Operational and yield performances and fuel-related CO2 emissions under different tillage-sowing practices in a rainfed crop rotation

Improvement of tillage-sowing practices can be a practical way of sustainable and environmentally friendly production by decreasing fuel and CO(2)emission and increasing yield in a rainfed crop rotation [Hungarian vetch (Vicia pannonicaCrantz)-winter wheat (Triticum aestivumL. cv. Bezostaja)-fallow] in semi-arid conditions. Therefore, conventional (CT), reduced-1 and 2, and no-tillage (NT) practices were tested with randomized block design as three replications. The highest fuel consumption (47.8 l ha(-1)) and human labor requirement (8.9 h ha(-1)) and the lowest equipment working effectiveness (0.17 ha h(-1)) were determined under CT. The NT practice manifested the best results with 3.5-fold fuel saving and 2.2-fold human labor saving as well as 7.8 times more operating area per unit time compared with CT. The highest weed infestation, seedling density and the shortest emergence time were determined in this practice. Vetch forage yield also was statistically higher in the NT practice. Conservation tillage logarithmically decreased CO(2)emissions and the lowest value was determined in NT with 71.4% reduction compared with the CT value (137.4 kg CO(2)ha(-1)). Specific CO(2)emissions in NT were lower by 72.1% in vetch and 60.4% in wheat than the CT values. Therefore, NT practice could be recommended as the best practice for rainfed crop rotation in semi-arid regions.