"OPTIMIZATION OF CONVENTIONAL AGRICULTURE (TILLAGE X FERTILIZATION X PLANT PROTECTION) FOR SOYBEAN IN THE TRANSYLVANIAN PLAIN"

Abstract

"The purpose of this study was to improve conventional agricultural technologies in soybean crop to ensure a higher yield and reduced environmental impact under climate conditions specific for the Transylvanian Plain. For the experimental design a three-factorial experiment was set up (tillage x fertilization x plant protection products). Factor interaction was evaluated using formula AxBxC-R:4x4x4-3 to highlight the benefits of the practices. This study examined yield crops and size of the soybean plants in an effort to identify best practices. Yield was highly increased in conventional soil tillage system (3420 kg/ha), whereas for the minimum soil tillage system and for direct sowing there were no significant difference 2755-2995 kg/ha and 2605 kg/ha, respectively. Crop performance in terms of yield was highly influenced by the soil tillage system (57.5%), followed by plant protection treatments (22.9%) and fertilization (11.8%). Fertilization with N40P40 + gulle + green fertilizer ensured the highest soybean production (3132 kg/ha). Plant protection treatments during vegetation determined significant yield increases, with high influence of insecticides and a cummulative effect when both fungicides and insecticides were used (3193 kg/ha). Highest size of plants was registered in conventional soil tillage system. Overall crop protection treatments during vegetation (insecticide + fungicide) triggered not significant increases in plant size, except Teo TD soybean cultivar."