Effect of reduced tillage on quality traits of soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

Abstract

Four different tillage systems were compared in soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production on one experimental field (chernozem) located in the Baranya region of northeastern Croatia in 2002 and 2003. The dry conditions experienced in 2003 exacerbated the negative effects of no-tillage on soybean yield. The 2-year average yield of soybean was significantly lower under no-tillage (NT) than in the conventional tillage (CT), soil loosening (SL) and disc harrowing (DH) treatments. The soybean oil and protein contents were very similar in all the tillage systems over the 2-year average. Soybean crude fibre (%) was affected by the main effect of tillage. Averaged over 2 years the crude fibre (%) of soybean grain was greater under NT than in the CT, DH and SL treatments. The ash (%) generally increased as tillage declined.