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Georges Hofman - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • the effect of reduced tillage agriculture on carbon dynamics in Silt Loam Soils
    Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 2009
    Co-Authors: Karoline Dhaene, Steven Sleutel, Stefaan Neve, Donald Gabriëls, Georges Hofman
    Abstract:

    Reduced tillage (RT) agriculture is an effective measure to reduce soil loss from Soils susceptible to erosion in the short-term and is claimed to increase the soil organic carbon (SOC) stock. The change in distribution and total SOC stock in the 0–60 cm layer, the stratification of microbial biomass carbon (MB-C) content in the 0–40 cm layer and the carbon (C) mineralization in the upper 0–5 cm layer in Silt Loam Soils in Western Europe with different periods of RT agriculture were evaluated. Ten fields at seven locations, representing the important RT types and maintained for a different number of years, and eight fields under conventional tillage (CT) agriculture with similar soil type and crop rotation were selected. RT agriculture resulted in a higher stratification of SOC in the soil profile than CT agriculture. However, the total SOC stock in the 0–60 cm layer was not changed, even after 20 of years RT agriculture. The MB-C was significantly higher in the 0–10 cm layer under RT agriculture, even after only 5 years, compared to CT agriculture. The higher SOC and MB-C content in the upper 0–5 cm layer of RT fields resulted in a higher C mineralization rate in undisturbed soil in the laboratory. Simulating ploughing by disturbing the soil resulted in inconsistent changes (both lower and higher) of C mineralization rates. A crop rotation with root crops, with heavy soil disturbance every 2 or 3 years at harvest, possibly limited the anticipated positive effect of RT agriculture in our research.

  • the effect of reduced tillage on nitrous oxide emissions of Silt Loam Soils
    Biology and Fertility of Soils, 2008
    Co-Authors: Karoline Dhaene, Stefaan Neve, Jeroen Vandenbruwane, Donald Gabriëls, Annemie Van Den Bossche, Georges Hofman
    Abstract:

    The effect of reduced tillage (RT) on nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions of Soils from fields with root crops under a temperate climate was studied. Three Silt Loam fields under RT agriculture were compared with their respective conventional tillage (CT) field with comparable crop rotation and manure application. Undisturbed soil samples taken in September 2005 and February 2006 were incubated under laboratory conditions for 10 days. The N2O emission of Soils taken in September 2005 varied from 50 to 1,095 µg N kg−1 dry soil. The N2O emissions of Soils from the RT fields taken in September 2005 were statistically (P < 0.05) higher or comparable than the N2O emissions from their respective CT soil. The N2O emission of Soils taken in February 2006 varied from 0 to 233 µg N kg−1 dry soil. The N2O emissions of Soils from the RT fields taken in February 2006 tended to be higher than the N2O emissions from their respective CT soil. A positive and significant Pearson correlation of the N2O–N emissions with nitrate nitrogen (NO3−–N) content in the soil was found (P < 0.01). Leaving the straw on the field, a typical feature of RT, decreased NO3−–N content of the soil and reduced N2O emissions from RT Soils.

  • reduced tillage effects on physical properties of Silt Loam Soils growing root crops
    Soil & Tillage Research, 2008
    Co-Authors: Karoline Dhaene, Stefaan Neve, Donald Gabriëls, Jan Vermang, Wim Cornelis, Ben L M Leroy, Wouter Schiettecatte, Georges Hofman
    Abstract:

    In the scope of the increasing concern for soil conservation, reduced tillage (RT) agriculture is growing more important in today’s agriculture in Western Europe. However, crop rotations often include beets and potatoes, crops that are generally assumed to be less suitable under RT agriculture because they result in a high disturbance of the soil at the formation of the ridges and at harvest. Therefore, the short- and long-term effect of RT agriculture on bulk density (BD), water retention curve (WRC), aggregate stability and field-saturated hydraulic conductivity of Silt Loam Soils with crop rotations including root crops was evaluated. Ten fields at seven locations representing the important RT types, applied for a different number of years, and eight fields under conventional tillage (CT) agriculture with similar soil type and crop rotation were selected. At each location, BD of the 5–10 cm layer was mostly lower in the RT fields (1.42 � 0.05 Mg m � 3 [average with

