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International Agrophysics
publisher:Institute of Agrophysics
Polish Academy of Sciences
Lublin, Poland
ISSN: 0236-8722


vol. 20, nr. 3 (2006)

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Tillage system effects on stability and sorptivity of soil aggregates
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J. Lipiec1, J. Kuś2, A. Nosalewicz1, M. Turski1
1 Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4, 20-290 Lublin, Poland
2 Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, Czartoryskich 8, 24-100 Puławy, Poland

vol. 20 (2006), nr. 3, pp. 189-193
abstract Stability and sorptivity of soil aggregates play an important role in numerous soil processes and functions. They are largely influenced by tillage methods. We have compared the effects of long-term application of various tillage systems on aggregate bulk density, rate of wetting, sorptivity, water stability, tensile strength and bulk density of silt loam Eutric Fluvisol. Tillage treatments were: 1) ploughing to the depth of 20 cm (CT), 2) ploughing to 20 cm every 6 years and harrowing to 5 cm in the remaining years (S/CT), 3) harrowing to 5 cm each year (S), 4) sowing to uncultivated soil (NT), all in a micro-plot experiment. Bulk density of soil aggregates was determined by wax method, sorptivity – by a steady state flow, water stability – by drop impact method, and tensile strength – by crushing test. Tillage had a significant effect on the aggregate characteristics. Soil aggregate bulk density and water stability were greater and rate of wetting and sorptivity were smaller in reduced and no-tillage treatments compared with CT. Greater soil organic matter and bulk density accompanied greater water stability. Smaller rate of wetting and sorptivity can be associated with lower aggregate porosity. The differences in the rate of wetting, sorptivity, and water stability of the initially air-dry soil aggregates and bulk density between the tillage treatments were relatively greater than those in the tensile strength.
keywords tillage, soil aggregates, stability, sorptivity