Effects of different soil management practices on total P and Olsen-P sediment loss: A field rainfall simulation study

Field rainfall simulations were conducted in 2002 and 2005 to study the effects of different soil management practices on the total phosphorous (TP) and Olsen-P losses by soil erosion and redistribution along a 15 m long slope in Luoyang, Henan province, China. Field plots were set up in 2001 and included the following soil management practices: subsoiling with mulch (SSM), no-till with mulch (NTM), reduced tillage (RT), and a conventional tillage control (CT). The results showed that there were no significant differences in TP and Olsen-P content in the sediment load between different plots after 6 years uniform tillage practices. The enrichment of TP and Olsen-P at the lower slope showed a clear redistribution along the slope. Effects of tillage practices on the temporal pattern of the enrichment ratio (ER) of TP and Olsen-P was not uniform. ER_TP values were initially high and diminished after a short period of time and leveled to the end of the rainfall test in CT and RT plots, but remained ≥ 1. The ER of Olsen-P at the end of rainfall simulation showed a significant difference when compared to the initial stage, 0.78 to 1.60, respectively. However, the temporal loss rate of TP and Olsen-P showed a similar pattern because it was more depending on the sediment loss rate than on the concentration in the sediment. SSM resulted in 96% less TP and Olsen-P erosion loss compared to CT in 2002. Also, SSM showed the highest reduction in TP and Olsen-P loss after 4 years consistent practice. RT reduced TP and Olsen-P loss by 30%, although the runoff reduction was not significant. NTM was the best alternative with respect to TP and Olsen-P conservation, when considering its lower operational costs.     

Soil management effects on runoff and soil loss from field rainfall simulation

Soil erosion from agricultural lands is a serious problem on the Chinese Loess Plateau. In total, 28 field rainfall simulations were carried on loamy soils under different management practices, namely conventional tillage (CT), no till with mulch (NTM), reduced tillage (RT), subsoiling with mulch (SSM), subsoiling without mulch (SS), and two crops per year (TC), to investigate (i) the effects of different soil management practices on runoff sediment and (ii) the temporal change of runoff discharge rate and sediment concentration under different initial soil moisture conditions (i.e. initially dry soil surface, and wet surface) and rainfall intensity (85 and 170 mm h^− 1) in the Chinese Loess Plateau. NTM was the best alternative in terms of soil erosion control. SSM reduced soil loss by more than 85% in 2002 compared to CT, and its effects on runoff reduction became more pronounced after 4 years consecutive implementation. SS also reduced considerably the runoff and soil loss, but not as pronounced as SSM. TC resulted in a significant runoff reduction (more than 92%) compared to CT in the initial ‘dry’ soil, but this effect was strongly reduced in the initial ‘wet’ soil. Temporal change of runoff discharge rate and sediment concentration showed a large variation between the different treatments. In conclusion, NTM is the most favorable tillage practices in terms of soil and water conservation in the Chinese Loess Plateau. SSM can be regarded as a promising measure to improve soil and water conservation considering its beneficial effect on winter wheat yield.     

转变耕作方式对长期旋免耕农田土壤有机碳库的影响

土壤深松是解决长期旋免耕农田耕层浅薄化、亚表层（>15～30 cm）容重增加等问题的有效方法之一,而将长期旋免耕农田进行深松必然导致农业生态系统中土壤有机碳（soil organic carbon,SOC）及碳固定速率的变化。因此,为对比将长期旋免耕转变为深松前后农田土壤有机碳库变化,该研究利用连续12a 的旋耕和免耕长期定位试验以及在此基础上连续6 a旋耕-深松和免耕-深松定位试验,对比了转变耕作方式对农田土壤0～30 cm有机碳含量、周年累积速率及其固碳量的影响。研究结果表明,经过连续12 a的旋耕和免耕处理（2002－2014）,2014年免耕处理土壤0～30 cm有机碳储量比试验初期（2002年）提高38%,旋耕处理降低了30%,而对照常规处理无显著差异。免耕处理土壤0～30 cm有机碳储量比旋耕处理高约2.6倍（2014年）。长期免耕显著提高了土壤0～30 cm的有机碳含量,2002~2014年其土壤0～30 cm固碳量为16.69 t/hm2,但长期旋耕导致土壤0～30 cm SOC含量显著降低,表现为土壤有机碳的净损耗,年损耗速率为?0.75 t/hm2。而长期旋耕后进行深松（旋耕-深松处理）6年其土壤0～30 cm的有机碳含量较原旋耕处理提高32%～67%,且显著提高了土壤固碳量及周年累积速率;免耕-深松土壤0～30 cm的有机碳周年累积速率较免耕处理下降了42%。长期旋耕造成有机碳水平下降的条件下,将旋耕处理转变为深松处理在短期内更有利于促进土壤有机碳的积累,而将长期免耕处理转变为深松措施,降低了土壤有机碳的累积速率和固碳量。     

