Long-Term Impacts of Conservation Management Practices on Aggregation, Soil Moisture, and Cotton Yield

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of no-tillage and cover cropping on soil aggregate formation, stored soil moisture, and subsequently, cotton yield.  The study was conducted at the Agricultural Complex for Advanced Research and Extension Systems (Ag-CARES) in Lamesa, TX.  The original tillage study comparing conventional tillage-winter fallow and no-tillage, rye cover was established in 1998. In 2014, the no-tillage, rye plots were split to include a no-tillage, mixed cover treatment. The mixed cover included hairy vetch, winter pea, radish, and rye.  Measurements include soil characterization, dry aggregate stability, stored soil moisture by neutron detection, and cotton lint yield.