PJB-2018-386
TILLAGE PRACTICES IMPROVE SOIL WATER DYNAMICS, SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND YIELD OF RAPESEED (Brassica campestris)
Ijaz Ahmad
Abstract
Rapeseed (Brassica campestris) has emerged as a promising crop owing to its quality oil. Due to tremendous increase in population, the demand of edible oil in Pakistan is increasing every year. Therefore, it is imperative to enhance domestic oil seed production by introducing new farming practices. The tillage practices greatly affect the soil quality by assessing and conserving the essential soil properties and soil functions. During this study, the maximum soil bulk densities (1.34 g/cm3 and 1.37 g/cm3) were secured in zero tillage at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm soil depths, respectively. The highest total porosities (20.63% and 19.19%) were noticed in deep tillage treatment at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm soil depths, respectively. The highest water infiltration rate (5 cm/h) was secured in deep tillage treatment. The highest plant height (87.67 cm), number of pods/plant (371.7) and the number of seeds/pod (23) was recorded in deep tillage. Values for biological yield (3081 kg/ha), grain yield (753 kg/ha) were recorded in the highest category in deep tillage. The harvest index was maximum (27.52) in raised beds cultivation in zero tillage. Water use efficiency value of rapeseed crop was maximum (4.093 kg/ha/mm) in deep tillage. Our findings demonstrate that tillage practices are vital for improving the physical consequences of soil. This study will be helpful to develop policies for application of useful management practices that help the farmers to use these practices effectively for increasing soil organic matter and soil stability.
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