a 30 cm depth for continuous soybean, but to 55 cm depths for the more intensive sorghum–wheat–soybean rotation and wheat–soybean doublecrop. Averaged from 0 to 105 cm, NT increased SOC, DOC, and total N by 32, 22, and 34%, respectively, compared to CT. Intensive cropping increased SOC and total N at depths to 55 cm compared to continuous soybean, regardless of tillage regime. Continuous soybean had significantly lower SOC (5.3 g kg⁻¹) than sorghum–wheat–soybean (6.4 g kg⁻¹) and wheat–soybean (6.1 g kg⁻¹), and 19% lower total N than other cropping sequences. Dissolved organic C was also significantly higher for sorghum–wheat–soybean (139 mg C kg⁻¹) than wheat–soybean (92 mg C kg⁻¹) and continuous soybean (100 mg C kg⁻¹). The depth distribution of SOC, DOC, and total N indicated treatment effects below the maximum tillage depth (25 cm), suggesting that roots, or translocation of dissolved organic matter from surface soils, contributed to higher soil organic matter levels under NT than CT in subsurface soils. High-intensity cropping sequences, coupled with NT, resulted in the highest soil organic matter levels, demonstrating potential for C and N sequestration for subsurface soils in the southern U.S.     

Sustaining Soil Quality with Legumes in No‐Tillage Systems

Abstract

Tillage, cropping system, and cover crops have seasonal and long‐term effects on the nitrogen (N) cycle and total soil organic carbon (C), which in turn affects soil quality. This study evaluated the effects of crop, cover crop, and tillage practices on inorganic N levels and total soil N, the timing of inorganic N release from hairy vetch and soybean, and the capacity for C sequestration. Cropping systems included continuous corn (Zea mays L.) and stalk residue, continuous corn and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), continuous soybeans (Glycine max L.) plus residue, and two corn/soybean rotations in corn alternate years with hairy vetch and ammonium nitrate (0, 85, and 170 kg N ha^?1). Subplot treatments were moldboard plow and no tillage. Legumes coupled with no tillage reduced the N fertilizer requirement of corn, increased plant‐available N, and augmented total soil C and N stores.     

西北旱作农田不同耕作模式对土壤性状及小麦产量的影响

【目的】在雨养农业区,旱作区因连年翻耕而引起严重的土壤质量退化,使作物生产力下降,需定期改变其耕作方式。免耕深松隔年轮耕可以降低土壤容重,增加耕层土壤团聚体和有机碳氮的含量,增强土壤蓄水保墒能力,对改善土壤性状和提高作物产量具有重要意义。【方法】本研究于2007～2010年在宁夏南部半旱区进行了两年免耕一年深松 (NT/ST/NT)、两年深松一年免耕 (ST/NT/ST)、连年翻耕 (CT) 3种耕作模式试验,研究了其对耕层土壤容重、团聚体、土壤有机碳氮含量、土壤水分及作物产量的影响。【结果】3年耕作处理后,与连年翻耕相比,NT/ST/NT、ST/NT/ST处理0—20 cm层土壤容重分别降低了4.4%和7.3%,20—40 cm土层分别降低2.1%和5.7%,40—60 cm土层分别降低4.1%和5.5%;土壤孔隙度0—20 cm土层分别提高了4.1%和6.8%,20—40 cm土层提高了2.1%和4.3%,40—60 cm土层提高了5.5%和5.7%。0—20 cm土层,NT/ST/NT处理0.25～2 mm机械稳定性团聚体含量平均较CT处理提高了12.4%,ST/NT/ST处理 > 2 mm机械稳定性团聚体含量较CT处理平均提高了42.0%;20—40 cm土层,NT/ST/NT、ST/NT/ST处理 > 2 mm团聚体含量较CT处理平均分别提高了44.3%和50.4%。两种轮耕模式使0—40 cm土层土壤团聚体平均重量直径分别显著高于CT处理21.8%和22.5%,几何平均直径分别高于CT处理9.6%和9.5%。三个处理耕层土壤有机碳氮含量均比试验前有不同程度的增加,轮耕处理0—30 cm土层0.25～2 mm粒级有机碳含量和 < 0.25 mm粒级全氮含量显著高于CT,以ST/NT/ST处理效果最佳。NT/ST/NT和ST/NT/ST处理0—10 cm土层0.25～2 mm团聚体有机碳含量较CT处理分别显著提高7.9%和10.2%,10—20 cm土层分别提高19.0%和15.7%,20—30 cm土层分别提高10.6%和13.3%;0—10 cm土层 < 0.25 mm粒级全氮含量显著提高9.4%和10.9%,10—20 cm土层分别提高6.8%和10.2%,20—30 cm土层分别提高7.4%和9.3%。研究期间,NT/ST/NT和ST/NT/ST处理较CT处理可显著提高0—200 cm土壤贮水量,其中以ST/NT/ST处理保蓄土壤水分效果最佳。在小麦生长前期,轮耕处理土壤贮水量均高于连年翻耕,生长后期ST/NT/ST处理土壤水分含量最高,NT/ST/NT处理次之。轮耕处理的小麦生物量和籽粒产量显著高于连年翻耕,其中小麦籽粒产量分别增加9.6%和10.7%。【结论】免耕/深松轮耕可显著改善土壤的物理性状和水分环境,显著增加耕层土壤有机碳氮含量,提高作物的生产力,在宁南旱区有重要的应用前景。     

