Long-term effect of tillage, rotation and nitrogen fertiliser on soil quality in a Mediterranean Vertisol

Published source details Melero S., López-Bellido R.J., López-Bellido L., Muñoz-Romero V., Moreno F. & Murillo J.M. (2011) Long-term effect of tillage, rotation and nitrogen fertiliser on soil quality in a Mediterranean Vertisol. Soil & Tillage Research, 114, 97-107.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Crop production: Use no tillage in arable fields Action Link
	Soil: Use no tillage in arable fields Action Link

Crop production: Use no tillage in arable fields

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1986–2008 in a rainfed wheat field in southern Spain found that tillage had inconsistent effects on crop yields. Crop yield: Higher wheat yields were found in plots with no tillage, compared to conventional tillage, in two of five comparisons (3,482–4,698 vs 2,463–3,926 kg/ha), but lower yields were found in one of five comparisons (4,571 vs 5,216 kg/ha). Methods: No tillage or conventional tillage was used on three plots each (five subplots/plot, 10 x 5 m subplots, with different wheat rotations). Mouldboard ploughing, disk harrowing, and/or vibrating tine cultivation was used for conventional tillage (depth not reported). Pre-emergence herbicide was used for no tillage. The wheat phase was fertilized with nitrogen in some sub-subplots (0–150 kg N/ha/year) and phosphorus in all plots (65 kg P/ha/year). Crop residues were retained. Wheat yields were measured in 2008.
Soil: Use no tillage in arable fields

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1986–2008 in a rainfed wheat field in southern Spain (same study as (27)) found more organic matter and nitrogen in soils with no tillage, compared to conventional tillage. Organic matter: More organic carbon was found in soils with no tillage, compared to conventional tillage, in two of five comparisons (772–815 vs 684–699 g/m²). Nutrients: More nitrogen was found in soils with no tillage, compared to conventional tillage, in 10 of 20 comparisons (50–180 vs 30–150 g total N/m²). Methods: No tillage or conventional tillage was used on three plots each (five subplots/plot, 10 x 5 m subplots, with different wheat rotations). Mouldboard ploughing, disk harrowing, and/or vibrating tine cultivation was used for conventional tillage (depth not reported). Pre-emergence herbicide was used for no tillage. The wheat phase was fertilized with nitrogen in some sub-subplots (0–150 kg N/ha/year) and phosphorus in all plots (65 kg P/ha/year). Crop residues were retained. Soil samples were collected in October 2008 (0–50 cm depth), before tilling the soil and sowing wheat.