engleski

Temporal changes in soil water content and penetration resistance under three tillage systems

This study aims to evaluate the impact of different tillage systems on water conservation and penetration resistance in Pseudogley in hilly areas. Three tillage systems were evaluated during a long-term experiment in Central Croatia in a period from 2011 to 2014, in order to identify sustainable land management practices. Tillage systems significantly influence soil water content and penetration resistance, but the results showed great temporal and vertical variation in each investigated season. The results also showed that on low quality Pseudogley deep loosening is required because of the inability of these soils to recover naturally. The hardness of these soils decreases after tillage, or when the moisture content increases, so the period with potentially limiting soil impendance is shorter in systems with subsoiling than in conventionally tilled soils. Fallow has been effective in reducing soil strength in non- traffic areas and increasing soil moisture content. When comparing cropping variants it has been established that only a system including subsoiling ensures higher moisture content. Results indicate that since soil water content and penetration resistance were adversely affected, subsoiling should be applied continuously in Pseudogley sites in the hills. Generally, soil resistance increased with time from the date of primary tillage. Although penetration resistance values increase after tillage, the differences were attributed to temporal variation of soil water content. In this study soil moisture condition is represented as a more important factor for soil resistance than the time between primary tillage and measurements.

compaction ; penetration resistance ; soil water content ; tillage systems

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