Effect of tillage on earthworms over short- and medium-term in conventional and organic farming

Earthworms play an important role in many soil functions and are affected by soil tillage in agricultural soils. However, effects of tillage on earthworms are often studied without considering species and their interactions with soil properties. Furthermore, many field studies are based on one-time samplings that do not allow for characterisation of temporal variation. The current study monitored the short (up to 53 days) and medium term (up to 4 years) effects of soil tillage on earthworms in conventional and organic farming. Earthworm abundances decreased one and three weeks after mouldboard ploughing in both conventional and organic farming, suggesting direct and indirect mechanisms. However, the medium-term study revealed that earthworm populations in mouldboard ploughing systems recovered by spring. The endogeic species Aporrectodea caliginosa strongly dominated the earthworm community (76%), whereas anecic species remained <1% of all earthworms in all tillage and farming systems over the entire study. In conventional farming, mean total earthworm abundance was not significantly different in reduced tillage (153 m⁻²) than mouldboard ploughing (MP; 130 m⁻²). However, reduced tillage in conventional farming significantly increased the epigeic species Lumbricus rubellus from 0.1 m⁻² in mouldboard ploughing to 9 m⁻² averaged over 4 years. Contrastingly, in organic farming mean total earthworm abundance was 45% lower in reduced tillage (297 m⁻²) than MP (430 m⁻²), across all sampling dates over the medium-term study (significant at 3 of 6 sampling dates). Reduced tillage in organic farming decreased A. caliginosa from 304 m⁻² in mouldboard ploughing to 169 m⁻² averaged over 4 years (significant at all sampling dates). Multivariate analysis revealed clear separation between farming and tillage systems. Earthworm species abundances, soil moisture, and soil organic matter were positively correlated, whereas earthworm abundances and penetration resistance where negatively correlated. Variability demonstrated between sampling dates highlights the importance of multiple samplings in time to ascertain management effects on earthworms. Findings indicate that a reduction in tillage intensity in conventional farming affects earthworms differently than in organic farming. Differing earthworm species or ecological group response to interactions between soil tillage, crop, and organic matter management in conventional and organic farming has implications for management to maximise soil ecosystem functions.     

Influence of reduced tillage on earthworm and microbial communities under organic arable farming

Although reduced tillage is an agricultural practice reported to decrease soil erosion and external inputs while enhancing soil fertility, it has still rarely been adopted by European organic farmers. The objective of this study was to assess the long-term interactive effects of tillage (conventional (CT) vs. reduced (RT)) and fertilization (slurry (S) vs. composted manure/slurry (MCS)) on earthworms and microbial communities in a clay soil under spelt in an organic 6-year crop rotation. Earthworm populations (species, density and biomass, cocoons) were investigated by handsorting the soil nine years after initial implementation of the treatments. Soil microbial carbon (C_mic) and nitrogen (N_mic) were measured by chloroform-fumigation extraction and a simplified phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis was used to separate for populations of bacteria, fungi and protozoa. Significantly increased total earthworm density in RT plots was mainly attributed to increased numbers of juveniles. Moreover, we found five times more cocoons with RT. Species richness was not affected by the treatments, but tillage treatments had differentially affected populations at the species-level. In addition, cluster analysis at the community level revealed two distinct groups of plots in relation to tillage treatments. In RT plots C_mic increased in the 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm soil layers, while PLFA concentrations indicative of Gram-negative bacteria, fungi and protozoa only increased in the topsoil. Lower bacteria-to-fungi ratios in the upper soil layer of RT plots indicated a shift to fungal-based decomposition of organic matter whereas a higher C_mic-to-C_org ratio pointed towards enhanced substrate availability. Slurry application decreased microbial biomass and enhanced density of juvenile anecic earthworms but overall fertilization effect was weak and no interactions with tillage were found. In conclusion, tillage is a major driver in altering communities of earthworms and microorganisms in arable soils. The use of reduced tillage provides an approach for eco-intensification by enhancing inherent soil biota functions under organic arable farming.     

