Computation of Typical Chernozem in Long-Run Response to Primary Tillage Operations

The purpose of this research is to compare various systems of primary tillage applied to typical chernozem together with crop rotation practices, and to compare their influence on physical and chemical properties of soil and on the effect provided by crop rotations. Stationary research was performed on a field attached to the Tambov Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture. Total research period extends from 1988 until 2017. The research covered the following primary tillage operations: moldboard plowing, continuous surface tillage, subsurface tillage, combined deep tillage (overturning with a moldboard: 25%; subsoiling: 75%). Trials were performed on a fertilized background N₆₀P₆₀K₆₀. The research provides no evidence on that given systems have any effect on the content of productive moisture in soil, but it revealed a tendency of soil to accumulate much of that on the background of subtilling and combined deep operations. In the long-run, soil structure and aggregates in the plow horizon will no change significantly if moldboard plowing operations get replaced with resource-saving systems. The same is true for the bulk density and the content of mobile nutrients. In case of 28 years of surface tillage application, typical chernozem will lose 0.12% of humus in the plow layer (0–30 cm). Moldboard plowing, subsoiling and combined deep tillage systems increase this figure by 0.03, 0.447 and 0.09%, respectively, when applied. The maximum yield per hectare of typical chernozem field was achieved in a combined deep tillage system by varying row crops and grain legumes with cereals that grow on subtilled soil.