Effects of Different Soil Tillage Systems on Soil Water in the Black Farmland

Tillage systems are considered as the most important measures of water-adjustment.In a long-term experiment in Northeastern China, the bulk density and soil water of the black farmland under different tillage systems were determined.The results showed that the bulk density in the ridge was the lowest with moldboard plough and rotary tillage,resulting in lower water capacity than the other treatments.In the treatment of no-tillage,the soil had the highest bulk density and lower saturated water content,which tended to lead to water accumulation on soil surface and hinder mechanical operation.No-tillage increased soil water content in ridge and furrow by 2-4% and was thus beneficial to alleviating spring drought.Reduced tillage had a lower bulk density and higher water capacity in summer,and increased water content in furrow by 4%,which could hold much rainfall during the rainy season.Hence,reduced tillage should be an effective soil water management in northeast of China.