ASSESSING PHYSICAL SOIL CONDITION AFTER C ONSERVATION TILLAGE ON AN ALBIC LUVISOL

Conservation tillage in a crop rotation involving potatoes, winter whe at silage maize and winter wheat on Albic Luvisol (D4a) at Dedelow led to variations in the soil physical properties in the topsoil layer. T he upper topsoil (0 to 15 cm) differs from the lower topsoil (15 to 30 cm) in terms of bulk density and penetration resistance. Infiltration and soil moistures in spring and in the growing season remain unaffec ted. No correlation exists between the yield level (on the average 83. 2 GE.ha-1 in the crop rotation) and soil physical parameters in the fi rst rotation.