不同耕作方式下黑土区农田中小型土壤动物群落特征

[目的]研究中小型土壤动物群落组成、多样性、动态特征及垂直分布情况,反映土壤环境状况,为探索黑土区农田适宜的耕作方式提供参考依据。[方法]采用改良干漏斗(modified tullgren)法分离中小型土壤动物,分析比较了不同耕作方式下中小型土壤动物的群落结构及分布特征。[结果]从研究样地共捕获中小型土壤动物3 749只,隶属47个类群。其中四奥甲螨科(Quadroppiidae)和等节■科(Isotomidae)为试验区的优势类群。3种耕作方式下,0—10 cm土层中小型土壤动物个体数占总个体数的71%,在垂直分布上具有明显的表聚性。深松处理下中小型土壤动物个体数最多(1 671),CK处理下类群数最多(41)。CK处理下中小型土壤动物多样性指数和丰富度指数最高,分别为(2.81)和(3.81);深松处理下中小型土壤动物优势度指数最高(0.15)。不同耕作方式下土壤渗透总量表现为深松CK免耕;土壤含水量和土壤温度表现为深松免耕CK;土壤容重表现为免耕CK深松。中小型土壤动物个体数与土壤容重呈显著正相关(p0.05);中小型土壤动物丰富度指数与土壤有机质呈显著正相关(p0.05);中小型土壤动物均匀度指数与土壤渗透总量呈极显著正相关(p0.01)。[结论]耕作方式对中小型土壤动物的群落结构有明显的影响,深松耕作后显著提高中小型土壤动物个体数,能够有效改善土壤环境,比免耕和传统耕作更有利于中小型土壤动物的生存与繁殖。     

黄淮海平原小麦保护性耕作对土壤动物总量和多样性的影响

强度的耕作管理使土壤生物多样性下降,也使农业可持续发展面临困难,而实行保护性耕作可以缓解这一问题。通过调查小麦季保护性耕作下土壤动物群落结构,分析了耕作方式和秸秆覆盖对土壤动物群落的影响,采用冗余分析（RDA）并设置协变量的方法对土壤动物数量变异进行了研究。结果表明,弹尾目和蜱螨目是土壤动物优势类群,两者数量之和占总数比例约为80％,土壤动物在表层（0～10cm）分布较大,约占总数的75％。土壤动物类群数免耕高于翻耕,覆盖量越大,个体数量越多。免耕在小麦拔节期有更高的多样性指数,但在成熟期土壤动物优势类群明显,多样性指数下降。相似性指数表现为土壤动物类群对环境具有选择性,翻耕和免耕之间类群差异较大。耕作方式、覆盖数量、土壤层次和时间共解释了土壤动物数量变异量的28．7％,其中时间占最大的变异量,为12．2％,其次是秸秆覆盖处理（8．7％）和土壤层次（6．4％）。耕作方式直接解释的变异量较小,但耕作方式显著影响了秸秆覆盖的作用形式,进一步影响了土壤动物的垂直分布状况。     

中层黑土不同耕作方式下玉米和大豆产量及经济效益分析

为探索免耕与常规耕作下玉米和大豆的产量和经济效益,2001年秋开始在吉林省德惠市中层黑土上进行免耕、秋翻和垄作耕作方式下的不同轮作试验。试验结果表明：免耕玉米和大豆的田间作业次数比垄作、秋翻的作业次数分别减少3～6次。不同耕作方式对玉米产量的影响直到2006年才逐渐显现出来,垄作玉米年均产量最高,为10136kg·hm^-2,比产量最低的免耕玉米连作高12．3％,但几种耕作方式间玉米和大豆年均产量均无显著差异。按农业生产成本排序,玉米为秋翻〉免耕〉垄作,大豆为秋翻〉垄作〉免耕。按经济效益排序,玉米为垄作轮作〉免耕轮作〉秋翻轮作〉免耕连作〉秋翻连作,大豆为免耕轮作〉垄作轮作〉秋翻轮作。除玉米连作外,免耕不会降低作物产量,其中免耕玉米-大豆轮作可获得与常规耕作相当的玉米产量和较高的大豆产量。从生产成本和经济效益来看,免耕处理在人工和农机上的生产费用比其他处理少,且免耕轮作的经济效益明显大于秋翻,但长期效果如何还有待于进一步的试验和观测。     

