Influence of Different Tillage Methods on Soil Physical and Chemical Properties and Maize Yield

The effects of tillage treatments including deep ploughing,subsoiling tillage,no-tillage and conventional tillage to soil moisture content,bulk density and nitrogen,phosphorus,potassium,organic matter content and yield of maize were evaluated in this field experiments during 2010-2011.The results showed that the rank of soil moisture during jointing stage,grain-filling stage and mature period,from high to low were: deep ploughing,subsoiling tillage,conventional tillage,and no-tillage.The soil bulk density of deep ploughing and subsoiling tillage in 0～30 cm decreased by 10.27% and 2.10% as compared with conventional tillage.The soil bulk density of no-tillage in 0～30 cm increased by 4.1% as compared with conventional tillage.The soil available K,soil available P and the organic matter content of deep ploughing and subsoiling tillage increased compared with conventional tillage.The maize yields of deep ploughing and subsoiling tillage increased by 20.38% and 3.74% as compared with conventional tillage.The maize yield with no-tillage decreased by 15.11% as compared with conventional tillage.So,the reasonable tillage methods could improve soil structure,raise the soil water content,organic matter content and crop yields.