Effect of different tillage systems on soil properties and wheat yield in Middle Anatolia

Field experiments were conducted on a clay soil in entisol to determine the effect of different tillage tools on soil properties, emergence rate index and yield of wheat in Middle Anatolia. There were four different tillage treatments: mouldboard ploughing followed by disc harrowing twice; rotary tillage twice; stubble cultivator followed by a disc harrowing; heavy globe disc twice. The smallest aggregate mean weight diameters and surface roughness were produced by rotary tillage. Decreasing mean weight diameter decreased the surface roughness. There was a significant (P < 0.01) effect of the four different tillage systems on moisture content, bulk density, penetration resistance, aggregate mean weight diameter and surface roughness. Tillage systems had a significant effect on emergence rate and yield of wheat. Emergence rate index and yield of wheat varied from 15.24 to 18.88 and from 3065 kg ha(-1) to 4265 kg ha(-1), respectively. The greatest emergence rate index and yield were obtained with stubble cultivator followed by disc harrowing treatment.