长期保护性耕作对黄土高原旱地土壤肥力质量的影响

长期定位试验研究了黄土高原西部旱农区传统耕作措施和5种保护性耕作措施对豌豆-小麦(P→W)和小麦-豌豆(W→P)轮作序列的耕层土壤肥力质量的影响。结果表明,与传统耕作(T)处理相比,传统耕作秸秆还田(TS)和免耕秸秆覆盖(NTS)处理有机质含量分别提高11.61%～12.21%和12.13%～16.99%,全氮提高7.29%～8.42%和11.58%～12.95%,全磷提高10.35%～14.63%和13.79%～18.29%,全钾提高7.32%～7.51%和8.78%～9.15%,速效磷提高11.10%～12.41%和16.29%～20.99%,速效钾提高25.11%～43.26%和31.62%～44.22%,pH降低0.11～0.17个单位和0.09～0.16个单位。进一步利用加乘法则和加权综合法两种模型评价不同耕作方式下的土壤肥力质量,结果表明,土壤肥力质量指数排序为NTS处理TS处理NTP处理NT处理T处理TP处理(P→W轮作序列)和NTS处理TS处理NT处理NTP处理TP处理T处理(W→P轮作序列)。在黄土高原雨养农作系统中,实施免耕结合秸秆覆盖,对促进和维持土壤养分平衡,提高土壤肥力质量具有重要意义。     

Is conservation tillage suitable for organic farming? A review

Conservation tillage covers a range of tillage practices, mostly non‐inversion, which aim to conserve soil moisture and reduce soil erosion by leaving more than one‐third of the soil surface covered by crop residues. Organic farmers are encouraged to adopt conservation tillage to preserve soil quality and fertility and to prevent soil degradation – mainly erosion and compaction. The potential advantages of conservation tillage in organic farming are reduced erosion, greater macroporosity in the soil surface due to larger number of earthworms, more microbial activity and carbon storage, less run‐off and leaching of nutrients, reduced fuel use and faster tillage. The disadvantages of conservation tillage in organic farming are greater pressure from grass weeds, less suitable than ploughing for poorly drained, unstable soils or high rainfall areas, restricted N availability and restricted crop choice. The success of conservation tillage in organic farming hinges on the choice of crop rotation to ensure weed and disease control and nitrogen availability. Rotation of tillage depth according to crop type, in conjunction with compaction control measures is also required. A high standard of management is required, tailored to local soil and site conditions. Innovative approaches for the application of conservation tillage, such as perennial mulches, mechanical control of cover crops, rotational tillage and controlled traffic, require further practical assessment.     

保护性耕作对太行山前平原土壤质量的影响

保护性耕作被认为是华北平原农业可持续发展的重要措施, 但目前缺乏这些措施对土壤质量影响的系统报道。本研究以长期定位试验为基础, 探讨了太行山前平原两熟制高产农田不同耕作措施对麦田土壤质量的影响。试验始于2001 年, 设置翻耕玉米秸秆不还田(非保护性耕作对照, CK)、翻耕玉米秸秆粉碎还田(CT)、旋耕玉米秸秆粉碎还田(RT)和免耕玉米秸秆直立还田(NT)4 个处理。2007 年冬小麦收获后分层测定土壤有机碳(soil organic carbon, SOC)含量、容重(ρ_b)、水稳性团聚体、水分特征曲线、饱和导水率(K_s)和微生物量碳氮。2008 年测定了剖面SOC 含量、ρ_b 和蚯蚓数量。结果表明, 连续多年保护性耕作后土壤剖面的SOC 储量无显著变化, 但保护性耕作(RT 和NT)下SOC 的层化比率(1.74~2.04)显著高于翻耕处理(CK 和CT, 1.37~1.45); 保护性耕作显著提高了表层微生物量碳、氮含量以及单位面积土壤中的蚯蚓数量。NT 处理导致耕层(0~20 cm)土壤ρ_b 增加, 但提高了土壤团聚体的稳定性。CK 和CT 处理显著增加了0~5 cm 土层裂隙(>500 μm)和传输孔隙(500~50 μm)的比例, 而NT 处理则增加储水孔隙(50~0.5 μm)的含量。另外, 保护性耕作提高了土壤的K_s、田间持水量和有效水含量。对土壤质量指标S 的分析结果表明, 实施保护性耕作后, 太行山前平原地区土壤质量总体上得到改善。     