Spatial and temporal effects of direct drilling on soil structure in the seedling environment

Inherent poor soil fertility is one of the factors responsible for the low productivity of rainfed cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) grown on the vertisols of the Indian sub-continent. A conservation tillage system such as reduced tillage (RT) is one approach to improve soil conditions. Field studies were conducted over 5 years to evaluate RT systems and determine the effects of retaining cotton crop residues on growth and yield of cotton. Results indicated that the RT systems (RT1: two inter-row cultivations and RT2 with no inter-row cultivation) gave significantly greater seed cotton than the conventional tillage (CT) in the first 3 years. In the later 2 years, the differences were not significant. However, yield decline was noticed in RT2 where there was no soil disturbance due to the increased build up of dicot weeds. The effect of crop residue on seed cotton yield was significant in 1998–1999 and 2000–2001. Leaf amended (R1) and leaf+stalk amended (R3) yields were equal to the control (R0). Stalk alone amended (R2) plots had the least seed cotton yield. The RT plots, generally had greater plant dry matter and yield attributes (number of bolls per plant and seed cotton yield per plant) than CT plots during the first 3 years, which contributed to significant yield differences between RT and CT plots. Residue amended plots had significantly greater SOC than the control. Eliminating complete soil disturbance, as in RT2, may not be a viable option, because of increased weed density, especially dicot weeds. The RT1 comprising pre-plant herbicide application and one pass of harrow, and two inter-row cultivation for early season and late season weed control, respectively, is a viable option to cotton growers of the semi-arid tropics of India.     

长期保护性耕作提高土壤大团聚体含量及团聚体有机碳的作用

【目的】团聚体形成被认为是土壤固碳的最重要机制。本文以河南豫西地区长期耕作试验为研究对象,研究了长期保护性耕作对土壤团聚体性质及土壤有机碳(SOC)含量的影响,为探讨土壤固碳机理,优化黄土高原坡耕地区农田耕作管理措施,实现土壤固碳减排、培肥土壤提供理论依据。【方法】长期耕作试验开始于1999年,试验处理有免耕覆盖(NT)、深松覆盖(SM)和翻耕(CT)。利用湿筛法筛分第3年(2002年)和第13年(2011年)0—10cm和10—20 cm土层中,2000、250~2000、53~250和53μm级别的水稳性团聚体,计算团聚体平均质量直径(MWD),并测定了各级别团聚体的有机碳(SOC)含量。【结果】1)连续13年免耕覆盖和深松覆盖显著提高了土壤表层0—10 cm的SOC含量,分别比翻耕增加了33.47%和44.48%。2011年免耕覆盖和深松覆盖SOC含量较2002年上升了1.92%和8.59%,翻耕下降了18.97%。2)与翻耕相比,免耕覆盖和深松覆盖2000μm团聚体含量显著提高了40.71%和106.75%;53~250μm团聚体含量显著降低了19.72%和22.53%;团聚体平均质量直径显著提高了20.55%和39.68%,显示了土壤结构的明显改善。3)免耕覆盖和深松覆盖显著提高了表层土壤所有团聚体有机碳的含量,尤其以2000μm团聚体提升最多。与翻耕相比,2000μm团聚体有机碳分别提高了40.0%和27.6%。4)免耕覆盖和深松覆盖下表层土壤大团聚体有机碳含量随耕作年限增加,微团聚体有机碳随耕作年限降低。2000μm的土壤团聚体有机碳含量2011年较2002年分别升高了23.93%和7.12%,53~250μm微团聚体有机碳含量分别下降了19.58%和13.27%。【结论】长期保护性耕作(包括免耕覆盖和深松覆盖)可显著提高表层土壤大团聚体含量,降低微团聚体含量,提高团聚体的水稳性,改善土壤结构。同时可增加土壤团聚体有机碳含量,提高土壤肥力。长期保护性耕作在河南豫西丘陵地区是一种较为合理的耕作方式。     

