Yield and water productivity influenced by conservation tillage and irrigation methods in wheat-maize cropping system

Objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction effect of conservation tillage and irrigation methods on the soil properties, crop yield and water productivity in wheat-maize cropping system. A split plot experimental design with three replications was used to conduct this study in Fars province, Iran. Surface irrigation, drip tape irrigation, and sprinkler irrigation were considered as main plots, and no-tillage, reduced tillage, and conventional tillage were considered as sub plots. Results showed that surface irrigation had the maximum wheat yield on average and the maximum maize yield was obtained from drip tape irrigation on average; while, tillage methods had no significant effect on crops yield. Results also indicated that the maximum water productivities in wheat and maize production were obtained from drip tape irrigation on average and the minimum water productivities were related to the surface irrigation on average. Tape and sprinkler irrigation methods saved water compared to the surface irrigation by 43 and 22% on average in wheat and 57 and 34% on average in maize, respectively. No-tillage increased water content of soil compared to the conventional tillage by 51%. Plots irrigated with surface irrigation had the lowest soil infiltration rate, and no-tillage reduced soil infiltration rate compared to the conventional tillage by 26% on average. Conservation tillage methods increased organic carbon of the soil depth of 0.00 to 0.10 m by 12% compared to the conventional tillage. Therefore, tape irrigation in conservation tillage methods is recommended for wheat-maize cropping system in a semi-arid climate condition