Investigating the change of soil resistence and moisture content in the case of pre-crops and soil tillage systems

Abstract

The experiments were set up in large parcels at the Fleischmann Rudolf Research Institute of Eszterházy Károly University located in Kompolt. We carried out measurements by using a Penetronik penetrometer (electrical soil cone penetrometer) at the experimental site, where brown grassland soil as well as clay washed brown forest soil are the typical soil types. The device used primarily serves to investigate the physical and water management properties of soils suitable for agricultural cultivation. The instrument is a hand-operated tool for registering soil mechanical resistance in Newtons (0-1000 N) and also the moisture content of the topsoil (%) at the same time. The recording of the location of the measurement is made by the built-in GPS, and the results of the measurements are saved to the SD card of the device. The device’s data acquisition unit allows direct reading of measurement results, serial measurements and computer processing of results (0-70 cm). Taking our objectives into consideration, we defined the location of measuring points with various numbers according to the properties of the examined fields. Besides designating measuring points at a distance of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 m from the edge of the fields, we designated two more in the middle of each field in all cases. The examined crop species included sand oats (Avena strigosa), baltacim (Onobrychis viciifolia) as well as common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) with oats as a companion crop. Summing up the measurement results, we have made the following statements: Low soil resistance (127-131 N) was experienced after soil loosening and oat-vetch with higher, well-preserved soil moisture content observed at each level, where the 50% moisture content of the soil started at the layer of 27 cm depth. Moderate soil resistance values (150-168 N) were manifested in the case of soil tillage with loosening and ploughing after sand oats. In this case, the 50 % soil moisture content was observed at the layer of 38 cm depth. Higher soil resistance values were found (171-196 N) in the case of 2 and 3-year-old crops of baltacim, respectively, where the 50 % soil moisture content was recorded from the layer of 58 cm depth. Based on the results, we consider it important to develop and improve soil tillage systems