The effect of different levels of tillage and residues management on the quantitative and qualitative yield of wheat plant in the climatic conditions of Khuzestan

In order to investigate the effect of different levels of tillage and residues on the yield and yield components of wheat (cv. Mehregan), a research was conducted in 2015 cropping season in south west of Iran. The study was consisted of a strip-plot experiment, using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The investigated treatments included tillage in three levels (including conventional tillage, protective tillage and no tillage) as horizontal plots and plant residues in three levels (including zero, 30 and 60% wheat residues) as vertical plots. The results showed that the tillage treatment had significant effect on yield and yield components, harvest index, percentage and yield of protein. The highest grain yield (with an average of 477.5g.m-2) was obtained from the conservation tillage treatment and the lowest (with an average of 340.3g.m-2) from the no-tillage treatment. Also, the application of plant residues significantly affected yield and yield components, biological yield, harvest index, percentage and yield of protein. The highest grain yield (with an average of 480.7g.m-2) was obtained in the conservation tillage method with the application of 30% residues on the soil surface. Based on the results and considering the positive effects of conservation tillage method, it was suggested to use 30% of residues in this tillage method in Izeh region in order to increase wheat yield.