ARS | Publication request: Soil Aggregation and Enzyme Activities as affected by Management Practices

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 14, 2006
Publication Date: November 15, 2006
Citation: Mikha, M.M., Acosta Martinez, V., Vigil, M.F. 2006. Soil Aggregation and Enzyme Activities as affected by Management Practices. Agronomy Abstracts. Presented at the International American Society of Agronomy Meetings/Soil Science Society of America (ASA/CSSA/SSSA) Annual Meetings. November 12-16, 2006. Indianapolis, IN.

Technical Abstract: The predominant cropping system in the Central Great Plains, winter Wheat-Fallow (W-F) rotation, is associated with decreases in Soil Organic Matter (SOM) primarily because of tillage during the fallow period. Intensive cropping with reduced tillage and fallow are practices that provide more residues, which may increase SOM and improve soil quality parameters. Our study evaluated selected soil properties related to soil quality in research plots established in 1990 on a Weld loam (fine, smectitic, mesic aridic Paleustolls). Various cropping intensities with several rotations were evaluated. We investigated the effects of cropping intensity on soil organic C, aggregate-size distribution, particulate organic matter, soil microbial communities, and enzymatic activities of C and N cycling. Soil samples were fractionated into two groups of aggregate size: macroaggregates (>250 micrometer) and microaggregates (<250 micrometer) by wet sieving. Relative to W-F conventional tillage, continuous cropping increased soil total C by an average of 0.3 Mg C /ha yr to the depth of 15 cm. Macroaggregates were affected by tillage but not by cropping intensity. Enzyme activity of beta-glucosaminidase, beta-glucosidase, and alfa-galactosidase were affected by rotation phase and fallow frequency. Principal Component Analyses (PCA) of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) profiles showed shifts in the microbial community structure between the alternative systems compared with W-F rotation. For this soil, fourteen years of continuous cropping and no-tillage with reduced fallow frequency have a positive effect on nutrient cycling, soil C storage, and soil biochemical functioning.