Soil quality indices as affected by long?term burning, irrigation, tillage, and fertility management

Understanding the impacts of long-term agricultural practices on soil quality (SQ) is key for sustaining agroecosystem productivity. This study investigated conventional and no-tillage (NT), residue burning no burning, level (high low), irrigation (irrigated dryland) effects properties, SQ, crop yields following 16 yr a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] double-crop system via Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF). A field experiment was conducted in Lower Mississippi River Delta region silt-loam soil. Bulk density, organic C (SOC), total N (TN), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), P K from 0- to 10-cm depth were used as SQ indicators individually an overall index (SQI). Following yr, reduced SOC (1.1%) compared with (1.24%). Irrigation resulted greater TN than dryland management systems (p < 0.05). Reduced pH extractable occurred under NT, high residue, irrigated treatments. increased soybean yields, regardless tillage system. Burned, NT–high (3.45 Mg ha?1). because low EC scores. High treatment within NT systems, owing The SMAF indices identified irrigation, optimal fertilization SQ. Monitoring P, may be needed maintain wheat–soybean systems.