  • The effect of reduced tillage on nitrogen dynamics in Silt Loam Soils
    European Journal of Agronomy, 2008
    Co-Authors: Karoline D'haene, Stefaan Neve, Jeroen Vandenbruwane, Donald Gabriëls, Joost Salomez, Georges Hofman
    Abstract:

    Abstract Crop rotations in Western Europe contain crops that seem not suitable for reduced tillage (RT) agriculture because they often include beets and potatoes, resulting in a high disturbance of the soil at the formation of the ridges and at harvest. Therefore, the short- and long-term effects of RT on the stratification and stock of total nitrogen (TN) in the 0–40 cm depth layer and the nitrogen (N) mineralization in the upper 15 cm depth layer of Silt Loam Soils was evaluated. For doing so, 10 fields at seven locations representing the important types of RT systems in Belgium, applied for a different number of years, and eight fields under conventional tillage (CT) with comparable soil type and crop rotation were selected. Despite the presence of root and tuber crops in these rotations, the stratification of the percentage of TN and of the carbon to nitrogen ratio was more pronounced under RT than CT fields. The TN stock in the RT fields worked with a cultivator or soil loosener was comparable to CT fields, even after 20 years. No trend could be found in the change in TN stock of reduced tillage by direct drilling compared to CT. The N mineralization rate in undisturbed soil cores under controlled conditions in the laboratory was on average 0.20 ± 0.08 mg N kg −1 dry soil day −1 for RT fields compared to an average of 0.13 ± 0.05 mg N kg −1 dry soil day −1 for CT fields. This increase in N mineralization rate was correlated with a higher microbial biomass nitrogen content.

Donald Gabriëls - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • the effect of reduced tillage agriculture on carbon dynamics in Silt Loam Soils
    Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 2009
    Co-Authors: Karoline Dhaene, Steven Sleutel, Stefaan Neve, Donald Gabriëls, Georges Hofman
    Abstract:

    Reduced tillage (RT) agriculture is an effective measure to reduce soil loss from Soils susceptible to erosion in the short-term and is claimed to increase the soil organic carbon (SOC) stock. The change in distribution and total SOC stock in the 0–60 cm layer, the stratification of microbial biomass carbon (MB-C) content in the 0–40 cm layer and the carbon (C) mineralization in the upper 0–5 cm layer in Silt Loam Soils in Western Europe with different periods of RT agriculture were evaluated. Ten fields at seven locations, representing the important RT types and maintained for a different number of years, and eight fields under conventional tillage (CT) agriculture with similar soil type and crop rotation were selected. RT agriculture resulted in a higher stratification of SOC in the soil profile than CT agriculture. However, the total SOC stock in the 0–60 cm layer was not changed, even after 20 of years RT agriculture. The MB-C was significantly higher in the 0–10 cm layer under RT agriculture, even after only 5 years, compared to CT agriculture. The higher SOC and MB-C content in the upper 0–5 cm layer of RT fields resulted in a higher C mineralization rate in undisturbed soil in the laboratory. Simulating ploughing by disturbing the soil resulted in inconsistent changes (both lower and higher) of C mineralization rates. A crop rotation with root crops, with heavy soil disturbance every 2 or 3 years at harvest, possibly limited the anticipated positive effect of RT agriculture in our research.

  • the effect of reduced tillage on nitrous oxide emissions of Silt Loam Soils
    Biology and Fertility of Soils, 2008
    Co-Authors: Karoline Dhaene, Stefaan Neve, Jeroen Vandenbruwane, Donald Gabriëls, Annemie Van Den Bossche, Georges Hofman
    Abstract:

    The effect of reduced tillage (RT) on nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions of Soils from fields with root crops under a temperate climate was studied. Three Silt Loam fields under RT agriculture were compared with their respective conventional tillage (CT) field with comparable crop rotation and manure application. Undisturbed soil samples taken in September 2005 and February 2006 were incubated under laboratory conditions for 10 days. The N2O emission of Soils taken in September 2005 varied from 50 to 1,095 µg N kg−1 dry soil. The N2O emissions of Soils from the RT fields taken in September 2005 were statistically (P < 0.05) higher or comparable than the N2O emissions from their respective CT soil. The N2O emission of Soils taken in February 2006 varied from 0 to 233 µg N kg−1 dry soil. The N2O emissions of Soils from the RT fields taken in February 2006 tended to be higher than the N2O emissions from their respective CT soil. A positive and significant Pearson correlation of the N2O–N emissions with nitrate nitrogen (NO3−–N) content in the soil was found (P < 0.01). Leaving the straw on the field, a typical feature of RT, decreased NO3−–N content of the soil and reduced N2O emissions from RT Soils.

