Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Combined effects of tillage systems and crop rotations on soil enzyme activities in Inner Mongolia, China

Author(s):

Xiao-xia Guo ¹, Jing-hui Liu ¹ *, Li-jun Li ¹, Bao-ping Zhao ¹, Lu Tian ¹, Xiang-qian Zhang ², Surya N. Acharya ³

Recieved Date: 2012-07-20, Accepted Date: 2012-10-04

Abstract:

Soil enzyme activity, an important determinant of soil biological quality, was studied under rain-fed condition of Inner Mongolia, China. In 2006- 2009, effects of tillage (conventional tillage [T], no-tillage with low stubble [NL], no-tillage with high stubble [NH], no-tillage with low stubble mulching [NLS] and no-tillage with high stubble mulching [NHS]) and crop rotation (soybean-corn-oat, corn-oat-soybean and oat-soybean-corn) on soil enzyme activity were estimated. Observations made on four soil enzyme activities showed that in all five tillage treatments the activities increased after the rotations were applied. Under no-tillage, enzyme activities increased more than under the conventional tillage in all soil depths. The change in soil enzyme activity was more pronounced in 0-10 cm soil layer after one cycle of rotation than in the 10-20 or 20-30 cm layers. The catalase, invertase, urease and alkaline phosphatase activities of no tillage with high stubble mulching increased 9.4, 68.2, 37.7 and 37.8%, respectively, compared to conventional tillage in oat-soybean-corn rotation pattern. Among crops, soybean was the best for increasing soil enzyme activity in one year, whereas, among the rotations tested, oat-soybean-corn was best. These results, for the first time indicated that crop rotation combined with no- tillage was important for Inner Mongolia dryland agriculture and thus, should be implemented for the maintenance and improvement of soil quality in this area. 

Keywords:

No-tillage, rotational effect, additive effect, soil enzyme activity

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2012
Volume: 10
Issue: 3&4
Category: Environment
Pages: 1075-1080

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