The Mechanical Impact of Water Affected the Soil Physical Quality of a Loam Soil under Minimum Tillage and No-Tillage: An Assessment Using Beerkan Multi-Height Runs and BEST-Procedure

The multi-height (low, L = 3 cm; intermediate, M 100 high, H 200 cm) Beerkan run methodology was applied on both a minimum tilled (MT) (i.e., up to depth of 30 and no-tilled (NT) bare loam soil, the soil water retention curve estimated by BEST-steady algorithm. Three indicators physical quality (SPQ), i.e., macroporosity (Pmac), air capacity (AC) relative field (RFC) were calculated assess impact pouring height under alternative management practices. Results showed that, compared reference low run, runs affected curves derived SPQ indicators. Generally, M–H significantly reduced mean values Pmac AC increased RFC for MT NT According guidelines assessment SPQ, runs: (i) worsened classification soils; (ii) did not worsen classification, regardless parameters; (iii) only as consequence insufficient aeration. For techniques, strong negative correlation found between gravitational potential energy, Ep, used infiltration runs. A positive detected Ep. relationships plausible from physics point view. has proven be more resilient than MT. This study contributes toward testing simple robust methods capable quantifying degradation effects, due intense rainfall events, different practices in Mediterranean environment.