Long‐term effects of tillage,nutrient application and crop rotation on soil organic matter quality assessed by NMR spectroscopy

Crop and land management practices affect both the quality and quantity of soil organic matter (SOM) and hence are driving forces for soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. The objective of this study was to assess the long‐term effects of tillage, fertilizer application and crop rotation on SOC in an agricultural area of southern Norway, where a soil fertility and crop rotation experiment was initiated in 1953 and a second experiment on tillage practices was initiated in 1983. The first experiment comprised 6‐yr crop rotations with cereals only and 2‐yr cereal and 4‐yr grass rotations with recommended (base) and more than the recommended (above base) fertilizer application rates; the second experiment dealt with autumn‐ploughed (conventional‐till) plots and direct‐drilled plots (no‐till). Soil samples at 0–10 and 10–30 cm depths were collected in autumn 2009 and analysed for their C and N contents. The quality of SOM in the top layer was determined by ¹³C solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. The SOC stock did not differ significantly because of rotation or fertilizer application types, even after 56 yr. However, the no‐till system showed a significantly higher SOC stock than the conventional‐till system at the 0–10 cm depth after the 26 yr of experiment, but it was not significantly different at the 10–30 cm depth. In terms of quality, SOM was found to differ by tillage type, rate of fertilizer application and crop rotation. The no‐till system showed an abundance of O‐alkyl C, while conventional‐till system indicated an apparently indirect enrichment in alkyl C, suggesting a more advanced stage of SOM decomposition. The long‐term quantitative and qualitative effects on SOM suggest that adopting a no‐tillage system and including grass in crop rotation and farmyard manure in fertilizer application may contribute to preserve soil fertility and mitigate climate change.     

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.     

Tillage and amendment effects on soil carbon and nitrogen mineralization and phosphorus release

The influence of tillage and nutrient amendment management on nutrient cycling processes in soil have substantial implications for environmentally sound practices regarding their use. The effects of 2 years of tillage and soil amendment regimes on the concentrations of soil organic matter variables (carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)) and C and N mineralization and P release were determined for a Dothan fine-sandy loam soil in southeastern Alabama. Tillage systems investigated were strip (or conservation) and conventional tillage with various soil nutrient amendments that included no amendment, mineral fertilizer, and poultry waste (broiler litter). Surface soil (0–10 cm depth increment) organic matter variables were determined for all tillage/amendment combinations. Carbon and N mineralization and P release were determined on surface soils for each field treatment combination in a long-term laboratory incubation. Soil organic P concentration was 60% greater in soils that had been conventionally tilled, as compared with strip-tilled, both prior to and following laboratory incubation. Carbon and N mineralization results reflected the effects of prior tillage amendment regime, where soils maintained under strip-till/broiler litter mineralized the greatest amount of C and N. Determination of relative N mineralization indicated that strip tillage had promoted a more readily mineralizable pool of N (6.1%) than with conventional till (4.2%); broiler litter amendments had a larger labile N fraction (6.7%) than was found in soils receiving either mineral fertilizer (4.1%) or no amendment (4.7%). Tillage also affected P release measured during the incubation study, where approximately 20% more inorganic P was released from strip-tilled soils than from those maintained under conventional tillage. Greater P release was observed for amended soils as compared with soils where no amendment was applied. Results from this study indicate that relatively short-term tillage and amendment management can significantly impact C, N, and P transformations and transfers within soil organic matter of a southeastern US soil.     

