Short Communications

The effect of reduced tillage on soil organic carbon

Published in: South African Journal of Plant and Soil
Volume 4 , issue 3 , 1987 , pages: 147–149

DOI: 10.1080/02571862.1987.10634964

Author(s): H. , v. H. van der Watt Department of Soil Science, Republic of South Africa

Keywords: Conservation tillage , Mulches , no-till , soil organic carbon

Abstract

The organic carbon contents of the 0–15-cm and 15–30-cm layers of conventionally tilled, stubble-mulched and no-tilled soils were compared. Samples from four localities in the Transvaal and Orange Free State were analyzed for organic C by means of two methods. Only in one case did stubble-mulch tillage unquestionably result in an increase (38%) in organic C content of the top layer, when compared with conventional tillage. It is suggested that sampling times, sampling depths and number of samples taken, receive greater attention in future studies.

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