EFFECT OF TILLAGE ON PLANT GROWTH

1. EFFECT OF TILLAGE ON PLANT GROWTH MUHAMMAD SARFARAZ 2008-ag-1574

2. WHAT IS TILLAGE • THE PHYSICAL MANIPULATION OF THE SOIL FOR THE PURPOSES OF: • Management of previous crop residues • Control of competing vegetation • Incorporation of amendments • Preparation of a seedbed

3. SOIL PROPERTIES AFFECTED BY TILLAGE • Crop residue cover • Structure and aggregate stability • Effect on soil moisture • Soil water retention

4. Infiltration • Effect on evaporation • Effect on soil microorganisms • Effect on soil nutrient uptake

5. SURFACE CROP RESIDUE INTERACTS WITH OTHER FACTORS • Impact on erosion • Cooler soils • Conserves moisture • Affects soil physical properties

6. TILLAGE EFFECT EROSION ON CLEAN-TILLED GROUND

7. TILLAGE HAS A PROFOUND EFFECT ON THE SOIL PHYSICAL CONDITION

8. AGGREGATE STABILITY • INFLUENCED BY • Organic matter and organisms • Texture • Rotation • Tillage • IMPORTANT FOR: • Aeration • Water relations • Productivity

9. “HEALTHY” CORN ROOT MASS

10. TILLAGE EFFECTS ON SOIL (0-2 IN.) PROPERTIES

11. TILLAGE EFFECT ON INFILTRATION • No-till maintains large pores • Bare soil crusts • Infiltration varies during season • Wheel traffic influences infiltration

12. TILLAGE EFFECTS ON SOIL TEMPERATURE • Cooler temperatures associated with high residue • Residue buffers temperature change • Emergence and early growth affected • No-till systems have been shown to be 5-10% less productive

13. Effect on soil moisture • Tillage facilitates water penetration into the soil and increase the amount of water retained for crop use later. • Excessive shallow tillage operations result in in increase compaction which restrict root growth, air exchange, and also creates problems in soil drainge.

14. Soil Water Retention • Tillage effects soil water retention by changing infiltration and evaporation of water from soil surface. • Rough soil surface and depressions caused by tillage decreases runoff.s

15. Effect on Evaporation • Evaporation from the soil is a major pathway of water loss created by tillage. • Surface roughness caused by loosening of upper soil layer by tillage increases the area of soil exposed to the atmoshpere and allows greater penetration of wind.

16. Effect on soil Microorganisms • Appropriate tillage practices will improve the soil structure, moisture and temperature which ultimately increase the number and activity of microorganisms.

17. STRIP TILLAGE OFFERS AN ALTERNATIVE TO FULL-WIDTH TILLAGE

18. IN-ROW RESIDUE MGT. ZONE-TILL PLANTER

19. STRIP TILLAGE OFFERS AN ALTERNATIVE TO FULL-WIDTH TILLAGE WITH CONSERVATION AND AGRONOMIC BENEFITS

20. TILLAGE EFFECTS ON SOIL STRENGTH • Reduced tillage soils have higher surface bulk density • Short-term response to occasional tillage • Traffic management critical • Subsoiling response is likely site dependent

21. Compaction affects the soil - structure - porosity - aeration - strength Plant growth affected - root growth - nutrient uptake - water utilization

22. SUMMARY • Tillage management can greatly modify soil properties related to soil quality and crop growth • Tillage intensity will impact residue management and soil consolidation • Many physical and chemical properties are affected • Better traffic and tillage management will enhance soil quality