The effect of tillage method on soil properties and yield of cereals

Abstract

In 2002-2005, in light clay loam soil, the effect of five different tillage methods (minimal tillage by stubble cultivator, minimal tillage by disc harrow; minimal tillage by vertical rotors; direct sowing; conventional tillage by plough) and cereals rotation link (spring barley, winter wheat, winter wheat, spring barley) on the yield of cereals grain and straws was investigated. Stubble, covered by chopped straws of cereals, was prepared for sowing in autumn. The worse soil physical properties, but the biggest biological activity was in no-tilled soil. Different minimal tillage didn’t widely debase soil physical properties and improved soil biological activity to compare with conventional tillage. The average grain yield of cereals rotation between tillage systems in 2002-2005 varied from 5.02 to 5.66 t/ha and was not statistically different. Statistically significant grain yielding reduction was registered only in last 2005 year. The greatest yield of summer barley was received in ploughed soil – approximately 5.3 t/ha. The most stable yield was in versions of minimal stubble cultivator and disc tillage. The increase tendency on yield of straw is observable, because it increased in all of investigated tillage treatments year by year. The straw yield of winter wheat during the rotation link increased approximately 27.7 % and one of summer barley – 24.1 %.