The Effect of Crop Rotation, Tillage, Residue Management and N Fertilization Rate on Winter Wheat Growth and Development, Evaluated with an Optical Sensor

Abstract

Crop growth and development, as well as yield, are the result of the efficiency of the chosen agricultural management system within the boundaries of the agro-ecological environment. End of season yield results do not permit the evaluation of within season management interactions with the production environment and do not allow for full understanding of the management practice applied. Crop growth and development were measured during the 2017, 2018 and 2019 crop cycles with an optical handheld NDVI sensor for all plots of the different management treatments of a long-term (since 2015) sustainability trial. Cropping systems varying in (1) crop rotation [winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) after maize (Zea mays L.), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) after sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) after winter pea (Pisum sativum L.)], (2) tillage (chisel tillage vs. no tillage), (3) residue management (chopped vs. anchored) and (4) N fertilization rate (N0, N50, N100 and N150) were compared. The NDVI handheld sensor was evaluated as a tool to monitor crop growth and development and was found to be an excellent tool for this purpose. The measurement with the handheld sensor was non-destructive and fast so that representative plot area could be measured easly and time efficiently. Crop rotation influnced early crop growth, with lower NDVI values for crops sown after maize and sunflower than crops after pea. The differences between the rotations diminished later in the growing season, and there was no advers effect on final yield. Fertilization rate significantly increased the NDVI values compared to non-fertilized plots. No tillage with residue retention, chopped or anchored, was characterized by a slower initial growth than chisel tillage practices, but this was compensated for by increased crop performance in the later stages. The results indicated that different rotation, tillage, residue management and N fertilization rate practices influence crop growth and development. It is important to monitor and understand crop growth under different management systems to select the right varieties and adjust timing and practice of input supply in each cropping system.