EFFECT OF DIFFERENT TILLAGE SYSTEMS ON SOME SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L).

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different tillage systems on some soil physical properties and its effect on growth and yield wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Randomized Complete Block Design was with three replicates. The treatments consist of three tillage systems: 1. no tillage system 2. Mold board plow + Rotivator plow 3. Mold board plow + Grader + Subsoiler. The results showed superiority of tillage treatments upon no tillage system in reducing bulk density. Mold board plow + Rotivator plow recorded (1.37, 1.40 and 1.45) M gm.m-3, and Mold board plow + Grader + Subsoiler treatment recorded (1.35, 1.39 and 1.42) M gm.m-3 at stages of tillering, flowering and physiological maturity، respectively in compression with no tillage which recorded (1.41, 1.45 and 1.52) M gm.m-3 at the same growth stages. Tillage treatments recorded the highest values of Saturated hydraulic conductivity at tillering and flowering stages; Mold board plow + Rotivator plow recorded (2.31 and 2.71) cm.h-1 and Mold board plow + Grader + Subsoiler treatment recorded (2.52 and 3.84) cm.h-1 whereas no tillage treatment recorded (1.96 and 1.82) cm.h-1 respectively. The results showed a significant increase in plant growth characters including: number of spikes, grains per spike and plant yield by using Mold board plow + Grader + Subsoiler treatment. The results refer that the treatment of Mold board plow + Grader + Subsoiler gave the best soil physical properties and best wheat yield there was no significant differentness between zero – tillage and moldboard and motivate treatment .