Tillage Effects on Soil Quality Indicators and Nematode Abundance in Loessial Soil under Long‐Term No‐Till Production

Abstract: Soil quality indicators and nematode abundance were characterized in a loessial soil under long‐term conservation tillage to evaluate the effects of no‐till, double‐disk, chisel, and moldboard plow treatments. Indicators included soil electrical conductivity (EC), soil texture, soil organic matter (SOM), and total particulate organic matter (tPOM). Nematode abundance was positively correlated with EC, silt content, and total POM and negatively correlated with clay content. Clay content was the main source of variation among soil quality indicators and was negatively correlated with nematode abundance and most indicators. The gain in SOM in the no‐till system amounted to 10887 kg over the 24 years or 454 kg ha^?1 year^?1, about half of this difference (45%) resulting from soil erosion in plowed soils. The balance of gain in SOM with no till (249 kg ha^?1 year^?1) was due to SOM sequestration with no till. No‐till management reduced soil erosion, increased SOM, and enhanced soil physical characteristics.     

Residue Decomposition and Fate of Nitrogen‐15 in a Wheat Crop under Different Previous Crops and Tillage Systems

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) management may be improved by a thorough understanding of the nutrient dynamics during previous‐crop residue decomposition and its impact on fertilizer N fate in the soil–plant system. An experiment was conducted in the Argentine Pampas to evaluate the effect of maize and soybean as previouscrops and plow‐till and no‐till methods on N dynamics and ¹⁵N‐labeled fertilizer uptake during a wheat growing season. Maize and soybean residues released N under both tillage treatments, but N release was faster from soybean residues and when residues were buried by tillage. Net immobilization of N on decomposing residues was not detected. A regression model that accounted for 92% of remaining N variability included time, previous crop, and tillage treatment as independent variables. The rapid residue decomposition with N release was attributed to the high temperatures of the agroecosystem. The recovery of ¹⁵N‐labeled fertilizer in the wheat crop, soil organic matter, and decomposing residues was not statistically different between previous crop treatments or tillage systems. Crop uptake of fertilizer N averaged 52% across treatments. Forty percent of fertilizer N was removed in grains. Immobilization of labeled N on soil organic matter was substantial, averaging 34% of the ¹⁵N‐labeled fertilizer retained, but was very small on decomposing residues, averaging 0.2–3.0%. Fertilizer N not accounted for at harvest in the soil–plant system was 12% and was ascribed to losses. Previous crop or tillage system had no impact on wheat yield, but when soybean was the previous crop, N content of grain and straw+roots increased. Discussion is presented on the potential availability of N retained in wheat straw, roots, and soil organic matter for future crops.     

Dryland corn response to tillage and nitrogen fertilization. I. Growth‐yield‐N relationships

Abstract

Crop response to fertilizer nitrogen (N) is dependent upon tillage management. This study was conducted to determine how tillage rotation influences non‐irrigated crop growth, N uptake and yield. The effects of tillage rotation, N rate and N timing schedule on early season dry matter production and N uptake, ear leaf N concentration at silking, and yield of corn [Zea mays (L.) Pioneer 3378] were investigated at Painter, VA, on an Altavista loam (fine‐loamy, mixed, thermic Aquic Hapludult). In 1986, maximum yields achieved in the 6‐year continuous no till (NT) [5.82 Mg/ha] and first year no till (AT) [5.64 Mg/ha] were significantly greater than that of the 6‐year continuous conventional till (CT) [3.67 Mg/ha], but no yield differences were obtained in the drier 1987 season. A higher rate of N fertilizer was required to obtain maximum yield in the first year no till (168 kg N/ha) than in the NT (112 kg N/ha) during 1986. Early 1986 N uptake and growth response with and without N at planting increased in the order CT < AT = NT and AT < CT < NT, respectively, indicating greatest immobilization of soil N occurred in the newly established no till soil. Lack of differences in critical ear leaf N values developed for NT and CT in each year imply that plant norms developed for one tillage system may accurately assess N status of corn grown under different tillage practices.     

