Influence of conservation tillage and nutrient rate on the internal fusarium infection of winter wheat

Abstract

We stated that the interaction of nitrogen rate and tillage method was not significant. The nitrogen rate has not influenced significantly the internal Fusarium infection of seeds either (P=0.7805). However, tillage method had significant impact on Fusarium infection (P=0.0020). It was obvious that Fusarium infection was lower under disking compared to other methods, so the soil-mixing effect and cutting of stubble residues due to disking might play an important role in controlling Fusarium in conservation soil tillage systems. When plant residues are cut into pieces, microbial activity is promoted and decomposition is faster, so Fusarium has less substance to live on. In this case tillage equipments with discs might play an important role against Fusarium infection in conservation tillage systems.