Effects of Cover Cropping and Residue Tillage on Soil Properties: A Multivariate Statistical Approach

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of different soil management treatments on soil physical and chemical characteristics including Mean Weight Diameter (MWD) and Land Surface Temperature (LST). Sixty surface soil samples representing three management treatments, namely Cover Cropped, None Cover Cropped, and Plant Residues Tillage, were analysed statistically. Independent variables included clay, silt, sand, and particle density; all remaining soil variables represented dependent variables. Treatment effects and relationships among variables were assessed using One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Least Significant Difference (LSD) tests, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), correlation and regression analyses, and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). Findings of ANOVA showed significant differences in treatments for Mean Weight Diameter (F = 31.57, p < 0.001), Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) (F = 14.32, p < 0.001), pH (F = 11.59, p < 0.001), and LST (F = 6.03, p = 0.004). Compared to untreated soils, Cover Cropped soils had higher aggregate stability, lower bulk density, increased CEC, and lower LST values. PCA showed that the first five principal components accounted for 76.26% of the total variance, which means these components adequately encapsulated the variation in the soil system. MANOVA results confirmed considerable multivariate treatment effects (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.0709, p < 0.001). Cover cropping and residue management practices demonstrated a significant impact on soil quality, aggregate stability and thermal regulation.