吉林黑土区不同施肥条件下农田土壤动物组成及多样性变化

采用手捡法和改良干漏斗法(Modified.Tullgren)对吉林黑土区长期定位施肥农田土壤动物群落组成及多样性进行研究。12个施肥小区内共采集108个土壤样品,获得农田土壤动物标本17265只(未鉴定标本187只),隶属3门9纲19目3亚目48科。统计分析结果表明,所采集标本中,营养功能群以植食性(35.53%)为主。其中,大型农田土壤动物捕获的个体数和类群数以撂荒和施氮肥区最多;中小型农田土壤动物则以撂荒和轮作区最多;大型农田土壤动物群落的多样性指数(H′)依次是NP>N>1.5MNPK>PK>M2NPK>CK>NK>NPK>M1NPK>轮作>SNPK>撂荒,中小型农田土壤动物多样性指数依次是M1NPK>M2NPK>SNPK>1.5MNPK>NP>CK>轮作>NK>NPK>PK>N>撂荒。群落相似性指数分析表明,不同施肥之间相似性系数一般较低。农田土壤动物群落组成异质性较高,SNPK与M1NPK、撂荒地处理之间的相似性明显高于其他群落,N与SNPK、M2NPK和轮作之间、CK与1.5MNPK和NPK之间的相似性明显低于其它施肥之间的相似性。反映出不同施肥处理对土壤生态系统内部环境,进而对土壤动物群落产生的影响。     

不同耕作措施对土壤微生物的影响

土壤微生物作为土壤中活的有机体系,是衡量土壤质量的重要指标之一,可以表征土壤质量演变趋势,不同耕作措施对土壤微生物的影响引起了国内外学者的广泛关注。通过综述不同种植制度(连作、轮作和间作)、施肥制度(有机肥和无机肥配施、单施有机肥和单施化肥)、保护性耕作制度(秸秆还田和免耕)对土壤微生物数量、生物量和群落结构的影响,以期为农业的可持续发展提供一定的参考依据。     

不同耕作方式对旱地土壤酶活性的影响

通过设置在甘肃省定西市安定区李家堡乡的田间定位试验,研究了传统耕作(T)、免耕(NT)、免耕结合秸秆覆盖(NTS)以及秸秆还田(TS)处理对土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明:(1)与T相比,NT、NTS以及TS处理均可使土壤酶活性增加,对于表层土壤而言,效果更为明显;(2)脲酶、蔗糖酶和碱性磷酸酶等水解酶活性在耕翻处理下随土层的加深呈现先增加后降低的趋势,而在免耕处理下随土层的加深而减少;(3)过氧化氢酶和多酚氧化酶等氧化还原酶活性均随土层的加深而减少;(4)五种土壤酶活性之间的相关性都达到了显著相关。     

种植方式对玉米不同生长期土壤微生物群落功能多样性的影响

为探讨玉米不同种植方式下土壤微生物群落功能多样性的差异,进行田间定点试验,采用Biolog方法分别研究了4行轮作、4行连作、8行轮作和8行连作的种植方式对玉米种植前、拔节期、抽穗期和收获期土壤微生物功能多样性的影响。结果表明:4种种植方式的土壤微生物均在种植前代谢活性最弱、功能多样性最低,在玉米抽穗期土壤微生物代谢活性最强,功能多样性最高。在种植玉米前,轮作的土壤微生物代谢活性和功能多样性高于连作,8行轮作和4行轮作土壤微生物的物种多样性指数分别比相应的连作高22.93%和11.42%;4行轮作的土壤微生物物种多样性指数比8行轮作低3.17%,而4行连作比8行连作高6.83%。在玉米拔节期、抽穗期及收获期连作土壤微生物功能多样性略高于轮作,且有4行连作大于8行连作的趋势,但差异均未达显著水平。种植前,4种种植模式的土壤微生物对6大类碳源的利用程度整体上都较低,降解碳水化合物类、羧酸类和聚合物类碳源的微生物是种植方式影响的主要土壤微生物类群;随着玉米的生长,土壤微生物对6大类碳源的利用都逐渐增强,玉米拔节期、抽穗期和收获期之间土壤微生物特征碳源没有较大差异,4种种植方式的土壤微生物对聚合物类碳源利用程度差异都不显著。PLS-EDA分析结果表明种植方式对土壤微生物产生较大影响,种植前8行轮作和4行连作的土壤微生物碳源利用模式具有相似性;种植玉米后4种种植方式的土壤微生物对碳源的利用模式存在较大差异,其中4行连作的土壤微生物在玉米拔节期和收获期对碳源的利用模式与其他3种种植方式差异最大。试验说明作物长期连作栽培会影响土壤微生物群落功能,降低土壤微生物物种多样性,引起土壤微生物群落结构与功能的失调。     