Tillage and crop management impacts on soil loss and crop yields in northwestern Ethiopia

Lack of appropriate agronomic practices is one of the major causes for soil erosion and low yields in teff (Eragrostis tef [Zucc.]) production in Ethiopia. A 3-yr study was conducted at the Aba Gerima watershed in northwestern Ethiopia, to investigate the effects of two tillage practices (reduced tillage [RT] and conventional tillage [CT]), two planting methods (row planting [RP] and broadcast planting [BP]), and two compaction options (with [+T] and without [–T] trampling) on soil loss and teff yields in a split-split plot arrangement. Sediment concentration ranged from 0.01 to 5.37 g L^?1 (mean, 0.25 g L^?1) in our study. Accordingly, the estimated total (August–October) soil loss ranged from 0.2 to 0.5 t ha^–1 (mean, 0.3 t ha^–1). The sediment concentration and total soil loss were significantly influenced (P < 0.05) by tillage, planting methods, and trampling only in the third monitoring year. RT reduced soil loss by 19% relative to that of CT, whereas RP resulted in a 13% reduction in soil loss over BP. The ?T plots showed a 15% reduction in soil loss as compared to + T plots. Results revealed significant increase in soil total carbon and nitrogen in RT and –T. Less soil loss and greater teff grain yield were obtained in plots with improved agronomic practices (RT and RP) compared to conventional ones (CT and BP). Based on our findings we conclude that the use of RT, RP, and –T practices can effectively minimize soil loss without any crop yield penalty.     

The effect of tillage systems on some microbial characteristics

Soils were sampled from plots with four variants of tillage methods: (1) conventional tillage (CT); (2) no tillage (NT); (3) minimum tillage (MTS); and (4) no tillage + mulch (NTM). Our aim was to study the influence of tillage on selected soil microbial properties. Determination of urease, dehydrogenase, invertase, arylsulphatase, potential nitrogenase activity, CFU of Azotobacter spp., and carbon microbial biomass has been conducted for time period 2002–2007. Soil samples from 0–0.1 m, 0.1–0.3 m, and 0.3–0.5 m were collected in the spring and autumn. Enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase, urease, arylsulphatase, and invertase) were significantly affected by soil depth and the tillage system employed. The statistically significant higher activity of urease was measured using the minimum tillage system (MTS), compared to the conventional tillage (CT) at soil depths of 0–0.1 m. The highest dehydrogenase activity was measured during the protective tillage treatment (NTM – no tillage with mulch). As far as other enzymatic activities (invertase and arylsulphatase) are concerned, the highest values were recorded in the protective tillage treatments. The highest counts of Azotobacter spp., as well as the highest nitrogenase activity (both statistically significant) were found in the no tillage + mulch (NTM) variant, at depths of 0.1–0.3 m. Microbial biomass (C-biomass) was the highest with the minimum tillage (MTS). The results show a positive influence of protection soil tillage on the reviving of upper layer of topsoil, especially in the variants where soil was supplied with organic matter.     

