The Impact of Soil Tillage Methods, Fertilizers of Various Origins and Bentonite on the Yield and Quality of Winter Wheat

Abstract

The article presents the results of a three-year study on the effects of different soil cultivation methods, equivalent doses of mineral fertilizers and biohumus, and the timing of bentonite application on the yield and quality indicators of winter wheat. Based on field experiments and production trials, it was substantiated that in the conditions of non-irrigated agriculture in Hrazdan region of Kotayk Province, cultivating winter wheat by loosening the soil to a depth of 10-12 cm (instead of conventional plowing to 22-25 cm or zero-tillage) contributes to the regulation of soil aeration, water properties, and nutrient regime. As a result, crop yield increases, and quality indicators improve. At the same time, laboratory studies revealed that the autumn application of bentonite at a rate of 3 tons/ha, on the background of equivalent doses of mineral fertilizers and biohumus, had a more favorable effect on the yield and grain quality of winter wheat grown in non-irrigated conditions compared to spring application of bentonite under the same background conditions.