东北地区不同耕作方式农田土壤风蚀特征

为探究不同耕作方式农田土壤风蚀特征,揭示风蚀对表层土壤理化性质及养分含量的影响,以东北地区典型农田土壤(黑土和风沙土)为研究对象,通过野外集沙仪定点监测与室内理化分析等方法,对不同耕作方式(垄作、免耕)和不同地表覆盖措施(无覆盖、留茬、覆盖)下的土壤风蚀特征展开研究。结果表明:(1)风沙土的输沙量显著高于黑土,在0—100cm高度范围内风沙土的输沙量平均为黑土的168倍。随高度的上升输沙量急剧减少,其中0—10cm输沙量最大,占总输沙量的50%以上,40cm以上则无明显风蚀物;(2)不同耕作方式下,免耕农田土壤风蚀输沙量较垄作样地减少了66.0%~94.1%;而相同耕作措施下,不同地表覆盖的输沙量表现为无覆盖>留茬>覆盖,与无覆盖相比,留茬及秸秆覆盖下的输沙量可以减少90.3%~99.4%;(3)受风蚀影响,表层土壤颗粒、有机质及养分流失严重,其中风蚀物的砂粒含量是表层土壤的1.06~1.42倍,且10—20cm风蚀物中有机质、全氮和全磷含量均比表层土壤高;(4)通过修正风蚀方程(RWEQ)估算得出,垄作无覆盖(RTNF)风蚀模数高达181.7~86582.9t/(km^2·a),风蚀剧烈,而免耕覆盖(NTF)的风蚀模数仅为9.89t/(km^2·a),为微度风蚀。研究显示垄作及无覆盖方式下农田土壤风蚀程度剧烈,加剧了表层土壤颗粒和养分流失的风险,而免耕和地表覆盖能有效缓解风蚀危害。     

不同耕作方式下玉米农田土壤养分及土壤微生物活性变化

通过连续3年的野外调查与室内分析试验,研究了不同耕作方式（翻耕、旋耕、免耕）对玉米农田土壤养分及土壤微生物活性的影响。结果表明,不同耕作方式下土壤pH值略显酸性,土壤容重与土壤总孔隙度变化趋势相反;土壤容重基本表现为:免耕 > 翻耕 > 旋耕;土壤总孔隙度TSP基本表现为:翻耕 > 旋耕 > 免耕,不同耕作方式差异均显著（p<0.05）。不同耕作方式下土壤养分（有机碳、全氮含量）和有效养分（有效磷、铵态氮和硝态氮）均呈现出一致性规律,大致表现为翻耕 > 旋耕 > 免耕,不同耕作方式下土壤全磷含量差异均不显著（p > 0.05）;与免耕相比,土壤微生物量碳和氮、土壤微生物数量（细菌、真菌、放线菌、固氮菌和纤维素菌）均有明显的增加,大致表现为:翻耕 > 旋耕 > 免耕。土壤微生物活度的变化范围为0.38~0.69,依次表现为翻耕 > 旋耕 > 免耕,不同耕作方式下土壤微生物活度差异均显著（p<0.05）。不同耕作方式下土壤微生物量碳周转率高于氮周转率,说明微生物量碳更新比微生物量氮快,其中翻耕处理下土壤微生物量碳和氮更新较旋耕和免耕快。通径分析发现,不同土壤环境因子对土壤微生物活度产生直接和间接负作用,其中有机碳、全氮、硝态氮、铵态氮、细菌数量对土壤微生物活度产生直接效应;土壤微生物量碳、微生物量氮、真菌数量和固氮菌数量对土壤微生物活度产生间接效应。     

