Impact of diverse tillage on soil moisture dynamics

A b s t r a c t. The influences of traditional and reduced tillage on the water content dynamics of two soils were investigated in a long-term field experiment under nearly the same meteorological conditions for a winter wheat monoculture during three years. In addition to the moisture changes, the basic physicochemical properties, water retention, differential porosity and hydraulic conductivity of the investigated soils were measured. The results have shown the dependence between moisture and the tillage system applied for both types of soil. The soil water content was higher under reduced tillage in comparison to traditional management. K e y w o r d s: soil, tillage, pores, water properties, moisture dynamics