Organic matter returns to soils must be higher under organic compared to conventional farming

The aim of this paper is to discuss the demand of fresh organic matter (FOM) supply to maintain soil organic matter (SOM) levels and productivity of arable soils under organic management. The basic question is whether the different frame conditions in organic vs. conventional farming result in a different and system‐specific FOM demand. If this is the case, it would follow that the farming system has to be considered in the calculation of SOM balances. SOM balances are the most common decision support tools in organic matter management. A conversion to organic farming in practice usually leads to an increase of SOM levels as well as soil microbial activity over time. The system‐specific driver of this effect is the indispensable extension of the share of (perennial) legumes in crop rotations at the expense of non‐legumes such as cereals, row crops, and maize. Extended legume cropping is essential for N supply in crop rotations as the import of N fertilizer in total is limited by organic farming regulations and mineral N fertilizer may not be used at all. Based on this characteristic of organic management, we argue that the demand of FOM supply to soils must be higher than in conventional crop production. The most relevant factors are (1) the non‐existence of mineral N fertilizer as an external N source that supports the maintenance of SOM by decreasing the demand for SOM‐N, (2) benefits of increasing SOM stocks and turnover for soil productivity under organic management, and, (3) increased mass‐losses of FOM and easily degradable SOM compartments due to higher microbial activity in soils. These effects have to be quantified and must be considered in SOM balances in order to avoid misleading assessments and erroneous decisions.     

Tillage effects on maize yield in a Colombian savanna oxisol: Soil organic matter and P fractions

Soil organic matter (SOM) and phosphorus (P) fractions play a key role in sustaining the productivity of acid-savanna oxisols and are greatly influenced by tillage practices. In 1993, a long-term experiment on sustainable crop rotation and ley farming systems was initiated on a Colombian acid-savanna oxisol to test the effects of grain legumes, green manures, intercrops and leys as possible components that could increase the stability of systems involving annual cereal crops. Five agropastoral treatments (maize monoculture—MMO, maize–soybean rotation—MRT, maize–soybean green manure rotation—MGM, native savanna control—NSC and maize-agropastoral rotation—MAP) under two tillage systems (no till-NT and minimum tillage-MT) were investigated. The effects of NT and MT on SOM and P fractions as well as maize grain yield under the five agropastoral treatments were evaluated. Results showed that soil total C, N and P were generally better under no-till as compared to minimum-tilled soils. While P fractions were also generally higher under no-till treatments, SOM fractions did not show any specific trend. Seven years after establishment of the long-term ley farming experiment (5 years of conventional tillage followed by 2 years alternative tillage systems), MT resulted into moderately higher maize grain yields as compared to NT. The MGM rotation treatment had significantly higher values of maize yield under both tillage systems (4.2 Mg) compared to the NSC (2.3 Mg ha⁻¹). Results from this study indicate that the rotational systems (maize–soybean green manure and maize-pastures) improved the soil conditions to implement the no-till or minimum tillage systems on Colombian savanna oxisol.     

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.     

Nutrient content of maize and soil organic matter status under various tillage methods and farmyard manure levels

Abstract

A two-year field study was conducted under semi-arid conditions in Pakistan to assess the role of tillage systems and farmyard manure on soil, plant nutrients and organic matter content. Four tillage systems (zero, minimum, conventional and deep tillage) and three farm manure levels were used. Maize crop was grown up to maturity. Uptake of N, P and K in maize shoots improved in tillage systems compared to non-tillage and treatments where farmyard manure was applied. Soil N status decreased in the deep tillage systems, whereas it increased in all other tillage systems and in the farmyard manure amended treatments. Increase in soil P values was observed under minimum and conventional tillage, whereas deep tillage resulted in a decrease. Farmyard manure amendments increased soil P and soil K in all systems. Tillage did not affect soil K levels. Results demonstrate that reduced tillage is practicable in arid and semi-arid regions since it improves soil fertility.     