  • reduced tillage effects on physical properties of Silt Loam Soils growing root crops
    Soil & Tillage Research, 2008
    Co-Authors: Karoline Dhaene, Stefaan Neve, Donald Gabriëls, Jan Vermang, Wim Cornelis, Ben L M Leroy, Wouter Schiettecatte, Georges Hofman
    Abstract:

    In the scope of the increasing concern for soil conservation, reduced tillage (RT) agriculture is growing more important in today’s agriculture in Western Europe. However, crop rotations often include beets and potatoes, crops that are generally assumed to be less suitable under RT agriculture because they result in a high disturbance of the soil at the formation of the ridges and at harvest. Therefore, the short- and long-term effect of RT agriculture on bulk density (BD), water retention curve (WRC), aggregate stability and field-saturated hydraulic conductivity of Silt Loam Soils with crop rotations including root crops was evaluated. Ten fields at seven locations representing the important RT types, applied for a different number of years, and eight fields under conventional tillage (CT) agriculture with similar soil type and crop rotation were selected. At each location, BD of the 5–10 cm layer was mostly lower in the RT fields (1.42 � 0.05 Mg m � 3 [average with

  • The effect of reduced tillage on nitrogen dynamics in Silt Loam Soils
    European Journal of Agronomy, 2008
    Co-Authors: Karoline D'haene, Stefaan Neve, Jeroen Vandenbruwane, Donald Gabriëls, Joost Salomez, Georges Hofman
    Abstract:

    Abstract Crop rotations in Western Europe contain crops that seem not suitable for reduced tillage (RT) agriculture because they often include beets and potatoes, resulting in a high disturbance of the soil at the formation of the ridges and at harvest. Therefore, the short- and long-term effects of RT on the stratification and stock of total nitrogen (TN) in the 0–40 cm depth layer and the nitrogen (N) mineralization in the upper 15 cm depth layer of Silt Loam Soils was evaluated. For doing so, 10 fields at seven locations representing the important types of RT systems in Belgium, applied for a different number of years, and eight fields under conventional tillage (CT) with comparable soil type and crop rotation were selected. Despite the presence of root and tuber crops in these rotations, the stratification of the percentage of TN and of the carbon to nitrogen ratio was more pronounced under RT than CT fields. The TN stock in the RT fields worked with a cultivator or soil loosener was comparable to CT fields, even after 20 years. No trend could be found in the change in TN stock of reduced tillage by direct drilling compared to CT. The N mineralization rate in undisturbed soil cores under controlled conditions in the laboratory was on average 0.20 ± 0.08 mg N kg −1 dry soil day −1 for RT fields compared to an average of 0.13 ± 0.05 mg N kg −1 dry soil day −1 for CT fields. This increase in N mineralization rate was correlated with a higher microbial biomass nitrogen content.

  • the effect of slope length on the amount and size distribution of eroded Silt Loam Soils short slope laboratory experiments on interrill erosion
    Geomorphology, 1999
    Co-Authors: Donald Gabriëls
    Abstract:

    Abstract The data of rainfall simulation experiments on a sandy Loam and a Loamy sand were compared to assess the effect of slope length on the soil loss from short slopes (between 0.3 and 0.9 m). The total soil loss and the aggregate size distribution in the total soil loss were determined after 90 min of rainfall with rainfall intensities between 22.0 and 78.5 m h −1 . The experimental results indicated that the slope length effect is different for the two Soils. Although for both Soils the total soil loss increased with increasing slope length, the soil loss per unit slope length increased with increasing slope length only for the sandy Loam (soil 1) and decreased with increasing slope length for the Loamy sand (soil 2). The difference in slope length effect between the two Soils was also reflected in the aggregate size distribution in the soil loss. The different aggregate sizes displayed different relationships between soil loss and slope length. For the Loamy sand the slope length effect was less for the large aggregate sizes which contained more sand than the original soil. For both Soils the slope length effect was most pronounced for the aggregate sizes smaller than 0.05 mm.

