This research focused on rill formation, rill density, and associated flow velocity distribution in rills at the field level and with different tillage treatments in the inland Pacific Northwest. The study was conducted by applying flow at three different rates under winter conditions, which provides the greatest potential for rill formation. The following tillage treatments were tested: chisel...

Soil quality indicators and nematode abundance were characterized in a loessial soil under long-term conservation tillage to evaluate the effects of no-till, double-disk, chisel, and moldboard plow treatments. Indicators included soil electrical conductivity (EC), soil texture, soil organic matter (SOM), and total particulate organic matter (tPOM). Nematode abundance was positively correlated w...

Organic agricultural systems are often assumed to be more sustainable than conventional farming, yet there has been little work comparing surface water quality from organic and conventional production, especially under the same cropping sequence. Our objective was to compare nutrient and sediment losses, as well as sweet corn ( L. var. ) yield, from organic and conventional production with conv...

Soil quality is influenced by inherent and anthropogenic factors. This study was conducted to provide multiple groups guidance on how to achieve and maintain improved soil quality/health. Our hypothesis was that tillage intensity was the primary anthropogenic factor degrading soil quality, and our objective was to prove that hypothesis through an intensive 2005 sampling of a central Iowa, USA f...

• Tillage intensity increased soil organic C losses and risks of wind water erosion. Occluded POM was more management-sensitive in smaller than larger sized aggregates. Maximizing plant inputs via cropping system type partially mitigated negative tillage effects. Soil disturbance from N management limited mitigating effects system. increases the susceptibility agricultural soils to erosion carb...