Effect of Different Tillage Systems on Some Soil Properties and Maize Crop Production (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in the Demonstration Farm of the College of Agricultural Studies, at Sudan University of Science & Technology, to investigate the effect of different tillage treatments on some physical and mechanical soil properties and production of maize crop (Zea mays L.) (var 113) for the two seasons 2004/2005 – 2005/2006 respectively. Conventional tillage, deep tillage with chisel plough, minimum tillage with rotovator, and zero tillage were used in this experiment. The experimental design used was the Complete Randomize Block Design, six treatments with four replicates. The results showed that using conventional tillage affect soil physical and mechanical properties for the 10-15 cm depths where bulk density decreases and moisture content increases. The productivity was (8.3 – 7.7 ton/hect), and cost was (114.38 SDG). Deep tillage treatment showed effects on soil physical and mechanical properties for the 10 – 15 cm depths for moisture content. It gave productivity (5.8 – 7.0 ton/hect) with costs (95.62 SDG). Minimum tillage treatment gave considerable results in the top layer for moisture content and bulk density. The productivity was (6.8 ton/hect) and costs were (59.82 SDG). Zero tillage treatment made no effects on soil physical and mechanical properties, but gave high germination percentage, with productivity (5.5 – 6.0 ton/hect) and costs were (40.48 SDG) .