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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbus, Ohio » Soil Drainage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #97169
Title: CROPPING SYSTEM IMPACTS ON SOIL QUALITY OF A HUNTINGTON SILT LOAM IN SOUTHERN OHIO

Author
item RUTAN-JORGENSEN, K - OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
item LAL, R - OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
item WARD, A - OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
item Fausey, Norman

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Meetings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/16/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Research is needed to quantify how agriculture production systems affect soil quality and sustainability of resource use. This study examines the effect of nutrient management, tillage methods and cropping systems on soil physical quality. Crop rotation systems established in 1991 on a mixed mesic fluventic hapludoll included 1) corn (Zea mays)-soybean (Glycine max) )with N fertilizer and chisel plow before corn phase (CS), 2) corn-soybean- winter wheat (Avena sativa)/cover crop on ridges with manure and ridge tillage (CSWWCC); and 3) continuous corn with N fertilizer and annual chisel plow (CC). Soil physical properties assessed for 0-10 cm depth indicate water stable aggregates (WSA)were 88.9% in CSWWCC, 58.5% in CS and 57.0% in CC. Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) was 75.0 cm/hr in CSWWCC, 5.0 cm/hr in CS and 12.3 cm/hr in CC, the latter two not being different from one another. For 10-20 cm depth SAW was 84.8% in CSWWCC but tnot different in CS and CC at 61.9% and 50.4%, respectively. Bulk density was 1.36 Mg/m3 in CSWWCC, 1.45 Mg/m3 in CS and 1.44 Mg/m3 in CC. These data suggest that a crop rotation system with ridge tillage and organic amendments improves soil quality, while more intensive management systems may adversely affect soil quality and sustainability.