After-effects of long-term tillage and residue management on topsoil state in Boreal conditions

Straw on loam acted as a material for soil loosening by increasing the total volume of fissures, transition and storage pores. Meanwhile, on sandy loam, the straw acted as a pore clogging material by decreasing the total volume of the same pores. Consequently, on loam, in spite of a high capability of NT with residue return to storage plant available water (PAW), the topsoil moisture during dry weather conditions at the main growing stages of winter wheat was lower than under other soil management practices. On sandy loam, NT with residue returning governed the highest PAW content and maintained the highest topsoil moisture. Nevertheless, the highest potential to reduce CO2 efflux on both loam and sandy loam has been demonstrated by CT with residue return.