麦稻轮作下耕作模式对土壤理化性质和作物产量的影响

为了探明不同耕作模式对土壤理化性质和作物产量的影响,采用田间定位试验方法,于2007-2010连续4a在麦稻轮作制下开展了本试验研究。结果表明,免耕提高了耕层土壤体积质量,降低了土壤含水率。但是免耕土壤表层(0～10cm)的体积质量仍在作物适宜生长的范围内,并未对作物的生长产生不利影响。免耕促进了土壤有机质和全氮在表层土壤的富集。0～10cm土层有机质和全氮含量比翻耕处理显著增加,而>10～20cm土层上述养分含量明显低于翻耕处理。小麦季免耕土壤的碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾含量的变化趋势与有机质和全氮含量相似,而水稻季免耕处理整个耕层土壤碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾含量均低于翻耕处理。免耕显著的提高了小麦产量,但降低了水稻产量,起主要作用的产量构成因素是小麦和水稻的有效穗数。整个轮作周期的作物产量以小麦免耕水稻翻耕模式的产量较高,比小麦翻耕水稻免耕模式产量增加了5.70%。     

长期施肥和耕作管理对华北平原土壤肥力的影响

In the North China Plain, fertilizer management and tillage practices have been changing rapidly during the last three decades; however, the influences of long-term fertilizer applications and tillage systems on fertility of salt-affected soils have not been well understood under a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-maize (Zea mays L.) annual double cropping system. A field experiment was established in 1985 on a Cambosol at the Quzhou Experimental Station, China Agricultural University, to investigate the responses of soil fertility to fertilizer and tillage practices. The experiment was established as an orthogonal design with nine treatments of different tillage methods and/or fertilizer applications. In October 2001, composite soil samples were collected from the 0–20 and 20–40 cm layers and analyzed for soil fertility indices. The results showed that after 17 years of nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) fertilizer and straw applications, soil organic matter (SOM) in the top layer was increased significantly from 7.00 to 9.30–13.14 g kg-1 in the 0–20 cm layer and from 4.00 to 5.48–7.75 g kg-1 in the 20–40 cm layer. Soil total N (TN) was increased significantly from 0.37 and 0.22 to 0.79–1.11 and 0.61–0.73 g N kg-1 in the 0–20 and 20–40 cm layers, respectively, with N fertilizer application; however, there was no apparent effect of straw application on TN content. The amounts of soil total P (TP) and rapidly available P (RP) were increased significantly from 0.60 to 0.67–1.31 g kg-1 in the 0–20 cm layer and from 0.52 to 0.60–0.73 g kg-1 in the 20–40 cm layer with P fertilizer application, but were decreased with combined N and P fertilizer applications. The applications of N and P fertilizers significantly increased the crop yields, but decreased the rapidly available potassium (RK) in the soil. Straw return could only meet part of the crop potassium requirements. Our results also suggested that though some soil fertility parameters were maintained or enhanced under the long-term fertilizer and straw applications, careful soil quality monitoring was necessary as other nutrients could be depleted. Spreading straw on soil surface before tillage and leaving straw at soil surface without tillage were two advantageous practices to increase SOM accumulation in the surface layer. Plowing the soil broke aggregates and increased aeration of the soil, which led to enhanced organic matter mineralization.     

保护性耕作对旱作农田耕层土壤肥力及酶活性的影响

通过田间定位试验,研究了不同耕作方式对黄土高原西部旱农区耕层土壤肥力和酶活性的影响。结果表明,秸秆还田可以显著提高 0—5和5—10 cm土层有机质、全氮、全磷、全钾、铵态氮、速效磷、速效钾和3种水解酶活性; 10—30 cm 土层仅提高了有机质、全钾和速效钾含量,对其余各养分含量和水解酶活性并无明显影响。免耕降低了0—5、5—10和10—30 cm土层硝态氮含量,但对过氧化氢酶活性有明显促进作用。相关分析表明,土壤有机质、养分和碱性磷酸酶、蔗糖酶活性之间呈极显著相关关系。进一步应用主成分分析表明,土壤有机质、养分和水解酶活性共同反映着黄土高原雨养农区土壤肥力水平的高低。     

Effect of Long-Term Soil Management on the Mutual Interaction Among Soil Organic Matter, Microbial Activity and Aggregate Stability in a Vineyard

