Maize Yield and Soil Penetration Resistance in Different Soil Tillage and Cover Crop Systems

Abstract

No-tillage (NT) is a conservation practice adopted by 60% of the Brazilian farmers. Due to unsuitable management, compaction problem reported in soils under NT has increased. The study aimed to evaluate the influence of different soil tillage and different winter cover crops in long-term on crops biomass and maize yield and on soil penetration resistance (PR), in two crop seasons. The long-term experiment is located at the UTFPR Dois Vizinhos experimental station, with a combination of five soil tillage: NT; NT chiseled up to 0.35 m deep (Jumbo), annually (NTCa) and triennially (NTCt); NT with minimum tillage chiseled up to 0.35 m deep (Terrus), annually (NTMTa) and triennially (NTMTt); and four winter cover crops: black oats, common vetch, forage radish, and a mixture of oats + vetch + radish (mix). Dry matter production of cover crops was higher in oats and the mix, and in NTMTa in both years (2021 and 2022). Soil chiseling reduces PR, however over time, an increase was observed. NT showed higher PR, especially in the 0.15-0.20 m soil layer, but it did not impact crop production. Maize yield was not influenced by cover crops or soil tillage. NT proved to be the most efficient soil management, as its performance in maize yield was similar to the others, indicating the way forward in the pursuit of a more sustainable agriculture.