IMPACT OF MINIMUM TILLAGE SYSTEMS IN CONSERVATION OF WATER IN THE SOIL IN THE CASE OF PEA CROPS

Abstract

Climate change is one of the most important factors influencing agricultural production, by natural energy flows blocking the work of the plant systems. Human activity, primarily the use of fossil fuels as the main energy source, contributes with over 40% increase greenhouse gas emissions. The principles of conservation agriculture include practices that retain soil undisturbed, conservation of soil fertility, minimum loss of organic matter and reduce the amount of water lost from the soil, conservation and use of water by plants spread throughout the growing season. The purpose of this paper is researching the influence of the minimum tillage systems application and climate conditions on the momentary soil moisture reserves and yield in the case of pea crops. The experimental factors were: factor A - tillage system, a1 = classical tillage system (with plowing), a2 = minimum tillage system (chisel variant), a3 = no-tillage system (direct sowing); factor B - experimental years, b1 = 2014, b2 = 2015, b3 = 2016. The afila pea variety cultivated was Tudor. Momentary soil moisture reserves were determined by the oven drying method. The average annual temperature increased during 2014-2016 by 0.9-2.0°C from the annual average of the past 59 years of 9.1°C recorded at the Meteorological Station Turda. Rainfall monthly registered over the three years were higher than the average on 59 years by 127.6 mm in 2015, 227.9 mm in 2014 and 303.2 mm in 2016. Soil reserve moisture determined between March and July at pea crop was higher in 2016 both the depth of 0-20 cm and 0-50 cm, the pea yield was 4210 kg/ha, compared to 2015 when the moisture reserve was close to the minimum limit and the yield obtained was 2360 kg/ha. Momentary soil moisture reserves calculated on 0-20 cm and 0-50 cm of depths were influenced by the soil tillage processing, in the minimum tillage systems and no-tillage the momentary soil moisture reserves are preserved better than in the classical tillage system. Reserve momentary soil moisture and pea yield are influenced by climate conditions and the processing of soil.