Soil water storage and precipitation storage efficiency of conservation tillage systems

D.L. Tanaka; R.L. Anderson

ABSTRACT:

Surface residues associated with no-till and minimum-till fallow systems have an influence on soil water storage. Soil water storage, precipitation storage efficiency, and the relationship of soil water storage and precipitation for seasonal segments of fallow were determined for no-till (NT), minimum-till (MT), and stubble-mulch (SM) winter wheat-fallow methods. The study was conducted on a Williams Loam (fine-loamy, mixed, Typic Argiborolls) near Sidney, Montana for 8 fallow seasons. Fallow methods did not significantly influence long-term soil water storage during the after-harvest (August-October 31) or over-winter (November 1-May 1) segments because after-harvest weed control was not needed. Precipitation storage efficiencies were greatest for the over-winter segment (59%) and least for the summerfallow segment (13 to 20%). No-till and MT stored 12% (12-14 mm more) more soil water and increased precipitation storage efficiency 16% when compared to SM for the 14-month fallow season. By using fallow segment relationships for precipitation and soil water storage, producers may be able to go to more intensive cropping systems that take advantage of additional soil water.

Footnotes

D.L. Tanaka is a soil scientist with the Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, P.O. Box 459, Mandan. ND 58554; R.L. Anderson is a research agronomist with the Central Great Plains Research Station, USDA-ARS, PO Box 400, Akron, CO 80720. This article is a contribution from the USDA-ARS Northern Plains Area.
Copyright 1997 by the Soil and Water Conservation Society

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