Conservation practices represent a solution able to cut down production costs of durum wheat cultivation and at the same time guarantee satisfactory yields while reducing CO2 environmental impact in accordance with the directions of Community policy. The long-term experimentation (2005-2010) aimed at evaluating mechanization and energy consumption aspects for the different combinations of machines and techniques distinguishing the experimental years, as well as soil moisture content and crop yield aspects for the cultivation of durum wheat. Three theses were compared: “tillage” “minimum tillage” and “no-tillage” in a representative flat land area, which is mainly used for extensive cereal farming (Mineo - CT - Sicily). Two plotscale repetitions were carried out for each thesis in plot of about 1800 m2. The machines and techniques used over the five consecutive years of tests were alternated in accordance with those commonly adopted for the cultivation of durum wheat in the territory where the tests were carried out, excluding the sod-seeding machine. In general, “no-tillage” thesis showed a better efficiency and timeliness because mean work capacities were always higher than other theses, as well as unit work time of this thesis. In all years, there were a remarkable increase in the yields of the “tillage” and “minimum tillage” thesis and particularly the differences were not significant statistically. In the specific context the results show even if the average yield are lower in “no-tillage” than in “tillage” thesis, the variable costs are also lower. This is due to the greater work capacity in “notillage” thesis than in “tillage” thesis as well as the lower energy consumptions.

A Long-Term Application of Conventional and Conservation Practices for Durum Wheat Cultivation

FAILLA, Sabina Iole Giuseppina;CARUSO, LUCIANO;SCHILLACI, Giampaolo
2012-01-01

Abstract

Conservation practices represent a solution able to cut down production costs of durum wheat cultivation and at the same time guarantee satisfactory yields while reducing CO2 environmental impact in accordance with the directions of Community policy. The long-term experimentation (2005-2010) aimed at evaluating mechanization and energy consumption aspects for the different combinations of machines and techniques distinguishing the experimental years, as well as soil moisture content and crop yield aspects for the cultivation of durum wheat. Three theses were compared: “tillage” “minimum tillage” and “no-tillage” in a representative flat land area, which is mainly used for extensive cereal farming (Mineo - CT - Sicily). Two plotscale repetitions were carried out for each thesis in plot of about 1800 m2. The machines and techniques used over the five consecutive years of tests were alternated in accordance with those commonly adopted for the cultivation of durum wheat in the territory where the tests were carried out, excluding the sod-seeding machine. In general, “no-tillage” thesis showed a better efficiency and timeliness because mean work capacities were always higher than other theses, as well as unit work time of this thesis. In all years, there were a remarkable increase in the yields of the “tillage” and “minimum tillage” thesis and particularly the differences were not significant statistically. In the specific context the results show even if the average yield are lower in “no-tillage” than in “tillage” thesis, the variable costs are also lower. This is due to the greater work capacity in “notillage” thesis than in “tillage” thesis as well as the lower energy consumptions.
2012
978-88-905473-4-8
sustainable agriculture ; management; cereals cultivation
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11769/88967
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