IMPACT OF TILLAGE OPERATION ON SOIL PHYSICAL, MECHANICAL AND RHELOGICAL PROPERTIES OF PADDY SOIL

M. Hassan, F. A. Chandio, Ji Changying, I. A. Mari, Ch. Arslan, N. Leghari

Abstract: Laboratory experiment was conducted on paddy soil to determine the effect of tillage operations before and after on soil physical, rheological and mechanical properties. Tillage operations play an important role to change the physical and mechanical properties of the soil. The three soil moisture content levels (27%, 30% and 33%) were used in the study to measure the effect of tillage operation on soil conditions. Results showed that soil bulk density was observed directly proportional to the soil moisture while soil porosity was inversely proportional to the moisture content. It is observed that soil requires more shear stress before tillage operation. Overall results showed that the soil water content has great impact on soil properties. A negative impact of tillage operation was found in soil bulk density and internal friction angle, while decreasing trend was found on porosity, shear stress, penetration resistance after tillage operation significantly (P = < 0.01). Soil water content on rheological parameters (Em, Ek, λm and λk) were found predominantly significant (p = < 0.01).

Keywords: paddy soil; penetration resistance; rheological properties; shear stress; soil physical properties

Date published: 2017-09-19