Spatial analysis of long‐term effects of different tillage practices based on penetration resistance

Abstract

Measuring penetration resistance (PR) is a common technique for evaluating the effects of field management on soils. This study focuses on the effects of long-term tillage on the spatial distribution of PR, comparing reduced and conventional tillage (CT) practices. The study site, located in Lower Saxony (Germany), has been subdivided into three plots, with one plot having been managed conventionally, whereas reduced tillage (RT) practices have been applied to the other two. In total, PR was measured at 63 randomly selected points. The PR data were stepwise interpolated using kriging with external drift. Core samples have been taken at 20 additional sites. The results show significant differences in PR between the different tillage practices. Within the conventionally managed plot, PR ranges to 2.3 MPa less in the topsoil than under RT. However, measured saturated hydraulic conductivity and amount of biopores at the depth of 30-35 cm are significantly greater under RT, indicating improved soil properties under RT. Comparisons between the headlands (HL) and the inner field point out the effects of intense field traffic in the HL, where maximum PR values of about 6 MPa have been measured. The spatial prediction of PR values show that long-term effects of different tillage practices result in clearly structured patterns between CT and RT and the HL. Combining extensive PR measurements and point measurements of additional soil properties supports an adequate interpretation of PR data and can lead to fieldwide derivation of soil functions influenced by field management.

Comparing soil physical properties from continuous conventional tillage with long‐term reduced tillage affected by one‐time inversion

“…Before one‐time inversion tillage in October 2014, DBD, Ks and the amount of biopores at a depth of 30–35 cm were higher in RT compared with CT, as previously reported by Kuhwald et al . (). This observation corresponds with several studies (e.g.…”

“…plough (30 cm) RT1 = former chisel plough (20 cm) RT2 = former disc harrow (10 cm) Study area and sampling locations (according toKuhwald et al, 2016).© 2017 British Society of Soil Science, Soil Use and Management, 33, 611-619…”

Soil Penetration Resistance after One-Time Inversion Tillage: A Spatio-Temporal Analysis at the Field Scale

“…Another influence on penetration resistance can be seen in the higher values in the regionalization (Figure 5a,c) and the higher MAE (Table S1) in June 2014 and May 2015. Before OTIT in June 2014, the long-term conservation tillage led to increased penetration resistance in both RT-plots [75]. In May 2015, the soil moisture was considerably lower (Table 3) compared to the other measuring dates, which led to higher penetration resistance values.…”

“…Compared to CT, both RT-plots showed higher values of penetration resistance in the topsoil (Figure 3a). A detailed description of the penetration resistance before OTIT is given by Kuhwald et al [75].…”

Filter for penetration resistance correction in cultivated and compacted Histosols

“…In a similar investigation, Kotrocz, Mouazen, and Kerényi (2016) used a penetration rate of 1 cm s −1 and Kuhwald et al. (2016) a penetration rate of 2 cm s −1 . Finally, the cone and shaft were thoroughly washed and wiped between each penetration test in accordance with recommendations of ASABE (2019).…”