Effects of different tillage methods on bread wheat and chickpea yield, yield components and soil physical properties under rainfed conditions in Kermanshah

In order to evaluate the effects of convention and conservation (no-tillage and reduced tillage) tillage methods on wheat and chickpea yield and yield components and soil physical properties under rainfed conditions in Kermanshah (N: 34°19', E: 47°17'), some experiments were performed in Sararood Dryland Agricultural Research Station during three cropping seasons (2011-2014). In the first year, chickpea was planted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five replications, covering the three tillage methods. In the second and third years, split plot experiments were performed based on RCBD with five replications. The tillage systems located in the main plots while crops, were in sub-plots. Results in the first year showed that, except of soil organic carbon, all studied traits were affected by tillage system (P≤0.01). In the second year, the highest soil moisture was observed in no-tillage plots of chickpea, and the highest yield and yield components were observed in the reduced tillage system of the third year. The no-tillage and reduced tillage systems produced the maximum yield, thousand grain weight and plant height in bread wheat. In general, most of the traits were influenced by tillage types. Regarding the results of the experiments and the other benefits of conservation tillage, reduced tillage recommended as a good replacement for conventional tillage in dryland areas of Kermanshah.