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Effects of Tillage and Sowing Methods on Soil Physical Properties and Corn Plant Characters

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  • Ying Wang

    (College of Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
    Key Laboratory of Combining Farming and Animal Husbandry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Sen Yang

    (College of Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
    Key Laboratory of Combining Farming and Animal Husbandry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Jian Sun

    (College of Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Ziguang Liu

    (Key Laboratory of Combining Farming and Animal Husbandry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Xinmiao He

    (Key Laboratory of Combining Farming and Animal Husbandry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Jinyou Qiao

    (College of Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

Abstract

In the northeast plains of China, the intensive utilization of agricultural soils has been a persistent issue, and finding ways to utilize soil resources efficiently and sustainably through a scientifically-driven management system has become a crucial challenge for agricultural production. Conservation tillage is a crucial technology for sustainable agriculture. Currently, plow and rotary tillage are the dominant methods used in Mollisols, but there is limited information on the effects of different conservation tillage practices in this region. The objective of this study was to investigate the short-term impact of tillage and sowing methods on soil physical properties and corn plant growth and to examine the relationship between soil physical properties and plant characteristics during various stages of growth. This study consisted of four tillage and sowing methods: plow tillage and precision seeder sowing (PTS), rotary tillage and precision seeder sowing (RTS), no-tillage and no-tillage seeder sowing (NTS), and no-tillage and precise sowing in stubble field (STS) (all four treatments involved total straw return). The results indicated that the soil penetration resistance (SPR) in the 10–40 cm soil layer under the PTS treatment was significantly lower (by 11.9% to 18%) compared to the other treatments ( p < 0.05). On average, the soil moisture content in the NTS treatment was 2.7% and 1.4% higher than that of the PTS and RTS treatments. Additionally, soil temperature was 5.6% to 8.6% lower under the STS treatment compared to the other treatments during late corn growth. The RTS treatment also significantly reduced the bulk density of surface soil. High SPR impeded early crop growth but did not impact mid-crop development, while low soil temperature was one of the main factors affecting late corn growth and development as temperatures decreased. Based on the comparisons, we found that the short-term implementation of conservation tillage did not result in a significant decrease in corn yield. We believe that the short-term implementation of NTS tillage sowing practices in Mollisol regions is a feasible option.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:3:p:600-:d:1084614
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
    2. Cameron M. Pittelkow & Xinqiang Liang & Bruce A. Linquist & Kees Jan van Groenigen & Juhwan Lee & Mark E. Lundy & Natasja van Gestel & Johan Six & Rodney T. Venterea & Chris van Kessel, 2015. "Productivity limits and potentials of the principles of conservation agriculture," Nature, Nature, vol. 517(7534), pages 365-368, January.
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    4. Anetta Siwik-Ziomek & Anna Figas, 2025. "Soil Management for Sustainable Agriculture," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-5, February.
    5. Ilenia Bravo & Mariam Atait & Ilenia Colamatteo & Roberto Mancinelli & Mohamed Allam & Patrizia Papetti & Emanuele Radicetti, 2025. "Arsenic Uptake in Durum Wheat ( Triticum durum Desf.) as Influenced by Soil Tillage Practices and Fertilization Sources in Mediterranean Environment," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-17, January.
    6. Yue Ma & Zheng Li & Yandong Xu & Chenglong Li & Hao Ding & Chenghao Li & Qiang Tang & Minghui Liu & Junming Hou, 2025. "The Development of No-Tillage Seeding Technology for Conservation Tillage—A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-22, February.
    7. Yang Guo & Meiling Cui & Zhigang Xu, 2023. "Spatial Characteristics of Transfer Plots and Conservation Tillage Technology Adoption: Evidence from a Survey of Four Provinces in China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-15, August.
    8. Limin Jiang & Anrui Ning & Min Liu & Yanhan Zhu & Junwei Huang & Yingjie Guo & Weizhi Feng & Daping Fu & Hongbin Wang & Jingli Wang, 2025. "Effects of Tillage Practices on Soil Properties and Maize Yield in Different Types of Soda Saline–Alkali Soils," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-20, March.
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