The Economic Impact of Different Soil Tillage Methods and Soil Improvers on Winter Wheat Crops

Key words: mineral fertilizers, biohumus, bentonite, plowing, application timing, profit The article presents the results of calculations on the economic efficiency of grain and straw yields in winter wheat crops under the influence of various soil tillage methods, mineral fertilizers, equivalent doses of biohumus, and the timing of bentonite application. Based on the results of three-year studies (2022-2024), it was substantiated that, in the conditions of rainfed farming in the village of Fantan, Hrazdan region of Kotayk Province, the most effective soil tillage method for cultivating winter wheat is loosening the soil to a depth of 10-12 cm. Compared to conventional plowing (22-25 cm) and no-tillage, this method helps improve the soil's water-air properties and regulate its nutrient regime, which in turn increases the yield of grain and straw from winter wheat. Due to the achievement of high yields, this soil tillage method provides the highest profit – 117.2 thousand drams, which is 21.8 thousand drams more than the no-tillage method and 74.6 thousand drams more than conventional plowing. At the same time, calculations revealed that the equivalent doses of mineral fertilizers and biohumus applied in all three soil tillage methods, along with the autumn application of bentonite, were more effective and economically efficient than its spring application.