Long-Term Tillage and Crop Sequence Effects on Maize and Soybean Grain Yield Under Eastern Romanian Danube Plain Climate Conditions

Abstract

Much research around the world has compared the performance of maize (M) and soybean (S) grown under conventional and no tillage systems; however relatively few long-term experiments have been conducted in Eastern Romanian Danube Plain area. In 2012, an experiment was established at Fundulea – Romania, on cambic chernozem soil, testing two tillage treatments [no-tillage (NT) and chisel tillage (CT)], and two crop sequences [soybean (S) and winter wheat (WW) for maize and maize (M) and winter wheat (WW) for soybean]. When compared the two tillage systems, in most experimental years (2012-2017), M as well as S yields were statistically similar. Significant yield increases were determined by higher water amounts of rainfall during vegetation period (from April until August). The smallest yield increase of tillage treatments in NT indicates that CT can be superior to NT as response at higher water amounts of rainfall. WW, as previous crop, had a positive, significant influence on M and S yields. Considering the continuous increasing cost of labor, field equipment and fuel, cultivation of spring crops, as M and S, is preferable within NT system. Additionally, the farmers who adopt the NT practice for spring crops (M and S) can benefit by the economical credit given for preserving the top soil, and possible by the advantages of WW crop rotation.