The Effects of Management (Tillage, Fertilization, Plant Density) on Soybean Yield and Quality in a Three-Year Experiment under Transylvanian Plain Climate Conditions

Felicia Chețan,Paula Ioana Moraru,Ileana Bogdan,Cornel Chețan,Adrian Ioan Pop,Teodor Rusu

doi:10.3390/land10020200

Felicia Chețan, Paula Ioana Moraru + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/land10020200

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Abstract

The regional agroecological conditions, specific to the Transylvanian Plain, are favorable to soybean crops, but microclimate changes related to global warming have imposed the need for agrotechnical adaptive measures in order to maintain the level of soybean yield. In this study, we consider the effect of two soil tillage systems, the seeding rate, as well as the fertilizer dosage and time of application on the yield and quality of soybean crops. A multifactorial experiment was carried out through the A × B × C × D − R: 3 × 2 × 3 × 3 − 2 formula, where A represents the year (a1, 2017; a2, 2018; and a3, 2019); B represents the soil tillage system (b1, conventional tillage with mouldboard plough; b2, reduced tillage with chisel cultivator); C represents the fertilizer variants (c1, unfertilized; c2, one single rate of fertilization: 40 kg ha−1 of nitrogen + 40 kg ha−1 of phosphorus; and c3, two rates of fertilization: 40 kg ha−1 of nitrogen + 40 kg ha−1 of phosphorus (at sowing) + 46 kg ha−1 of nitrogen at V3 stage); D represents the seeding rate (1 = 45 germinating grains (gg) m−2; d2 = 55 gg m−2; and d3 = 65 gg m−2); and R represents the replicates (r1 = the first and r2 = the second). Tillage had no effect, the climate specific of the years and fertilization affected the yield and the quality parameters. Regarding the soybean yield, it reacted favorably to a higher seeding rate (55–65 gg m−2) and two rates of fertilization. The qualitative characteristics of soybeans are affected by the fertilization rates applied to the crop, which influence the protein and fiber content in the soybean grains. Higher values of protein content were recorded with a reduced tillage system, i.e., 38.90 g kg−1 DM in the variant with one single rate of fertilization at a seeding rate of 45 gg per m−2 and 38.72 g kg−1 DM in the variant with two fertilizations at a seeding rate of 65 gg m−2.

Highlights

The effects of agriculture on global climate change have been frequently studied [1,2,3,4], it has been established that agriculture is one of the sectors most vulnerable to climate change [5,6,7]
In Romania, conservative agriculture has been applied to almost 10% of the arable land and includes the following complementary agricultural practices [9]: (i) Minimum tillage systems to preserve soil structure, fauna, and organic matter; (ii) permanent soil cover to protect the soil and contribute to weed removal; (iii) rotation of different crops and combinations to stimulate soil microorganisms, and control pests, weeds, and plant diseases
Climate conditions specific for each cultivating year had the most effect on soybean yield [36]

Summary

Introduction

The effects of agriculture on global climate change have been frequently studied [1,2,3,4], it has been established that agriculture is one of the sectors most vulnerable to climate change [5,6,7]. Practices to reduce energy consumption and adaptive measures to reduce aggressive technologies are common goals of conservative agriculture [9,10]. Conservative agriculture aims at achieving productivity equal to or close to conventional agriculture, with optimized economical and energy efficiencies, while at the same time reducing the impact on the environment [11]. Conservative agricultural practices have been adopted [12] for the agrotechnical aspects (to combat drought and control soil erosion), the economic benefits (efficiency), the protection of the environment (soil greening), and the compatibility with the Common In Romania, conservative agriculture has been applied to almost 10% of the arable land and includes the following complementary agricultural practices [9]: (i) Minimum tillage systems (through a reduced soil tillage system or direct sowing in the stubble) to preserve soil structure, fauna, and organic matter; (ii) permanent soil cover (cover crops, waste, and mulch) to protect the soil and contribute to weed removal; (iii) rotation of different crops and combinations to stimulate soil microorganisms, and control pests, weeds, and plant diseases.

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