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Tillage Effect on Aggregate Size Distribution, Seedling Emergence and Yield of Wheat

M. Amin
On-Farm Research Division, BARI, Noakhali

A. Hamid
Dept. of Agronomy, BSMRAU, Salna, Gazipur

S. B. Siddique
BRRI, Joydebpur, Gazipur

M. Shahjahan
p & E, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur

M.S.A. Khan
Agronomy Division, BARI

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

During 1994-95, a field experiment was conducted on a silty-clay soil in the experimental farm of the Institute of Postgraduate Studies in Agriculture (presently Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agriculture University) to evaluate the effects of tillage induced changes in aggregate size distribution, plant stand establishment and yield of wheat. The experiment contained the following treatment T ₁= 1 Disc plough + 2 harrow + 3 rotovator, T₂ = 1 Chisel plough + 1 rotovator, T₃ = 1 Mould board plough + 1 rotovator, T ₄ = 1 mould board plough + 1 rotovator + 2 power tiller and T₅ = 4 Country plough followed by 3 laddering. Tillage equipment and management resulted in variable size of aggregates and plough depths, which in tum influenced the seedling emergence and shoot development. Highest (61%) percentage of large aggregate size (>8 mm) was found in T₂treatment and the greatest tillage intensity created more (45%) smaller aggregates «2 rnm). The seedling emerged from beneath the large aggregates had developed longest coleoptile length (4.11 cm) and rhizome length (2.03 cm), Seedbeds containing the more large aggregates (>8 mm) had the minimum seedling emergence (20%) and vigor index (22%). Both emergence percent and vigor index was more in T_ltreatment that contributed for higher numbers of tillers development. The highest yield in T ₁ was attributed mostly to the greater number of spikes per unit area and seed weight.

Keywords: Tillage, Aggregate size, Seedling, Yield, Wheat

Location: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agriculture University, Salna, Gazipur

Start Date: 00-12-1994

End Date: 00-03-1995

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Wheat

Objectives:

To examine the effect of different tillage treatments on the changes in aggregate size distribution and their effect on seedling emergence, stand establishment and yield of wheat.

Methodology:

A field experiment was conducted at the Institute of Postgraduate Studies in Agriculture during December 1994 through March 1995. The experiment comprised of five tillage treatments with 3 replications. The treatments were i) T ₁ = 1 Disc plough + 2 harrow + 3 rotovator, ii) T ₂ = 1 Chisel plough + 1 rotovator, iii) T ₃ = 1 Mould board plough + 1 rotovator, iv) T ₄ = 1 mould board plough + 1 rotovator + 2 power tiller and v) T₅ = 4 Country plough followed by 3 laddering. The treatments were accommodated in a randomized complete block design. Fertilizers at the rate of 100 kg N, 26.4 kg P and 33.2 kg K/ha were applied in the form of urea, triple super phosphate and muriate of potash, respectively. After ploughing, all the plots were leveled by hand with minimum disturbance of aggregates. Wheat (var. Kanchan) was sown on December 1 in rows 20 cm apart. The sowing depth was 4 cm at 13% soil moisture level. Sowing depth was maintained by opening furrow using a tine and the depth was measured at every 10 cm along the furrow. After the sowing of seeds, soils were collected from the seedbed at three different depths, 0-5, 5-10 and 10-15 cm. In conventional tillage with country plough, the plough depth was within 9 em from the surface and hence the assessment of the aggregate size distribution was restricted to the upper two layers (0-10 cm) only. An especially designed rectangular tray 50cm L x 25 cm W x 5 cm H with one end open was used for soil sampling. A pit was opened and the tray was inserted into the seedbed horizontally so that a 5 cm layer of soil was poured on to the tray. The ploughed soil from each layer was removed by the tray sequentially starting from the topmost (0-5 cm) layer proceeding downward. Three samples were then taken from each spot. Sampled soils of each individual layer were sieved (sieve sizes were> 8 mm, 5-8 mm, 2-5 mm and < 2 mm). Each grade of aggregates from individual soil layer was converted into percentage based on weight. After collection of aggregates the land was slightly irrigated by sprinkler for uniform germination. To calculate percent emergence number of plants from an earmarked 2 rows (2 m long) were counted daily at 9 AM for 10 days after sowing (DAS) and vigor index was recorded. After stand establishment, the crop was irrigated at crown root initiation (20 DAS), maximum tillering (40 DAS), panicle initiation (55 DAS) and milking stage (75 DAS). After irrigation at any crop stage water stable aggregates size were not measured. At maturity, an area of 6m² was harvested from the center of each plot avoiding the boarder effect on March 24, 1995. Grains were counted by a multi-auto counter and dry weight of 1000 seeds was taken at 12% moisture content.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Agron. J. 2004, 10(1 & 2): 85-91 ISSN 1013-1922

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Highest (61%) percentage of large aggregate size (>8 mm) was found in T₂treatment and the greatest tillage intensity created more (45%) smaller aggregates «2 rnm). The seedling emerged from beneath the large aggregates had developed longest coleoptile length (4.11 cm) and rhizome length (2.03 cm), Seedbeds containing the more large aggregates (>8 mm) had the minimum seedling emergence (20%) and vigor index (22%). Both emergence percent and vigor index was more in T_l treatment that contributed for higher numbers of tillers development. The highest yield in T₁ was attributed mostly to the greater number of spikes per unit area and seed weight.

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