Saltation transport on a silt loam soil in northeast Spain

The Ebro River valley in Northeast Spain experiences regularly strong west-northwest winds that are locally known as cierzo . When the cierzo blows, wind erosion may potentially occur on unprotected agricultural lands. In this paper the first results of field measurements of soil characteristics and saltation transport in the Ebro River valley near Zaragoza are presented. An experiment was conducted on a silt loam soil in the summers of 1996 and 1997. Two plots of 135×180 m were both equipped with a meteorology tower, three saltiphones (acoustic sediment sensors) and ten sediment catchers. The plots were different with respect to tillage practices. One plot received mouldboard ploughing followed by a pass of a compacting roller (conventional tillage—CT), whereas the other plot only received chisel ploughing (reduced tillage—RT). Soil characterizations indicated that soil erodibility was significantly higher in the CT plots than in the RT plots. Consequently, no significant saltation transport was observed in the RT plots during both seasons. In the CT plot, four saltation events were recorded during the 1996 season and nine events during the 1997 season. Most events were preceded by rainfall during the previous one or two days, which reduced saltation transport significantly. It is concluded that the occurrence of wind erosion in the Ebro River valley depends on the timing and type of tillage, distribution of rainfall and soil-surface crusting. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Impact of a no-till with mulch soil management strategy on soil macrofauna communities in a cotton cropping system

Systematic exportation, burning of crop residues and decreases in fallow periods have led to a large-scale depletion of soil organic matter and degradation of soil fertility in the cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cropping systems of Cameroon. The present study tested whether soil management systems based on a no-till with mulch approach intercropped with cereals, which has been shown to restore cotton production, could boost the biological activity of soil macrofauna. The impacts of no tillage with grass mulch (Brachiaria ruziziensis Germain and Eward) (NTG) and no tillage with legume mulch (Crotalaria retusa L. or Mucuna pruriens Bak.) (NTL) on the abundance, diversity and functional role of soil invertebrates were evaluated during the third year of implementation in northern Cameroon (Windé and Zouana), compared to conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT) without mulch. Macrofauna were sampled from two 30 cm × 30 cm soil cubes (including litter) at the seeding stage of cotton, and 30 days later. The collected organisms were grouped into detritivores, herbivores and predators. Examination of the soil macrofauna patterns revealed that the abundance and diversity of soil arthropods were significantly higher in NTG and NTL than in CT plots (+103 and +79%, respectively), while that of NT plots was in-between the no tillage groups and CT (+37%). Regarding major ecological functions, herbivores and predators were significantly more abundant in NTG and NTL plots than in CT plots at Windé (+168 and +180%, respectively), while detritivores, predators and herbivores were significantly more abundant in the NTG plots than in CT plots at Zouana (+92, +517 and +116%, respectively). Formicidae (53.6%), Termitidae (24.7%) and Lumbricidae (9.4%) were the most abundant detritivores while Julidae (46.1%), Coleoptera larvae (22.1%) and Pyrrhocoridae or Reduviidae (11.8%) were the dominant herbivores. The major constituents of the predatory group were Araneae (33.8%), Carabidae (24.6%), Staphylinidae (15.7%) and Scolopendridae (10.3%). Direct seeding mulch-based systems, NTG and NTL, favoured the establishment of diverse macrofaunal communities in the studied cotton cropping system.     

南方红壤坡地不同耕作措施的水土保持效应

为解决南方红壤地区坡耕地水土流失问题,采用野外标准径流小区试验方法对南方红壤坡地常见的顺坡间作、横坡间作、果园清耕3种不同耕作方式下5 a时间水土保持蓄水保土效应进行了研究。结果表明,与对照小区相比,各试验小区减流率优劣次序为：横坡间作小区（75.33%）＞顺坡间作小区（59.56%）＞果园清耕小区（21.73%）,减沙效应优劣次序为横坡间作（80.57%）＞顺坡间作（65.11%）＞果园清耕（38.08%）,且4－9月的径流量占到全年径流量的85%以上,流失泥沙量占全年流失泥沙量的90%以上。因此,套种作物增加果园覆盖是防治果园水土流失的有效措施,且横坡间作优于顺坡间作。     

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.     