耕作方式对耕层土壤结构性能及有机碳含量的影响

为了寻求能够提高土壤结构稳定性的耕作模式,在陇中黄土高原半干旱区连续7年的定位试验研究基础上,采用常规分析方法(湿筛法、重铬酸钾容量法、环刀法),研究了不同耕作方式对耕层土壤结构性能及有机碳含量的影响.结果表明:与传统耕作(T)相比,免耕无覆盖(NT)、传统耕作+秸秆还田(TS)和免耕+秸秆覆盖(NTS)3种保护性耕作方式均能不同程度地增加耕层土壤的有机碳和不同粒径水稳性团聚体的含量,其中免耕+秸秆覆盖(NTS)处理效果最佳.在0～10 cm土层中,NTS处理的土壤容重低、孔隙度大,土壤结构得到了较大改善.不同耕作方式下0～5 cm、5～10 cm和10～30 cm土层粒径1～0.5 mm水稳性团聚体的含量最高,粒径>0.25 mm水稳性团聚体含量与有机碳含量和孔隙度呈显著正相关,与容重呈显著负相关.     

Crop yield and soil fertility response to reduced tillage under organic management

Conservation tillage (no-till and reduced tillage) brings many benefits with respect to soil fertility and energy use, but it also has drawbacks regarding the need for synthetic fertilizers and herbicides. Our objective was to adapt reduced tillage to organic farming by quantifying effects of tillage (plough versus chisel), fertilization (slurry versus manure compost) and biodynamic preparations (with versus without) on soil fertility indicators and crop yield. The experiment was initiated in 2002 on a Stagnic Eutric Cambisol (45% clay content) near Frick (Switzerland) where the average annual precipitation is 1000 mm. This report focuses on the conversion period and examines changes as tillage intensity was reduced. Soil samples were taken from the 0–10 and 10–20 cm depths and analysed for soil organic carbon (C_org), microbial biomass (C_mic), dehydrogenase activity (DHA) and earthworm density and biomass. Among the components tested, only tillage had any influence on these soil fertility indicators. C_org in the 0–10 cm soil layer increased by 7.4% (1.5 g C_org kg⁻¹ soil, p < 0.001) with reduced tillage between 2002 and 2005, but remained constant with conventional tillage. Similarly, C_mic was 28% higher and DHA 27% (p < 0.001) higher with reduced than with conventional tillage in the soil layer 0–10 cm. In the 10–20 cm layer, there were no significant differences for these soil parameters between the tillage treatments. Tillage had no significant effect on total earthworm density and biomass. The abundance of endogeic, horizontally burrowing adult earthworms was 70% higher under reduced than conventional tillage but their biomass was 53% lower with reduced tillage. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and spelt (Triticum spelta L.) yield decreased by 14% (p < 0.001) and 8% (p < 0.05), respectively, with reduced tillage, but sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) yield was slightly higher with reduced tillage. Slurry fertilization enhanced wheat yield by 5% (p < 0.001) compared to compost fertilization. Overall, C_org, C_mic, and DHA improved and yields showed only a small reduction with reduced tillage under organic management, but long-term effects such as weed competition remain unknown.     

Improving animal drawn tillage system in Ethiopian highlands

In most smallholder farms in Ethiopian highlands, farmers still use the wooden ard plough (Maresha). This study was undertaken to understand and optimise the traction forces provided by the draught animals. An ard plough equipped with three load cells (one on the beam and one on each side of the yoke) was implemented to measure traction forces required for tillage of four Vertisol fields under wet and dry conditions. Tillage was performed at three different depths of shallow (0–5 cm), medium-deep (5–10 cm) and deep (10–15 cm). The interpretation of force measurement was done for equally and unequally strong pair of oxen. After tillage, soil samples were taken for the determination of bulk density and moisture content. The cross-section area of furrow profile (CSAFP) and depth were also measured.With the measurement of equally strong oxen, each ox provided 50% of the total traction force required for tillage. However, with unequally strong oxen, different contributions of each ox to the total traction force were found. The stronger ox moved faster than the weaker ox, creating an asymmetric position of the yoke. In this situation, the weaker ox had to work harder to overcome the force transferred from the strong ox and correct the asymmetric position of the yoke. Thus, the weaker ox had to provide a larger force to the total traction force compared to the stronger ox. A larger traction force was measured with the yoke asymmetric position for smaller depth, speed and CSAFP. Therefore, farmers in the Ethiopian highlands can improve the tillage efficiency of the Ethiopian ard plough by using equally strong pairs of oxen. However, with unequally strong oxen the weaker ox should be enhanced to walk a head of the stronger ox, allowing the latter to provide the larger required traction force.     

