Effects of tillage practices on nutrient loss and soybean growth in red-soil slope farmland

Field experiments were conducted to examine the effect of tillage practices on sediment and nutrient loss and soybean growth under natural rainfall conditions. Three tillage practices were applied: downslope ridge (check) ,downslope ridge + contour living hedgerow,and cross ridge. Cross ridge tillage reduced surface runoff by 69% and sediment yield by 86% ,compared to the check treatment. The downslope ridge with a contour living hedgerow reduced surface runoff by 24% and sediment yield by 53% . Additionally,compared to the check plot ,nutrient losses carried by runoff were reduced by over 68% and that carried in the sediment was reduced more than 85% in the cross ridge plot. Nutrient losses in runoff were reduced by 20% to 30% in the downslope ridge and contour living hedgerow plot and those carried in the sediment were reduced by 44% to 57% . Cross ridge tillage soybean yields exceeded those of the downslope ridge and downslope ridge + contour living hedgerow treatments by 16% – 18% . Cross ridge tillage could contribute to the prevention sediment and nutrient loss and could improve crop yield, and thus it is recommended to be applied to mild slopes in the red soil region.