Wheel traffic and tillage effects on runoff and crop yield

Traffic and tillage effects on runoff, soil water and crop production under rainfall were investigated over a period of 6 years on a heavy clay vertosols (vertisols) in Queensland, Australia. A split plot design was used to isolate traffic effects, while the cropping program and treatments were broadly representative of extensive grain production practice in the northern grain region of Australia. Treatments subject to zero tillage and stubble mulch tillage each comprised pairs of 90 m² plots, from which runoff was recorded. A 3 m wide controlled traffic system allowed one of each pair to be maintained as a non-wheeled plot, while the complete surface area of the other received a single annual wheeling treatment from a working 100 kW tractor.

Mean annual runoff from controlled traffic plots was 81 mm (36.3%) smaller than that from wheeled plots, while runoff from zero tillage was reduced by 31 mm (15.7%). Traffic and tillage effects appeared to be cumulative, so the mean annual runoff from controlled traffic and zero tillage plots, representing best practice, was 112 mm (47.2%) less than that from wheeled stubble mulch plots, representing conventional cropping practice. Rainfall infiltration into controlled traffic zero tillage soil was thus 12.0% greater than into wheeled stubble mulched soil. Rainfall/runoff hydrographs show that wheeling produced a large and consistent increase in runoff, whereas tillage produced a smaller increase. Treatment effects were greater on dry soil, but were still present in large and intense rainfall events on wet soil.

Plant available water capacity (PAWC) in the 0–500 mm zone increased by 10 mm (11.5%) and mean grain yields increased by 337 kg/ha (9.4%) in controlled traffic plots, compared with wheeled plots. Mean grain yield of zero tillage was 2–8% greater than that of stubble mulch plots for all crops except for winter wheat in 1994 and 1998. Increased infiltration and plant available water were probably responsible for increased mean grain yields of 497 kg/ha (14.5%) in controlled traffic zero tillage, compared with wheeled stubble mulch treatments. Dissipation of tractive and tillage energy in the soil is the apparent mechanism of deleterious effects on the soils ability to support productive cropping in this environment. Controlled traffic and conservation tillage farming systems appear to be a practicable solution.     

耕作措施及雨强对南方红壤坡耕地侵蚀的影响

选择典型南方红壤区平均坡度为10°的坡耕地小区进行天然降雨观测,对横坡耕作、顺坡耕作、顺坡耕作+植物篱、稻草覆盖4种耕作措施在侵蚀过程中的径流泥沙和养分流失特征进行研究。结果表明,监测期间,径流深和泥沙流失量基本随雨强的增大而增加。随着耕作措施由顺坡耕作向顺坡耕作+植物篱、横坡耕作、稻草覆盖的转换,减流效益、减氮效益和减磷效益依次增大。稻草覆盖措施减流效益最佳,为91.77%;横坡耕作措施减沙效益最佳,为98.91%;稻草覆盖、横坡耕作和植物篱3种措施在防治高强度降雨引发的土壤侵蚀和养分流失具有较高的效益。耕作措施对泥沙粒径分布有影响。与顺坡耕作、横坡耕作相比,植物篱和稻草覆盖措施能够更有效地拦截径流中的粗颗粒。该研究可为南方红壤丘陵区坡耕地选择合适的耕作措施和防治农业非点源污染提供依据。     

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   

Effect of reduced tillage on weeds and soil organisms in winter wheat and summer maize cropping on Humic Andosols in Central Japan

