Tillage effects on soil physical properties and performance of irrigated wheat and clover in semi arid region. | [Journal of Agronomy • 2004]

Author(s):

1. A. R. Barzegar: Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Chamran University of Ahwaz, Iran

2. A. R. Eftekhar: Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Chamran University of Ahwaz, Iran

3. S. J. Herbert: Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA

4. M. A. Asoodar: Department of Agricultural Machinery, Ramin Agricultural Complex, Chararan University of Ahwaz, Iran

Abstract:

Crop producers in the southwestern Iran traditionally use conventional tillage (moldboard plowing followed by two disc harrowing) to grow various crops. Such a tillage system requires a high energy input and may also causes long-term soil physical degradation. This field study was conducted on a silty clay loam soil (carbonatic typic torrifluvent) to determine whether reduced tillage systems alter the agronomic performance of irrigated winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and clover (Triijolium alexsandarum L.). Tillage treatments consisted of conventional tillage (CT) including moldboard plowing followed by disc harrowing, reduced tillage (RT) including disc plowing followed by disc harrowing and no tillage (NT). Soil samples were collected before planting and after harvesting to a depth of 30 cm in 4 increments. Infiltration rate, mean weight diameter (M WD) of soil aggregates and soil bulk density were determined. N, P and K contents of wheat and clover crops were also determined. Soils under NT contained higher organic matter content (13.6 to 14.4 g kg-`) than soil under RT (12 to 13.9 g kg-`) and CT (10.2 to 11.5 g kg-`). Greater infiltration rate was found in CT (11.7 to 13.0 mm h-`) than either RT (7.0 to 9.1 mm h-`) or NT (7.0 to 9.0 mm h-`). MIND of soil aggregates in NT (1.47 to 2.1 l mm) was significantly higher compared to RT (1.46 to 1.91 mm) and CT (1.36 to 1.55 mm). Wheat yield was not significantly different among different tillage systems. Clover yield was significantly higher in RT (7.35 Mg ha-`) compared to CT (5.93 Mg ba -`) and NT (5.12 Mg ha-`). Results of this study suggested that in this semi-arid region of Iran, NT and RT were as effective as CT treatment for winter wheat. It was also shown that RT is a more suitable tillage system for clover production compared to NT and CT.

Page(s): 237-242

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: Journal of Agronomy, Volume: 3, Issue: 4, Year: 2004

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