ALTIKAT, Sefa Iğdır University Agriculture - Department of the Biosystem Engineering, Turkey

Effects of Aggregate Size and Compaction Level on CO2-C Fluxes and Microbial Populations

29102

The aim of this study is to identify the effects of aggregate size and intra-row compaction levels on soil carbon di oxide-carbon (CO2-C) fluxes, bacterial and fungal populations during wheat growing period. A horizontal axis rotary tiller was used to obtain two different mean weight diameters (MWD) by changing tractor forward speeds. Tractor forward speeds were 1.8 and 4.5 km h-1, and intra-row compaction levels were: control, 30 kPa and 60 kPa. The fluxes of CO2-C, microbial inhabitants and penetration resistance (PR) were statistically significant different for both MWD and intra-row compaction levels. Maximum CO2-C fluxes, bacteria and fungi inhabitants were obtained with 12.75 mm MWD and control whereas the minimum rates were assigned at the plot which 17.87 mm MWD and 60 kPa intra-row compaction. Increasing the intra-row compaction lowered the soil CO2-C fluxes and microbial population, but increased the penetration resistance.

55

Rotary tiller , Tractor forward speed , Mean weight diameter (MWD) , Growing season , Wheat , Intra , row compaction

Journal Of Agricultural Faculty Of Gaziosmanpasa University

61