Selected Soil Physicochemical Properties under Different Tillage Practices and N Fertilizer Application in Maize Mono-Cropping

No-till (NT) has been said to conserve soil moisture, maintain or increase organic matter (OM), and improve crop production compared conventional tillage (CT). However, very few studies have explored the effect of these under dry-land agriculture with occasional where ploughing is performed only after several years NT, especially in KwaZulu–Natal. The aim this study was assess fertilizer application on selected physicochemical properties rain-fed maize production. Soil samples from 5th season (CT-Y5), annual (CT-A) 0, 60, 120, 240 kg N ha−1 were taken at 0–10, 10–20, 20–30 cm analysed for pH, EC, exchangeable acidity, bases, C:N, gravimetric water content, bulk density, texture. Results showed that NT 0 60 0–10 had higher EC CT-Y5 CT-A (p < 0.05). At 10–20 depth, content (0.17 gg−1), followed by CT-A, (0.13 g g−1), while least (0.11 g−1) 0.05) control treatment. Again bases than practices 120 rate. Regression analysis rate both a strong relationship NT. Better attributed residue cover minimum disturbance soil, which encouraged infiltration, thus reducing runoff evaporation surface. Accumulation conservation enhances OM, subsequently improves quality, whereas aerates causing oxidation releasing H+ ions. Again, induces mineralization thus, rates result low levels carbon. well-recommended conserving quality sustaining productivity.