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The Effects of Soil Compaction and Different Tillage Systems on the Bulk Density and Moisture Content of Soil and the Yields of Winter Oilseed Rape and Cereals

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  • Krzysztof Orzech

    (Department of Agroecosystems and Horticulture, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 3, 10-724 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Maria Wanic

    (Department of Agroecosystems and Horticulture, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 3, 10-724 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Dariusz Załuski

    (Department of Genetic, Plant Breeding and Bioresource Engineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 3, 10-724 Olsztyn, Poland)

Abstract

Progressive soil compaction is a disadvantage of intensive tillage. Compaction exerts a negative impact on the physical properties of soil and decreases crop performance. The adverse effects of soil compaction can be mitigated by replacing conventional tillage with simplified tillage techniques. Simplified tillage exerts a protective effect on soil, reduces production costs and preserves agricultural ecosystems. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of compaction and different tillage methods on the bulk density and moisture content of soil. The experimental factors were as follows: Soil compaction before sowing (non-compacted control treatment and experimental treatments where soil was compacted after the harvest of the preceding crop) and four different methods of seedbed preparation in a three-field rotation system (winter oilseed rape, winter wheat, spring barley). The influence of compaction on the bulk density and moisture content of soil varied across the rotated crops and their developmental stages. Soil compaction had no significant effect on the analyzed parameters in the cultivation of winter oilseed rape. In treatments sown with winter wheat, soil compaction resulted in significantly lower soil density and significantly higher soil moisture content. In plots sown with spring barley, soil compaction led to a significant increase in the values of both parameters. The average bulk density of soil after various tillage operations in the examined crop rotation system ranged from 1.49–1.69 g·m −3 (winter oilseed rape), 1.47–1.59 g·m −3 (winter wheat), 1.47–1.61 g·m −3 (spring barley). The bulk density and moisture content of soil were lowest after conventional tillage (control treatment) and higher after simplified tillage. Regardless of soil compaction, the greatest reduction in winter oilseed rape yields was noted in response to skimming, harrowing and the absence of pre-sowing plowing. Spring barley yields were higher in non-compacted treatments, whereas the reverse was observed in winter wheat. Chisel plowing and single plowing induced the greatest decrease in wheat yields relative to conventional tillage. Single plowing significantly decreased the grain yield of spring barley relative to the tillage system that involved skimming and fall plowing to a depth of 25.

Suggested Citation

  • Krzysztof Orzech & Maria Wanic & Dariusz Załuski, 2021. "The Effects of Soil Compaction and Different Tillage Systems on the Bulk Density and Moisture Content of Soil and the Yields of Winter Oilseed Rape and Cereals," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-17, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:11:y:2021:i:7:p:666-:d:594252
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Václav Voltr & Jana Wollnerová & Pavel Fuksa & Martin Hruška, 2021. "Influence of Tillage on the Production Inputs, Outputs, Soil Compaction and GHG Emissions," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-24, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sara Marinari & Emanuele Radicetti & Verdiana Petroselli & Mohamed Allam & Roberto Mancinelli, 2022. "Microbial Indices to Assess Soil Health under Different Tillage and Fertilization in Potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) Crop," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-12, March.
    2. Ying Wang & Sen Yang & Jian Sun & Ziguang Liu & Xinmiao He & Jinyou Qiao, 2023. "Effects of Tillage and Sowing Methods on Soil Physical Properties and Corn Plant Characters," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-15, March.
    3. Wenjie Li & Zhenghe Song & Minli Yang & Xiao Yang & Zhenhao Luo & Weijie Guo, 2022. "Analysis of Spatial Variability of Plough Layer Compaction by High-Power and No-Tillage Multifunction Units in Northeast China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-21, September.
    4. Mohamed Allam & Emanuele Radicetti & Valentina Quintarelli & Verdiana Petroselli & Sara Marinari & Roberto Mancinelli, 2022. "Influence of Organic and Mineral Fertilizers on Soil Organic Carbon and Crop Productivity under Different Tillage Systems: A Meta-Analysis," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-19, March.
    5. Wei Quan & Mingliang Wu & Zhenwei Dai & Haifeng Luo & Fanggang Shi, 2022. "Design and Testing of Reverse-Rotating Soil-Taking-Type Hole-Forming Device of Pot Seedling Transplanting Machine for Rapeseed," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-22, February.
    6. Ireneusz Cymes & Ewa Dragańska & Zbigniew Brodziński, 2022. "Potential Possibilities of Using Groundwater for Crop Irrigation in the Context of Climate Change," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-14, May.
    7. Dorota Gawęda & Małgorzata Haliniarz, 2022. "The Yield and Weed Infestation of Winter Oilseed Rape ( Brassica napus L. ssp. oleifera Metzg) in Two Tillage Systems," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-20, April.

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