Search

In Croatian Baranya region in a 3-year period (2006/2007-2008/2009) 4 different tillage treatments and 3 nitrogen fertilization levels for winter wheat were compared on hipogley soil type. Tillage treatments (TT) for winter wheat were: 1) Conventional tillage (CT), autumn ploughing, 30 cm; 2) Autumn disk harrowing, 10-12 cm (DT); 3) Autumn soil loosening with chisel, 30-35 cm (LT); 4) No-tillage for winter wheat (NT). Seedbed preparation (disk harrowing, vibro-cultivating) was the same for all treatments, except for NT. Nitrogen fertilization levels (NF) for winter wheat were: 120, 150 and 180 kg N ha-1. 2006/2007 and 2008/2009 years were very dry, whilst 2007/2008 was moderately humid. The strongest impact on yield components and grain yield was due climate conditions, followed by tillage treatments and nitrogen fertilization. On 3-year average, only NT recorded significantly lower yields in comparison with CT. Higher NF levels increased yields significantly and the effect was stronger in moderately humid year. Compensatory effect of nitrogen fertilization relating to soil tillage treatments was evident only in 2007/2008. This research indicated that beside of conventional tillage in soil tillage for winter wheat, some technologically simpler, energetically and economically less demanding solutions could be applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]