The assessment of the physical quality of agricultural soils has taken on added importance, especially in areas under no tillage, as important changes to soil structure occur as a result of this type of management. Soil resistance to penetration (RP), the least limit water range (LLWR) and relative density (RD) have been used as evaluation parameters. The aim of this study was to assess and model RP as a function of soil moisture and density and to determine the LLWR as a function of RD under two management systems. Samples of soils under no tillage (NT) and chiseled no tillage (CNT) for six months and whose structure had been preserved were collected at a depth of 0 to 5cm. In the laboratory, RP was assessed using an electronic penetrometer and each management system was statistically adjusted to Busscher's equation. In CNT soils, RP was lower for the same density and moisture, and lower than the PD, whereas the difference in RP was larger between the two management systems when soil moisture in the field was lower. The LLWR was higher under CNT up to an RD of 0.9. Results allow us to conclude that RP is a sensitive parameter for determining the physical quality of the soil and that CNT significantly reduced RP and increased the LLWR, providing favorable conditions for root growth for a longer time period.
soil compaction; under no tillage; chiseling
