AGRO-ECOLOGICAL EFFECTIVENESS OF REDUCED TILLAGE TECHNIQUES ON PODZOLIZED CHERNOZEM SOILS

Abstract

Agro-ecological effectiveness of reduced tillage techniques using tillage-and-seeding machine “Ob-4-ZT” was assessed in a crop/fallow rotation in the northern forest steppe areas of Western Siberia. Results are given from investigations into spring wheat productivity for the period of 2002-2011 against the background of 2.4-D group herbicides (Amine Salt 2.4-D, Luvaram, BP, Esteron KE, and others), and without herbicides in the absence of fertilizers. Under conditions of reduced tillage without herbicides against the background of the absence of fertilizers, the yield of second wheat made up 1.84 tonnes per ha and third 1.42 tonnes per ha that was 0.22 and 0.23 tonne per ha, respectively, more than those at conventional technology. No significant correlation between spring wheat yields and precipitations during summer period was found. At conventional technology using 2.4-D group herbicides, the increase in yield of second wheat was 0.24 tonne per ha and third 0.36 tonne per ha. In the variant of reduced tillage technique, the increase in yield owing to the use of herbicides made up 0.17 tonne per ha on second wheat and 0.29 tonne per ha on third. Due to the adoption of reduced tillage technique with the absence of herbicides, the yield of second wheat crop after fallow made up 113.6%, third 119.3% as compared with conventional technology. Against the background of 2.4-D group herbicides, the index considered was less, i.e. 108.1 and 110.3%, respectively.