Effect of ploughless tillage, straw and green manure incorporation on soil physical properties and eartworm quantity in barley crop

Field experiment was established in the Experimental Station of Aleksandras Stulginskis university. Stationary experiment was set up in 1999. The soil of the experimental area is Endocarcalic Endohipogleyc Luvisol, medium weight loam over light sandy loam. The experiment was arranged according to the following scheme: Factor A: Straw incorporation: 1. Straw removed (Š–), 2. Straw chopped and spread (Š+). Factor B: Tillage systems: 1. Regular deep plowing to 23–25 cm depth in autumn (control) (GA), 2. Shallow plowing to 10–12 cm depth in autumn (SA), 3. Shallow loosening to 8–10 cm depth in autumn (KL), 4. Shallow loosening with rotary cultivator to 5–6 cm depth in spring (RK), 5. Shallow incorporation of green manure with rotary cultivator to 5–6 cm depth in spring (ŽTRK), 6. No-tillage, direct sowing (ND). It was established, that straw incorporation had no significant effect on soil penetration ressistance. Plaughless tillage systems has a significant influence on soil penetration resistance. Shifting from deep plaughing to shallow ploughing, shallow loosening, shallow loosening with rotary cultivator and no – tillage, direct sowing significant increased soil penetration resistance in plow layer. Shallow incorporation of green manure with rotary cultivator significant increase soil penetration resistance to 40 cm depthVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij