Free Standard AU & NZ Shipping For All Book Orders Over $80!
Register      Login
Soil Research Soil Research Society
Soil, land care and environmental research
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Effects of conservation and standard tillage on soil physico-chemical properties and overall quality in a semi-arid agrosystem

Roua Amami https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1071-4926 A * , Khaled Ibrahimi A , Farooq Sher https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2890-5912 B , Paul J. Milham C D , Dhouha Khriji A , Hibat Allah Annabi A , Khaoula Abrougui A and Sayed Chehaibi A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Higher Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Sousse University, 4042 Chott Meriem, Tunisia.

B Department of Engineering, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK.

C Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.

D School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.

* Correspondence to: roua.amami1991@gmail.com

Handling Editor: Ram Dalal

Soil Research 60(6) 485-496 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR21011
Submitted: 16 January 2021  Accepted: 12 August 2021   Published: 11 November 2021

© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

Context: Shifting agricultural operations to more sustainable management practices is needed in the face of a changing climate.

Aims: In this study, the short-term effects of three tillage systems (no tillage, minimum tillage and conventional tillage) on a wide selection of soil properties in a semi-arid agrosystem of eastern Tunisia were assessed.

Methods: The studied soil properties included saturation percentage, bulk density, penetration resistance, mean weight diameter, electric conductivity, soil reaction, soil organic matter, carbonates, available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium. The impacts of tillage systems on soil quality indices (SQI) developed based on the total set of properties (SQI-T), or a minimum set (SQI-M) selected through principal component analysis, were also investigated.

Key results: Relative to conventional tillage, no tillage increased bulk density, penetration resistance and electrical conductivity, whereas minimum tillage affected only saturation percentage and pH. No tillage and minimum tillage did not enhance soil quality relative to conventional tillage. The SQI-T and SQI-M were highly correlated (r = 0.93) to each other suggesting that the outcomes of the two indices are comparable. Principal component analysis efficiently selected the most influential indicators of the effects of tillage systems on soil quality.

Conclusions and implications: Farmers in the study region are encouraged to consider minimum tillage during the early years of transition from standard to no tillage systems to avoid rapid decline in soil quality and consequent yield loss.

Keywords: aggregate stability, conventional tillage, indexing approaches, minimum tillage, no tillage, soil quality index, Tunisia.


References

Amami R, Ibrahimi K, Sher F, Milham P, Ghazouani H, Chehaibi S, Hussain Z, Iqbal HMN (2021) Impacts of different tillage practices on soil water infiltration for sustainable agriculture. Sustainability 13, 3155
Impacts of different tillage practices on soil water infiltration for sustainable agriculture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Andrews SS, Karlen DL, Mitchell JP (2002a) A comparison of soil quality indexing methods for vegetable production systems in Northern California. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 90, 25–45.
A comparison of soil quality indexing methods for vegetable production systems in Northern California.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Andrews SS, Mitchell JP, Mancinelli R, Karlen DL, Hartz TK, Horwath WR, Pettygrove GS, Scow KM, Munk DS (2002b) On-farm assessment of soil quality in California’s central valley. Agronomy Journal 94, 12–23.
On-farm assessment of soil quality in California’s central valley.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Armenise E, Redmile-Gordon MA, Stellacci AM, Ciccarese A, Rubino P (2013) Developing a soil quality index to compare soil fitness for agricultural use under different managements in the Mediterranean environment. Soil and Tillage Research 130, 91–98.
Developing a soil quality index to compare soil fitness for agricultural use under different managements in the Mediterranean environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Asenso E, Li J, Hu L, Issaka F, Tian K, Zhang L, Zhang L, Chen H (2018) Tillage effects on soil biochemical properties and maize grown in latosolic red soil of Southern China. Applied and Environmental Soil Science 2018, 1–10.
Tillage effects on soil biochemical properties and maize grown in latosolic red soil of Southern China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Aziz I, Mahmood T, Islam KR (2013) Effect of long term no-till and conventional tillage practices on soil quality. Soil and Tillage Research 131, 28–35.
Effect of long term no-till and conventional tillage practices on soil quality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bhaduri D, Purakayastha TJ (2014) Long-term tillage, water and nutrient management in rice–wheat cropping system: assessment and response of soil quality. Soil and Tillage Research 144, 83–95.
Long-term tillage, water and nutrient management in rice–wheat cropping system: assessment and response of soil quality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Blake GR, Hartge KH (1986) Bulk density. In ‘Methods of soil analysis. Part 1. Physical and minerological methods’. Agronomy monograph 9. 2nd edn. (Ed. A Klute) pp. 364–367. (ASA and SSSA: Madison, WI, USA)

Borelli P, Robinson DA, Panagos P, Lugato E, Yang JE, Alewell C, Wuepper D, Montanarella L, Ballabio C (2020) Land use and climate change impacts on global soil erosion by water (2015–2070). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 117, 21994–22001.
Land use and climate change impacts on global soil erosion by water (2015–2070).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bünemann EK, Bongiorno G, Bai Z, Creamer RE, De Deyn G, de Goede R, Fleskens L, Geissen V, Kuyper TW, Mäder P, Pulleman M, Sukkel W, van Groenigen JW, Brussaar L (2018) Soil quality – a critical review. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 120, 105–125.
Soil quality – a critical review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Busari MA, Kukal SS, Kaur A, Bhatt R, Dulazi AA (2015) Conservation tillage impacts on soil, crop and the environment. International Soil and Water Conservation Research 3, 119–129.
Conservation tillage impacts on soil, crop and the environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Chen Y, Cavers C, Tessier S, Monero F, Lobb D (2005) Short-term tillage effects on soil cone index and plant development in a poorly drained, heavy clay soil. Soil and Tillage Research 82, 161–171.
Short-term tillage effects on soil cone index and plant development in a poorly drained, heavy clay soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Chen Y-D, Wang H-Y, Zhou J-M, Xing L, Zhu B-S, Zhao Y-C, Chen X-Q (2013) Minimum data set for assessing soil quality in Farmland of Northeast China. Pedosphere 23, 564–576.
Minimum data set for assessing soil quality in Farmland of Northeast China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Corstanje R, Mercer TG, Rickson J R, Deeks L K, Newell-Price P, Holman I, Kechavarsi C, Waine TW (2017) Physical soil quality indicators for monitoring British soils. Solid Earth 8, 1003–1016.
Physical soil quality indicators for monitoring British soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

De Laurentiis V, Secchi M, Bos U, Horn R, Laurent A, Sala S (2019) Soil quality index: exploring options for a comprehensive assessment of land use impacts in LCA. Journal of Cleaner Production 215, 63–74.
Soil quality index: exploring options for a comprehensive assessment of land use impacts in LCA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 31007413PubMed |

de Paul Obade V, Lal R (2016a) A standardized soil quality index for diverse field conditions. Science of the Total Environment 541, 424–434.
A standardized soil quality index for diverse field conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

de Paul Obade V, Lal R (2016b) Towards a standard technique for soil quality assessment. Geoderma 265, 96–102.
Towards a standard technique for soil quality assessment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

de Soto IS, Virto I, Barré P, Fernández-Ugalde O, Antón R, Martínez I, Chaduteau C, Enrique A, Bescansa P (2017) A model for field-based evidences of the impact of irrigation on carbonates in the tilled layer of semi-arid Mediterranean soils. Geoderma 297, 48–60.
A model for field-based evidences of the impact of irrigation on carbonates in the tilled layer of semi-arid Mediterranean soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Delelegn YT, Purahong W, Blazevic A, Yitaferu B, Wubet T, Göransson H, Godbold DL (2017) Changes in land use alter soil quality and aggregate stability in the highlands of northern Ethiopia. Scientific Reports 7, 1–12.
Changes in land use alter soil quality and aggregate stability in the highlands of northern Ethiopia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Duval ME, Galantini JA, Martínez JM, López FM, Wall LG (2016) Sensitivity of different soil quality indicators to assess sustainable land management: influence of site features and seasonality. Soil and Tillage Research 159, 9–22.
Sensitivity of different soil quality indicators to assess sustainable land management: influence of site features and seasonality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

FAO (2019) ‘Soil erosion: the greatest challenge to sustainable soil management’. (FAO: Rome, Italy)

Ghaemi M, Astaraei AR, Emami H, Nassiri-Mahallati M (2014) Determining soil indicators for soil sustainability assessment using principal component analysis of Astan Quds- east of Mashhad-Iran. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 14, 987–1004.
Determining soil indicators for soil sustainability assessment using principal component analysis of Astan Quds- east of Mashhad-Iran.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Gomiero T (2018) Large-scale biofuels production: a possible threat to soil conservation and environmental services. Applied Soil Ecology 123, 729–736.
Large-scale biofuels production: a possible threat to soil conservation and environmental services.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hammac WA, Stott DE, Karlen DL, Cambardella CA (2016) Crop, tillage, and landscape effects on near-surface soil quality indices in Indiana. Soil Science Society of America Journal 80, 1638–1652.
Crop, tillage, and landscape effects on near-surface soil quality indices in Indiana.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hussain I, Olson KR, Wander MM, Karlen DL (1999) Adaptation of soil quality indices and application to three tillage systems in southern Illinois. Soil and Tillage Research 50, 237–249.
Adaptation of soil quality indices and application to three tillage systems in southern Illinois.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ibrahimi K, Mowrer J, Amami R, Belaid A (2019) Burn effects on soil aggregate stability and water repellency of two soil types from East and North Tunisia. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 50, 827–837.
Burn effects on soil aggregate stability and water repellency of two soil types from East and North Tunisia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

IUSS Working Group WRB (2015) World Reference Base for Soil Resources 2014, update 2015 international soil classification system for naming soils and creating legends for soil maps. World Soil Resources Reports No. 106. IUSS Working Group WRB, Rome, Italy.

Jones JB (1999) ‘Soil analysis handbook of reference methods’. 1st edn. 264 pp. (CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, USA)

Kargas G, Chatzigiakoumis I, Kollias A, Spiliotis D, Massas I, Kerkides P (2018) Soil salinity assessment using saturated paste and mass soil: water 1:1 and 1:5 ratios extracts. Water 10, 1589
Soil salinity assessment using saturated paste and mass soil: water 1:1 and 1:5 ratios extracts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Khorami SS, Kazemeini SA, Afzalinia S, Gathala MK (2018) Changes in soil properties and productivity under different tillage practices and wheat genotypes: a short-term study in Iran. Sustainability 10, 3273
Changes in soil properties and productivity under different tillage practices and wheat genotypes: a short-term study in Iran.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kong AYY, Fonte SJ, van Kessel C, Six J (2009) Transitioning from standard to minimum tillage: trade-offs between soil organic matter stabilization, nitrous oxide emissions, and N availability in irrigated cropping systems. Soil and Tillage Research 104, 256–262.
Transitioning from standard to minimum tillage: trade-offs between soil organic matter stabilization, nitrous oxide emissions, and N availability in irrigated cropping systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lal R (1993) Tillage effects on soil degradation, soil resilience, soil quality, and sustainability. Soil and Tillage Research 27, 1–8.
Tillage effects on soil degradation, soil resilience, soil quality, and sustainability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Laudicina VA, Palazzolo E, Catania P, Vallone M, García AD, Badalucco L (2017) Soil quality indicators as affected by shallow tillage in a vineyard grown in a semiarid Mediterranean environment. Land Degradation & Development 28, 1038–1046.
Soil quality indicators as affected by shallow tillage in a vineyard grown in a semiarid Mediterranean environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Le Bissonnais Y (1996) Aggregate stability and assessment of soil crustability and erodibility: I. Theory and methodology. European Journal of Soil Science 47, 425–437.
Aggregate stability and assessment of soil crustability and erodibility: I. Theory and methodology.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Li Y, Li Z, Chang S X, Cui S, Jagadamma S, Zhang Q, Cai Y (2020) Residue retention promotes soil carbon accumulation in minimum tillage systems: implications for conservation agriculture. Science of the Total Environment 740, 140147
Residue retention promotes soil carbon accumulation in minimum tillage systems: implications for conservation agriculture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Li Y, Li Z, Cui S, Jagadamma S, Zhang Q (2019) Residue retention and minimum tillage improve physical environment of the soil in croplands: a global meta-analysis. Soil and Tillage Research 194, 104292
Residue retention and minimum tillage improve physical environment of the soil in croplands: a global meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

López-Garrido R, Madejón E, León-Camacho M, Girón A, Moreno F, Murillo JM (2014) Reduced tillage as an alternative to no-tillage under Mediterranean conditions: a case study. Soil and Tillage Research 140, 40–47.
Reduced tillage as an alternative to no-tillage under Mediterranean conditions: a case study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Martínez E, Fuentes JP, Pino V, Silva P, Acevedo E (2013) Chemical and biological properties as affected by no-tillage and conventional tillage systems in an irrigated Haploxeroll of Central Chile. Soil and Tillage Research 126, 238–245.

