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

Shokoofeh Sarikhani Khorami, Seyed Abdolreza Kazemeini, Sadegh Afzalinia and Mahesh Kumar Gathala
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Shokoofeh Sarikhani Khorami: Department of Seed and Plant Improvement Research, Fars Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Shiraz 7341653111, Iran
Seyed Abdolreza Kazemeini: Department of Crop Production and Plant Breeding, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz 7144165186, Iran
Sadegh Afzalinia: Department of Agricultural Engineering Research, Fars Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Shiraz 7341653111, Iran
Mahesh Kumar Gathala: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, Dhaka 1213, Bangladesh

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 9, 1-17

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.

Keywords: bulk density; conventional tillage; no tillage; reduced tillage; soil organic carbon; tillage × genotype interaction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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