Publication Details |
| Category | Text Publication |
| Reference Category | Journals |
| DOI | 10.1111/sum.13043 |
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| Title (Primary) | Short-term effects of double-layer ploughing reduced tillage on soil structure and crop yield |
| Author | Pöhlitz, J.; Schlüter, S.; Rücknagel, J. |
| Source Titel | Soil Use and Management |
| Year | 2024 |
| Department | BOSYS |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Page From | e13043 |
| Language | englisch |
| Topic | T5 Future Landscapes |
| Supplements | https://bsssjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/downloadSupplement?doi=10.1111%2Fsum.13043&file=sum13043-sup-0001-FigureS1.docx |
| Keywords | bulk density; double-layer plough; macroporosity; pore connectivity; pre-compression stress; saturated hydraulic conductivity; X-ray CT |
| Abstract | Soil tillage is widely acknowledged to affect soil characteristics and agricultural productivity. This research investigates the short-term effects of various tillage methods on soil physical properties and crop yields at a Central German field site with a dry climate (mean temperature 9.5°C; annual precipitation 470 mm). Three tillage approaches were evaluated: conventional plough tillage (25 cm depth), cultivator tillage (18 cm depth), and double-layer plough tillage (15 and 30 cm depth). We assessed soil physical properties through standard laboratory analyses, compression tests, soil pore structure via X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) and crop yields over 3 years. The results indicate that cultivator tillage approach increased soil bulk density relative to conventional tillage, especially in the second year, though this effect diminished over time. Double-layer plough tillage emerged as a viable short-term alternative to conventional tillage, achieving comparable soil bulk density. Saturated hydraulic conductivity values were generally higher for soils under conventional tillage or double-layer plough tillage than for cultivator tillage, highlighting their soil loosening effect. Classical soil analysis methods combined with X-ray computed tomography provided valuable insights into tillage induced changes to soil structure. Cultivator tillage resulted in a distinct pore structure with reduced macroporosity and pore connectivity. Despite notable soil property variations, crop yields remained consistent across the tillage methods. Overall, double-layer plough tillage presents a sustainable option, moderately improving soil physical properties while maintaining crop yields. This study highlights the need to assess the short-term effects of tillage on soils and contributes to the broader dialogue on optimizing tillage strategies for effective soil management and crop production. |
| Persistent UFZ Identifier | https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=29016 |
| Pöhlitz, J., Schlüter, S., Rücknagel, J. (2024): Short-term effects of double-layer ploughing reduced tillage on soil structure and crop yield Soil Use Manage. 40 (2), e13043 10.1111/sum.13043 |
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