Sustaining Soil Biological Activity: The Role of Extended Reduced and No-Tillage Techniques

Soil management techniques can have varying effects on various soil properties. This study investigated the impact of various tillage techniques on soil properties for 14 years. The experiment was conducted at the Çukurova University Research Station, located in a region with a dominant Mediterranean climate. The research aimed to assess the changes in soil organic matter (SOM) content, soil respiration (SR), dehydrogenase enzyme activity (DHA), and soil temperature (ST) under seven different long-term tillage practices. The results revealed significant increases (p ≤ 0.05) in SOM (17-115%), SR (19-37%), and DHA (63-142%), under conservation tillage compared to conventional tillage practices. Additionally, conventional tillage with stubble burned consistently had the lowest values across all measured properties. Seasons variations also significantly (p≤0.05) affected the observed values. These findings suggest that conventional tillage practices have a negative effect on the analyzed biological activities, with stubble burning further exacerbating this impact. Further research exploring the long-term effects of different tillage practices under varying crop rotations and soil conditions can contribute to the sustainable development of agricultural production in the region.