Effects of tillage and traffic on crop production in dryland farming systems: II. Long-term simulation of crop production using the PERFECT model

Soil water conservation is critical to long-term crop production in dryland cropping areas in Northeast Australia. Many field studies have shown the benefits of controlled traffic and zero tillage in terms of runoff and soil erosion reduction, soil moisture retention and crop yield improvement. However, there is lack of understanding of the long-term effect of the combination of controlled traffic and zero tillage practices, as compared with other tillage and traffic management practices.In this study, a modeling approach was used to estimate the long-term effect of tillage, traffic, crop rotation and type, and soil management practices in a heavy clay soil. The PERFECT soil–crop simulation model was calibrated with data from a 5-year field experiment in Northeast Australia in terms of runoff, available soil water and crop yield; the procedure and outcomes of this calibration were given in a previous contribution. Three cropping systems with different tillage and traffic treatments were simulated with the model over a 44-year-period using archived weather data.Results showed higher runoff, and lower soil moisture and crop production with conventional tillage and accompanying field traffic than with controlled traffic and zero tillage. The effect of traffic is greater than the effect of tillage over the long-term. The best traffic, tillage and crop management system was controlled traffic zero tillage in a high crop intensity rotation, and the worst was conventional traffic and stubble mulch with continuous wheat. Increased water infiltration and reduced runoff under controlled traffic resulted in more available soil water and higher crop yield under opportunity cropping systems.     

Small grains stubble burning and tillage effects on soil organic C and N, and aggregation in northeastern Saskatchewan

Field experiments were conducted over 5 years (2000–2004) at two sites (Star City and Birch Hills) in the Saskatchewan Parkland region to determine the effects of tillage and crop residue burning on soil total organic C (TOC), total organic N (TON), light fraction organic matter (LFOM), light fraction organic C (LFOC), light fraction organic N (LFON) and dry aggregation. Two tillage (ZT, zero tillage; CT, conventional tillage, with one tillage in autumn and another in spring) and two burning (B, residue burnt in autumn; NB, residue not burnt and returned to the soil) treatments were combined in a barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)–canola (Brassica napus L.) rotation. After five crop seasons, the mass of TOC and TON in the 0–15 cm soil tended to be greater, whereas mass of LFOM, LFOC and LFON was significantly greater in NB than B treatments at both sites. Zero tillage resulted in greater TOC, TON, LFOM, LFOC and LFON in soil than CT, in both B and NB treatments. The mass of TOC, TON, LFOM, LFOC and LFON in soil was the highest in the ZT–NB treatment, and lowest in the CT–B treatment. Zero tillage had a lower proportion of fine aggregates (<0.83 mm diameter) and a greater proportion of large aggregates (>6.4 mm diameter) at both sites, but the mean weight diameter (MWD) was greater under ZT than CT only at Birch Hills. Although the tillage × burning interaction was not significant in most cases, the ZT–NB treatment usually had the lowest proportion (22.6%) of fine aggregates and the greatest proportion (47.1%) of large aggregates, compared to the highest (34.9%) and the lowest proportion (35.6%) of these aggregates, respectively, in CT–B treatment. This indicated reduced potential for wind erosion when tillage was omitted (ZT) and crop residues were returned to the soil (NB). Returning crop residue to soil rather than burning usually increased soil organic C and N, and aggregation, but the differences between treatments were of greater magnitude between tillage treatments (ZT versus CT) than between burning treatments (B versus NB). Overall, returning crop residues along with ZT improved soil organic C and N, and aggregation, while burning in combination with CT resulted in the deterioration of these soil properties.     

