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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pendleton, Oregon » Columbia Plateau Conservation Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #270656
Title: Tillage influence on soil organic carbon and silica relations

Author
item Gollany, Hero
item ALBRECHT, STEVEN - Former ARS Employee

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2010
Publication Date: 10/15/2010
Citation: Gollany, H.T., Albrecht, S. 2010. Tillage influence on soil organic carbon and silica relations. 2010 International ASA Annual Meeting, Oct 31-Nov 5, Long Beach CA, Symposium-Remembering Ray Allmaras: Residue and Tillage Research: II:#176-5.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Walla Walla silt loam (coarse-silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Typic Haploxeroll) is one of many Mollisols in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) that contains a high concentration of potentially mobile silica (Si). Siliceous pans induced by cropping practices have been observed in the Palouse and Columbia plateau regions of the PNW. Limited research has examined influence of tillage and organic C inputs on SOC and Si interaction. Two long-term experiments (LTE), one established in 1931 with several residue management practices (NB, no burn; SB, spring burn; and FB, fall burn), three N rates (0, 45, and 90 kg N/ha), and organic amendments (NBM, 11.2 t /ha/yr manure; and NBPV, 1.12 t ha/yr pea vines), and a second LTE (established in 1940) with two tillages (moldboard plow and sweep) and two N rates (45 and 180 kg N/ha) were used to examine effect of tillage, residue management, organic amendment and N fertilizer on SOC storage, and subsequent influence of SOC distribution and interaction with water soluble Si (Siws). The SOC storage in the 0- to 50-cm depth, for the sweep tillage (6.6 kg C/m^2) was 14% greater (5.8 kg C /m^2) than in the moldboard plow, and for the NBM (5.78 kg C/m^2) was 25% greater than the FB0 (4.62 kg C/m^2). Applied manure or pea vines increased Siws by 10% while N fertilizer decreased Siws by 17%. Silica solubilization and movement, in response to reduced pH from N fertilization, was greater in the absence of organic amendments or reduced crop residue returns. Increased SOC storage derived from amendments or N fertilization with retention of crop residues is important for preventing siliceous pan formation and associated impaired infiltration and internal drainage. Interaction of tillage and N with Siws suggests that SOC provides a mechanism to suppress Si solubility, which impacts siliceous pan formation, reduces soil mechanical resistance, and enhances drainage and plant growth.[GRACEnet Publication]