Vineyard management practices to enhance soil conservation principally focus on increasing carbon (C) input, whereas mitigating impacts of disturbance through reduced tillage has been rarely considered. Furthermore, information is lacking on the effects of soil management practices adopted in the under-vine zone on soil conservation. In this work, we evaluated the long-term effects (22 years) of alley with a sown cover crop and no-tillage (S + NT), alley with a sown cover crop and tillage (S + T), and under-vine zone with no vegetation and tillage (UV) on soil organic matter (SOM), microbial activity, aggregate stability, and their mutual interactions in a California vineyard in USA. Vegetation biomass, microbial biomass and activity, organic C and nitrogen (N) pools, and SOM size fractionation and aggregate stability were analysed. Soil characteristics only partially reflected the differences in vegetation biomass input. Organic C and N pools and microbial biomass/activity in S + NT were higher than those in S + T, while the values in UV were intermediate between the other two treatments. Furthermore, S + NT also exhibited higher particulate organic matter C in soil. No differences were found in POM C between S + T and UV, but the POM fraction in S + T was characterized by fresher material. Aggregate stability was decreased in the order: S + NT > UV > S + T. Tillage, even if shallow and performed infrequently, had a negative effect on organic C and N pools and aggregate stability. Consequently, the combination of a sown cover crop and reduced tillage still limited SOM accumulation and reduced aggregate stability in the surface soil layer of vineyards, suggesting relatively lower resistance of soils to erosion compared to no-till systems.     

Short-term responses of soil nutrients and corn yield to tillage and organic amendment

Field experiments were conducted in 2010 and 2011 at the Agricultural College of Shiraz University to evaluate the effects of cattle manure and nitrogen (N) fertilizers on soil properties such as soil organic carbon (SOC), soil organic nitrogen (SON), soil electrical conductivity, soil pH and corn yield under two tillage systems. Treatments included tillage systems in two levels as conventional tillage and reduced tillage as subplots, cattle manure (0, 25 and 50 tons ha^?1) and N fertilizer (0, 125 and 250 kg N ha^?1) as sub-subplots. Results showed that SOC and SON were significantly affected by tillage system in both years of the experiment. SOC and SON were higher in reduced tillage compared to conventional tillage. Tillage system had no significant effect on grain yield, plant height and 1000 seed weight. Increased cattle manure rates at 25 and 50 tons ha^?1 increased grain yield by 27% and 38%, respectively, in 2010 and 25% and 25% in 2011. The results showed that application of cattle manure combined with N fertilizer might be an efficient management to increase soil productivity in southern Iran, in soils with poor organic content. Additionally, reduced tillage showed to be an efficient method to increase soil organic matter.     

Tillage effects on soil properties at different levels of fertilizer application in Punjab, Pakistan

The effects of cropping systems and management practices on soil properties provide essential information for assessing sustainability and environmental impact. Tillage and fertilizer rates were evaluated for their effects on soil bulk density (BD), penetration resistance, soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration and availability of macronutrients on a sandy clay loam (fine-loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Haplargids, USDA; Luvic Yermosol, FAO) in a semi-arid region of Pakistan. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) were double-cropped from 1996 to 1998. Tillage treatments were minimum till (MT), conventional till (CT), and deep till (DT). Low, medium and high fertilizer rates were applied to wheat and cotton. BD was affected neither by tillage nor fertilizer rates. Soil penetration resistance was lower for DT than CT and MT. Tillage methods affected soil P concentration but did not affect N and K concentrations. However, fertilizer application significantly increased soil P and K concentrations. Concentrations of N, P, K and SOC were greater in the plough layer than sub-soil. Grain yield of wheat was significantly negatively correlated with penetration resistance and was positively correlated with soil P and K concentrations. Yield of cotton was significantly negatively correlated with soil BD. These data provide an experimental basis to re-evaluate recommendations for fertilizer rates and tillage methods for production of wheat and cotton in Punjab. Further, there is a strong need to establish long-term experiments to study agronomic and environmental effects of tillage methods, fertilizer rates, and cropping systems on productivity and environment quality.     