Effects of tillage and traffic on crop production in dryland farming systems: I. Evaluation of PERFECT soil-crop simulation model

Agricultural production systems are complex involving variability in climate, soil, crop, tillage management and interactions between these components. The traditional experimental approach has played an important role in studying crop production systems, but isolation of these factors in experimental studies is difficult and time consuming. Computer simulation models are useful in exploring these interactions and provide a valuable tool to test and further our understanding of the behavior of soil–crop systems without repeating experimentation.Productivity erosion and runoff functions to evaluate conservation techniques (PERFECT) is one of the soil–crop models that integrate the dynamics of soil, tillage and crop processes at a daily resolution. This study had two major objectives. The first was to calibrate the use of the PERFECT soil–crop simulation model to simulate soil and crop responses to changes of traffic and tillage management. The second was to explore the interactions between traffic, tillage, soil and crop, and provide insight to the long-term effects of improved soil management and crop rotation options. This contribution covers only the first objective, and the second will be covered in a subsequent contribution.Data were obtained from field experiments on a vertisol in Southeast Queensland, Australia which had controlled traffic and tillage treatments for the previous 5 years. Input data for the simulation model included daily weather, runoff, plant available water capacity, and soil hydraulic properties, cropping systems, and traffic and tillage management. After model calibration, predicted and measured total runoffs for the 5-year period were similar. Values of root mean square error (RMSE) for daily runoff ranged from 5.7 to 9.2 mm, which were similar to those reported in literature. The model explained 75–95% of variations of daily, monthly and annual runoff, 70–84% of the variation in total available soil water, and 85% of the variation in yield. The results showed that the PERFECT daily soil–crop simulation model could be used to generate meaningful predictions of the interactions between crop, soil and water under different tillage and traffic systems.Ranking of management systems in order of decreasing merit for runoff, available soil water and crop yield was (1) controlled traffic zero tillage, (2) controlled traffic stubble mulch, (3) wheeled zero tillage, and (4) wheeled stubble mulch.     

Impact of conservation tillage and organic farming on the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are strongly affected by land use intensity and soil type. The impact of tillage practices on AMF communities is still poorly understood, especially in organic farming systems. Our objective was to investigate the impact of soil cultivation on AMF communities in organically managed clay soils of a long-term field experiment located in the Sissle valley (Frick, Switzerland) where two different tillage (reduced and conventional mouldboard plough tillage) and two different types of fertilization (farmyard manure & slurry, or slurry only) have been applied since 2002. In addition, a permanent grassland and two conventionally managed croplands situated in the neighborhood of the experiment were analyzed as controls. Four different soil depths were studied including top-soils (0–10 and 10–20 cm) of different cultivation regimes and undisturbed sub-soils (20–30 and 30–40 cm). The fungi were directly isolated from field soil samples, and additionally spores were periodically collected from long-term trap culture (microcosm) systems. In total, >50,000 AMF spores were identified on the species level, and 53 AMF species were found, with 38 species in the permanent grassland, 33 each in the two reduced till organic farming systems, 28–33 in the regularly plowed organic farming systems, and 28–33 in the non-organic conventional farming systems. AMF spore density and species richness increased in the top-soils under reduced tillage as compared to the ploughed plots. In 10–20 cm also the Shannon–Weaver AMF diversity index was higher under reduced tillage than in the ploughed plots. Our study demonstrates that AMF communities in clay soils were affected by land use type, farming system, tillage as well as fertilization strategy and varying with soil depth. Several AMF indicator species especially for different land use types and tillage strategies were identified from the large data set.     

有机稻鸭共作对土壤养分动态变化和经济效益的影响

土壤养分供应与作物需求间的矛盾是影响有机种植作物产量的技术瓶颈之一。试验通过对常规稻田、转换期稻鸭共作稻田和有机稻鸭共作稻田3种不同种植模式的土壤定位监测,分析土壤基本养分在水稻不同生长阶段的动态变化。结果表明,有机稻鸭共作稻田土壤有机质、碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾等养分指标在整个水稻生长期基本能维持一个相对稳定的状态,在幼穗分化期速效钾含量高于常规稻田,在成熟期碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾含量都远高于常规稻田。有机稻鸭共作稻田水稻产量较常规稻田有所降低,由于有机稻米的价格远高于常规稻米,实际经济效益可观,是值得推广的种植模式。     

Arable weeds,cover crops,and tillage drive soil microbial community composition in organic cropping systems