Karoline Dhaene - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • the effect of reduced tillage agriculture on carbon dynamics in Silt Loam Soils
    Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 2009
    Co-Authors: Karoline Dhaene, Steven Sleutel, Stefaan Neve, Donald Gabriëls, Georges Hofman
    Abstract:

    Reduced tillage (RT) agriculture is an effective measure to reduce soil loss from Soils susceptible to erosion in the short-term and is claimed to increase the soil organic carbon (SOC) stock. The change in distribution and total SOC stock in the 0–60 cm layer, the stratification of microbial biomass carbon (MB-C) content in the 0–40 cm layer and the carbon (C) mineralization in the upper 0–5 cm layer in Silt Loam Soils in Western Europe with different periods of RT agriculture were evaluated. Ten fields at seven locations, representing the important RT types and maintained for a different number of years, and eight fields under conventional tillage (CT) agriculture with similar soil type and crop rotation were selected. RT agriculture resulted in a higher stratification of SOC in the soil profile than CT agriculture. However, the total SOC stock in the 0–60 cm layer was not changed, even after 20 of years RT agriculture. The MB-C was significantly higher in the 0–10 cm layer under RT agriculture, even after only 5 years, compared to CT agriculture. The higher SOC and MB-C content in the upper 0–5 cm layer of RT fields resulted in a higher C mineralization rate in undisturbed soil in the laboratory. Simulating ploughing by disturbing the soil resulted in inconsistent changes (both lower and higher) of C mineralization rates. A crop rotation with root crops, with heavy soil disturbance every 2 or 3 years at harvest, possibly limited the anticipated positive effect of RT agriculture in our research.

  • the effect of reduced tillage on nitrous oxide emissions of Silt Loam Soils
    Biology and Fertility of Soils, 2008
    Co-Authors: Karoline Dhaene, Stefaan Neve, Jeroen Vandenbruwane, Donald Gabriëls, Annemie Van Den Bossche, Georges Hofman
    Abstract:

    The effect of reduced tillage (RT) on nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions of Soils from fields with root crops under a temperate climate was studied. Three Silt Loam fields under RT agriculture were compared with their respective conventional tillage (CT) field with comparable crop rotation and manure application. Undisturbed soil samples taken in September 2005 and February 2006 were incubated under laboratory conditions for 10 days. The N2O emission of Soils taken in September 2005 varied from 50 to 1,095 µg N kg−1 dry soil. The N2O emissions of Soils from the RT fields taken in September 2005 were statistically (P < 0.05) higher or comparable than the N2O emissions from their respective CT soil. The N2O emission of Soils taken in February 2006 varied from 0 to 233 µg N kg−1 dry soil. The N2O emissions of Soils from the RT fields taken in February 2006 tended to be higher than the N2O emissions from their respective CT soil. A positive and significant Pearson correlation of the N2O–N emissions with nitrate nitrogen (NO3−–N) content in the soil was found (P < 0.01). Leaving the straw on the field, a typical feature of RT, decreased NO3−–N content of the soil and reduced N2O emissions from RT Soils.

  • reduced tillage effects on physical properties of Silt Loam Soils growing root crops
    Soil & Tillage Research, 2008
    Co-Authors: Karoline Dhaene, Stefaan Neve, Donald Gabriëls, Jan Vermang, Wim Cornelis, Ben L M Leroy, Wouter Schiettecatte, Georges Hofman
    Abstract:

    In the scope of the increasing concern for soil conservation, reduced tillage (RT) agriculture is growing more important in today’s agriculture in Western Europe. However, crop rotations often include beets and potatoes, crops that are generally assumed to be less suitable under RT agriculture because they result in a high disturbance of the soil at the formation of the ridges and at harvest. Therefore, the short- and long-term effect of RT agriculture on bulk density (BD), water retention curve (WRC), aggregate stability and field-saturated hydraulic conductivity of Silt Loam Soils with crop rotations including root crops was evaluated. Ten fields at seven locations representing the important RT types, applied for a different number of years, and eight fields under conventional tillage (CT) agriculture with similar soil type and crop rotation were selected. At each location, BD of the 5–10 cm layer was mostly lower in the RT fields (1.42 � 0.05 Mg m � 3 [average with

Stefaan Neve - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • the effect of reduced tillage agriculture on carbon dynamics in Silt Loam Soils
    Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 2009
    Co-Authors: Karoline Dhaene, Steven Sleutel, Stefaan Neve, Donald Gabriëls, Georges Hofman
    Abstract:

