Tillage Effects on Crop Yield and Physicochemical Properties of Sodic Soils

Abstract

Tillage modifies soil structure and has been suggested as a practice to improve physical, hydrological and chemical properties of compacted soils. But little is known about effect of long‐term tillage on physicochemical soil properties and crop yield on sodic soils in India. Our objective was to investigate the effect of different tillage regimes on crop yield (wheat and paddy rice) and physicochemical properties of sodic soils. Two sodic sites under conventional tillage for 5 (5‐YT; 5‐year tillage) and 9 (9‐YT; 9‐year tillage) years were selected for this study. Changes in crop yield and physicochemical soil properties were compared with a control, sodic land without any till history, that is, 0‐year tillage/untilled (0‐YT). Five replicated samples at 0‐ to 10‐cm and 10‐ to 20‐cm soils depths were analysed from each site. In the top, 0‐ to 10‐cm soil depth 5‐YT and 9‐YT sites had higher particle density (Pd), porosity, water holding capacity, hydraulic conductivity, organic carbon, total nitrogen (Nt), available nitrogen (Navail), phosphorus (Pavail) and exchangeable calcium (Exch. Ca++) than 0‐YT, whereas bulk density (Bd), C : N ratio and CaCO3 were significantly lower. Bd, pH, EC and CaCO3 increased significantly with depth in all the lands, whereas Pd, porosity, water holding capacity, hydraulic conductivity, organic carbon, Nt, Navail, Pavail and Exch. Ca++ decreased. We conclude that continuous tillage and cropping can be useful for physical and chemical restoration of sodic soils. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Quantifying the impact of land degradation on crop production: the case of Senegal

“…Organic matter that acts as a binding agent and nucleus in the formation of aggregates is the most important component of soil aggregate stability. Therefore, most cultivation techniques aim to optimize the soil organic matter through (zero-)tillage techniques (Costa et al, 2015;Singh et al, 2015), planting of native tree species (Tesfaye et al, 2014), mulching (Mwango et al, 2014), and land use systems (Araya et al, 2010). These activities are not observed in our database but influence the soil organic matter levels at surface and deeper horizons; moreover, the magnitude of variation is also shaped by specific pedogenic processes (Kukal et al, 2014).…”

Determination of critical pH and Al concentration of acidic Ultisols for wheat and canola crops

“…Soils also play an important role in global food security, water security, biofuel security and human health Keesstra et al, 2016). However, many soils are under threat and unable to fulfil the food demand due to loss of soil fertility, erosion, drought and climate change (Muluneh et al, 2015;Tsozué et al, 2015;Mwango et al, 2016;Potopová et al, 2016;Singh et al, 2016). This situation might worsen due to increased population pressure on soil worldwide and thus enhance the degradation of soil.…”

Sustainable management of coastal saline soils in the Saloum river Basin, Senegal

“…As a consequence of reduced evaporation, soil mulching benefits the conservation of water, particularly in the topsoil, decreases the evapo-concentration of the salts present in the irrigation water and the soil solution (Zhang et al, 2008), and minimizes soil salinization and sodication (Chaudhry et al, 2004;Rahman et al, 2006;Aragüés et al, 2014). Likewise, Singh et al (2016) investigated long-term effects of tillage on crop yield and physicochemical properties of sodic soils and conclude that continuous tillage and cropping can be useful for physical and chemical restoration of sodic soils. Mulch could maintain the water table at rational depth and promote higher moisture in the topsoil by reducing the vapour flow out of the soil profile.…”