Unveiling the impact of tillage radish on soil chemical, biological, and physical soil properties under reduced and conventional tillage

Abstract

The timespan between the crop harvesting and the subsequent crop sowing presents an opportunity to improve soil properties through the sowing of cover crops (CCs). However, the short-term effects of specific CCs, such as tillage radish (TR), on soil properties under different tillage systems remain insufficiently explored, particularly in the European context. This study examined the short-term effects of TR sowing on soil properties under reduced and conventional tillage systems. Results demonstrated that TR biomass yield and phosphorus uptake were consistently higher under conventional tillage compared to reduced tillage. The highest increase in soil organic carbon across soil depths was observed in plots sown with TR under conventional tillage, which was 60–75 % greater than that under reduced tillage. TR increased particulate organic carbon by 16.5 mg C kg⁻¹ in reduced tillage and 65.2 mg C kg⁻¹ in conventional tillage compared to fallow. The sowing of TR under conventional tillage also influenced soil Olsen phosphorus, with a threefold increase in the upper soil depth compared to reduced tillage. Microbial biomass carbon, phosphorous, and nitrogen showed similar trends with respect to their chemical pools, with higher values in TR under conventional tillage. Regarding the soil physical properties, bulk density was higher under reduced tillage, particularly in deeper layers, compared to under conventional tillage. Overall, the sowing of TR provided short-term soil benefits on some soil properties, especially under conventional tillage. Further research is needed to evaluate its performance and benefits across diverse soils and cropping conditions.