Martínez JM, Galantini JA, Duval ME, López FM (2020) Soil quality assessment based on soil organic matter pools under long-term tillage systems and following tillage conversion in a semi-humid region. Soil Use and Management 36, 400–409.
Soil quality assessment based on soil organic matter pools under long-term tillage systems and following tillage conversion in a semi-humid region.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Masto RE, Chhonkar PK, Singh D, Patra AK (2008) Alternative soil quality indices for evaluating the effect of intensive cropping, fertilisation and manuring for 31 years in the semi-arid soils of India. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 136, 419–435.
Alternative soil quality indices for evaluating the effect of intensive cropping, fertilisation and manuring for 31 years in the semi-arid soils of India.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17457684PubMed |

Mausbach MJ, Seybold CA (1998) Assessment of soil quality. In ‘Soil quality and agricultural sustainability’. (Ed R Lal) pp. 33–43. (Ann Arbor Press: Chelsea, MI, USA)

Mbagwu JSC, Okafor DO (1995) Using saturation water percentage data to predict mechanical composition of soils. IC/95/51 Internal Report. pp. 1–16. (International Atomic Energy Agency)

Mei N, Yang B, Tian P, Jiang Y, Sui P, Sun D, Zhang Z, Qi H (2019) Using a modified soil quality index to evaluate densely tilled soils with different yields in Northeast China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 26, 13867–13877.
Using a modified soil quality index to evaluate densely tilled soils with different yields in Northeast China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30612370PubMed |

Moebius-Clune BN, Moebius-Clune DJ, Gugino BK, Idowu OJ, Schindelbeck RR, Ristow AJ, Van Es HM, Thies JE, Shayler HA, McBride MB, Kurtz KSM, Wolfe DW, Abawi GS (2016) ‘Comprehensive assessment of soil health – The Cornell framework.’ 3.2 edn. (Cornell University: Geneva, NY, USA)

Mosaddeghi MR, Mahboubi AA, Safadoust A (2009) Short-term effects of tillage and manure on some soil physical properties and maize root growth in a sandy loam soil in western Iran. Soil and Tillage Research 104, 173–179.
Short-term effects of tillage and manure on some soil physical properties and maize root growth in a sandy loam soil in western Iran.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Mrabet R, Saber N, El-Brahli A, Lahlou S, Bessam F (2001) Total, particulate organic matter and structural stability of a Calcixeroll soil under different wheat rotations and tillage systems in a semiarid area of Morocco. Soil and Tillage Research 57, 225–235.
Total, particulate organic matter and structural stability of a Calcixeroll soil under different wheat rotations and tillage systems in a semiarid area of Morocco.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Mukherjee A, Lal R (2014) Comparison of soil quality index using three methods. PLoS ONE 9,
Comparison of soil quality index using three methods.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25401757PubMed |

Murillo JM, Moreno F, Girón IF, Oblitas MI (2004) Conservation tillage: long term effect on soil and crops under rainfed conditions in south-west Spain (Western Andalusia). Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research 2, 35–43.
Conservation tillage: long term effect on soil and crops under rainfed conditions in south-west Spain (Western Andalusia).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Nehrani HS, Askari MS, Saadat S, Delavar MA, Taheri M, Holden NM (2020) Quantification of soil quality under semi-arid agriculture in the northwest of Iran. Ecological Indicators 108, 105770
Quantification of soil quality under semi-arid agriculture in the northwest of Iran.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Neugschwandtner RW, Liebhard P, Kaul H-P, Wagentristl H (2014) Soil chemical properties as affected by tillage and crop rotation in a long-term field experiment. Plant, Soil and Environment 60, 57–62.
Soil chemical properties as affected by tillage and crop rotation in a long-term field experiment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Olsen SR, Cole CV, Watanabe FS, Dean LA (1954) Estimation of available phosphorus in soils by extraction with sodium bicarbonate. U.S. Department of Agriculture Circular 939.

Pansu M, Gautheyrou J (2006) ‘Handbook of soil analysis: mineralogical, organic and inorganic methods’. 996 pp. (Springer-Verlag: Berlin/Heidelberg, The Netherlands).
| Crossref |

Prasad R, Newaj R, Singh R Prasad R, Newaj R, Singh R Prasad R, Newaj R, Singh R (2017) Soil quality index (SQI) for assessing soil health of agroforestry system: effect of Hardwickia binata Roxb. tree density on SQI in Bundelkhand, central India. Indian Journal of Agroforestry 19, 28–45.

