Water productivity of barley crop under laser land leveling technique and minimum tillage

Abstract

ABSTRACTLaser land leveling is an important method that helps to improve the spatial distribution of irrigation water and fertilizers applications, subsequently reduce water, nutrient, and energy inputs to agriculture and contributes to increasing productivity. Thus, the aim of the study was to improve the productivity of the barley crop grown in sandy lands under conditions of water scarcity and the negative impact of climate change in Egypt by using laser leveling and the minimum tillage method. Two experiments were conducted during the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 seasons at the Nubariya farm, Buhaira Governorate, Egypt to study the effects of laser leveling and minimum tillage (zero – tillage, 10 cm, 20 cm, and 30 cm) affecting the distribution of soil moisture, water stress, effectiveness of water application, yield characteristics, water productivity, and some quality parameters of the barley crop. The statistical analysis’ findings revealed a considerable influence of both laser soil leveling and minimum depth of plowing on productivity, water productivity and quality properties of barley crop. Laser leveling with a plowing depth of 10 cm gave the most favorable values of the soil moisture content at the root-zone as well as better grain yield and water productivity in addition to improve the quality properties of barley. The grain yield has improved by 12.65% and 10.41%, while water productivity has increased by 12.75% and 10.06% during the seasons 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, respectively. This increase is likely the result of improving soil moisture distribution and increasing irrigation application efficiency, which resulted in less water stress in the root zone and subsequently increased yield, water productivity and quality properties of barley during the two growing seasons. Generally, the application of laser land leveling as eco-friendly practice will help in sustaining barley productivity in Egypt particularly in the sandy soil regions. According to this study, laser-assisted precision field leveling has the potential to improve grain yield and crop establishment, water productivity and barley quality properties in addition to achievement of the highest net income for farmers.