Analysis of TDR-measured soil moisture retention and soil organic matter variability under conservation agriculture production systems in Claveria, Misamis Oriental

Abstract

By utilizing the principles of minimum soil disturbance, continuous mulch cover and Diverse species rotations; conservation aims to revitalize soil properties sustainably. Conservation agriculture production systems have significantly higher residual moisture content when compared to the conventional plow-based systems. In addition soil organic matter at the upper soil layer (0-15 cm) in all CAPS treatments exhibited consistently higher values than the deeper layer (15-30 cm) regardless of fertility level. However the soil organic matter at the uppermost soil layer (0-5 cm) did not exhibit a well-defined pattern of temporal variation over time although the soil organic matter appears to increase under conservation agriculture and decrease under conventional plow-based system after 2 years of cropping.