Tillage management impacts on soil compaction, erosion and crop yield in Stagnosols (Croatia)

- No-tillage (NT), conventional tillage (CT) and deep tillage (DT) were investigated.
- Topsoil compaction had the followed order NT > CT > DT. Subsoil compaction increased in CT.
- Soil erosion rates were lower in NT and DT than in CT.
- Crop yields were higher in NT than CT in dry years.

The sustainability of agroecosystems is closely related to successful soil conservation. Sustainable land use practices are crucial to reduce the impacts of agriculture on land degradation and maintain long-term soil productivity. In this context, is important to avoid practices that deteriorate the soil (e.g. soil erosion), and find the most suitable to maintain soil and crops productivity. The objective of this work is to compare the impact of different tillage systems on soil compaction, erosion and crop production on clay loam Stagnosols in Croatia. Three tillage treatments were studied: conventional tillage (CT), no-tillage (NT) and deep tillage (DT). Soil water content, bulk density and penetration resistance were determined in the 0-10, 10-20, 20-30 and 30-40 cm soil depths. Soil erosion was measured during rainfall events. The results showed that tillage treatments influenced the soil physical parameters, soil loss and crop yields. During first four years of study NT increased (p < 0.05) bulk density in the 0-10 cm depth by an average of 8% and 7% in relation to CT and DT. Conventional tillage treatment increased (p < 0.05) bulk density in the 30-40 cm depth by an average of 6% and 5% in relation to NT and DT. No-tillage treatment had a significantly higher penetration resistance (PR) comparing to CT and DT in 2012 and 2014. During the flowering time of 2013, PR was significantly higher in NT at 20-30 cm depth than in the other treatments. This was observed also in 2014 at 20-30 and 30-40 cm depth. Average annual soil loss under NT (0.53 t ha− 1 year− 1) and DT (3.11 t ha− 1 year− 1) were significantly lower than that under CT (13.11 t ha− 1 year− 1). No-tillage had lower crop grain yields compared to CT and DT, but higher yields in dry years, as consequence of the high capacity for water retention. We recommended DT treatment for investigation at the field scale to assess its suitability for wider application on clay loam soils on sloped areas.