Biological Indicators of Soil Quality under Different Tillage Systems in Retisol

Abstract

Soil microorganism diversity has a close relation with soil function, and the changes in the composition of the soil microbial population can directly affect it. The aim of this study was to identify the bacterial community composition and determine the main soil chemical and physical properties formed by the different tillage systems. In the experiment, we analyzed the combination of three tillage systems and four organic fertilizers. Soil samples were taken from the two layers of the soil profile: the upper 0–10 cm and the lower 10–20 cm. The composition and diversity of soil bacterial communities were assessed by the sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. Results revealed that the highest biodiversity was found in the soil with shallow ploughless tillage and enriched with farmyard manure. Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were the dominant bacterial species across all treatments. Their total abundance varied between 26% and 36% in the different analyzed agroecosystems. For the Dystric Bathygleyic Glossic Retisol, shallow ploughless tillage is the most suitable tillage system, as it creates favorable conditions for the accumulation of organic carbon in the soil under the Western Lithuania climate conditions.

Use of Vegetable Residues and Cover Crops in the Cultivation of Maize Grown in Different Tillage Systems

“…Reducing the loss of humidity by evaporation and increasing the available humidity [29]: it favors the accumulation of humidity supplies available for agricultural crops; • Reducing thermal amplitudes [30]: the vegetal cover benefits the seed germination, the biological activities and microbiological processes, and the initial development of crops; • Increasing the content of organic matter [18]: improved soil fertility and productivity; • Improving the structural stability of soil aggregates [31]: the soil's physical state becomes one specific to the type of soil or is even improved; • Stimulating soil biological activity [32]: good conditions of humidity and temperature stimulate the activity of microorganisms and fauna; • Increasing soil porosity [33]: forming a dense network of pores, especially macropores, leading to a global drainage of the soil and to a higher degree of water infiltration; • Biological control of pests [34]: favorable biological conditions can stimulate a natural control of pests of agricultural crops;…”

Building biological indicators for soil quality assessment in Dong Thap Muoi (Mekong Delta Vietnam): An application of the expert Delphi

“…Reflection on the degree and extent of land degradation, the deficiency of essential nutrients, etc. Earthworm density is positively correlated with soil deterioration, enhancing soil aeration, synthesizing, and decomposing necessary nutrients for crops (Lehman et al 2015;Vilkiene et al 2021).…”