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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Agroecosystem Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #167088
Title: CHANGES IN SOIL PROPERTIES OF NO-TILL SYSTEMS DUE TO OCCASIONAL TILLAGE

Author
item WORTMANN, C - UNIV OF NE/LINCOLN
item MAMO, M - UNIV OF NE/LINCOLN
item BRUBAKER, C - UNIV OF NE/LINCOLN
item JASA, P - UNIV OF NE/LINCOLN
item Wilhelm, Wallace

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/30/2003
Publication Date: 10/20/2003
Citation: Wortmann, C., Mamo, M., Brubaker, C., Jasa, P., Wilhelm, W.W. 2003. Changes in soil properties of no-till systems due to occasional tillage [abstract]. American Society of Agronomy. Abstract No. S06-wortmann375633-poster.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Improved soil physical properties and increased soil organic matter (SOM) are commonly observed at the 0-5 cm depth with no-till (NT) as compared to tillage with little improvement below 5 cm. However, increase in SOM generally slows or ceases after a few years of NT. To increase NT benefits, we hypothesized that occasional tillage of no-till, e.g. once in 15 years, may increase yield over time, improve surface soil to greater depth, and increase C sequestration. The effects of plow-disk (CT) versus NT, and occasional tillage of NT, on SOM, particulate organic matter (POM), and wet aggregate stability were determined. Soil samples (0-5 cm) were collected from two long-term tillage trials (LTT) and from a farmer's field with more than 25 years of continuous no-till that was disk tilled in 2001 in randomized strips across the field (OcT). OcT soil samples were collected one year after the tillage event. POM (-and POM:SOM in both LTTs, and SOM in one LTT, were less with CT (37, 81, 45%) than with NT. These properties were not affected by one-time tillage of OcT. Wet aggregate stability was less with CT (82%) than with NT in the LTTs, but not affected in OcT. Occasional tillage can be conducted in no-till systems without soil degradation. Further research is being conducted on occasional tillage with different implements to determine if the hypothesized benefits will be achieved.