Tillage effects on near-surface soil hydraulic properties

The processes for the formation of porosity are thought to differ between tilled and non-tilled cropping systems. The pores are created primarily by the tillage tool in the tilled systems and by biological processes in non-tilled systems. Because of the different methods of pore formation, the pore size distribution, pore continuity and hydraulic conductivity functions would be expected to differ among tillage systems. The objective of this study was to determine effects of three tillage systems — mold-board plow (MP), chisel plow (CP), and no-till (NT) — on hydraulic properties of soils from eight long-term tillage and rotation experiments. Tillage effects on saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, pore size distribution, and moisture retention characteristics were more apparent for soils with a continuous corn (CC) rotation than for either a corn-soybean (CS) rotation or a corn-oats-alfalfa (COA) rotation. Pore size distributions were similar among tillage systems for each soil except for three soils with a CC rotation. The MP system increased volume of pores >150 μm radius by 23% to 91% compared with the NT system on two of the soils, but the NT system increased the volume of the same radius pore by 50% on one other soil. The NT system had 30 to 180% greater saturated hydraulic conductivity than either the CP or MP systems. The NT system with a CC rotation showed a greater slope of the log unsaturated hydraulic conductivity; log volumetric water content relationship on two of the soils indicating greater water movement through a few relatively large pores for this system than for either the CP or MP systems.     

耕作措施对双季稻田土壤碳及有机碳储量的影响

针对不同耕作措施对双季稻田的固碳效应和固碳潜力问题,选择湖南省宁乡县的双季稻区试验点进行了有机碳、活性有机碳以及耕层有机碳储量的研究,以期为制定适合于稻田条件下的合理耕作方式提供理论依据。结果表明,耕作措施和秸秆还田对有机碳（SOC）和活性有机碳（AOC）含量均产生不同程度的影响。免耕处理下,有机碳和活性有机碳含量皆随土壤深度的增加而减少,土壤0～5cm的SOC和AOC的含量最高,且与其他层次达到显著性差异水平（P＆lt;0.05）,具有明显的表层富集现象。与免耕相比,旋耕和翻耕则更利于5～10cm和10～20cm土层的有机碳和活性有机碳的积累。比较秸秆还田对SOC和AOC的影响表明,秸秆还田有效地提高了0～10cm有机碳含量,但对10～20cm并未产生显著影响,秸秆的输入并未增加土壤活性有机碳的含量。采用等质量方法计算了耕层土壤有机碳储量,结果显示旋耕秸秆还田使有机碳储量明显增加,而免耕只增加了土壤0～5cm和5～10cm土层有机碳储量,10～20cm有机碳储量有所降低,但耕作措施对有机碳储量的长效作用还有待于进一步研究。     

Changes in soil chemical characteristics with different tillage practices in a semi-arid environment

We examined the effects of various tillage intensities: no-tillage (NT), minimum tillage with chisel plow (MT), conventional tillage with mouldboard plow (CT), and zone-tillage subsoiling with a paraplow (ZT) applied in alternate years in rotation with NT, on the topsoil profile distribution (0–30 cm) of pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), organic N and available nutrients on a semi-arid soil from Central Spain. The equivalent depth approach was used to compare SOC, N and nutrient stocks in the various tillage treatments. Measurements made at the end of 5 years showed that in the 0–30 cm depth, SOC and N had increased under NT and ZT compared with MT and CT. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–5 cm depth where plots under NT and ZT had respectively 7.0 Mg ha⁻¹ and 6.2 Mg ha⁻¹ more SOC and 0.5 Mg ha⁻¹ and 0.3 Mg ha⁻¹ more N than under MT or CT. No-tillage and ZT plots, however, exhibited strong vertical gradients of SOC and N with concentrations decreasing from 0–5 to 20–30 cm. In the 0–20 cm layer, higher concentrations of P and K under NT and ZT than under MT or CT were also found. Soil pH under NT and ZT was 0.3 units lower than under MT or CT at a depth of 0–5 cm. This acidifying effect was restricted at the surface layer and in the 20–30 cm interval, pH values under NT and ZT were higher than in MT and CT plots. These results suggest that in the soil studied, ZT in rotation with NT maintain most advantages associated with NT, and present a definite potential for use as a partial-width rotational tillage practice.     

