Effects of conservation tillage on soil quality, crop production and PLFAs

A two-year field experiment was conducted on subtropical Ultisols continuously cultivated with maize (Zea mays L.) for over 20 years. The experiment tested three tillage types (no tillage, earthworm bio-tillage, traditional rotary tillage) along with three organic matter inputs (none, straw, composted cow manure addition). Maize yield and soil samples (0-10 cm) were collected after four growing seasons to determine the effects of conservation tillage on maize production, soil properties and microbial communities (phospholipid fatty acids, PLFAs).

为期两年的田间实验对连续超过20年种植玉米（Zea mays L.）的亚热带Ultisols土壤进行了研究。实验中测试了三种耕作方式（免耕、蚯蚓生物耕作、传统旋转耕作）以及三种有机物质输入（无、秸秆、堆肥牛粪添加）。在四个生长季后，收集了玉米产量和土壤样本（0-10厘米层）以确定保护性耕作对玉米产量、土壤性质及微生物群落（磷脂脂肪酸，PLFAs）的影响。