Effect of Tillage and Sowing Methods on Wheat Production in the Upper Terraces of the Northern State (Sudan)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to select the best tillage and
sowing methods for large scale production of wheat in the Northern State
of Sudan. Eight treatments comprising five tillage methods (Disc
ploughing + disc harrowing + leveling; moldboard ploughing + disc
harrowing + leveling; chisel ploughing + disc harrowing + leveling; light
offset disc harrowing + leveling; zero tillage as control) and three sowing
methods (manual broadcasting + cultivation; manual broadcasting + light
disc harrowing; seed drilling on flat land) were compared in a split-plot
design arrangement for two seasons (2000/ 01 and 2001/ 02). The greatest
average yields were obtained by using disc plough + disc harrow +
leveling (4.0 ton/ha) and chisel plough + disc harrowing + leveling (3.9
ton/ha) compared with other tillage methods. Seed drilling as well as
cultivation after broadcasting resulted in significantly (P<0.01) higher
average yields (3.9 ton/ha) than harrowing after broadcasting for the two
seasons