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Effect of Previous Crop Roots on Soil Compaction in 2 Yr Rotations under a No-Tillage System

Author

Listed:
  • Jay D. Jabro

    (Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory, ARS-USDA, 1500 N Central Avenue, Sidney, MT 59270, USA)

  • Brett L. Allen

    (Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory, ARS-USDA, 1500 N Central Avenue, Sidney, MT 59270, USA)

  • Tatyana Rand

    (Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory, ARS-USDA, 1500 N Central Avenue, Sidney, MT 59270, USA)

  • Sadikshya R. Dangi

    (Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory, ARS-USDA, 1500 N Central Avenue, Sidney, MT 59270, USA)

  • Joshua W. Campbell

    (Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory, ARS-USDA, 1500 N Central Avenue, Sidney, MT 59270, USA)

Abstract

Compacted soils affect global crop productivity and environmental quality. A field study was conducted from 2014 to 2020 in the northern Great Plains, USA, to evaluate the effect of various rooting systems on soil compaction in 2 yr rotations of camelina ( Camelina sativa L.), carinata ( Brassica carinata A.) and a cover crop mix planted in place of fallow with durum ( Triticum durum D.). The study was designed as a randomized complete block with three replications in a no-tillage system. The soil was classified as Dooley sandy loam (fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, frigid Typic Argiustolls) derived from glacial till parent material. Three measurements of soil penetration resistance (PR) were taken with a penetrometer to a depth of 0–30 cm within each plot. Soil moisture contents were determined using a TDR sensor at the time of PR measurements. Both measurements were monitored prior to planting in spring and after harvest. Initial PR results from spring 2014 showed that all plots had an average of 2.244 MPa between the 8–20 cm depth, due to a history of tillage and wheel traffic caused by various field activities. Covariance analysis indicated that soil PR was not significantly affected by crop type and moisture content. After one cycle of the 2 yr rotation, the 2016 measurements indicated that the compacted layer existed at the same initial depths. However, after two and three cycles, soil PR values were reduced to 1.480, 1.812, 1.775, 1.645 MPa in spring 2018 and 1.568, 1.581, 1.476, 1.458 MPa in 2020 under camelina, carinata, cover crop mix, and durum treatments, respectively. These findings indicate that previous cover crop roots could effectively improve soil compaction by penetrating the compacted layer, decompose over time and form voids and root channels. Although these results are novel and significant, further research is needed on different soils and under cover crops with different root systems to support our findings prior to making any conclusion.

Suggested Citation

  • Jay D. Jabro & Brett L. Allen & Tatyana Rand & Sadikshya R. Dangi & Joshua W. Campbell, 2021. "Effect of Previous Crop Roots on Soil Compaction in 2 Yr Rotations under a No-Tillage System," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-10, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:10:y:2021:i:2:p:202-:d:500623
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Li Wang & Hengfei Wang & Zhengchao Tian & Yili Lu & Weida Gao & Tusheng Ren, 2020. "Structural Changes of Compacted Soil Layers in Northeast China due to Freezing-Thawing Processes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-13, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Luis Eduardo Akiyoshi Sanches Suzuki & Dalvan José Reinert & Marlene Cristina Alves & José Miguel Reichert, 2022. "Critical Limits for Soybean and Black Bean Root Growth, Based on Macroporosity and Penetrability, for Soils with Distinct Texture and Management Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-19, March.
    2. Felicia Chețan & Cornel Chețan & Ileana Bogdan & Paula Ioana Moraru & Adrian Ioan Pop & Teodor Rusu, 2022. "Use of Vegetable Residues and Cover Crops in the Cultivation of Maize Grown in Different Tillage Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-14, March.
    3. Nicholas Glass & Brenda Molano-Flores & Eduardo Dias de Oliveira & Erika Meraz & Samira Umar & Christopher J. Whelan & Miquel A. Gonzalez-Meler, 2021. "Does Pastoral Land-Use Legacy Influence Topsoil Carbon and Nitrogen Accrual Rates in Tallgrass Prairie Restorations?," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-20, July.
    4. Valentina Quintarelli & Emanuele Radicetti & Enrica Allevato & Silvia Rita Stazi & Ghulam Haider & Zainul Abideen & Safia Bibi & Aftab Jamal & Roberto Mancinelli, 2022. "Cover Crops for Sustainable Cropping Systems: A Review," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-21, December.

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