Comparative effects of deep ploughing and disking on soil properties and yield of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Yernjatap, Armenia
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Kuupäev
2026
Kättesaadavus
Ajakirja pealkiri
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Kirjastaja
Estonian University of Life Sciences
Abstrakt
Soil tillage practices play a crucial role in maintaining soil fertility and ensuring sustainable agricultural production under rainfed conditions. This study evaluated the effects of conventional (deep ploughing, 20–22 cm) and shallow tillage (disking, 10–12 cm) on soil properties, nutrient availability, and the yield and grain quality of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), cultivar ‘Tanya’, in Yernjatap settlement, Aragatsotn region, Armenia. The experiment was conducted during 2022–2024 using a randomized design with three replications. Shallow tillage improved soil structure and fertility, increasing humus content (up to 4.19%) and water-stable aggregates (up to 55.1%), while conventional tillage resulted in a decline in humus in the upper soil layer. Nutrient availability was also enhanced under disking, with available phosphorus increasing from 2.72 to 3.94 mg 100 g⁻¹ and potassium reaching 40.64 mg 100 g⁻¹ in the 0–20 cm layer. In contrast, both nutrients decreased under deep ploughing. Soil pH, electrical conductivity, and soluble salts were not significantly affected by tillage practices. Improved soil conditions under disking led to enhanced plant growth, higher biomass accumulation, and increased survival rates, exceeding deep ploughing by up to 13.9%. Grain yield was significantly higher under disking in 2024, reaching 1.71 t ha⁻¹ compared to 1.39 t ha⁻¹ under ploughing, representing a 23.0% increase (P = 0.003). Straw yield also increased by 21.4%. The results demonstrate that shallow tillage is a more effective and sustainable practice for improving soil fertility, enhancing winter wheat productivity, and supporting stable crop production under rainfed mountainous conditions.
Kirjeldus
Received: December 4th, 2025 ; Accepted: April 26th, 2026 ; Published: May 12th, 2026 ; Correspondence: hokhanyan.meri@gmail.com
Märksõnad
deep ploughing, disking, grain yield, rainfed agriculture, winter wheat, articles
Viide
Hokhanyan, M., Tovmasyan, G., Markosyan, A., Yeritsyan, L., Yeritsyan, S., & Mamajanyan, S. (2026). Comparative effects of deep ploughing and disking on soil properties and yield of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Yernjatap, Armenia. Estonian University of Life Sciences. https://doi.org/10.15159/AR.26.027