The effects of zero tillage on soil dry bulk density and macroporosity were examined at six sites under humid, boreal conditions. The study was carried out on clay (three sites), loam, sand and organic soils which were mouldboard ploughed or zero tilled. Soils were sampled after autumn tillage before sowing. The zero tilled topsoil (0-20 cm) was compacted since the mean dry bulk density was greater than in ploughed soil. Generally, the macroporosity (> 300 μm and > 30 μm) was smaller in zero tilled soil indicating that the temporal water storage capacity of wet zero tilled soil was less than in ploughed soil.
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