Evaluation the effect of conservation tillage on rain-fed wheat yield and energy Efficiency

ABSTRACT: In order to study the effect of conservation tillage on energy consumption and wheat yield in Shahrood, this research was conducted. This study was about of different conservation tillage methods which affect on rain-fed wheat yield in wheat- sunflower-wheat rotation. The experimental design was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 5 replications and 4 treatments. After sunflower harvesting in Autumn, 4 tillage treatments including no-tillage (T1), minimum tillage (T2) and two conventional tillage with and without gathering residue (T3 and T4) were conducted. In all treatments, plant protection operations were same. Wheat (Kohdasht) planted in Autumn, 2002 and 2005. Combination analysis of soil moisture content at various soil depths showed that soil moisture content at the 10-20cm in reduced tillage was higher than conventional tillage (at 5% level). At the 50-70 cm, soil moisture content in T1 was significantly (p < .01) lower than other treatments. Wheat yield difference was significant (at 5% level) among the treatments. Maximum and minimum crop yield related to T3 (3880 kg/ha) and T1 (3170 kg/ha), respectively. Deposit wheat yield, maximum and minimum of energy efficiency related to chisel plow (2.22) and Moldboard plow (2.03). Since most energy consumption is related to machinery operation. So, the use of new methods of tillage (conservation tillage) can increase the energy efficiency. Application of reduced tillage that consumed lower energy, will increase energy efficiency in agriculture. Regarding energy efficiency of different treatments and wheat yield in reduced tillage treatment, it can be recommended that moldboard plough can be replaced by disk harrow.