Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of crop rotation and crop residue management on wheat yield and yield components with four crop rotations [wheat-wheat-wheat-rapeseed-wheat (WWWRW), wheat-sugar beet-wheat-potato-wheat (WSWPW), wheat-maize-wheat-potato-wheat (WMWPW) and wheat monoculture for the whole period (WWWWW)] and three levels of retaining crop residues to soil (0, 50 and 100% produced crop residues to soil) were allocated to main and sub plots, respectively. Results showed that the effect of different crop rotations on the plant height, spike number per square metre, seed number per spike; economic yield and biological yield of wheat were significant. There were significant differences between different levels of crop residues to soil for wheat spike length, spike and seed number. Interaction between different crop rotation and returning crop residues to soil had significant effect on plant height, spike length, seed number, economic and biological yield in wheat. Wheat seed yield were increased 37, 21 and 33% in WWWRW, WSWPW, WMWPW compared with wheat monoculture, respectively. As this application of crop residues affected wheat yield and yield components, the highest yield was observed in 100% returning all crop residues to soil. Although the application of adding crop residues to soil is a feasible alternative for farmers to enhance yield, the quantity and quality residue is the main factor for incorporation. Sowing wheat in rotation with rapeseed improved seed yield compared with monoculture.

Key words: Crop production, organic matter, straw management, sustainability.