Abstract:
Objective Deep ploughing is an effective practice for improving soil structure and properties in Shajiang black soil. However, the integrated effect regarding soil structure, fertility, crop yields, and the costs under different ploughing depths remain unclear.
Method A field experiment was conducted at Longkang Farm with four treatments: rotary tillage (RT), deep ploughing 25 - 30 cm (DP25), deep ploughing 30 - 35 cm (DP30), and deep ploughing 35 - 40 cm (DP35). Soil physicochemical properties in the 0 - 40 cm soil layer, above-and underground biomass and crop yield under different tillage depths were determined, and the economic costs and benefits were evaluated.
Result Our results showed that all deep ploughing treatments effectively reduced soil bulk density to around 1.40 g cm−3 in the 10 - 20 cm soil layer, and the penetration resistance to below 1 MPa in the 15 - 30 cm soil layer compared with RT treatment. The saturated hydraulic conductivity and available water capacity under deep ploughing were increased by 9.2% - 234% than the RT treatment. With the increase of tillage depth, the reduction in soil compaction was greater and the soil air/water holding capacity was higher. DP25 significantly increased available phosphorus content in the 0 - 20 cm layer and the available potassium in the 10 - 20 cm layer. DP30 and DP35 significantly enhanced soil organic carbon (SOC) and nutrients in the 10 - 20 cm and 20 - 30 cm subsoil layers. With the improved soil structural and nutrient, DP25 achieved the highest yield over the year, which was increased by 10.5% compared to RT treatment. Combined the biannual yield performance and the costs during production, DP25 showed the greatest economic benefit with a net income increase of 1131 yuan hm−2 per year than that of the RT management.
Conclusion Therefore, for the typical Shajiang black soil in the wheat-maize rotation system of the investigated area, deep ploughing to 25 - 30 cm was recommended as an appropriate tillage depth to improve soil structure and increase crop yield in short terms, which could provide an important reference for the optimization of tillage systems in similar regions.