The Cumulative Effect of Various Tillage Systems and Stubble Management on the Biological and Chemical Properties of Soil in Winter Wheat Monoculture

• Published in: Agronomy
• Main Authors: Karol Kotwica, Barbara Breza-Boruta, Justyna Bauza-Kaszewska, Piotr Kanarek, Iwona Jaskulska, Dariusz Jaskulski
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021
• Subjects: tillage system; stubble management; soil environment; nutrients; microorganisms; Agriculture; S; TNM; Arktis; Arktis*
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11091726; https://doaj.org/article/8bbcf83ba35140d1ab956656716e309f

Agricultural practices, including tillage systems and postharvest residue management, strongly affect a wide range of soil properties. Depending on the degree of soil inversion, both negative and beneficial changes of its structure, chemical composition, and biological activity may occur as a result of these treatments. The three-year experiment was carried out on the soil under winter wheat (cv. Arktis) monoculture. The effect of various tillage systems and stubble management on the soil environment’s biological and chemical features was investigated. The total number of microorganisms (TNM); bacteria (B); actinobacteria(A); fungi (F); soil respiratory activity (SR); pH in 1 M KCl (pH); organic carbon content (OC); content of available phosphorus (Pa); potassium (Ka); magnesium (Mg); and content of total nitrogen (TN) and mineral nitrogen forms were determined in soil samples. It was shown that manure application was the factor with the greatest influence on soil properties. The manure fertilization resulted in a higher number of microorganisms in arable soil. Conventional tillage procedures combined with manure application increased the amounts of available forms of phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and mineral nitrogen. Introduction of the chopped straw in the field enhanced the beneficial effect of manure on soil properties.