Effect of Three Tillage Depths on Sugarbeet Response and Soil Penetrability Resistance

Abstract

Tillage can alter soil properties and aff ect crop yield and quality. A 4-yr study was conducted on a Lihen sandy loam soil loam (sandy, mixed, frigid Entic Haplustoll) to evaluate the eff ect of tillage depth on sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) root yield, root quality, and soil penetration resistance (PR). Tillage treatments consisted of no-tillage (NT), shallow tillage (ST), and deep tillage (DT). Soil PR was measured with a penetrometer in 2.5-cm increments to a 40-cm depth at three locations within each plot. Roots were hand harvested from each plot and each sample consisted of roots of two adjacent rows. Sugarbeet root yield and adjusted sucrose yield were not significantly aff ected by the depth of tillage in 2008, 2009, and 2011. In 2010, root yield was signifi cantly greater (16.5%) in DT than in NT. Th e average sugarbeet yields across 4 yr were 58.77, 60.30, and 63.03 Mg ha -1 for NT, ST, and DT, respectively. Root yield was lower in 2011 than other 3 yr due to cold and wet weather conditions in the spring. Soil PR values were signifi cantly lower in DT than in ST and NT from 5-to 30-cm depth. However, signifi cant diff erences were found between ST and NT at the 5-to 7.5-cm depth. Overall, DT enhanced soil physical environment but on average across 4 yr had no statistically signifi cant eff ect on sugarbeet root yield and quality compared to both ST and NT practices, though a trend was noted that as tillage depth increased root yield increased.

Sugar beet response to rotation and conservation management in a 12-year irrigated study in southern Alberta

“…Nonetheless, the tillage comparison was generally non-significant which agreed with findings from sugar beet studies conducted locally (Hao et al 2001;Moyer et al 2004) or in other growing regions (Koch et al 2009;Overstreet 2009;Jabro et al 2010;Stevens et al 2010). Jabro et al (2015) found that root yield and adjusted sucrose yield were not significantly affected by depth of tillage (no-till; tillage to 10 cm with a heavy-duty cultivator; or 30 cm with a ripper) in 3 of 4 yr in North Dakota.…”

Changes in soil organic carbon fractions and residence time five years after implementing conventional and conservation tillage practices

“…Several researches, e.g. Beare et al (1994); Peixoto et al (2006); Jabro et al (2015), have shown that aggregate stability can be decreased by extensive tillage operations. Figure 3 confirms increased wet-aggregate stability, WAS, under conservation tillage practices, more specifically under RT and NT systems with mean value of WAS of 45 ± 14 %, compared to CT with WAS value of 32 ± 1 %.…”

Soil Compaction With Wheels of Manure Spreader Aggregates

“…The process of fertilization should not impair the soil (heavy tractors and manure spreaders of high loading capacity excessively compact both soil and subsoil) because such harmful effects cause a reduction in crop yield for many years (Duiker 2005;Jabro et al 2015aJabro et al , 2015b. Energy assessment of the mechanical impact of agricultural machinery on soil is presented in the works of Baker (2014) and Alekseev et al (2012).…”