Tillage-Induced Soil Aggregate Status as Influenced by Water Content (original) (raw)
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2014
The present study was carried out to clarify the effects of some soil physical and chemical specifications on soil aggregates size distribution and stability under different tillage methods. Conventional tillage cause to break soil aggregates especially in loamy soils consequently increase soil sensitivity to water and winderosion. On the other hand, soil aggregate size distribution and aggregate stability are the two important physical properties of the soil with profound effects on soil health. Thus, soil sensitivity to destruction might be a criterion for evaluating soil agronomic capacity that may be defined by its stability i.e. physical structure. In an experiment carried out in 2011-12 crop season at agricultural education and research farm of Tehran University, Karaj. Iran (35048'N, 510'E, and 1321m above sea level) using randomized complete block design in split-plot arrangement with three replications physical soil parameters of aggregates size distribution and sta...
Tillage system effects on stability and sorptivity of soil aggregates
Stability and sorptivity of soil aggregates play an important role in numerous soil processes and functions. They are largely influenced by tillage methods. We have compared the effects of long-term application of various tillage systems on aggregate bulk density, rate of wetting, sorptivity, water stability, tensile strength and bulk density of silt loam Eutric Fluvisol. Tillage treatments were: 1) ploughing to the depth of 20 cm (CT), 2) ploughing to 20 cm every 6 years and harrowing to 5 cm in the remaining years (S/CT), 3) harrowing to 5 cm each year (S), 4) sowing to uncultivated soil (NT), all in a micro-plot experiment. Bulk density of soil aggregates was determined by wax method, sorptivity – by a steady state flow, water stability – by drop impact method, and tensile strength – by crushing test. Tillage had a significant effect on the aggregate characteristics. Soil aggregate bulk density and water stability were greater and rate of wetting and sorptivity were smaller in re...