Abstract
The decline in cotton yields in the Gezira Scheme, Sudan, has been partially attributed to deterioration in soil physical properties and the formation of a plough pan 20 cm deep as a result of the repeated use of the disc plough for land preparation. This field study was conducted during the 1990/91 season at the Gezira Research Station Farm to evaluate the effect of tillage on some soil physical properties of Vertisols, root growth and yield of cotton ( Gossypium barbadense L.). Three tillage systems were used: disc harrowing (DH), three bottom disc plough (DP) and subsoiling (SS). Infiltration rates, bulk densities, soil penetration resistance, moisture depletion and root and shoot growth were measured. The results indicated that infiltration rate was not increased significantly by SS. Plant height and shoot dry matter were significantly higher with SS at later growth stages. Bulk density of the plough pan at 135 days after sowing accounted for 90% of the observed variation in subsoil root dry weight while soil penetration resistance accounted for 59% of the variation. Subsoiling increased water use efficiency 25 and 13% over DH and DP respectively. Subsoiling increased cotton yields over DH but the increase over DP was not significant.
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