Published in Scientific Papers. Series A. Agronomy, Vol. LVIII
Written by Irina SENICOVSCAIA, Vladimir FILIPCHIUK, Alina TSINTSARI
The effect of different tillage practices on soil biota’ state of chernozems has been investigated. Two experimental sites located in the northern zone of the Republic of Moldova have been tested with application of soil biological indicators in June and October, 2014. Land management practices with application of no-tillage on the leached chernozem (2years of use) and mini-tillage on the slightly eroded typical chernozem (10 years of use) have been compared with the long-term conventional tillage of 25-27 cm. The application of no-tillage has created conditions for the improvement of the biota’s vital activity in the leached chernozem. The effect of no-tillage was manifested in the increase of number and biomass of Lumbricidae family by 4.1 and 14.1 times respectively. Worms were concentrated in the 0-40 cm soil layer. Chernozem with no-tillage application is characterized by greater stability in comparison with the conventional tillage due to higher number of saprophages. No-tillage system has increased the microbial biomass carbon compared to the traditional tillage system. Dehydrogenase and polyphenoloxidase activities were significantly higher in conditions of no-tillage treatment. A positive impact of mini-tillage practice on soil was less pronounced. It was shown that biota’sabundance increased and the humus content in the slightly eroded typical chernozem grew by 0.44-0.51%. The application of conservation management practices led to the soil compaction. Bulk density in the 0-40 cm soil layer increased on average from 1.36 to 1.41 g cm-3 in the leached chernozem and from 1.15 to 1.30 g cm-3 in the slightly eroded typical chernozem.
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