The effect of different soil tillage methods on the agrophysical properties of leached compact chernozem and crop yields

Introduction. The choice of tillage method significantly influences the agrophysical properties of soil. The goal of the research was to study the impact of moldboard and non-moldboard tillage methods on agrophysical parameters (productive moisture reserves, bulk density, aggregate composition), as well as crop yields. The methods. The research was carried out in the fields of the Adygh Research Institute in 2015-2018. The soils of the Institute are represented by compact chernozem, in a crop rotation with alternating row crops, winter grains and legumes. The experimental design included four options: 1. Plowing (PN-4-35) (control). 2. Chisel cultivation (PC-2.5). 3. Shallow cultivation (KPE-3.8). 4. Surface cultivation (BDM-4). The results. The research established that the largest reserves of productive moisture in the meter-deep soil layer were noted in the options with constant surface cultivation of 85.5-138.5 mm; with annual cultivation with an anti-erosion cultivator 85.1-138.1 mm. The soil bulk density did not exceed the optimal values in the 0-40 cm soil layer (1.03-1.23 g/cm 3) . The use of chisel tillage ensured a looser soil structure (bulk density of 1.1 g/cm 3 ) in contrast to moldboard and surface tillage, where the soil was denser - 1.20 g/cm 3 . The highest amount of agronomically valuable aggregates of 2.5-10 mm in the seed layer of the soil was noted in the variant with constant chisel tillage for corn crops for silage (66.0 %). The most blocky soil structure was noted in the variant with constant tillage KPE-3.8-45.1 % for winter wheat. Annual plowing had the most favorable effect on the yield of cultivated crops. With non-inversion tillage, yields decreased: chisel tillage by 2.4 %, KPE-3.8 by 6.2 %, and disc harrow by 8.5 %. Conclusion. Long-term research has shown that non-inversion tillage does affect the agrophysical properties of the soil.