    Reduced tillage (RT) agriculture is an effective measure to reduce soil loss from Soils susceptible to erosion in the short-term and is claimed to increase the soil organic carbon (SOC) stock. The change in distribution and total SOC stock in the 0–60 cm layer, the stratification of microbial biomass carbon (MB-C) content in the 0–40 cm layer and the carbon (C) mineralization in the upper 0–5 cm layer in Silt Loam Soils in Western Europe with different periods of RT agriculture were evaluated. Ten fields at seven locations, representing the important RT types and maintained for a different number of years, and eight fields under conventional tillage (CT) agriculture with similar soil type and crop rotation were selected. RT agriculture resulted in a higher stratification of SOC in the soil profile than CT agriculture. However, the total SOC stock in the 0–60 cm layer was not changed, even after 20 of years RT agriculture. The MB-C was significantly higher in the 0–10 cm layer under RT agriculture, even after only 5 years, compared to CT agriculture. The higher SOC and MB-C content in the upper 0–5 cm layer of RT fields resulted in a higher C mineralization rate in undisturbed soil in the laboratory. Simulating ploughing by disturbing the soil resulted in inconsistent changes (both lower and higher) of C mineralization rates. A crop rotation with root crops, with heavy soil disturbance every 2 or 3 years at harvest, possibly limited the anticipated positive effect of RT agriculture in our research.

  • the effect of reduced tillage on nitrous oxide emissions of Silt Loam Soils
    Biology and Fertility of Soils, 2008
    Co-Authors: Karoline Dhaene, Stefaan Neve, Jeroen Vandenbruwane, Donald Gabriëls, Annemie Van Den Bossche, Georges Hofman
    Abstract:

    The effect of reduced tillage (RT) on nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions of Soils from fields with root crops under a temperate climate was studied. Three Silt Loam fields under RT agriculture were compared with their respective conventional tillage (CT) field with comparable crop rotation and manure application. Undisturbed soil samples taken in September 2005 and February 2006 were incubated under laboratory conditions for 10 days. The N2O emission of Soils taken in September 2005 varied from 50 to 1,095 µg N kg−1 dry soil. The N2O emissions of Soils from the RT fields taken in September 2005 were statistically (P < 0.05) higher or comparable than the N2O emissions from their respective CT soil. The N2O emission of Soils taken in February 2006 varied from 0 to 233 µg N kg−1 dry soil. The N2O emissions of Soils from the RT fields taken in February 2006 tended to be higher than the N2O emissions from their respective CT soil. A positive and significant Pearson correlation of the N2O–N emissions with nitrate nitrogen (NO3−–N) content in the soil was found (P < 0.01). Leaving the straw on the field, a typical feature of RT, decreased NO3−–N content of the soil and reduced N2O emissions from RT Soils.

  • reduced tillage effects on physical properties of Silt Loam Soils growing root crops
    Soil & Tillage Research, 2008
    Co-Authors: Karoline Dhaene, Stefaan Neve, Donald Gabriëls, Jan Vermang, Wim Cornelis, Ben L M Leroy, Wouter Schiettecatte, Georges Hofman
    Abstract:

    In the scope of the increasing concern for soil conservation, reduced tillage (RT) agriculture is growing more important in today’s agriculture in Western Europe. However, crop rotations often include beets and potatoes, crops that are generally assumed to be less suitable under RT agriculture because they result in a high disturbance of the soil at the formation of the ridges and at harvest. Therefore, the short- and long-term effect of RT agriculture on bulk density (BD), water retention curve (WRC), aggregate stability and field-saturated hydraulic conductivity of Silt Loam Soils with crop rotations including root crops was evaluated. Ten fields at seven locations representing the important RT types, applied for a different number of years, and eight fields under conventional tillage (CT) agriculture with similar soil type and crop rotation were selected. At each location, BD of the 5–10 cm layer was mostly lower in the RT fields (1.42 � 0.05 Mg m � 3 [average with

  • The effect of reduced tillage on nitrogen dynamics in Silt Loam Soils
    European Journal of Agronomy, 2008
    Co-Authors: Karoline D'haene, Stefaan Neve, Jeroen Vandenbruwane, Donald Gabriëls, Joost Salomez, Georges Hofman
    Abstract:

