Effect of different tillage intensity on yields and yield-forming factors in winter wheat

Abstract

HOUŠŤ, M., PROCHÁZKOVÁ, B., HLEDÍK, P.: Eff ect of diff erent tillage intensity on yields and yield-forming factors in winter wheat. Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2012, LX, No. 5, pp. 89-96 The paper presents results of a study on application of minimum tillage technologies when growing winter wheat. Experiments were performed in the sugar-beet-growing region with loamy chernozem within the period of [2005][2006][2007][2008][2009]. Aanalysed and evaluated were eff ects of diff erent methods of soil processing on yield-forming factors in stands of winter wheat grown a er three diff erent preceding crops (i.e. alfalfa, maize for silage and pea). Evaluated were the following four variants of tillage: The eff ect of diff erent tillage intensity on winter wheat yields was statistically non-signifi cant a er all forecrops. A er alfalfa, the highest and the lowest average yields were recorded in Variant 2 (i.e. with ploughing to the depth of 0.15 m) and Variant 3 (direct sowing into the untilled soil), respectively. A er maize grown for silage, higher yields were obtained in Variant 2 and Variant 1 (conventional ploughing) while in Variants 4 and 3 the obtained yields were lower. When growing winter wheat a er pea as a preceding crop, the highest and the lowest average yields were recorded a er direct sowing (Variant 3) and in Variant 1 (i.e. ploughing to the depth of 0.22 m), respectively. Results of studies on eff ect of diff erent tillage technologies on yields of winter wheat crops indicate that under the given pedological and climatic conditions it is possible to apply methods of reduced tillage intensity. However, the choice of the corresponding technology must be performed with regard to the type of preceding crop.tillage, winter wheat, yields, yield-forming factors Tillage and soil processing belong to those basic agrotechnical measures that signifi cantly contribute to yield formation of cultivated fi eld crops. The mechanical processing of soil is also an important tool when controlling or killing weeds, pests and plant diseases. The main task of tillage is to create favourable conditions for growth and development of plants and for a proper course of various processes taking place in soil. The mechanical processing changes the generall physical condition of soil, which determines aeration of soil and also its hydraulic, thermal and biological properties. Opinions concerning proper methods and technologies of soil processing are continuously developing and changing.Nowadays, technologies of minimum tillage are considered worldwide as an important alternative of conventional methods of soil processing based on ploughing. In the Czech Republic, research studies on the application of minimum and zero tillage technologies have a long-standing tradition. The most important expansion and application of these technologies took place a er the year 1990 and it is estimated by many experts that at present they are used on more than 40 % of arable land. Main reasons of this expansion and develop...

Effects of pre-preceding leguminous crops on yield and chemical composition of winter wheat grain

“…The grain of winter wheat grown after spring barley was characterized by the highest processing suitability and optimal technological properties. Houšť et al (2012) did not report significant differences in winter wheat yields in three crop rotations (alfalfa, peas, maize grown for silage) with different percentages of cereals (33.3, 50 and 66.6%). In a study by Prusiński et al (2016), the average yield and protein content of winter triticale grain were higher after leguminous forecrops than after spring barley.…”

“…According to many authors (Lehocká and Klimeková 2009, Houšť et al 2012, Švančárkowá and Žák 2015, preceding crops significantly influence winter wheat yields. Kozak and Kotecki (2006) analysed the effect of peas on the development and yield of winter wheat cv.…”

“…Preceding crop and nitrogen fertilization are the key agronomic determinants of grain yield. Optimal growing conditions contribute to an increase in the technological efficiency of grain production.The influence of preceding crops on winter wheat grain yield was widely researched (Lehocká and Klimeková 2009, Houšť et al 2012, Švančárková and Žák 2015, Fordoński et al 2016). The results of published studies indicate that legumes, perennial crops of the family Fabaceae and winter oilseed rape are the optimal preceding crops for winter wheat.…”

The effect of agronomic measures on grain yield of winter wheat in drier conditions

“…Agronomic factors that can fundamentally influence the grain yield of winter wheat include a suitable pre-crop, the technology of soil tillage in relation to the soil and climatic conditions of the given location, correct choice of the cultivar of wheat, the time of sowing, balanced fertilization, protection against harmful organisms, and last but not least, the use of intercrops and post-harvest crop residues incorporated into the soil. The joint action of two important agronomic factors, a pre-crop, and the corresponding technology of soil tillage can, in the end, result in a significant effect on the amount of yield as previously published by Houšť et al (2012) and Ercoli et al (2017). In addition to the influence of a pre-crop and the technology of soil tillage, it should also be remembered that even the fungicidal treatment of winter wheat can have a positive effect on the yield.…”

Influence of pre-crops on weedy component of agrophytocenosis in cultivation of winter wheat under no-tillage technology

“…Weeds, in contrast to cultivated plants, have a high adaptive potential for habitat in agrocenoses and resist intensive anthropogenic impact. The range of the existing techniques in the practice of agriculture that involves tillage, crop rotations, use of herbicides, allows adjusting the number of weeds at which they are not able to significantly reduce the yield of cultivated plants [4][5][6]. Elimination of mechanical tillage to no-till technology increases the role of other factors, among whichthepre-crops play an important role in managing contamination of soil and crops given.…”