Tillage effects on physical properties of agricultural organic soils of north central Ohio

Drainage, tillage, and intensive land use lead to drastic alterations in physical characteristics of organic soils. As decomposition and soil formation progress, bulk density (ρ_b) increases and total porosity (f_t) decreases due to subsidence, shrinkage, and mineralization of soil organic matter (SOM). However, the rate of subsidence and the changes in soil properties differ among management systems. Thus, the objectives of this study were to determine the effects of different tillage practices on ρ_b and f_t of cultivated peat soils. These experiments were conducted during 2004–2005, on Histosols in north central Ohio. Soil core samples were obtained from experimental plots managed with moldboard plow (MB), no-till (NT), or left bare (B). Conversion of plow tillage to NT increased ρ_b from 0.52 to 0.57 Mg m⁻³, and decreased f_t from 0.72 to 0.70 m³ m⁻³.