Influence of Tillage on the Mollisols Physicochemical Properties, Seed Emergence and Yield of Maize in Northeast China

Abstract

Tillage practices are critical for sustaining soil quality necessary for successful crop growth and productivity, but there are only few studies for strip tillage (ST) in the Mollisols region of Northeast China at present. A long-term (≥10-year) study was carried out to investigate the influence of within the tilled row (IR) and between rows (BR) in ST (10-year), conventional tillage (CT, 14-year) and no tillage (NT, 14-year) treatments on soil physicochemical properties. Soil samples were taken in May of 2019 at 0–5, 5–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm depths and used to analyze bulk density (BD), soil aggregate distribution and stability, and soil organic carbon (SOC). Meanwhile, our study also explored the differences in seed emergence, soil moisture, and temperature during the seed emergence period, and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) among the different treatments. Similar soil properties were observed between ST-BR and NT, which showed they had a significantly greater BD, >0.25 mm water stable aggregate content (WR0.25) (especially in the amount of >2 mm and 1–2 mm size proportion), aggregate stability, and SOC than ST-IR and CT-IR at a depth of 0–20 cm. By improving soil conditions of seedbed, ST-IR and CT-IR increased soil temperature above NT by 1.64 °C and 1.80 °C, respectively, and ST-IR had a slight greater soil moisture than CT-IR in the top 10 cm layer during the seed emergence period. Late maize seed emergence was observed NT in than ST-IR and CT-IR and the average annual yields in ST were slightly greater than NT and CT, but the differences were not significant. Our results also showed that CT-BR had a poor soil structure and lower SOC than other treatments at 0–30 cm depth. We conclude from these long-term experimental results that ST could improve soil water-heat conditions to promote seed germination, maintain soil structure, and increase the maize yield and it should be applied in the Mollisols region of Northeast China.

Comparison of the effects of five long‐term land use and management practices on runoff, soil erosion, and nutrient loss under natural rainfall in the Mollisol region of Northeast China

“…These results showed that the conversion of natural grassland/forest to farmland reduced soil quality and increased soil erodibility because of more frequent soil disturbances and less vegetation coverage, plant community diversity and root density (Manzoni & Porporato, 2009; Mohammad & Adam, 2010; Vityakon, 2007). In a similar study area, Chen, Zhang, et al (2021) reported that soil loss decreased rapidly during the first 3 years of revegetation and then decreased slowly, with a stable loss rate after 15 years. The benefits of revegetation can be attributed to the following: (1) the plants stems, leaves and litter intercept raindrops and reduce runoff flow velocity; (2) vegetation strengthens the binding action of plant roots and improves soil infiltration capacity, resulting in less soil erosion than in the BL treatment (Garcia‐Estringana et al, 2010; Liu et al, 2018; Zhang et al, 2010).…”

“…These results showed that the conversion of natural grassland/forest to farmland reduced soil quality and increased soil erodibility because of more frequent soil disturbances and less vegetation coverage, plant community diversity and root density (Manzoni & Porporato, 2009;Mohammad & Adam, 2010;Vityakon, 2007). In a similar study area, Chen, Zhang, et al (2021) reported that soil loss decreased rapidly during the first 3 years of Liu et al, 2018;Zhang et al, 2010). Revegetation is critical to reducing soil erosion and improving soil nutrient retention (Guo et al, 2020;Ran et al, 2013;Wen et al, 2019;Yan, Xue, et al, 2021;Zheng, 2006).…”

“…The soil type in the experimental area is Mollisols, which is classified as black soil in the Chinese Soil Taxonomy and as Phaeozems in the US Soil Taxonomy. The soil texture is silty clay loam with high organic matter and clay contents (Chen et al, 2011; Chen, Zhang, et al, 2021; Zhang et al, 2013). The study region is an important grain‐producing area to maintain China's food security.…”

“…The pH was measured by a digital pH meter (PHS‐3E, England), and the soil particle size was determined by the Mastersizer 2000 instrument (Malvern, UK). The high‐vacuum slow wetting method was used to determine the water stable aggregate size fraction (Sun, Chen, et al, 2014), and the >0.25 mm aggregate size factions and mean weight diameter were calculated according to Chen, Zhang, et al (2021). The TN of the soil or sediment samples was analyzed using potassium peroxodisulfate digestion followed by ultraviolet spectrophotometry (Wu et al, 2012).…”

“…The with high organic matter and clay contents (Chen et al, 2011;Chen, Zhang, et al, 2021;Zhang et al, 2013). The study region is an important grain-producing area to maintain China's food security.…”