Investigation of Soil Cultivation Impact on Winter Wheat Growth and Grain Yield

The research of technological processes of winter wheat sowing using various agricultural systems were performed in Marijampole and Pasvalys regions. The key research objective was to test winter wheat seed introduction with the help of disc coulters into ploughed and no-tillage hard clay loam soils of different regions, and their impact on plant development and yield structure indices. The impact of different soil cultivation methods and sowing technologies on soil characteristics, seed bed preparation and seed introduction, germination and yield structure indices were investigated. Seed bed preparation and seed introduction indices were determined by Sweden scientists using Kritz/Hakannson method. Soil cultivation and seed introduction depth evenness, and soil grading composition were estimated. Tests disclosed that in order to introduce winter wheat seed properly with disc drill coulters in no-tillage hard clay loam soil, the yield vegetative residues should be introduced into the soil before the sowing. In dry soil (less than 3% moisture content) big hard lump structure is formed thus the seeds are not always duly introduced in proper depth with drill coulters. When the impact of different agricultural systems on the seed introduction of winter wheat, seed development and yield structure indices were estimated it became obvious that their influence was not significant. Meteorological conditions, soil characteristics and other criteria have greater impact.