Efficiency of humic acid on wheat productivity and some soil properties under no- tillage system and water irrigation shortage

Abstract EN

Two field experiments were conducted in the Experimental Farm of Sids Agricultural Research Station, ARC, Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt on wheat to determine the possibility of reducing tillage processes and irrigation number by added humic acid and its effect on wheat productivity and soil properties after wheat harvest.

The experimental design were split –split design, where tillage systems( no tillage, N T and conventional tillage, C T ) were arranged in main plot, while irrigation numbers (4, I1 and 5, I2 irrigations ) were conducted in sub plot.

Whereas, sub sub plots were occupied by humic acid treatments (0, 0 H1, 12 H2 and 24, H3 kg humic acid ha-1 as soil application ).

The results indicate that direct sowing (NT) improved soil organic matter content, bulk density and soil water relations (increased soil available water and decreased wilting point ), while conventional tillage (CT) increased yield and its components of wheat than no tillage.

Irrigated wheat plants with five irrigation increased yield and it components than irrigated four irrigation.

Increasing humic acid levels were significantly improved soil pH, soil organic matter, soil bulk density, water relations, soil available N, P and K and yield and its components of wheat.

The results of the interactions show that no tillage system with 24kg ha-1 humic acid as soil application under irrigated wheat plant four times gave wheat productivity equal to those under conventional tillage and irrigated five times.

this means that it could reduced the tillage cost and save one irrigation and improved soil properties and fertility.