华北山前平原农田土壤硝态氮淋失与调控研究

本文依托中国科学院栾城农业生态系统试验站小麦-玉米一年两熟长期定位试验, 应用土钻取土和土壤溶液取样器取水的方法, 研究了不同农田管理措施下土壤硝态氮的累积变化, 计算了不同氮肥处理通过根系吸收层的硝态氮淋失通量。结果表明, 小麦-玉米生长季土壤硝态氮累积量和淋失量随着施氮量的增加显著增加, 相同氮肥水平下增施磷、钾肥增加了作物的收获氮量, 施磷肥增加的作物收获氮量最高可达123kg·hm^-2·a^-1, 施钾肥增加的作物收获氮量最高为31 kg·hm^-2·a^-1。不同灌溉水平下0~400 cm 土体累积硝态氮随着灌溉量的增加而降低, 控制灌溉(小麦季不灌水, 玉米季灌溉1 水)、非充分灌溉(小麦季灌溉2~3 水, 玉米季按需灌溉)、充分灌溉(小麦季灌溉4~5 水, 玉米季按需灌溉)各处理剖面累积硝态氮量分别为1 698 kg·hm^-2、1148 kg·hm^-2 和961 kg·hm^-2。与非充分灌溉和充分灌溉处理相比, 控制灌溉在100~200 cm 土层硝态氮累积量显著高于其他层次, 2003~2005 年间控制灌溉剖面增加的硝态氮量占施肥总量的23%; 非充分灌溉处理剖面增加的硝态氮量占施肥总量的22%; 充分灌溉处理剖面增加的硝态氮量占施肥总量的47%。免耕措施降低了作物产量, 影响土壤水的运移, 增加了硝态氮的淋失风险。根据作物所需降低氮素投入(N 200 kg·hm^-2·a^-1), 增施磷、钾肥, 控制灌溉量是减少华北山前平原地区硝态氮淋失, 保护地下水的有效措施。     

Soil fauna community in the black soil of Northeast China under different tillage systems

Soil fauna is an important component in soil ecosystems. This study tested whether conservation tillage or conventional tillage of a black soil (Udic Mollisol) field in Northeast China could affect its soil fauna communities. Two different conservation tillage systems, no-tillage (NT) and reduced tillage (RT), as well as a conventional rotary tillage system (CT), were chosen for this study. There were 4562 individuals isolated from this study, which included two orders and 35 families. Acariformes was the most abundant family and represented 91.56% of the total faunal abundance. The abundance and the number of faunal families were higher in conservation tillage systems than in the CT. The RT system had the highest individual number of soil fauna among three tillage methods. The faunal accumulation in the soil surface also was significantly higher in the two conservation tillage systems than in the CT. Our results indicate that the conservation tillage systems could protect the soil fauna in the soil ecosystem better than the CT.     

保护性耕作下土壤动物群落及其与土壤肥力的关系

保护性耕作不仅能改善土壤特性,增加作物产量,也是缓解农田生物多样性损失的重要措施之一。为了探讨保护性耕作下土壤动物群落结构及其与土壤肥力的关系,试验采用裂区设计,主区为翻耕和免耕,副区为3种秸秆还田处理。结果表明：秸秆还田显著增加了土壤动物优势类群弹尾目和蜱螨目,耕作方式和秸秆还田量之间存在显著的交互效应。免耕和秸秆还田的结合增加了土壤有机质含量,但pH值下降;秸秆还田增加了土壤全氮和速效磷;与初始条件相比,过氧化氢酶和蔗糖酶活性下降,而尿酶活性有所增加。土壤有机质和全氮对土壤动物特别是弹尾目和蜱螨目有显著的正效应,土壤速效磷含量也与优势类群表现为正相关;鞘翅目、双尾目和唇足纲表现了能适应相对较高pH值的土壤环境。总之,保护性耕作在一定程度上增加土壤碳库,缓解温室效应,同时也提高了土壤动物丰富度;土壤动物与土壤养分密切相关,表现其在作物对养分利用的有效性上起着重要的作用。     

Total, particulate organic matter and structural stability of a Calcixeroll soil under different wheat rotations and tillage systems in a semiarid area of Morocco

