Production efficiency of different crop rotations and tillage systems

Abstract

Aim of study: The production efficiency of crop rotations was evaluated based on the yield of the main crop (cereal grains and pea seeds) and yield of the by-product (straw) converted per cereal units (CU), and on total protein yield. Area of study: South-eastern Poland, Europe (2017-2019). Material and methods: The first order experimental factor included crop rotations: A): peas–durum wheat–spring barley; B): spring wheat–durum wheat–spring barley +oats; and C): spring barley–durum wheat–spring wheat. The second order experimental factor included tillage systems: CT, conventional tillage, RT, reduced tillage, and NT, no-tillage. Main results: The yield of pea seeds, cereal grains, and straw per CU was higher in crop rotation A than B (127.8 CU vs. 101.1 CU). Higher CU yields were also recorded in crop rotation C than B (by 18.9 CU). The tillage system had no effect on CU yield. The total protein yield was significantly higher in crop rotation A (2110.7 kg ha-1) than in crop rotations B (by 808.8 kg ha-1) and C (by 448.0 kg ha-1). A higher protein yield was also recorded in RT than in the NT system. Research highlights: The units used for CR assessment, i.e. CU and total protein yield, enable to reliably evaluate the production yield of both CRs and tillage systems.