Abstract
To assess the effectiveness of Smash-Ridging Tillage in improving soil structure and fertility, this study compared the impacts of traditional rotary tillage at 20 cm depth and Smash-Ridging Tillage at depths of 20 cm and 40 cm (F40) on soil aggregate distribution and stability meanwhile with its soil organic carbon characteristics in sugarcane fields of Guangxi, China. The results demonstrated that Smash-Ridging Tillage significantly reduced soil bulk density and enhanced soil total nitrogen content. Notably, it markedly increased the proportion of water-stable macroaggregates (> 0.25 mm) (p < 0.05), with the F40 achieving the highest macroaggregate content (51.17–60.72%). Aggregate stability, as indicated by mean weight diameter (MWD) and geometric mean diameter (GMD), was also significantly improved under Smash-Ridging Tillage. Pearson correlation and redundancy analyses revealed that macroaggregate content and the contribution rate of organic carbon associated with macroaggregates were positively correlated with MWD and GMD, but negatively correlated with fractal dimension and soil erodibility factor. The F40 showed the highest contribution rate of macroaggregate organic carbon, which was approximately 20.58–32.57% higher than that under traditional rotary tillage. Overall, deep smash-ridging tillage at 40 cm significantly improved soil structural stability, which enhanced organic carbon stabilization within macroaggregates, providing a scientific reference for optimizing tillage practices to improve soil structure and organic carbon sequestration in subtropical sugarcane fields.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the Guangxi Engineering Research Center for Comprehensive Treatment of Agricultural Non-point Source Pollution, the Modern Industry College of Ecology and Environmental Protection, and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Water Pollution Control and Water Safety in Karst Area, Guilin University of Technology.
Funding
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 42067002 and 42267040), and the Guangxi Science and Technology Program (Guike AD25069074).
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Luo, Z., Gan, L., Wang, S. et al. Comparative effects of tillage methods and depths on soil aggregate stability and organic carbon in sugarcane fields.
Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-51810-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-51810-6
Keywords
- Smash-ridging tillage
- Soil aggregates
- Aggregate stability
- Soil organic carbon
- Sugarcane field
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