One‐Time Tillage of No‐Till Systems: Soil Physical Properties, Phosphorus Runoff, and Crop Yield

Abstract

Continuous no-till (NT) has numerous benefits, including improved soil aggregate stability in the surface soil and increased rate of water infiltration, but accumulation of soil P at the soil surface with NT can increase P concentration in runoff. We hypothesized that occasional one-time tillage of NT land, conducted once in 10 or more years, can reduce P runoff and improve crop yields without reducing soil aggregation or increasing runoff. Research was conducted in long-term NT fields under rainfed corn [Zea mays (L.)] or sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] rotated with soybeans [Glycine max (L.)Merr.] at two locations in eastern Nebraska. Tillage treatments were applied in the spring or fall and included continuous NT, tandem disk (disk), chisel with 10-cm-wide twisted shanks, moldboard plow (MP), and mini-moldboard plow (miniMP). Subplots had either 0 or 87.4 kg P ha 21 applied as composted feedlot manure before tillage. Yield and yield components were measured for 2 and 3 yr after the spring and fall one-time tillage, respectively. In Year 2 or 3 after tillage, soil sorptivity, field-saturated infiltration rate, runoff volume, runoff P loss, and soil aggregate stability were determined. Yield was not affected by the tillage 3 compost interaction, but was increased by compost application at one location and sorghum yield was affected by tillage treatments at the second location. Grain yield was never significantly more or less with one-time tillage as compared with NT. Soil aggregate stability was not affected by tillage treatments. Sorptivity and infiltration were increased with MP tillage compared with NT at one location but reduced at the other. One-time MP tillage reduced dissolved P loss at both locations and total phosphorus (TP) loss at one location. The benefit of one-time MP tillage in terms of reduced dissolved reactive P loss in runoff was positive with no negative effect on soil aggregate stability but no gain in yield.

Occasional Tillage of No‐Till Systems: Carbon Dioxide Flux and Changes in Total and Labile Soil Organic Carbon

“…As part of a study to determine effects of occasional tillage on NT systems (García et al, 2007; Quincke et al, 2007), this research addressed the hypothesis that deep inversion tillage could be done with minimal short‐term loss of SOC. The objective was to determine the effect of different one‐time tillage operations on short‐term CO 2 losses, and on the mass and vertical distribution of total and labile SOC.…”

On-farm effects of no-till versus occasional tillage on soil quality and crop yields in eastern Ohio

“…However, the increased bulk density under this treatment in our study was not in accord with Pierce et al (1994), who reported that periodical plowing decreased soil bulk density in the 0-15 cm depth. Also, the reduced water stable aggregates content in the occasional tillage field did not correspond with Quincke et al (2007b) who observed no effect of occasional tillage on this soil characteristic.…”

“…The mean sorptivity and transmissivity were somewhat higher in the no-till field, and the mean equilibrium infiltration rate and cumulative infiltration were significantly higher under this treatment (Fig 2). The decreased infiltration rate and sorptivity in the occasional tillage field only partially correspond with an eastern Nebraska study (Quincke et al, 2007b), where occasional tillage positively affected the water infiltration rate and negatively affected the soil water sorptivity. In another study site in eastern Nebraska, Quincke et al observed that occasional tillage reduced both infiltration rate and sorptivity.…”

Conversion of Conservation Tillage to Rotational Tillage to Reduce Phosphorus Losses during Snowmelt Runoff in the Canadian Prairies

“…The decreased surface soil Olsen P in the RotaT would have partially contributed to the reduced concentrations and loads of TDP and TP compared with the ConsT treatment. Similarly, Quincke et al (2007) reported that occasional one-time tillage of no-till systems effectively reduced dissolved P loss in runoff, particularly when concentrations of P in surface soil were high.…”