Although reduced tillage (RT) may preserve soil biota and improve the productivity and sustainability of arable lands in temperate regions, the extension of RT is limited by difficulties in controlling weeds. We studied the effect of RT without herbicide application on weed communities and soil biota in a 1-year 2-crop rotation system with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) on Andosols in Japan. RT of the surface 3 cm and conventional moldboard plowing (CT) were conducted before seeding twice per year. For the first 3 years, from autumn 1997 to spring 2000, one field was managed with RT and another with CT. For the second 3 years, from autumn 2000 to spring 2003, RT and CT were conducted in two replicated plots in each field. Weed communities and soil biota were studied in the last 2 years. Dominant weed species in winter wheat cropping were Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) in 2002 and common vetch (Vicia angustifolia L.) in 2003, and their biomass was high where RT or CT was continuously conducted. Switching of tillage methods, from RT to CT or vice versa, reduced the biomass of winter weeds. In summer maize cropping, several annual and perennial weed species tended to increase under RT in the second 3 years. However, redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), the most dominant weed in 2002 and 2003, responded to tillage inconsistently and its biomass was not always increased by RT. Species diversity of winter weeds was decreased by CT conducted in the first 3 years, and that of summer weeds was decreased by CT conducted in the second 3 years. The seedbank in the 0–10-cm soil layer under recent RT was large (7200–16 300 seeds m⁻²) compared with that under CT (2900–7300 seeds m⁻²). The microbial substrate-induced respiration (SIR) and the population densities of nematodes and mites were higher under RT in the second 3 years and were not affected by previous tillage practices. Both were highly correlated with soil total nitrogen. The positive effect of RT on these soil organisms was primarily attributable to the accumulation of organic matter in soil, but not to plant cover as a result of incomplete weed control by RT. Occasional adoption of RT in current CT systems may be effective at enriching soil organisms with little risk of weed infestation.     

Tillage and mulch effects on productivity and water use of pea and soil carbon stocks

Soil management can notably influence crop production under rainfed farming; however, improper soil management is one of the key factors threatening sustainability. The objective of this 3 years’ study was to evaluate the performance of two types of tillage: conventional tillage (CT) and zero tillage (ZT) systems with four mulches; paddy straw mulch (PSM), maize stubble (MS), Imperata cylendrica (thatch grass, TG) and no mulch (NM) on yield and water use of pea (Pisum sativum) and physico-chemical properties of soil. CT and PSM have registered 11.1% and 36.1% higher pod yield, 10.0% and 40% improvement of water use efficiency (WUE) and 9.7% and 49.2% better harvest monetary benefit (HMB) over ZT and NM, respectively. Soil moisture content (SMC) was higher with ZT than CT. Placement of mulch has considerably higher SMC on upper soil layer over NM, but at deeper depth, there was no such evidence. The soil organic carbon (SOC) was considerably improved by 4.1% with ZT than CT, whereas, MS improved SOC by 1.9% than NM. The findings clearly suggested that CT along with PSM registered improvement in pod yield, WUE and HMB, but ZT and MS improved SOC at different soil depths and responded to carbon stock management.     

The effects of minimal tillage and contour cultivation on surface runoff, soil loss and crop yield in the long-term Woburn Erosion Reference Experiment on sandy soil at Woburn, England

Abstract. Over a 10-year period, runoff and soil erosion on the plots of the Woburn Erosion Reference Experiment were concentrated in periods with sparse vegetation cover: in winter after the late planting of cereals; in spring after the planting of beets; or when soils were bare after harvest. The mean event runoff of 1.32 mm from plots cultivated up-and-downslope was significantly greater ( P <0.05) than that from plots cultivated across-slope (0.82 mm). However, mean event soil loss was not significantly different between the two cultivation directions. No significant differences were found between minimal and standard cultivations. Mean event runoff from the across-slope/minimal tillage treatment combination (0.58 mm) was significantly less ( P <0.01) than from the up-and-downslope/minimal tillage (1.41 mm), up-and-downslope/standard tillage (1.24 mm), and across-slope/standard tillage (1.07 mm) treatment combinations. Runoff from the across-slope/standard treatment combination was significantly ( P <0.05) less than from the up-and-downslope/minimal tillage treatment. The across-slope/minimal tillage treatment combination had a significantly smaller ( P <0.05) event soil loss (67 kg ha⁻¹) than the up-and-downslope/standard tillage (278 kg ha⁻¹) and up-and-downslope/minimal tillage (245 kg ha⁻¹) combinations. Crop yields were significantly ( P <0.05) higher on across-slope plots in 1988, 1996 and 1997 than on up-and-downslope plots, and were also higher (but not significantly) on the across-slope plots in 7 of the 8 remaining years. Minimal cultivation decreased yield compared with standard cultivation in one year only. We recommend that across-slope cultivation combined with minimal tillage be investigated at field scale to assess its suitability for incorporation into UK farming systems.     

