Effect of Conservation Tillage Methods on Soil Physical Properties and Cotton Yield in Wheat-Cotton Rotation

Effect of conservation tillage on soil properties and crop yield may be influenced by climate condition, soil type, and crop type and rotation. Therefore, evaluation of different tillage methods in different climate conditions, soil textures, and crop rotations is necessary. In this research, the effect of conservation tillage methods on soil properties, cotton yield, and its economic efficiency was evaluated in wheat-cotton cropping system in arid climate condition of Fars province (Iran). The study was conducted in the form of a complete block experimental design with three treatments and four replications in Darab Agricultural Research Station for four years. The treatments were reduced tillage, no-tillage, and conventional tillage (control treatment). The results showed that the tillage method had significant effect on moisture retention in the soil so that the no-till and reduced tillage increased moisture retention in the soil compared to the conventional tillage by 15.22 and 5.47%, respectively. The tillage methods had no significant effect on the soil infiltration, soil aggregates, and cotton yield. Economic evaluation revealed that the conventional tillage had the highest economic efficiency followed by the reduced tillage and no-till. However, the economic returns of all treatments were positive. If a proper management be applied during replacing the conventional tillage with conservation tillage methods, the advantages of conservation tillage could be reached in cotton planting.