The combination of subsoil and the incorporation of corn stover affect physicochemical properties of soil and corn yield in semi-arid China

ABSTRACT

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of combining subsoil and incorporation of corn stover on soil profile, soil physicochemical properties, and corn yield. A five-year field trial was conducted that consisted of two treatments arranged in a completely random design and replicated three times. Two soil management operations were tested: subsoil + corn stover incorporation (plow construction [PC] treatment) and conventional rotary tillage (control check [CK] treatment). Compared with rotary tillage, it was found that combining subsoil and corn stover incorporation significantly affected corn grain yield in all seasons. Further, combining subsoil and corn stover incorporation significantly increased the thickness of the plow layer, quantity of plow layer soil, thickness of the plow pan and soil bulk density, as well as soil organic matter, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium. Evidence indicates that reconstructing the soil plow layer through combination of subsoil and corn stover incorporation improved soil structure, nutrient content, and corn yield. It is of interest that farmers are now applying subsoil and returning crop straw instead of solely relying on rotary tillage.

KEYWORDS:

• Subsoil
• corn stover
• soil
• corn yield

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest [grant number 201103001], [grant number 201303130]; Agricultural Key Research Projects in Liaoning Province [project number 2014213004], Key Projects in the National Science & Technology Pillar Program during the 12th Five-year Plan Period [project number 2012BAD09B00]; Natural Foundation of Liaoning Province [2014027025];, Non-Profit Institute Fund [grant number BSRF201403].