Effects of Different Organic Materials on Crop Production under a Rice–Corn Cropping Sequence

Soil organic matter (SOM) is an important index of soil quality because of its relationship with crop yield. The application of organic matter to soil is a significant method for increasing SOM. Different organic materials have varying effects in increasing SOM. This study investigates the effects of combining different sources of organic matter (i.e., compost, leguminous green manure, and peat) with a chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizer on the growth and N accumulation in corn and rice plants. This study examines seven treatments, including a no-fertilization check and a conventional chemical fertilizer treatment. Shoots of corn and rice were sampled at the tasseling (panicle initiation for rice) and maturity stages. The biomass yield was measured and the total N was analyzed. At the maturity stage, the soil samples were collected to determine the chemical properties. The results showed that a small percentage of the N in the compost and peat, after their application, was available to the crop during the growth season; the production of biomass and N absorption among rice and corn plants was minimal compared to that treated with chemical N fertilizer. The application of compost and peat resulted in SOM accumulation, particularly with peat. However, the application of compost combined with chemical fertilizer not only produced sufficient nutrients for crop growth but also resulted in an accumulation of SOM, which is vital for enhancing the soil quality. Most of the N in green manure (GM) was mineralized shortly after application, causing excessive growth of rice and corn plants during the early stage, but reducing their reproductive growth and grain yield.     

Effects of 30 years of cropping and tillage systems on surface soil test changes

Abstract

A common belief is that no‐till systems with adequate fertility will improve soil quality over other tillage systems. The objectives of this study were to determine if crop phase, tillage systems, and n rate in a long‐term rotation affected soil chemical analyses in the surface 15 cm of soil and to evaluate the trend in chemical analyses. To test this hypothesis, surface soil samples were taken from a long‐term (30‐year) cropping and tillage study. This study was initiated in 1965 on a Harney silt loam soil in Central Kansas with every phase of the wheat‐sorghum‐fallow (WDF) rotation included each year. Tillage systems included clear‐till (CT), reduced‐till (RT), and no‐till (NT). In 1975, four nitrogen (N) rates (0, 22, 45, 67 kg N ha¹) were incorporated by subdividing the tillage plots. Topdressed N, as ammonium nitrate, was the only fertilizer added throughout the duration of the study. Soil samples were taken at depths of 0 to 7.5 and 7.5 to 15 cm in all plots in 1965 and in 1995. In 1998, soils on 1997 sorghum plots were samples in 2.5‐cm increments to 15 cm. Samples from all dates were analyzed for pH, available phosphorus (AP), and organic matter (OM), and deviations from the controls from 1965 to 1995 were assessed by subtracting 1995 results from 1965 results. The change in soil pH showed a crop phase by sample depth interaction. In the wheat phase, pH in the top 7.5 cm increased by 0.19 and increased by 0.28 in the 7.5–15 cm layer. In the fallow phase, pH increased by 0.04 and 0.35 in the top 7.5 cm and 7.5–15 cm layers, respectively. The pH change for sorghum was intermediate for both depths. The increase in overall pH from 1965 to 1995 was unexpected and contrary to normal expectations of a decrease over time. Soil OM was not changed significantly over the 30 years of the study, suggesting that OM buildup or depletion is very slow under this cropping system on a nearly level soil with minimal soil erosion. Increasing the rate of N application significantly reduced pH in the upper increment samples, but had little effect on pH below 10 cm. The NT system had the lowest surface increment in pH, but differences among tillage systems were minimal below 7.6 cm. The AP was highest for NT in the surface increment, but for CT at deeper depths. Likewise, OM was highest for NT in the 2.5 cm increment and the CT at deeper increments. Under the present N management, pH may reach levels where herbicide effectiveness and phosphorus availability could be affected adversely. Deep tillage by one‐way or mold‐board plowing might be an interim solution to raise the pH before liming is implemented or P fertilizer is added to maintain adequate AP throughout the top 15 cm. Nitrogen management may need to be changed to some form of band‐type placement to reduce the total N applied. Under the conditions of this study (WSF, reduced tillage, and 57 cm annual precipitation), soil OM increased very slowly.     