Wheat production in Morocco is constrained by both scarce climate and degraded soil quality. There is an urgent need to revert production decline while restoring country’s soils. Among conservation tillage systems known for their improvement in yield, no-till technology was found to influence soil quality as well. Soil quality indices are also affected by wheat rotations at medium and long-terms. This paper discusses changes in selected properties of a Calcixeroll soil, including total and particulate soil organic matter (SOM), pH, total N and aggregation, subjected, for 11 consecutive years, to various conservation and conventional agricultural systems. Tillage systems included no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT). Crop rotations were continuous wheat, fallow–wheat, fallow–wheat–corn, fallow–wheat–forage and fallow–wheat–lentils. Higher aggregation, carbon sequestration, pH decline and particulate organic matter (POM) buildup are major changes associated with shift from conventional- to NT system. Better stability of aggregates was demonstrated by a significantly greater mean weight diameter under NT (3.8 mm) than CT system (3.2 mm) at the soil surface. There was 13.6% SOC increase in (0–200 mm) over the 11-year period under NT, while CT did not affect much this soil quality indicator. Another valuable funding is the stratification of SOC and total nitrogen in NT surface horizon (0–25 mm) without their depletion at deeper horizon compared to tillage treatments. Fallow–wheat system resulted in reduction of SOC compared to WW, but 3-year wheat rotation tended to improve overall soil quality. Benefits from crop rotation in terms of organic carbon varied between 2.6 and 11.7%, with fallow–wheat–forage exhibiting the maximum. Combined use of NT and 3-year fallow rotation helped to improve soil quality in this experiment.     

不同耕作措施下土壤孔隙的多重分形特征

首先利用数字图像处理技术提取了东北黑土区长期免耕(no tillage,NT)和翻耕(moldboardtillage,MT)制度下土壤切片中的孔隙信息,然后应用矩方法研究了两种耕作制度下土壤孔隙结构的多重分形特征。结果表明,免耕降低了表层(0~5 cm)大孔隙度(500μm),但是提高了10~15 cm和20~25 cm深度的孔隙度和大孔隙度。土壤孔隙结构在64~1 024像素尺度上具有多重分形特征。广义维(Dq)和多重分形谱(f(α))及相关参数能够反映切片中孔隙结构的特征。表层土壤孔隙多重分形谱明显右偏,随深度增加趋于对称。在同一深度下,免耕处理的Δα(α-10-α10)和ΔD(D-10-D10)均大于翻耕处理,免耕处理增加了孔隙结构的复杂程度,尤其是10~15 cm和20~25 cm深度下的孔隙结构。     

稻-油轮作下保护性耕作对土壤肥力的影响及评价

本文选取湖北省武穴市、荆州市和武汉市3个稻-油轮作长期定位试验点(试验时间分别为9年、5年和3年),通过连续监测土壤容重、孔隙度、p H、有机质、全氮、全钾、碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾等,研究在不同耕作年限和方式下,秸秆还田和免耕对水稻季(2015年10月)和油菜季(2016年5月)各土层(0~20 cm和20~40 cm)中土壤物理性质和养分的影响,并应用内梅罗指数法综合评价各土层土壤肥力水平,以探讨长期秸秆还田对土壤肥力的影响。结果表明:1)秸秆还田处理使水稻季和油菜季的土壤容重降低2.00%~16.54%,土壤总孔隙度增加1.00%~15.07%;而免耕处理下油菜季的变化与其相反,水稻季的变化不显著。2)秸秆还田处理增加了3个试验点0~20 cm土层中有机质(4.76%~35.07%)、全氮(1.80%~32.03%)、速效磷(20.95%~65.82%)、碱解氮(5.97%~37.00%)和速效钾(8.71%~133.04%)的含量,其中速效钾含量的增加幅度最高;免耕处理对土壤各养分的影响不显著,而在配施秸秆后,相对于其他处理,其对各养分的增加效果相对最好。各处理对20~40cm土层的影响与0~20 cm土层相似,但整体增加效果没有后者显著。3)各试验处理中,免耕+秸秆还田和施氮磷钾肥+秸秆还田两种处理增加各土层土壤综合肥力系数较大(7.56%~25.93%),它们对土壤肥力的提高效果相对较好。     

