Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

The influence of reduced tillage, subsoiling and ploughing systems on selected soil characteristics

Author(s):

Borivoj Sarapatka ¹*, Ladislav Cap ¹, Barbora Badalikova ², Jaroslava Bartlova ², Lubica Pospisilova ³, Vitezslav Hybler ³

Recieved Date: 2014-02-16, Accepted Date: 2014-04-10

Abstract:

There has been much discussion in recent years on the influence of agricultural systems on the quality of soil with emphasis on sustainable management, adequate production and soil protection. This research is closely related to this issue. Over a period of four vegetation seasons, in various climatic and soil conditions within the Czech Republic, three systems of tillage were tested (ploughing, reduced tillage, reduced tillage with subsoiling) and their influence on 23 selected physical, chemical and biological (biochemical) soil characteristics. From statistical evaluation significant differences were found between the majority of soil characteristics in individual localities, mainly due to different soil types. On evaluation of the changes within the soil systems caused by different agricultural techniques, it was evident that, over the four years of research, tillage methods affected the activity of most soil enzymes and other soil characteristics. This was true for cellulase, dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatase, nitrate reductase and protease, which showed increased activity in conservation soil tillage. Significant differences were also found in quantities of humic acids and in some fractions of microaggregates, bulk density and aggregate stability. In this article the results obtained are compared with data from published studies and the conclusions of the research into the influence of soil management on biochemical characteristics are corroborated. It is also possible to state that conservation tillage has a positive influence on a number of soil characteristics in comparison with conventional tillage, especially in surface layers of soil. The conclusions of our research describe not only the development of soil properties in conventional and conservation tillage, but also show the speed of these changes, where the activity of soil enzymes is a sensitive and early indicator of changes taking place in the soil environment during changes in tillage compared with other soil characteristics.

Keywords:

Soil, tillage, ploughing, reduced tillage, subsoiling, soil properties, enzyme activity

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2014
Volume: 12
Issue: 2
Category: Environment
Pages: 797-801

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