Spatio-temporal variation of surface soil hydraulic properties under different tillage and maize-based crop sequences in a Mediterranean area

Abstract Aims The surface crust formed by the drop impact of rainfall and/or irrigation is a prevalent characteristic in many Mediterranean soils. However, temporal variation soil hydraulic properties induced during high-frequency has rarely been investigated. Methods Beerkan infiltration tests conjunction with BEST method were used to investigate effects crusting on spatio-temporal saturated conductivity ( K s , mm ?1 ), sorptivity S ?0.5 mean pore size r mm), number effective pores per unit area N m ?2 ) Agramunt, NE Spain. Results In response autumn tillage, intensive tillage (IT) increased and due higher but both declined after 60 days. Reduced (RT), maintained comparable values, despite having lower value. After spring IT RT developed crusted layers, resulting decreased . Long-term no-tillage (NT) showed an increasing trend over time, except for last sampling. Spatial (i.e., between rows, B-row vs. within row crops, W-row) was found, non-crusted soils (W-row) had consistently than (B-row). Conclusions Conservation i.e., NT improve structure reduce risk development. Surface cover crops may help prevent formation improving conductivity.