苜蓿草地与苜蓿-作物轮作系统土壤微生物量与土壤轻组碳氮研究

从2000年10月到2004年4月，通过大田试验研究了半干旱黄土高原地区，苜蓿草地、苜蓿-作物轮作农田以及常规耕作农田中土壤有机碳、土壤全氮、土壤微生物生物量与土壤轻组物质的变化规律。结果表明，土壤轻组有机碳和氮含量苜蓿-作物轮作系统高于苜蓿草地。土壤微生物量碳和氮，以及它们占土壤有机碳和土壤全氮的比苜蓿-作物轮作系统高于常规耕作农田。土壤呼吸商苜蓿-作物轮作系统低于苜蓿草地和常规耕作农田。14年生苜蓿草地土壤微生物含量高，分解腐化植物碎片的能力高，但土壤有机物质利用不经济，3年中土壤全氮含量并无显著增加，这说明该系统较高的物质循环能力仅维持高的土壤肥力，而不能继续提高土壤肥力。苜蓿-作物用地系统不但能克服长时间种植苜蓿造成的物质循环的浪费，而且维持了良好的土壤肥力，促进了土壤氮素的有效利用。     

Aspartase Activity of Soils Under Different Management Systems

Abstract

Recent interest in soil tillage, cropping systems, and residue management has focused on low‐input sustainable agriculture. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of various management systems on aspartase activity in soils. This enzyme [L‐aspartate ammonia‐lyase, EC 4.3.1.1] catalyzes the hydrolysis of L‐aspartate to fumarate and NH₃. It may play a significant role in the mineralization of organic N in soils. The management systems consisted of three cropping systems [continuous corn (Zea mays L.) (CCCC); corn‐soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]‐corn‐soybean (CSCS); and corn‐oat (Avena sativa L.)‐meadow‐meadow (COMM) {meadow was a mixture of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.)] at three long‐term field experiments initiated in 1954, 1957, and 1978 in Iowa and sampled in June 1987. The plots received 0 or 180 (or 200) kg ha^?1 before corn and an annual application of 20 kg P and 56 kg K ha^?1. The tillage systems (no‐tillage, chisel plow, and moldboard plow) were initiated in 1981 in Wisconsin and sampled in May 1991. The crop residue treatments were: bare, normal, mulch, and double (2×) mulch. The residue in the study was corn stalks. Results showed that, in general, crop rotation in combination with N fertilizer treatments affected aspartase activity in the following order: COMM>CSCS>CCCC. Because of nitrification of the NH₄ ⁺ or NH₄ ⁺‐forming fertilizers, which resulted in decreasing the pH values, N fertilizer application, in general, decreased the aspartase activity in soils in the order: CCCC>CSCS>COMM. The effect of tillage and residue management practices on aspartase activity in soils showed a very wide variation. The trend was as follows: no‐till/2× mulch>chisel plow/mulch>moldboard plow/mulch>no‐till normal>chisel plow/normal>no‐till bare>moldboard plow/normal. Aspartase activity decreased with increasing depth in the plow layer (0–15 cm) of the no‐till/2× mulch. The decreased activity was accompanied by decreasing organic C and pH with depth. Statistical analyses using pooled data (28 samples) showed that aspartase activity was significantly, linearly correlated with organic C (r=0.78^***) and exponentially with soil pH (r=0.53**). The variation in the patterns and magnitudes of activity distribution among the profiles of the four replicated plots was probably due to the spatial variability in soils.