INFLUENCE OF TILLAGE ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY OF THE ROOT SYSTEM OF WINTER RAPESEED

Abstract

Tillage has a significant impact on the physical properties and functions of the soil, which can affect its health and overall fertility, and at the same time plant growth. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of different tillage methods on the development and productivity of the winter rapeseed root system. During this study, winter rapeseed was evaluated in 2022-2023, in a long-term field experiment at the Vytautas Magnus University, Academy of Agriculture, Experimental Station. The study was carried out in different tillage methods (deep plowing (GA), shallow plowing (SA), deep loosening (GP), shallow loosening (SP), direct sowing (ND)) assessing the readiness of winter rapeseed for overwintering by determining its above-ground mass, root length and weight, root collar thickness, and how the yield was formed. The study found that winter rapeseed requires at least minimal tillage to prepare for winter and properly grow both aboveground mass and form a strong root system. During the experiment, it was found that a significantly lower yield was produced in the variant using direct sowing, while the variant using shallow tillage produced a relatively higher yield.