On-farm tests indicate effects of long-term tillage systems on soil quality
2002
Seybold, C.A. | Hubbs, M.D. | Tyler, D.D.
To sustain productivity and environmental quality, an awareness of the impacts our management systems are having on soil quality is needed. The soil quality test kit is an on-farm tool that has been developed for conservationists and farmers to track changes in soil quality. The use of the kit was demonstrated by comparing soil quality on long-term no-till versus conventional tillage systems on a silt loam soil in Tennessee. The no-till management system had significantly improved surface soil properties over the conventionally tilled management system at this site. The no-till management system had higher infiltration rates, more stable aggregates, a lower soil respiration rate, a greater resistance to slaking, greater earthworm numbers, and a greater water content in the 0-7.6 cm soil depth. The soil quality test kit was able to distinguish differences in soil properties on this long-term management comparison. The kit is a good on-farm tool for use in comparison of relative differences in surface soil properties.
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