PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - M. J. Lindstrom
AU  - W. B. Voorhees
AU  - C. A. Onstad
TI  - Tillage system and residue cover effects on infiltration in northwestern Corn Belt soils
DP  - 1984 Jan 01
TA  - Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
PG  - 64--68
VI  - 39
IP  - 1
4099  - http://www.jswconline.org/content/39/1/64.short
4100  - http://www.jswconline.org/content/39/1/64.full
AB  - Simulated rainfall trials were conducted in wheel-tracked and nonwheel-tracked interrows for conventional, reduced, and no-till cropping systems immediately after planting during the first and tenth years of continuous corn. Results showed that (a) tractor wheel-tracked interrows were vulnerable to runoff regardless of tillage system and (b) infiltration declined after runoff started. Runoff occurred quickly on the no-till, non-wheel-tracked interrow, indicating the presence of some infiltration restricting factor(s). Bulk density, penetrometer resistance, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and pore-size distribution were measured during the third crop year of continuous corn to determine soil physical properties that developed with tillage systems and the effect these properties had on infiltration. The no-till treatment—modified in this trial by cultivation during the previous growing season to form ridges—was characterized by a higher bulk density, greater penetrometer resistance, reduced saturated hydraulic conductivity, and a lower volume of macropores. The no-till treatment exhibited reduced infiltration. Surface crop residue effectively increased the rainfall energy required to start runoff under the reduced tillage system, but residue had no effect when soil surface conditions (no-till and wheel-tracked interrows) had developed that restricted water movement into the soil.