Effect of tillage practices on root development and growth of wheat crop

Wheat variety TJ-83 was sown, three tillage treatments i.e. disk harrow, cultivator and disk harrow, and chisel plow were compared using a three RCBD replications. Results indicate that the soil was clay to clay loam and the structure of soil was sub-angular in shape. The soil bulk density before sowing was 1.22 gm/m3 after operation of disk harrow (T1), cultivator followed by disk harrow (T2) and chisel plow (T3) were found 1.14, 1.08 and 1.15 gm/m3. Soil bulk density at maturity stage was found for (T1) 1.24, (T2) 1.22 and (T3) 1.22 gm/m3. While soil moisture content of untilled soil was 20.55 percent and after plowing treatments T1, T2, and T3 were 20.94, 20.40, and 20.70 percent respectively. While at the Maturity stage moisture content was found 21.30, 24.67 and 24.20 percent for T1, T2, and T3 respectively. Soil compaction of unplowed soil was 862 KN/m2, after plowing of disk harrow, cultivator and disk harrow, and chisel plow were 522.88, 504.11 and 607.22 KN/m2 respectively. While at Maturity stage soil compaction for disk harrow, cultivator and disk harrow, and chisel plow were 748.00, 690.66 and 785.22 KN/m2 respectively. Soil aggregation produced by disk harrow ranged between 12.26 to12.50 mm, for cultivator followed by disk harrow was ranged between 13.08 to 14.65 mm, while for chisel plow was ranged between 21.66 to 23.86 mm, soil clod size was reduced in T2 plots. Which produced better root penetration. However depth of plowing results indicated more by chisel plow, while width was more by cultivator followed by disk harrow. Wheel slippage was greater by chisel plow, while lowest by disk harrow. Operating speed was lowest by chisel plow, while there was no significant difference was found between disk harrow and cultivator followed by disk harrow. The fuel was more consumed by chisel plow, while there was not significant difference found between disk harrow and cultivator followed by disk harrow. The time lost was greater by disk harrow, while lowest by cultivator followed by disk harrow during operation. Effective field capacity was significantly greater by cultivator followed by disk harrow, which was lowest in case of chisel plow. The results regarding, plant population, tiller per plant, plant height, root development and yield were significantly greater by cultivator followed by disk harrow while lowest by chisel plow. Use of cultivator followed by disk harrow provided better results regarding soil physical properties, implement performance, root development and yield.