Cover crops have traditionally been used to reduce soil erosion and build soil quality, but more recently cover crops are being used as an effective tool in organic weed management. Many studies have demonstrated microbial community response to individual cover crop species, but the effects of mixed species cover crop communities have received less attention. Moreover, the relationship between arable weeds and soil microbial communities is not well understood. The objective of this study was to determine the relative influence of cover crop diversity, early-season weed communities, and tillage on soil microbial community structure in an organic cropping system through the extraction of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). A field experiment was conducted between 2009 and 2011 near Mead, NE where spring-sown mixtures of zero (control), two, and eight cover crop species were included in a sunflower–soybean–corn crop rotation. A mixture of four weed species was planted in all experimental units (excluding the no-cover control), and also included as an individual treatment. Cover crops and weeds were planted in late-March, then terminated in late-May using a field disk or sweep plow undercutter, and main crops were planted within one week of termination. Three (2009) or four (2010–11) soil cores were taken to a depth of 20 cm in all experimental units at 45, 32, and 25 days following cover crop termination in 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively. Total FAMEs pooled across 2009 and 2010 were greatest in the two species mixture–undercutter treatment combination (140.8 ± 3.9 nmol g⁻¹) followed by the eight species mixture–undercutter treatment combination (132.4 ± 3.9 nmol g⁻¹). Abundance of five (2009 and 2010) and seventeen (2011) FAME biomarkers was reduced in the weedy treatment relative to both cover-cropped treatments and the no-cover control. In 2009 and 2010, termination with the undercutter reduced abundance of most actinomycete biomarkers while termination with the field disk reduced abundance of C18:1(cis11) and iC16:0. Canonical discriminant analysis of the microbial community successfully segregated most cover crop mixture by termination method treatment combinations in 2009 and 2010. Microbial communities were most strongly influenced by the presence and type of early-spring plant communities, as weeds exerted a strong negative influence on abundance of many key microbial biomarkers, including the AMF markers C16:1(cis11) and C18:1(cis11). Weeds may alter soil microbial community structure as a means of increasing competitive success in arable soils, but this relationship requires further investigation.     

有机栽培和常规栽培水稻体系土壤酶及微生物量的比较研究

本研究探讨了有机栽培与常规栽培体系下水稻土微生物量及脲酶、酸性磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶的动态变化过程,以及有机栽培体系不同肥料调控措施对上述指标的影响.结果表明:与常规栽培水稻体系相比,有机栽培水稻有利于土壤微生物的生长和繁衍;水稻生长不同时期有机栽培方式的土壤微生物生物量碳、脲酶、酸性磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶活性均高于常规栽培体系.就水稻全生育期而言,土壤微生物生物量碳高于常规栽培7.3%～9.1%;脲酶、酸性磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶活性分别高于常规栽培7.3%～14.5%、5.2%～6.5%和12.5%～29.2%;有机水稻栽培体系下配施生态肥,在有机肥施用量减半时,土壤微生物生物量碳含量及土壤脲酶、酸性磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶活性较单施有机肥平均分别提高1.6%、6.8%、1.3%和14.8%,在水稻生长前期和中期该增加作用尤为显著.     

Remote sensing of crop residue cover and soil tillage intensity

Management of plant litter or crop residues in agricultural fields is an important consideration for reducing soil erosion and increasing soil organic C. Current methods of quantifying crop residue cover are inadequate for characterizing the spatial variability of residue cover within fields or across large regions. Our objectives were to evaluate several spectral indices for measuring crop residue cover using satellite multispectral and hyperspectral data and to categorize soil tillage intensity in agricultural fields. Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and EO-1 Hyperion imaging spectrometer data were acquired over agricultural fields in central Iowa in May and June 2004. Crop residue cover was measured in corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max Merr.) fields using line-point transects. Spectral residue indices using Landsat TM bands were weakly related to crop residue cover. With the Hyperion data, crop residue cover was linearly related to the cellulose absorption index (CAI), which measures the relative intensity of cellulose and lignin absorption features near 2100 nm. Coefficients of determination (r²) for crop residue cover as a function of CAI were 0.85 for the May and 0.77 for the June Hyperion data. Three tillage intensity classes, corresponding to intensive (<15% residue cover), reduced (15–30% cover) and conservation (>30% cover) tillage, were correctly identified in 66–68% of fields. Classification accuracy increased to 80–82% for two classes, corresponding to conventional (intensive + reduced) and conservation tillage. By combining information on previous season's (2003) crop classification with crop residue cover after planting in 2004, an inventory of soil tillage intensity by previous crop type was generated for the whole Hyperion scene. Regional surveys of soil management practices that affect soil conservation and soil C dynamics are possible using advanced multispectral or hyperspectral imaging systems.     

