Exploring optimal tillage improved soil characteristics and productivity of wheat irrigated with different water qualities

Abstract

Irrigation with low water quality can adversely affect soil characteristics, optimal moisture for tillage, and crop productivity, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. We determined the optimal moisture for tillage processing and the effects of optimal and wet tillage on physical and chemical soil characteristics and wheat productivity after irrigation with different water qualities (waste, saline, and highly saline water). We used the Atterberg limit to determine the suitable moisture content for tillage. Tillage at optimal moisture content improved soil characteristics by reducing soil salinity, sodicity, bulk density, shear strength, compaction, and increasing hydraulic conductivity compared to that of wet tillage. It also enhanced growth and productivity of wheat grown with low quality of water (i.e., fresh and waste water), resulting in higher grain yield and root weight at different growth stages than that of saline and highly saline water. In conclusion, tillage at optimal moisture content alleviates the impact of salinity through improving soil physical and chemical characteristics. Optimum tillage can be applied at 20 and 24 days from the previous irrigation in saline and highly saline soils, respectively. Irrigation with waste water resulted in a higher wheat grain yield than saline and highly saline water.