3D analysis of the soil porous architecture under long term contrasting management systems by X-ray computed tomography

Abstract The development of adequate soil structure is important for achieving good physical status, which influences the sustainability of agricultural areas. Different management systems lead to the development of a wide range of soil pore network characteristics. The objective of this research was to analyze the effect of three contrasting tillage systems (zero-tillage, ZT; reduced tillage, RT; conventional tillage, CT) in the soil porous system of an Oxisol. Samples were collected from the surface layer (0–10 cm). An area under secondary forest (F) was also assessed to provide an undisturbed reference. X-ray Computed Tomography (μCT) scanning of undisturbed soil samples and image analysis were employed for analysis of the pore network. The soil under ZT had the smallest porosity in comparison to the other management systems. The conventionally tilled soil had the largest porosity and the most connected pores. One large connected pore was responsible for around 90% of the porosity of the resolvable pores (>35 μm) studied for all the management systems. Pores of elongated shapes, which enhance water movement through the soil, were the most frequent pores in terms of shape.