Development a regression relationship between rainfed wheat yield and soil properties in a semiarid region, Zanjan province

Rainfed wheat is a food resource for developing countries that various factors may contribute in its production. The aim of the present study was developing a model that estimate rainfed wheat grain yield based on physico-chemical properties of the soil. Therefore, wheat grain yield was measured at 53 rainfed wheat fields over Zanjan province in agronomical year 2014. Also, 18 soil physico-chemical properties were measured in triplicates in the fields. Using partial least square regression, a model was developed to explain the relationship between rainfed wheat grain yield and soil properties (n=40, R2= 0.6). The highest and lowest standardized coefficients of the model belonged to silt and calcium carbonate percentages which were equal to 0.23 and -0.24, respectively. The results of the present research revealed that some soil physico-chemical properties, in order of priority, including silt, calcium carbonate and potassium has more effects on rainfed wheat grain yield.