An Investigation on the Effects of Method and Type of Subsoiling on Consumed Water, Yield and Quality of Cotton

Compaction is applied by an external force on the soil and its result is decreasing soil macro porosity and increasing soil bulk density. One of the main important parameter in soil compaction is mechanization in agriculture and travelling in the fields. Compaction with decreasing in soil infiltration, percentage of stable aggregates and decreasing soil porosity limits the developing of roots, infiltration and decreasing of water in the soil and finally decreases crop yield. In order to study of the effect of C and L shape subsoiler on water consumption and quantitative and qualitative characteristics of cotton, an experiment was conducted in Hashem Ababd of Gorgan in silt-clay-loam soil for two years. This study carried out in split plot arrangement based on randomised complete block design with three replications. Two methods of subsoiling (parallel and perpendicular to row plant) were taken as a main plot and the form of subsoiler (L shape, C shape and moldboard as testimonial) were assigned to sub plot. C and L shape Subsoilers decrease the soil penetration resistance significantly which this decreasing was more in C shape subsoiler. the results showed that none of the treatments, subsoilers, the methods of subsoiling and their reciprocal effects, did not affect on cotton yield in the first year. However, the continuity of the second year subsoiling affected significantly the cotton yield. The C shape subsoiler in perpendicular to row plant had more cotton yield in compare with other treatments. Despite the lack of significant cotton yield increase, The use of subsoiler could be explained in economic terms with respect to the increased yield. The fibres quality was not affected by the treatments. Most water consumption in this study in first and second year was achieved by L shape subsoiler with 5740 and 4163 m3 ha-1, respectively.