Impact of tillage and crop rotation on light fraction and intra-aggregate soil organic matter in two Oxisols

It is well known that no-tillage (NT) practices can promote greater stocks of soil organic matter (SOM) in the soil surface layer compared to conventional tillage (CT) by enhancing the physical protection of aggregate-associated C in temperate soils. However, this link between tillage, aggregation and SOM is less well established for tropical soils, such as Oxisols. The objective of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms of SOM stabilization in Oxisols as affected by different crop rotations and tillage regimes at two sites in southern Brazil. Soils were sampled from two agricultural experiment sites (Passo Fundo and Londrina) in southern Brazil, with treatments comparing different crop rotations under NT and CT management, and a reference soil under native vegetation (NV). Free light fraction (LF) and intra-aggregate particulate organic matter (iPOM) were isolated from slaking-resistant aggregates. Of the total C associated with aggregates, 79–90% was found in the mineral fraction, but there were no differences between NT and CT. In contrast, tillage drastically decreased LF-C concentrations in the 0–5 cm depth layer at both sites. In the same depth layer of NT systems at Londrina, the concentrations of iPOM-C were greater when a legume cover crop was included in the rotation. At Londrina, the order of total iPOM-C levels was generally NV > NT > CT in the 0–5 cm depth interval, but the difference between NT and CT was much less than in Passo Fundo. At Passo Fundo, the greatest concentrations and differences in concentrations across tillage treatments were found in the fine (53–250 μm) iPOM fractions occluded within microaggregates. In conclusion, even though no aggregate hierarchy exists in these Oxisols, our results corroborate the concept of a stabilization of POM-C within microaggregates in no-tillage systems, especially when green manures are included in the rotation.     

Functional implications of soil fauna diversity in boreal forests

This paper is a review of recent experiments dealing with the role of soil fauna in decomposition, mineralisation and primary production in coniferous forest soils. The experiments have been grouped according to the degree and nature of the ‘diversity gradient' between the ‘more diverse' community and its control: single animal species or an uncontrolled mixture of species versus microbiota only, several known animal species of the same trophic group versus one species only (species diversity), two or more functional groups versus one only, and food chains with predators versus microbes and microbivores only. The evidence available at present suggests that taxonomic diversity and predation have no consistent effects on the process rates in soil, while adding to the ‘functional' or ‘trophic group diversity' results in a more predictable enhancement in mineralisation. Especially the enchytraeid Cognettia sphagnetorum seems to be a keystone species in boreal forest soils. However, there are only few experiments in which species diversity per se has been taken as a separate factor, without a simultaneous change in the number of trophic groups or in total decomposer biomass.     

Microbiological parameters as indicators of soil quality under various soil management and crop rotation systems in southern Brazil

The objective of this work was to identify soil parameters potentially useful to monitor soil quality under different soil management and crop rotation systems. Microbiological and chemical parameters were evaluated in a field experiment in the State of Paraná, southern Brazil, in response to soil management [no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT)] and crop rotation [including grain (soybean, S; maize, M; wheat, W) and legume (lupin, L.) and non-legume (oat, O) covers] systems. Three crop rotation systems were evaluated: (1) (O/M/O/S/W/S/L/M/O/S), (2) (O/S/L/M/O/S/W/S/L/M), and (3) (O/S/W/S/L/M/O/M/W/M), and soil parameters were monitored after the fifth year. Before ploughing, CO₂-emission rates were similar in NT and CT soils, but plough increased it by an average of 57%. Carbon dioxide emission was 13% higher with lupin residues than with wheat straw; decomposition rates were rapid with both soil management systems. Amounts of microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen (MB-C and MB-N, respectively) were 80 and 104% higher in NT than in CT, respectively; however, in general these parameters were not affected by crop rotation. Efficiency of the microbial community was significantly higher in NT: metabolic quotient (qCO₂) was 55% lower than in CT. Soluble C and N levels were 37 and 24% greater in NT than in CT, respectively, with no effects of crop rotation. Furthermore, ratios of soluble C and N contents to MB-C and MB-N were consistently lower in NT, indicating higher immobilization of C and N per unit of MB. The decrease in qCO₂ and the increase in MB-C under NT allowed enhancements in soil C stocks, such that in the 0–40 cm profile, a gain of 2500 kg of C ha⁻¹ was observed in relation to CT. Carbon stocks also varied with crop rotation, with net changes at 0–40 cm of 726, 1167 and −394 kg C ha⁻¹ year, in rotations 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Similar results were obtained for the N stocks, with 410 kg N ha⁻¹ gained in NT, while crop rotations 1, 2 and 3 accumulated 71, 137 and 37 kg of N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, respectively. On average, microbial biomass corresponded to 2.4 and 1.7% of the total soil C, and 5.2 and 3.2% of the N in NT and CT systems, respectively. Soil management was the main factor affecting soil C and N levels, but enhancement also resulted from the ratios of legumes and non-legumes in the rotations. The results emphasize the importance of microorganisms as reservoirs of C and N in tropical soils. Furthermore, the parameters associated with microbiological activity were more responsive to soil management and crop rotation effects than were total stocks of C and N, demonstrating their usefulness as indicators of soil quality in the tropics.     