Effect of tillage systems on weed control, yield and fibre quality of upland (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and Asiatic tree cotton (G. arboreum L.)

Asiatic diploid (n = 13) cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.) is grown on Vertisols of central India with limited amounts of fertilizers and pesticides under rainfed conditions. In an earlier study it was established that reduced tillage (RT) systems improved productivity of tetraploid (n = 26) upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.). Such information is currently not available for the Asiatic cotton. Field studies were continued from 2002–2003 through 2004–2005, to determine the effect of tillage systems on weed control, yield and fibre quality. Tillage treatments continued for 6 years before this phase of the study. The experiment was conducted in a split plot design, with three tillage systems as main plots and combination of species (G. arboreum and G. hirsutum) and N rates (60 and 75 kg N ha⁻¹) as subplots. Conventional tillage (CT) involved mouldboard ploughing + four to five inter-row cultivations and was compared with two levels of RT. RT₁ being pre-emergence herbicide application with two inter-row cultivations by a bullock drawn hoe and RT₂ was only herbicide application with no inter-row cultivation. Weed density (monocot and dicot weeds) was significantly lower on the RT than on the CT plots. Consequently, the RT plots had accumulated less weed dry matter. Seed cotton yield was affected by tillage systems in 1 out of 3 years. In 2002–2003, the yield trend was: RT₁ > CT > RT₂. The tillage × species interaction was significant in 2002–2003 and 2004–2005 and combined-across-years. Averaged over years, Asiatic G. arboreum produced 8% less seed cotton with treatment RT₂ than with CT. Upland, G. hirsutum produced 118–134 kg ha⁻¹ additional seed cotton on the RT than with CT. Differences in maturity and rooting habit probably contributed to the two species differing in their tillage requirement. The Asiatic cottons were early maturing and are known to possess a deeper root system than the upland cotton. The tillage × N and species × N interactions were not significant. Average seed cotton yield with the 75 kg N was 15.7% more than the 60 kg N ha⁻¹ plots. Among fibre properties, fibre length was significantly better with treatment RT₁ than with the CT in 2 out of 3 years. In summary, seed cotton yield of upland G. hirsutum cotton was higher with RT system, whereas converse occurred with G. arboreum. There were no adverse effects of RT on fibre quality.     

Comparing soil physical properties from continuous conventional tillage with long‐term reduced tillage affected by one‐time inversion

In addition to various positive aspects, long‐term reduced tillage may cause disadvantages such as increased weed pressure and soil compaction. Thus, single inversion tillage is customarily used for overcoming these drawbacks; however, the effects on the enhanced soil functions are unknown. The main objective of this study was therefore to assess whether improved soil physical properties following long‐term reduced tillage remain after one‐time inversion tillage by mouldboard plough. The study was undertaken on a silt loam field in Lower Saxony, Germany. Since 1996, this field has been subdivided into three treatments; one was managed conventionally using a mouldboard plough (CT), while on the others a chisel plough (RT1) and a disc harrow (RT2) were employed. In October 2014, the entire field was mouldboard ploughed. The following year, four field campaigns were conducted to compare the soil physical properties of the continuously conventional tilled plot with those affected by one‐time inversion tillage (RT1 and RT2). Dry bulk density (DBD), saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and infiltration rate [K(h)] were analysed in untrafficked and trafficked areas in each plot. There were clear differences between CT and RT. At all sampling dates, both RT plots had higher Ks and K(h) compared with CT. These differences also occurred to some extent on the trafficked areas. This suggests that improved soil hydraulic properties remained after one‐time inversion tillage of a long‐term reduced tilled field. Thus, one‐time inversion tillage may offer a suitable measure for overcoming some of the main disadvantages associated with long‐term reduced tillage, while preserving the positive effects on soil physical properties.     

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。