Environmental viability and economic sustainability of tillage for wheat: Evidence from Croatia

Abstract

A multidisciplinary field experiment was performed during three seasons for winter wheat in Croatia. The intention of this study was to examine and diagnose the effect of Tillage Systems (TS) on soil chemical properties (soil acidity, phosphorus, potassium, and organic matter content) as well as the outcome of economic indicators such as Gross Margin (GM), Rate of Profitability (ROP), cost-effectiveness (E) and productivity (P). TS were CT - plowing up to 30 cm depth; DT - disking up to 8-12 cm depth; LT - loosening up to 35 cm depth; NT - no-tillage. The experimental design was a randomised block design in four repetitions, where the basic TS plot was 540 m2. Soil sampling for 0-30 cm soil layer was done prior to setting up the experiment and after three seasons, a total of 320 soil samples and chemical analyses were performed according to standard pedological procedures. Economic indicators are calculated using economic equations and standards and statistical analysis was performed with SAS 9.3 and Microsoft Excel 2016. Generated results point that on systems with shallower tillage or no- tillage expressed accumulation of phosphorus and potassium appeared with distinct vertical stratification. At the same time, these TS ensured soil organic matter and soil fertility preservation. From the aspect of economic calculations, LT assigned the prime economic results. The ROP was in order CT (32.67%) < DT (37.39%) < LT (40.31%) < NT (42.29%). The same order was established for E, namely, CT (1.33) < DT (1.37%) < LT (1.40%) < NT (1.42%). NT established the best P because of the lowest costs of production, but due to significantly lower yield, NT has limited adoption in practice. The conservable and viable agricultural production by intermediation of reduced soil tillage systems has its capabilities and potency, firstly ecological, through providing soil degradation, and then economical by potentiating economic sustainability and financial efficiency of agricultural production.