Corn productivity and soil characteristic alterations following transition from conventional to conservation tillage

Compared to conventional tillage (CT) system (e.g. moldboard plowing (Moldboard-CT) and chisel (Chisel-CT)) adoption rate of conservation systems no-till (NT) strip-till (ST)) in surface- irrigated farms is considerably low. A three-year field study was conducted evaluate corn (Zea mays L) productivity four ranging intensity soil disturbance (i.e. Moldboard-CT, Chisel-CT, ST, NT) a furrow-irrigated field. Averaged over three years, grain yield higher Moldboard-CT (2.9 Mg ha−1) NT (12.1 than yields Chisel-CT (10.9 ST (10.3 ha−1). Tillage did not affect pH, EC, total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved (DOC) 0–15 depths under compared with Moldboard-CT. No significant differences were found between terms saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) bulk density, yet available water capacity (AWC) the wet aggregate stability positively affected by adopting reduced tillage. Economic analysis showed that Return on Investment (ROI) greater (0.93) CT (0.88), although net return from $44 ha−1 NT. The small difference NT, along positive trend observed properties as result shifting indicates potential improve production sustainability surface-irrigated agroecosystems mid- long-term.