To determine the optimal ploughing depth and to make tillage simpler and less costly, but also taking account of edaphic and climatic conditions as well as biological and agrotechnical requirements of crops grown, long-term investigations (1994-2009) have been carried out on Stagnic Luvisol of sloping terrains in central Croatia near Daruvar. The paper presents the results relating to plant density and yields of maize (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max L.), oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Investigation results point to the conclusion that high density crops (winter wheat, spring barley and oilseed rape) are suitable for growing under reduced tillage systems. Yields of low density spring crops (maize and soybean) obtained under the no-tillage system are not satisfactory, especially in climatically extreme years.

soil tillage; plant density; crops; yield

Published by University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, CROATIA
Sponsored by Ministry Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia