Effect of tillage methods and seeding by a bent leg grain drill on wheat yield in rainfed conditions

Abstract

The factors influencing on seed germination and wheat yield are such as the optimum use of tillage and seeding methods.  This study was a randomized complete block experimental design with four treatments and four replications to determine the suitable tillage method for a grain drill with bent leg opener (bent leg grain drill) and also determine the effect of these implements on soil moisture conservation and rainfed wheat yield in dry soil conditions.  Treatments were seeding wheat by a bent leg grain drill in four tillage application of direct seeding (no-tillage), bent leg tillage (reduced tillage), bent leg tillage + disc (reduced tillage), and chisel plough + disc (conventional tillage).  Results indicated that tillage methods and seeding wheat by the bent leg grain drill affected residue remained on the soil surface, soil bulk density, soil moisture, seedling emergence percent and wheat yield.  Reduce tillage by the bent leg tillage implement and seeding by the bent leg grain drill increased residue remained on the soil surface (60%), seedling emergence (38%), soil moisture conservation before harvesting (23%), and wheat yield (16%) compared to the conventional tillage.  The bent leg tillage provides a proper seedbed for seeding wheat with less passes of tractor in dry soil conditions.  The results show that the technology of bent leg tillage and bent leg grain drill has the potential to increase soil moisture conservation and wheat yield in rainfed conditions.