102(1)_str8

ISSN 1392-3196 / e-ISSN 2335-8947
Zemdirbyste-Agriculture, vol. 102, No. 1 (2015), p. 67–72
DOI  10.13080/z-a.2015.102.008

The effects of soil tillage and crop rotation on the development of winter wheat leaf diseases

Biruta BANKINA, Antons RUŽA, Līga PAURA, Ilze PRIEKULE

Abstract

Winter wheat is one of the most profitable crops in Latvia. Different growing technologies, including reduced soil tillage and continuous wheat sowing, have become more popular in recent years. The aim of this study was to characterise the development of winter wheat leaf diseases with respect to the soil tillage method and crop rotation under typical wheat growing conditions in the central region of Latvia. Experiments were carried out at the Pēterlauki Study and Research Farm of Latvia University of Agriculture in 2010, 2012 and 2013. Trials were conducted in two blocks: 1) conventional tillage with mouldboard ploughing at a depth of 22–23 cm and 2) reduced tillage with disc harrowing at a depth of 10–12 cm. Different crop rotations were established in each block, but crop sequences differed slightly depending on the year. Continuous wheat sowing and reduced soil tillage increased the level of tan spot infection, especially when these two factors were combined. The level of infection with Septoria leaf blotch was influenced by the soil tillage method and the year.

Key words: Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, reduced soil tillage, Zymoseptoria tritici.

Full text:  102_1_str8.pdf