Soil organic carbon and nutrient content in aggregate‐size fractions of a subtropical rice soil under variable tillage

The effects of tillage on soil organic carbon (SOC) and nutrient content of soil aggregates can vary spatially and temporally, and for different soil types and cropping systems. We assessed SOC and nutrient levels within water‐stable aggregates in ridges with no tillage (RNT) and also under conventional tillage (CT) for a subtropical rice soil in order to determine relationships between tillage, cation concentrations and soil organic matter. Surface soil (0–15 cm) was fractionated into aggregate sizes (>4.76 mm, 4.76–2.00 mm, 2.00–1.00 mm, 1.00–0.25 mm, 0.25–0.053 mm, <0.053 mm) under two tillage regimes. Tillage significantly reduced the proportion of macroaggregate fractions (>2.00 mm) and thus aggregate stability was reduced by 35% compared with RNT, indicating that tillage practices led to soil structural change for this subtropical soil. The patterns in SOC, total N, exchangeable Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and total exchangeable bases (TEB) were similar between tillage regimes, but concentrations were significantly higher under RNT than CT. This suggests that RNT in subtropical rice soils may be a better way to enhance soil productivity and improve soil C sequestration potential than CT. The highest SOC was in the 1.00–0.25 mm fraction (35.7 and 30.4 mg/kg for RNT and CT, respectively), while the lowest SOC was in microaggregate (<0.025 mm) and silt + clay (<0.053 mm) fractions (19.5 and 15.7 mg/kg for RNT and CT, respectively). Tillage did not influence the patterns in SOC across aggregates but did change the aggregate‐size distribution, indicating that tillage affected soil fertility primarily by changing soil structure.     

Soil organic carbon changes after 12 years of no-tillage and tillage of Grantsburg soils in southern Illinois

Many factors including management history, soil type, climate, and soil landscape processes affect the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC). The primary objective of this research was to determine the effects of no-tillage and tillage systems on the SOC content after 12 years of controlled treatments. A tillage experiment with three treatments (no-till (NT), chisel plow (CP) and moldboard plow (MP)) was initiated in the spring of 1989 in southern Illinois. The plot area was previously in a tall fescue hayland for 15 years and had a 6% slope. Maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) were grown in the plot area on a yearly rotation system starting with maize. Periodically, the SOC content of various soil layers, to a depth of either 30 or 75 cm, was measured and expressed on both a gravimetric and volumetric basis. After 12 years, the 0–15 cm surface soil layer of MP was significantly lower in SOC than the NT and CP plots. For all but 2 values, the significance of findings did not change with the form of expression (gravimetric versus volumetric). The surface layer (0–15 cm), subsoil (15–75 cm), and rooting zone (0–75 cm) of all treatments had reduction in SOC on a volumetric basis when compared to the pre-treatment values for sod. At the end of the 12-year study, the MP system had significantly less SOC in the surface layer, subsurface layer and rooting zone than the NT system at comparable depths. After 12 years of tillage under a maize–soybean rotation, the NT treatment sequestered or maintained more SOC stock (47.0 Mt ha⁻¹) than the CP (43.7 Mt ha⁻¹) and MP (37.7 Mt ha⁻¹) treatments. The annual rate of SOC stock build up in the root zone (0–75 cm), above the MP system base, was 0.71 Mt ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ for the NT system and 0.46 Mt ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ for the CP system. For land coming out of the Conservation Reserve Program and returning to row crop production, NT and CP systems would maintain more SOC stock than MP system and reduce CO₂ emissions to the atmosphere.     

Conservation Tillage,Rotations, and Cover Crop Affecting Soil Quality in the Tennessee Valley: Particulate Organic Matter,Organic Matter,and Microbial Biomass

Abstract

The impact of conservation tillage, crop rotation, and cover cropping on soil‐quality indicators was evaluated in a long‐term experiment for cotton. Compared to conventional‐tillage cotton, other treatments had 3.4 to 7.7 Mg ha^?1 more carbon (C) over all soil depths. The particulate organic matter C (POMc) accounts for 29 to 48 and 16 to 22% of soil organic C (SOC) for the 0‐ to 3‐and 3‐ to 6‐cm depths, respectively. Tillage had a strongth influence on POMc within the 0‐ to 3‐cm depth, but cropping intensity and cover crop did not affect POMc. A large stratification for microbial biomass was observed varing from 221 to 434 and 63 to 110 mg kg^?1 within depth of 0–3 and 12–24 cm respectively. The microbial biomass is a more sensitive indicator (compared to SOC) of management impacts, showing clear effect of tillage, rotation, and cropping intensity. The no‐tillage cotton double‐cropped wheat/soybean system that combined high cropping intensity and crop rotation provided the best soil quality.