The effect of different soil tillage systems on soil structure characteristics, in maize crop from the Moldavian Plain

Abstract

Optimal crop rooting soil physical conditions are a result of complex interactions between soil strength and oxygen and water supply to plant roots. Spatial/temporal variability in soil properties can be critical in the evaluation of the effects of tillage management practice on soil and crop parameters. In this paper tillage were evaluated for theirs effects on soil structure. Tillage treatments were plough to 20 cm, plough to 30 cm, chisel and disc harrow applied to wheat in to been/ wheat/ maize rotation. The experiments have been conducted in the Didactic Station of the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine – Iasi, Ezăreni Farm, during the period between 2002-2006, on a cambic chernozem with 3,4 % humus and pH 7. Tillage system modify, at least temporarily, some of the structure properties of soil, such structural stability, distribution of aggregates, qualitative indices and mean diameter. All the tillage operation was significantly different in their effects on soil properties.