Effect of Different Soil Tillage Methods and Cover Crops on Yield and Yield Components of Corn and Some Soil Characteristics

Proper tillage practices and cover crops planting are suitable methods for the development of sustainable agriculture which plays important role in sustainability of crop production systems. Therefore, in order to evaluate the effect of different tillage methods included conventional tillage, minimum tillage and non tillage and cover crops included Vicia villosa, Lathyrus sativus and non planting cover crops on corn yield and some soil characteristics, an experiment was carried out at the Researches Farm of Agricultural Faculty, Bu-Ali Sina university during growing season of 2010-11. Experiment was laid out as a factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that number of seed row per ear and grain yield was affected by tillage treatment. Also, number of seed row per ear and grain and biological yield were affected significantly by cover crop. But, tillage × cover crop interaction was not significant. The highest values of number of seed row per ear and grain yield (1123 gm-2) was achieved at minimum tillage treatment. This treatment in comparison with conventional tillage treatment increased corn yield up to 20%. Maximum grain and biological yield were revealed at cover crops planting treatment and minimum grain and biological yield were achieved at non planting cover crops treatment. Effect of treatments on organic matter percentage and bulk density was significant. Maximum value of organic matter and minimum value of bulk density were revealed at cover crops planting and minimum tillage treatments. So, it seems that using minimum tillage and cover crops could increase corn yield and improve soil structure.