Effects of intercropping systems on surface processes in an acid ultisol 1. Short-term changes in soil physical properties
1993
Zainol M. E. | Mokhtaruddin, A. M.
Changes in soil physical properties were detected after three years of intercropping in immature rubber. Intercropping activities generally affected the degree of aggregation and its stability. The soils under legumes contained + larger-sized aggregates and exhibited better water retention and transmission characteristics. Aggregates of finer size were recorded in cleanly-cultivated pineapple plots indicating that the larger aggregates were being progressively broken down due to + the direct impact of rain. The high input treatments consisting of frequently-tilled corn-peanut plots showed a high degree of similarity in the size-distribution of water-stable aggregates, but the plots differed in water retention and transmission + properties as a result of variability arising from management inputs. The redistribution of fine particles in the tilted plots accounted for its higher penetration resistance compared with the non-tilled plots. The study suggests that on-site soil + degradation can be minimal under conditions of tillage provided less crops are planted and steps taken to have a mulch cover during the fallow period.
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