Impact of Resource Conserving Technologies (RCT) on soil physical properties and rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) yield in irrigated agriculture areas of the South-Eastern Kazakhstan

Abstract

The aim of this resarch was to determine the effects of Resource Conserving Technologies (RCT) system and Conventional Tillage (CT) on soil physical properties and R apeseed ( Brassica napus L.) yield in irrigated agriculture areas of the South-Eastern Kazakhstan. The experimental study was conducted according to a radomized block design with three replications between 2015 and 2018. The CT system had maximum anthropogenic effect and caused loosening of arable soil layer, had the lowest bulk density values (1.19 -1.21 g /cm 3 ). The CT had a bulk density ranged between 1.13 and 1.30 g/cm 3 . With a RCT tillage, the bulk density during the growing season of rape was located in optimal density zone between 1.20 and 1.22 g/cm 3 . The RCT of rapeseed provided the greatest efficiency, where the yield of rapeseed increased by 13.3% and 22.0%. It has been revealed that with RCT of rapeseed cultivation, minimum technology (Mini-till) ensures sustainability of soil environment and its ecological condition, improves structure and raises water resistance of agroecosystem’s soil aggregate. In turn the structure of soil’s arable layer stabilizes with optimal soil density, which contributes to normal growth and development of rapeseed. It is proved that minimal technology of tillage is the leading agricultural practice ensuring preservation and improvement of qualitative and quantitative indicators of soil resource and productivity of oilseed rape.