Qingjie W, Caiyun L, Hongwen L, Jin H, Sarker KK, Rasaily RG, Zhonghui L, Xiaodong Q, Hui L, Mchugh ADJ (2014) The effects of no-tillage with subsoiling on soil properties and maize yield: 12-year experiment on alkaline soils of Northeast China. Soil and Tillage Research 137, 43–49.
The effects of no-tillage with subsoiling on soil properties and maize yield: 12-year experiment on alkaline soils of Northeast China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Raiesi F, Kabiri V (2016) Identification of soil quality indicators for assessing the effect of different tillage practices through a soil quality index in a semi-arid environment. Ecological Indicators 71, 198–207.
Identification of soil quality indicators for assessing the effect of different tillage practices through a soil quality index in a semi-arid environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

R Core Team (2017) R: a language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. https://www.R-project.org/

Reis DA, de Lima CLR, Bamberg AL (2019) Developing a soil physical quality index (SPQi) for lowlands under different deployment times of no-tillage. Scientia Agricola, Piracicaba 76, 157–164.
Developing a soil physical quality index (SPQi) for lowlands under different deployment times of no-tillage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Rhoades JD, Chanduvi F, Lesch SM (1999) Soil salinity assessment: methods and interpretation of electrical conductivity measurements. FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 57. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.

Richards LA (1954) Diagnosis and improvement of saline and alkali soils. In ‘USDA hand book no. 60’. (Ed. LA Richards) 160 pp. (United States Salinity Laboratory: Washington, DC, USA)

Rojas JM, Prause J, Sanzano GA, Arce OEA, Sánchez MC (2016) Soil quality indicators selection by mixed models and multivariate techniques in deforested areas for agricultural use in NW of Chaco, Argentina. Soil and Tillage Research 155, 250–262.
Soil quality indicators selection by mixed models and multivariate techniques in deforested areas for agricultural use in NW of Chaco, Argentina.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Rowell DL (2014) ‘Soil science: methods and applications’. (Routledge: New York, NY, USA)

Sağlam M, Selvi KÇ, Dengiz O, Gürsoy FE (2015) Affects of different tillage managements on soil physical quality in a clayey soil. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 187, 4185
Affects of different tillage managements on soil physical quality in a clayey soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Salem HM, Valero C, Muñoz MÁ, Rodríguez MG, Silva LL (2015) Short-term effects of four tillage practices on soil physical properties, soil water potential, and maize yield. Geoderma 237, 60–70.
Short-term effects of four tillage practices on soil physical properties, soil water potential, and maize yield.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Sharma KL, Sharma SC, Bawa SS, Singh S, Chandrika DS, Sharma V, Khokhar A, Grace JK, Rao CS, Maruthi GR, et al. (2014) Combined effect of tillage and organic fertilization on soil quality key indicators and indices in alluvial soils of Indo-Gangetic Plains under rainfed maize–wheat system. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science 61, 313–327.
Combined effect of tillage and organic fertilization on soil quality key indicators and indices in alluvial soils of Indo-Gangetic Plains under rainfed maize–wheat system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Singh AK, Bordoloi L J, Kumar M, Hazarika S, Parmar B (2014) Land use impact on soil quality in eastern Himalayan region of India. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 186, 2013–2024.
Land use impact on soil quality in eastern Himalayan region of India.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Slavich PG, Petterson GH (1993) Estimating the electrical conductivity of saturated paste extracts from 1:5 soil:water suspensions and texture. Australian Journal of Soil Research 31, 73–81.
Estimating the electrical conductivity of saturated paste extracts from 1:5 soil:water suspensions and texture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Swanepoel PA, du Preez CC, Botha PR, Snyman HA, Habig J (2015) Assessment of tillage effects on soil quality of pastures in South Africa with indexing methods. Soil Research 53, 274–285.
Assessment of tillage effects on soil quality of pastures in South Africa with indexing methods.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Veum KS, Kremer RJ, Sudduth KA, Kitchen NR, Lerch RN, Baffaut C, Stott DE, Karlen DL, Sadler EJ (2015) Conservation effects on soil quality indicators in the Missouri Salt River Basin. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 70, 232–246.
Conservation effects on soil quality indicators in the Missouri Salt River Basin.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Yao R-J, Yang J-S, Gao P, Zhang J-B, Jin W-H, Yu S-P (2013) Soil-quality-index model for assessing the impact of groundwater on soil in an intensively farmed coastal area of E China. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 177, 330–342.
Soil-quality-index model for assessing the impact of groundwater on soil in an intensively farmed coastal area of E China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ye Y, Xiao S, Liu S, Zhang W, Zhao J, Chen H, Guggenberger G, Wang K (2020) Tillage induces rapid loss of organic carbon in large macroaggregates of calcareous soils. Soil and Tillage Research 199, 104549
Tillage induces rapid loss of organic carbon in large macroaggregates of calcareous soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |