Changes in Soil Properties and Productivity under Different Tillage Practices and Wheat Genotypes: A Short-Term Study in Iran

Abstract

Natural resources are the most limiting factors for sustainable agriculture in Iran. Traditional practices are intensive tillage that leads to a negative impact on crop productivity and soil properties. Conservation agriculture including tillage reductions, better agronomy, and improved varieties, showed encouraging results. The goal of this study was to test combined effect of tillage practices and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes on soil properties as well as crop and water productivity. The experiment was conducted at Zarghan, Fars, Iran during 2014–2016. Experimental treatments were three-tillage practices—conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT), and no tillage (NT)—and four wheat genotypes were randomized in the main and subplots, respectively using split-plot randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed NT had higher soil bulk density at surface soil, thereby lower cumulative water infiltration. The lowest soil organic carbon and total nitrogen were obtained under CT that led to the highest C:N ratio. Reduced tillage produced higher wheat yield and maize (Zea mays L.) biomass. Maximum irrigation water was applied under CT, which leads lower water productivity. The findings are based on short-term results, but it is important to evaluate medium- and long-term effects on soil properties, crop yields and water use in future.

Yield and Quality Performance of Traditional and Improved Bread and Durum Wheat Varieties under Two Conservation Tillage Systems

“…This could be related to the overall beneficial effect of no-tillage over reduced tillage on soil components (especially, for N-NO 3 − and P), saturation time and water infiltration. These observations are in agreement with other studies that have reported significant increases in soil N or water content under no-tillage [4,7,9,10]. Some modifications of soil properties might be associated not merely with the reduced breakdown of macro-aggregates but also with the slower decomposition of crop residues when no-tillage is practiced [6,9,66].…”

“…Some studies have reported a positive effect of no-tillage [7,12,67], whereas others have found negative effects [9,68] or no significant differences between both systems [69,70]. It must be noted that only the studies of Khorami et al [9] and Carr et al [70] were based on the analysis of more than one genotype (4 and 5, respectively) in different environments. Comparison of the mean GW values obtained for each variety under minimum tillage and no-tillage reveals different trends among the genotypes tested in the present study ( Figure 5).…”

“…Therefore, not only the specific varieties analysed but also the different climatic conditions that affected the field trials conducted might well explain such disparate conclusions. reduced breakdown of macro-aggregates but also with the slower decomposition of crop residues when no-tillage is practiced [6,9,66]. Earlier results on the differential effects of conservation tillage practices on wheat yield are quite controversial.…”

Influence of soil tillage system on soil compaction and winter wheat yield

“…Moraru and Rusu (2012) examined the influence of CT, RT, and sowing with no-tillage (NT) and suggest that differences in wheat yield with these systems are nonsignificant. Khorami et al (2018) examined the effects of CT and RT and sowing with NT on several wheat genotypes and concluded that the highest yields were achieved in the RT system, followed by the CT system, while the lowest yields occurred in the NT system.…”

Effect of Deep Vertical Rotary Tillage on Soil Properties and Sugarcane Biomass in Rainfed Dry-Land Regions of Southern China

“…Long-term reduced tillage or no-tillage farming often lead to increased soil compaction, which results in increased soil bulk density and reduced soil porosity and impedes root penetration [20][21][22]. For example, Khorami et al [23] found that no-tillage had higher soil bulk density at surface soil, thereby lowering cumulative water infiltration compared with CT practice. In the study region, CT operations are usually carried out before sugarcane planting and result in improved crop yield.…”