Hydraulic conductivity, residue cover and soil surface roughness under different tillage systems in semiarid conditions

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of tillage and cropping system on near-saturated hydraulic conductivity, residue cover and surface roughness to improve soil management for moisture conservation under semiarid Mediterranean conditions. Three tillage systems were compared (subsoil tillage, minimum tillage and no-tillage) under three field situations (continuous crop, fallow and crop after fallow) on two soils (Fluventic Xerochrept and Lithic Xeric Torriorthent). Soil under no-tillage had lower hydraulic conductivity (5.0 cm day⁻¹) than under subsoil tillage (15.5 cm day⁻¹) or minimum tillage (14.3 cm day⁻¹) during 1 of 2 years in continuous crop due to a reduction of soil porosity. Residue cover at sowing was greater under no-tillage (60%) than under subsoil or minimum tillage (<10%) in continuous crop. Under fallow, residue cover was low (10%) at sowing of the following crop for all tillage systems in both soils. Surface roughness increased with tillage, with a high value of 16% and decreasing following rainfall. Under no-tillage, surface roughness was relatively low (3–4%). Greater surface residue cover under no-tillage helped conserve water, despite indications of lower hydraulic conductivity. To overcome the condition of low infiltration and high evaporation when no-till fallow is expected in a cropping sequence, either greater residue production should be planed prior to fallow (e.g. no residue harvest) or surface tillage may be needed during fallow.     

A comparison between seasonal changes in soil water storage and penetration resistance under conventional and conservation tillage systems in Aragón

Low and extremely variable precipitations limit dryland crop production in the semi-arid areas of Aragón (NE Spain). These areas are also affected by high annual rates of topsoil losses by both wind and water erosion. A long-term experiment to determine the feasibility of conservation tillage in the main winter barley production areas of Aragón was initiated in 1989 at four locations, three on loam to silt loam soils (Xerollic Calciorthid) and one on a silty clay loam (Fluventic Ustochrept), receiving between 300 and 600 mm of average annual rainfall. In this study, we compared, under both continuous cropping and cereal-fallow rotation, the effects of conventional tillage (mouldboard plough) and two conservation tillage systems, reduced tillage (chisel plough) and no-tillage, on soil water content and penetration resistance during the first two growing seasons. Whereas reduced and conventionally tilled treatments generally had similar soil water content during the experimental period, the effects of no-tillage were inconsistent. No-tilled plots had from 26% less to 17% more stored soil water (0–80 cm) than conventional tilled plots at the beginning of the growing season. In contrast to the conventional and reduced tillage treatments, penetration resistances were between 2 and 4 MPa after sowing in most of the plough layer (0–40 cm) under no-tillage at all sites. Fallow efficiencies in moisture storage in the cereal-fallow rotation, when compared with the continuous cropping system, ranged from −8.7 to 12%. The highest efficiencies were recorded when the rainfall in the months close to primary tillage exceeded 100 mm. Since this event is very unlikely, long fallowing (9–10 months) appears to be an inefficient practice for water conservation under both conventional and conservation management. Our results suggest that, up to now, only reduced tillage could replace conventional tillage without adverse effects on soil water content and penetration resistance in the dryland cereal-growing areas of Aragón.