Stratification of soil aggregation and organic matter under conservation tillage systems in Africa

Soil degradation due to tillage has been reported Africa-wide. Other main causes of soil degradation are overgrazing, extensive cultivation of marginal lands, widespread clearing of vegetation for agriculture, deforestation, exploitation of unsuitable agricultural technologies, mis-management of arable lands, and frequent drought. Hence, declining soil fertility and increasing population pressure on lands are fragile bases on which to build expectations for improved crop production. This paper recognizes conservation tillage systems as one means for preventing food shortages and natural resources degradation throughout the continent. Conservation tillage has the potential for increasing soil organic matter content and enhancing soil aggregation. Conservation tillage systems can create an aggregated, fertile surface layer that is important from a soil erosion reduction perspective and thus for a sustainable agriculture in Africa. Some indigenous tillage systems in Africa can be adapted to meet objectives of conservation tillage systems. Further, recent technological developments in tillage and seeding machinery will certainly enhance the rate of farmer’s acceptance and adoption of conservation tillage.     

华北地区有机种植和常规种植模式下土壤重金属含量及污染评价

为探讨有机种植与常规种植两种不同种植方式对土壤重金属含量和污染特性的影响,本文在华北5个地区选取典型的有机蔬菜和有机小麦种植基地及附近相似条件的常规种植地块,比较了土壤中Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、Cd、As共6种重金属含量的差异,并采用不同评价方法对不同种植方式下土壤中重金属的污染程度进行了评价。结果表明:与常规种植相比,有机种植减轻了土壤酸化和盐渍化,提高了土壤有机质含量和阳离子交换量,在一定程度上有利于降低土壤中重金属的生物有效性。与土壤背景值相比,所有调查地区的土壤重金属均有不同程度的增加和积累。与常规种植相比,有机种植模式能有效降低土壤中Cd、Cr含量,有机小麦种植地块因长期施用大量有机肥导致土壤中Cu、Zn、As大量富集;而常规温室菜田同时施用大量的有机肥、化肥及农药,土壤中Cu、Zn、As富集的风险比有机种植模式高;露天蔬菜有机种植地块土壤中Cu、Zn、As含量与常规地块差异不明显。综合污染指数评价结果显示,调查地区土壤均属于轻污染程度,主要贡献因子为Cd、Cu、Zn,有机种植降低了土壤中重金属的综合污染水平;地累积指数法评价结果表明,调查地区处于无污染到中等污染水平,最明显的污染元素是Cd,有机种植降低了土壤中重金属污染的程度和风险;潜在生态危害指数评价结果表明,所调查地块存在轻微潜在生态风险,其中产生较大生态危害的是Cd,表现出轻微生态危害程度。本研究表明,有机种植减轻了土壤中重金属综合污染水平和污染风险,并减轻了土壤重金属的潜在生态危害。     

Reduced tillage in temperate organic farming: implications for crop management and forage production

To promote conservation tillage in organic farming systems, weed control and ley removal within arable-ley rotations need to be optimized. A long-term field trial was thus established in Frick, Switzerland in 2002 on a clayey soil and with a mean precipitation of 1000 mm/year. The tillage experiment distinguished between conventional tillage with mouldboard ploughing (CT, 15 cm depth) and reduced tillage (RT), including a chisel plough (15 cm) and a stubble cleaner (5 cm). Results of a 2-year grass-clover ley (2006/2007) and silage maize (2008) are presented. Due to dry conditions, mean grass-clover yields were 25% higher in RT than in CT, indicating better water retention of RT soils. Clover cover and mineral contents of the fodder mixture were also higher in RT. The ley was successfully removed in autumn 2007 in RT plots, and a winter pea catch crop was sown before maize. In CT, ploughing took place in spring 2008. Maize yields were 34% higher in RT than in CT, despite a two- to three-fold higher but still tolerable weed infestation. Maize in RT plots benefited from an additional 61.5 kg of easily decomposable organic N/ha incorporated into the soil via the pea mulch. Measurement of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of maize roots indicated a similar mechanical disturbance of the topsoil through the reduced ley removal system compared with ploughing. It is suggested that RT is applicable in organic farming, even in arable-ley rotations, but long-term effects need further assessment.