    Abstract Crop rotations in Western Europe contain crops that seem not suitable for reduced tillage (RT) agriculture because they often include beets and potatoes, resulting in a high disturbance of the soil at the formation of the ridges and at harvest. Therefore, the short- and long-term effects of RT on the stratification and stock of total nitrogen (TN) in the 0–40 cm depth layer and the nitrogen (N) mineralization in the upper 15 cm depth layer of Silt Loam Soils was evaluated. For doing so, 10 fields at seven locations representing the important types of RT systems in Belgium, applied for a different number of years, and eight fields under conventional tillage (CT) with comparable soil type and crop rotation were selected. Despite the presence of root and tuber crops in these rotations, the stratification of the percentage of TN and of the carbon to nitrogen ratio was more pronounced under RT than CT fields. The TN stock in the RT fields worked with a cultivator or soil loosener was comparable to CT fields, even after 20 years. No trend could be found in the change in TN stock of reduced tillage by direct drilling compared to CT. The N mineralization rate in undisturbed soil cores under controlled conditions in the laboratory was on average 0.20 ± 0.08 mg N kg −1 dry soil day −1 for RT fields compared to an average of 0.13 ± 0.05 mg N kg −1 dry soil day −1 for CT fields. This increase in N mineralization rate was correlated with a higher microbial biomass nitrogen content.

R. F. Cullum - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • influence of tillage on maize yield in soil with shallow fragipan
    Soil & Tillage Research, 2012
    Co-Authors: R. F. Cullum
    Abstract:

    A genuine concern for landowners and other stake holders is whether conservation tillage contaminates shallow groundwater even though it greatly reduces erosion. A six-year continuous maize (Zea mays L.) study that compared yields from no-tillage (NT), reduced-tillage (RT), and conventional-tillage (CT) was conducted in the upland hills of northern Mississippi on 4–6% sloping Soils overlying a shallow fragipan. The objective was to test the hypothesis that neither no-tillage nor reduced-tillage has the same effect on maize crop as conventional-tillage on Soils with a shallow water restricted layer. The study showed conservation tillage had fewer detrimental effects on the water quality in runoff and shallow groundwater and promoted more soil water for crop use during the growing season than conventional tillage. With adequate weed control, NT produced higher yields than CT on these Silt Loam Soils due to soil water conservation. However, inadequate weed control occurred in several years of the study along with above normal rain resulting in lower NT maize yields than CT yields. Significant differences in maize yield were found for type of tillage, year, and tillage-year interaction. These differences were explained by a tillage system's ability to conserve soil water and control weeds. Other results included low sediment amounts lost from NT maize plots and insignificant free water quantities at the fragipan's surface during the cropping season for all tillage systems. Maximum groundwater movement across the surface of the fragipan occurred during the non-cropping season under soil profile saturation. Amount, timing, and distribution of rainfall rather than tillage system primarily influenced agrichemical movement from maize systems in this study. Some form of conservation tillage that decreases or prevents erosion will be required on sloping lands with shallow fragipan to sustain long term continuous corn production. Information from this study provides additional guidance for making tillage and pesticide management recommendations to farmers.

  • Macropore flow estimations under no-till and till systems
    Catena, 2009
    Co-Authors: R. F. Cullum
    Abstract:

    Abstract The processes associated with water movement through Silt Loam Soils involve both the flow through macropores as preferential flow or macropore flow and flow through the micropore as matrix flow. Macropore and matrix flow components were separated from total flow by a hydrograph-separation technique which used the assumption of dual porosity and a tracer mass balance. A mixture of potassium bromide was applied through a rain simulator to four plots in northern Mississippi in two rain events at 12.7 mm/h lasting 5 and 3 h separated by 6 h. The plots were either tilled or no-tilled with drains installed by two methods at the surface of the fragipan. The magnitude of water and bromide (Br − ) transported by macropore flow to a drain line were estimated and the resulting hydrographs provided an indication of the potential significance of macropore flow in transporting water and non-reactive chemicals through macropores to the shallow groundwater system. Matrix flow appears to contribute the majority of the water moving to the drains even during the early stages of the drain flow hydrographs. The no-till plots produced more macropore flow than the tilled plots, independent of how the drains were installed. Macropore flow in the drainage at any time was small as compared to the matrix flow; however it contributed a disproportionate amount of Br − tracer. These data support the concept that models used to predict mass balances using only the matrix (Darcian) flow will underestimate those chemicals that move like bromide into the soil profile.