THE INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT TILLAGE PRACTICES ON THE SOIL MOISTURE AND NITROGEN STATUS

Abstract

The tillage systems differently affect the soil fertility and the maize yield. Irrigation is prominent cropping practice for yield increasing irrespective to fact that rain-fed is still the most broadly applied cultivation practice in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of different tillage systems (conventional, reduced and no-till) and fertiliser levels on changes of the soil N content during three vegetative stages (sprouting, anthesis and harvesting), as well as maize grain yield under rain-fed and irrigation conditions in 2005-2008. The rain-fed cropping only in no-till cropping induced increase of soil moisture during anthesis. The highest N amount in soil in dry season (2008) was kept under conventional tillage in rain-fed cropping. As well, the highest grain yield was observed with conventional tillage practice. Irrigation diminished differences between cropping years and fertilization regimes.

Keywords

• maize
• tillage
• nitrogen
• soil moisture
• yield