The objectives of this work were to determine the temporal variation in soil porosity, bulk density and penetration resistance, in four soil management systems, and study their effects on the root growth of black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). The experiment was conducted in a Hapludalf using three replicates. The treatments consisted of: long-term (10 years) no-tillage, conventional tillage, chiseling of the long-term no-tillage (Chi. recent), and no-tillage in area after one year since chiseling (Chi. 1 year) of the long-term no-tillage area. Chiseling reduced soil bulk density and increased total porosity during the bean growing cycle. The greatest bulk densities were observed at 0.10 to 0.15 m in the no-tillage and in Chi. 1 year. Soil resistance was the best property to differentiate the effects of the soil management systems, the restricted layers, and time of sampling. Howerver, soil resitance did not affect the root growth of black beans. The effects of the soil chiseling on bulk density and soil resistance disappeared after one year, which indicated soil consolidation.
Phaseolus vulgaris; soil compaction; root growth; chiseling; no-tillage
