Differentiated tillage system in the forest-steppe zone of the Middle Volga region

Abstract

Evaluation of agroeconomic efficiency of different tillage systems for mustard, cultivated in a grain fallow rotation with the following alternation of crops: complete fallow - winter wheat – spring wheat - mustard is presented. The experiments were made in a field experiment in the forest-steppe zone of the Middle Volga region in 2019-2021. The soil of the experimental plot is slightly leached medium-powered heavy loamy chernozem. Tillage horizon is characterized by the following agrochemical parameters: humus content of 5.8 to 6.1%, the provision of mobile phosphorus is high (226 mg/kg), the potassium is medium (92 mg/kg), the reaction of the soil solution is close to neutral (pH 6.6). The object of the study is the mustard variety Rhapsody, the subject of the study is soil tillage systems. The expediency of replacing the annual classic plowing with a differentiated treatment in the rotation, based on the alternation of deep plowing and surface disc cultivation is established. It positively affects the process of formation of agrophysical, biological and agrochemical properties of soil, contributes to the conservation of productive moisture reserves, and helps to reduce weed infestation of crops. This treatment leads to a significant increase in the yield by 0.11 t/ha, allows for the highest yields of 199% (on average for the backgrounds) and the highest energy factor of 1.33, which is 71 and 22% higher than on the option with the annual mouldboard plowing. It was noted that the used mineral fertilizers at a dose of N30P30K30 did not produce the desired effect. Lack of yield growth led to the formation of negative economic indicators when making mineral fertilizers in all the variants studied, with the exception of differentiated treatment in the rotation. In this variant, the maximum increase in the yield by 0.25 t/ha and the cost of gross output by 7500 rubles/ha, which is 1521 rubles/ha higher than the increased production costs is noted. In the option with annual mouldboard plowing fertilization was accompanied by a decrease in the net income and profitability levels by 965 rubles/ha and 75% relative to the non-fertilized background, indicating that the unprofitable use of fertilizers.