IMPACT OF TILLAGE AND NITROGEN FERTILIZER ON SOIL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION OF WHEAT

A Field experiment was carried out at the El-Gemmeiza Agricultural Research Station Farm, affiliated with the Agricultural Research Center (ARC), El-Gharbia Governorate, during two winter growing seasons of 2022/2023 and 2023/2024. The study assessed the impact of different tillage methods and nitrogen fertilizer application rates on soil properties and wheat productivity. A split-plot experimental design with three replications was used. The main plots were assigned to two tillage treatments: no-tillage (T1) and conventional tillage to a depth of 0–40 cm (T2). Sub-plots received five nitrogen application levels: 0 (N1), 44.62 (N2), 89.25 (N3), 133.88 (N4), and 178.50 (N5) kg.ha⁻¹. Results demonstrated that the combination of no-tillage (T1) and the highest nitrogen rate (N5) significantly improved soil chemical characteristics, including the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as organic matter content, electrical conductivity (EC), and pH, compared to conventional tillage (T2) in both seasons. Additionally, no-tillage treatments showed higher water consumption, productivity, and efficiency. Conversely, conventional tillage enhanced soil physical attributes such as bulk density, total porosity, hydraulic conductivity, and cumulative infiltration rate. Overall, no-tillage systems promote better synchronization between nitrogen availability and plant uptake, improve fertilizer use efficiency, and reduce potential environmental impacts of nitrogen loss.