Organic farming systems still depend on intensive, mechanical soil tillage. Frequent passes by machinery traffic cause substantial soil compaction that threatens soil health. Adopting practices as reduced tillage and organic matter retention on the soil surface are considered effective ways to control soil compaction. In tropical regions, however, the acceleration of soil organic matter decompo...

soil biodiversity is the origin of considerable goods for maintenance and extension of above ground biodiversity and environmental soundness. this study was carried out in shirvan, mashhad and gonabad, three regions of razavi and northern khorasan provinces, to determine soil characteristics and biodiversity in natural systems of arid and semi-arid regions. in each studied system, 10 locations ...