Conventional tillage intensification leads to significant soil degradation in agrosystems.
Increased conventional tillage intensity can harm soil in agricultural areas. A study looked at how different levels of tillage affect soil properties like physical, chemical, and biological aspects. They found that biological properties were most impacted by intense tillage, with key properties like soil structure, porosity, pH, and microbial activity being affected. The most sensitive properties to tillage intensity were aggregate size, porosity, organic matter, and enzyme activity. The highest tillage intensity decreased soil structure and microbial activity but increased organic matter. This information can help farmers monitor soil quality in areas where conventional tillage is common.