Effects of tillage practices and rate of nitrogen fertilization on crop yield and soil carbon and nitrogen

Abstract

We conducted field experiments since 2006 to determine the effect of tillage practices and rate of nitrogen fertilization on soil properties and crop yield. Four tillage practices and five N rates were used. The results showed that the year-round total yield of wheat and maize under harrow tillage (HT) and rotary tillage (RT) was not significantly different from that of conventional tillage (CT, moldboard tillage) but was higher than that of no-tillage (NT). Reduced tillage (HT and RT) with straw returned and rate of nitrogen (157.5 kg/ha for wheat and 202.5 kg/ha N for maize) were suitable to increase the yield and adjust the soil carbon and nitrogen situation for the winter wheat-summer maize cropping system.