The effect of agro-reclamation techniques on water-physical characteristics of light chestnut heavy loamy soil during rice cultivation against the background of sprinkling under the conditions of the Lower Volga region

Abstract

Purpose: scientific substantiation of the use of agro-reclamation tillage practices of light chestnut heavy loamy soils in rice cultivation with periodic irrigation by sprinkling. Materials and methods. The research was conducted at the experimental site of the All-Russian Research Institute of Irrigated Agriculture in 2022–2023 with Stalingrad 1 rice crops in a two-factor experiment: factor A (soil water regime) – two options and factor B (tillage) – three options. Generally accepted methods of laying and conducting field research were used. Results. Immediately after rice sowing, the soil density in the layer of 0.0–0.6 m, varied in the range of 1.19–1.41 t/cubic m depending on the tillage practice. The minimum value of soil density in the layer of 0.0–0.6 m was formed in the A2B3 variant and amounted to 1.23 t/cubic m. The maximum soil compaction in this layer of 1.34 t/cubic m was observed in variant A1B1. During the period of full ripeness of the grain, soil compaction occurred in all tillage options. Its minimum compaction (1.34 t/cubic m), compared with the control (winter plowing), was noted with a combination of winter plowing and spring deep loosening. The minimum values of the water consumption coefficient and irrigation water loss were obtained in the A2B3 variant, and their numerical values were 851.7 and 703.6 cubic m/t, respectively. Conclusions. It was found that winter plowing to a depth of 0.25–0.27 m in combination with spring deep loosening to a depth of 0.40 m, in comparison with traditional winter plowing in one step, provides a decrease in soil density in a layer of 0.0–0.4 m by 0.10 (after sowing) and 0.12 t/cubic m (during the period of full ripeness of grain), which contributes to the yield increase to 6.95 t/ha and a reduction in irrigation water loss by 112.4 cubic m for the formation of 1 ton of grain.

Keywords

• rice
• water-physical soil characteristics
• soil water regime
• soil tillage practices
• yield