DEEP PLOWED SOLONETZIC AND CHERNOZEMIC SOILS: II. CROP RESPONSE CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

Crop response to deep plowing was determined at five locations in east-central Alberta. Yield and growth characteristics of barley, wheat and oats were evaluated as they relate to units of soil classification. Crops grown on Solonetzic landscapes responded more favorably to deep plowing than crops grown on landscapes with significant amounts [Formula: see text] of Chernozemic soils. Where Solonetzic and Chernozemic soils were present in the same landscape, the relative yield increase of wheat and barley resulting from deep plowing followed the sequence BL.SS and BL.SO > SZ.BL > O.BL. Deep plowing of landscapes containing [Formula: see text] Chernozemic soils does not appear beneficial because of limited crop response. Yield response of wheat was greater during the drier year. Yield responses on deep plowed soils resulted from increased tillering and increased grain yield per single stem, both of which were associated with reduced moisture stress. Crop emergence was generally unrelated to soil physical conditions. Key words: Deep plowing, crop response, Solonetzic soil