title: Affects of different tillage managements on soil physical quality in a clayey soil.
abstract: This study, conducted in 2011, researches the effects of different tillage practices on the physical soil quality of clayey soil. This soil quality index (SQI) assessment was made by studying the changes in physical soil functions such as suitability for root development, facilitation for water entry, movement and storage, and resistance against surface degradation based on tillage management. When compared with the control parcel, statistically significant decreases were seen in the SQI with different tillage practices (p < 0.05). Among the tillage practices, the highest SQI was seen with the plow + rotary tiller + direct seeding machine, while the lowest SQI was seen with the direct drilling practice. On the other hand, the statistically insignificant effects of tillage practices on the soil quality of the study area were considered to be a result of either the study period or the joint effect of soil texture and climatic features. Thus, long-term tillage practices were recommended in order to get healthier information about soil quality by considering soil and climatic conditions. In addition, for heavy clayey soils, reduced tillage practices, which included plowing, were thought to develop physical soil qualities of root development and water movement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey, mustafa.saglam@omu.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sağlam
authors.forename: Kemal Çağatay
authors.initials: KÇ
authors.lastname: Selvi
authors.forename: Orhan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Dengiz
authors.forename: Fatma Esra
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Gürsoy
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods*; D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000032:analysis*; D000077215:Clay; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D012987:Soil; D000077215:Clay