Effect of rotation and short-term tillage on soil quality after long-term zero tillage

Non-Peer ReviewedA field study was established in 2000, near Brandon Manitoba, to determine the effect of tillage and crop on soil physical and biological properties. Most soil physical and biological properties were not affected by tillage system or current year crop when sampled in the fall after harvest. The proportion of large (38 to 68.8 mm diameter) dry sieved aggregates increased under low compared to high intensities of tillage. Aggregate stability increased with increasing concentration of organic carbon. The effect of high and low intensity tillage over one or two years, after 9 years in zero tillage, on soil organic carbon, physical properties and fertility was not significant