Tillage Effects on Soil Biochemical Properties and Maize Grown in Latosolic Red Soil of Southern China

Abstract

Based on the hypothesis that soil biochemical and maize yield components should be affected by different tillage methods, a field experiment was conducted to study the effects of subsoiling (SS), two passes of rotary tillage (2RT), two passes of rotary tillage + subsoiling (2RTSS), and zero tillage (ZT) on distribution of organic C, available NPK and soil enzyme, and its effects on maize yield in latosolic red soil of southern China in 2016 and 2017. ZT treatment had significantly higher organic C and available NPK than the other treatments, whereas the SS treatment had higher concentration of soil urease, catalase, and acid phosphatase. Also, maximum grain yield, dry matter, harvest index, and 1000-grain weight were recorded under SS treatment. Overall, although ZT facilitated more organic C and available NPK, soil with ZT had lower soil enzyme and maize yield components compared to SS treatment, and therefore SS treatment could be exploited as a strategy for soil health and productivity resulting in a sustainable agricultural system.

Conservation of Agriculture in the Western Indo-Gangetic Plains' Irrigated Cotton–Wheat and Guar-Wheat System

“…Many researchers have made similar findings. Asenso et al, (2018) found no significant difference under zero-tillage in soil pH at 0-40 cm depth which may be attributed to the fact that no limning material was added as part of the procedure. In contrast, documented a significant impact of tillage on soil pH and observed the highest pH in zero tillage at the surface layer compared to traditional tillage method, this may be due to the fact that the experiment continued on dry soil agriculture for many years as part of the long term.…”

“…Individually, crop-rotation, tillage and depth affected organic carbon content significantly and our findings are consistent with those of Naresh et al, (2015) and Song et al, (2019) that tillage management practices have a major impact on the overall soil organic carbon (SOC) content at the surface (0-15 cm) layer relative to CT due to residue preservation, limited disruption and accumulation of organic carbon at the soil surface layer in ZT. Asenso et al, (2018) recorded the highest organic C below ZT at a depth of 0-40 cm which could be attributed to undisturbed land resulting in increased soil organic matter accumulation indicating a reduced rate of leaching in the soil surface profile. The findings of other workers' experiences are also endorsed (Hati et al, 2014;Jat et al, 2018;Kaushik et al, 2018;Kumar et al, 2018;Zuber et al, 2018).…”

“…SOM serves as a source of plant nutrients and water absorbent, and can increase soil productivity by increasing the quality and quantity of organic carbon (SOC) (Lal, 2004). A large amount of literature is available that supports long-term tillage practices that substantially increase soil organic carbon over traditional crop / crop systems (Safeer et al, 2013;Islam et al, 2015;Asenso et al, 2018;Jat et al, 2018;Kumar et al, 2018). In present study, soil organic carbon was relatively higher at 0-15 cm depth than bottom layer 15-30 cm depth with the values 0.28 and 0.26 % in conventional tillage, respectively, while respective values under ZT were 0.31% and 0.28% (Fig.…”

“…The findings of the present study on urease activity under various systems are similar to the observations of Raiesi and Kabiri (2016) that higher urease activity recorded under reduced tillage practices compared to CT practices may be due to high soil organic carbon accumulation under no-tillage. In comparison, Asenso et al, (2018) found the highest enzyme activity under subsoiling (SS) treatment relative to ZT treatment since SS treatment loosened the soil and resulted in higher organic C added to the soil, increasing the abundance of soil microorganisms resulting in increased soil enzyme activity due to increased substratum and oxygen availability.…”

Bio-Compost-Based Integrated Soil Fertility Management Improves Post-Harvest Soil Structural and Elemental Quality in a Two-Year Conservation Agriculture Practice

“…No-till reduces losses of phosphorus in runoff and the loss of nitrate through leaching, allowing accumulation in soils [79]. Equally, Asenso et al [80] found higher available P, S, and exchangeable K content in soils under NT and MT than the soils under deep tillage, probably due to high SOC level and surface application of mineral fertilizers. These results are in agreement with the findings of our research.…”