2021 Orthman Research Yield Book

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weight diameter of dry aggregates, wet aggregate stability and permanganate oxidizable carbon did not show any significant tillage effect in this short- term experiment. Penetration resistance measured before planting was significantly higher in the no- tillage compared to strip tillage and plow tillage at 0–30 cm in the first year. Mid-season and post- harvest penetration measurements were mostly not significant with tillage treatments during the first trial year. During the second year, penetration resistance measurements were not significant with tillage at all measurement periods. Generally, no till treatment gave the most favorable biological indicator measurements and also had the highest fungal biomass and diversity index, indicating the sensitivity of biological measurements to short-term soil quality changes. From the results of this study, it is possible for farmers in the irrigated arid Southwest to transition to conservation tillage systems thus conserving and

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