Effects of the changes in soil conditions due to land rolling on the growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the changes in soil properties due to land rolling after sowing and analysis the effects of these changes in soil properties on the plant growth in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) production. For this purpose, a field experiment was conducted by using three weights of the land roller (196.37, 337.67, 478.97 kg/m) and untreated control treatment after sowing barley. The results showed that land rolling significantly changed the soil properties such as bulk density, moisture content, and penetration resistance. These changes in soil conditions significantly affected the plant growth parameters in barley production. The increased bulk density at the 0 ‒ 100 mm depth of the soil due to land rolling increased the seed emergence, the plant growth parameters and the yield of barley. However, it was observed that the grain yield per ear started decreasing at the higher penetration resistance than 345, 486, and 630 kPa for 50 mm, 75 mm and 100 mm, respectively. Consequently, it can be said that the use of a land roller after sowing in barley production can increase the yield by improving the plant growth parameters and soil physical properties under the soil and climate conditions like the experimental field.