Using a three-year experiment, the objectives of this study were (1) to determine the effects of rice straw
incorporation and tillage depth on root growth traits, sinkage resistance after puddling, and tensile
strength, shrinkage capacity, water retention curve and penetration resistance during the rice growth
period, and (2) to determine whether mechanical properties from puddling tillage, through the rice
growth period, to harvest are correlated with SOC concentration.