EVALUATION OF PHYSICAL QUALITY IN NO-TILL AND CONVENTIONAL TILL OF A CHINESE MOLLISOL

Soil quality assessment is a process of applying existing knowledge to achieve land management aims. To improve the understanding of the effects of no tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (mouldboard plough, MP) on soil physical quality, soil was sampled from a 11-year tillage experiment in Northeast China. Effects of NT and MP on soil physical quality were compared using plant-available water capacity (PAWC), structural stability index (SI), packing density (PD), and S parameter. As an indicator of soil physical quality, S parameter has been linked to many soil physical properties. In contrast to MP, NT had a significantly greater PAWC, SI, PD and S parameter (p < 0.05). PAWC, SI, PD and S parameter in NT soil were all within their "good" ranges. These results indicated that NT can provide an opportunity to increase plant-available water content and improve soil structure. It was concluded from the analysis of soil physical quality indicators (PAWC, SI, PD and S parameter) and crop yields that implementation of NT resulted in a better soil physical quality than MP in Northeast China.