Tillage and nitrogen managements increased wheat yield through promoting vigor growth and production of tillers

Abstract

AbstractAdopting suitable tillage and fertilization technologies for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) can address poor soil conditions and high residual nitrogen following rice (Oryza sativa L.) harvest to improve the sustainability of rice–wheat rotation systems. A field experiment was conducted in 2016–2018 to investigate the influence of tillage methods and nitrogen rates on wheat seedling growth (at the beginning of over‐wintering stage), tillering characteristics, and grain yield. The tillage methods included no‐tillage (NT), rotary tillage twice (RR), and plow tillage followed by rotary tillage (PR). The nitrogen rates were 270 (N270), 240 (N240), and 210 kg ha−1 (N210). In 2016–2017 (higher soil moisture during tillage), NT improved early growth (i.e., leaf area and biomass per stem), single spike yield, and grain yield compared with PR and RR. In 2017–2018 (lower soil moisture during tillage), PR and RR resulted in stronger seedlings (greater tiller number and leaf area and biomass per stem), more fertile tillers, and higher grain yield than NT. In both years, grain yield under RR was between that of PR and NT. With reduced nitrogen application, seedling growth, tiller number, single spike yield, and grain yield showed a declining tendency. We found that more tillers at seedling growth stage (the five‐leaf stage in both years) could boost fertile tiller number, and at this time greater leaf area and biomass per stem were correlated with higher single spike yield. This study demonstrates that suitable tillage and fertilizer applications can facilitate yield formation through improved number and vigor of the early‐produced tillers.