Abstract

DEMUNER-MOLINA, Genaro et al. Effect of Tillage and Soil Amendments on Moisture Retention and Root Growth. Tecnol. cienc. agua [online]. 2014, vol.5, n.2, pp.123-130. ISSN 2007-2422.

The effect of three tillage systems (conventional (CT), vertical (VT) and no-tillage (NT)) and three organic soil amendments (algaenzims, compost and mycorrhizae) was evaluated in clay loam soil to study moisture retention, root growth and oat yield. The experiment was carried out with an experimental random block array using a factorial fit of A-B with three repetitions. The soil moisture was determined using a TDR FIELDSCOUT 300 probe in strati of 7.6 and 12 centimeters. At the end of the crop cycle, the root growth and yield were measured with amendment and a tillage system based on dry matter. According to tillage levels, a significant difference in moisture retention was found, with a value of 21.23 % in the ANOVA, and NT retained moisture better. For root growth, CT showed a significant difference, with a value of 0.04 m3, and resulted in a higher yield of 5.16 tons per hectare. VT and NT showed no significant differences in terms of root growth and grain yield. Soils amendments do not influence moisture retention or root growth, although they have positive effects on yield. Tillage systems affect moisture retention and favor root growth.

Keywords : Tillage systems; soil amendments; moisture retention; root growth; yield; dry matter; gravimetric method; TDR probe.

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