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Sustainable Conservation Tillage Improves Soil Nutrients and Reduces Nitrogen and Phosphorous Losses in Maize Farmland in Southern China

Author

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  • Fuseini Issaka

    (College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environmental Research & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China)

  • Zhen Zhang

    (College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environmental Research & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China)

  • Zhong-Qiu Zhao

    (College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environmental Research & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China)

  • Evans Asenso

    (College of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China)

  • Jiu-Hao Li

    (College of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China)

  • Yong-Tao Li

    (College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environmental Research & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China)

  • Jin-Jin Wang

    (College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environmental Research & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China)

Abstract

Monitoring nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) losses on farmland is essential for the prevention of agricultural non-point source pollution (NPS). This study was conducted on typical dry farmland in southern China to determine the effect of conservation tillage and conventional tillage (CT) on soil physical and chemical properties, nutrient movement, as well as on N and P losses. Four conservation tillage techniques (i.e., no-tillage direct seeding (NTDS), no-tillage transplanting (NTTS), minimum tillage direct seeding (MTDS), and minimum tillage transplanting (MTTS)), as well as one CT technique, were carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates each. The results suggest that MTDS and NTDS improved soil physical and chemical properties by ensuring adequate retention of these properties at the 0–20 cm soil depth. Low levels of N and P losses in runoff and drainage water were recorded under NTTS and NTDS compared to CT. Our results, therefore, suggest that conservation tillage approaches, such as MTDS and NTDS, are the most suitable tillage techniques for improving soil nutrients and reducing agricultural N and P losses while providing an eco-friendly and sustainable agricultural practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Fuseini Issaka & Zhen Zhang & Zhong-Qiu Zhao & Evans Asenso & Jiu-Hao Li & Yong-Tao Li & Jin-Jin Wang, 2019. "Sustainable Conservation Tillage Improves Soil Nutrients and Reduces Nitrogen and Phosphorous Losses in Maize Farmland in Southern China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-13, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:8:p:2397-:d:225079
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Yubo Liao & Bangbang Zhang & Xiangbin Kong & Liangyou Wen & Dongheng Yao & Yuxuan Dang & Wenguang Chen, 2022. "A Cooperative-Dominated Model of Conservation Tillage to Mitigate Soil Degradation on Cultivated Land and Its Effectiveness Evaluation," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-19, August.
    2. Lemos, S.V. & Salgado Junior, A.P. & Rebehy, P.C.P.W. & Carlucci, F.V. & Novi, J.C., 2021. "Framework for improving agro-industrial efficiency in renewable energy: Examining Brazilian bioenergy companies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    3. Yadav, Gulab Singh & Das, Anup & Kandpal, B K & Babu, Subhash & Lal, Rattan & Datta, Mrinmoy & Das, Biswajit & Singh, Raghavendra & Singh, VK & Mohapatra, KP & Chakraborty, Mandakranta, 2021. "The food-energy-water-carbon nexus in a maize-maize-mustard cropping sequence of the Indian Himalayas: An impact of tillage-cum-live mulching," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    4. Felicia Chețan & Cornel Chețan & Ileana Bogdan & Paula Ioana Moraru & Adrian Ioan Pop & Teodor Rusu, 2022. "Use of Vegetable Residues and Cover Crops in the Cultivation of Maize Grown in Different Tillage Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-14, March.
    5. Rina Purwaningsih & Junun Sartohadi & Muhammad Anggri Setiawan, 2020. "Trees and Crops Arrangement in the Agroforestry System Based on Slope Units to Control Landslide Reactivation on Volcanic Foot Slopes in Java, Indonesia," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-18, September.
    6. Maurice Osewe & Chris Miyinzi Mwungu & Aijun Liu, 2020. "Does Minimum Tillage Improve Smallholder Farmers’ Welfare? Evidence from Southern Tanzania," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-12, December.
    7. Jiale Zhao & Yun Lu & Hongli Tian & Honglei Jia & Mingzhuo Guo, 2019. "Effects of Straw Returning and Residue Cleaner on the Soil Moisture Content, Soil Temperature, and Maize Emergence Rate in China’s Three Major Maize Producing Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-20, October.

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