Research Poster Competition and Presentations, Soil/Crop Management (Agriculture) and Sustainability
Soil Quality in Various Farming Practices
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
Agronomy
2nd Student Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Sophomore
2nd Student Major
Agronomy
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Iin Handayani, PhD
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
Production agriculture deteriorates the soil, making sustainability difficult. This study compared three different forms of production agriculture: a no-till system, a conventional tillage system, and a grazing pasture and compared them to a field in fallow. This study was conducted in fields across Ballard and Carlisle County in Kentucky. A total of six replications were taken at each field, with three taken at 0-7.5 cm and three at 7.5-15 cm. The replications consisted of disturbed and undisturbed samples. The undisturbed samples measured bulk density, total porosity, soil water content, and macroporosity. The disturbed soil samples were used to measure pH, soil organic matter, and organic carbon. Using the field in fallow as the basis for comparison, the pasture regularly showed similar, if not improved soil quality metrics. No-till regularly scored better than conventional in most soil properties, with the exception of soil pH where the no-till field’s average pH was 5.4 at the first depth. The conventional tillage system had a pH of 6.1 at the first depth. Bulk density at the first depth showed that no-till and fallow were similar values, at 1.43 and 1.49 g/cm^3, respectively. In conclusion, production agriculture systems that minimally disturbed the soil surface improved soil properties.
Key Words: Bulk density, production agriculture, silt loam, sustainability, tillage systems,
Fall Scholars Week 2024 Event
Soil/Crop Management (Agriculture) and Sustainability: Research Poster Competition & Presentations
Soil Quality in Various Farming Practices
Production agriculture deteriorates the soil, making sustainability difficult. This study compared three different forms of production agriculture: a no-till system, a conventional tillage system, and a grazing pasture and compared them to a field in fallow. This study was conducted in fields across Ballard and Carlisle County in Kentucky. A total of six replications were taken at each field, with three taken at 0-7.5 cm and three at 7.5-15 cm. The replications consisted of disturbed and undisturbed samples. The undisturbed samples measured bulk density, total porosity, soil water content, and macroporosity. The disturbed soil samples were used to measure pH, soil organic matter, and organic carbon. Using the field in fallow as the basis for comparison, the pasture regularly showed similar, if not improved soil quality metrics. No-till regularly scored better than conventional in most soil properties, with the exception of soil pH where the no-till field’s average pH was 5.4 at the first depth. The conventional tillage system had a pH of 6.1 at the first depth. Bulk density at the first depth showed that no-till and fallow were similar values, at 1.43 and 1.49 g/cm^3, respectively. In conclusion, production agriculture systems that minimally disturbed the soil surface improved soil properties.
Key Words: Bulk density, production agriculture, silt loam, sustainability, tillage systems,