Effect of soil puddling and previous crop on some soil properties and rice productivity in clay soils [electronic resource].

Includes references.

A field experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of the faculty of agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr EI-Sheikh, Egypt, in 2007 summer season. The experiment was conducted to study the effect of soil puddling (with puddling or without), previous crop (wheat or clover) and interaction between them on some soil properties and productivity of rice crop. Combined design with three replicates was used. It was found that, values of soil salinity under puddling soils were higher than that without puddling. Soil bulk density was significantly affected by puddling, previous crop and interaction between them in the two layers of soil except, puddling in surface layer (0-30 cm) was insignificant. Values of soil bulk density were higher under wheatrice than those under clover-rice and it were higher under puddling soil than those without puddling. Infiltration rate was significantly affected by puddling and non significantly by previous crop. Infiltration rate values were higher under clover-rice than those under wheat-rice. HydraUlic conductivity of soil was insignificant affected by puddling and interaction between puddling and previous crop. It was significantly affected by previous crop. All parameters of aggregates were significantly affected by previous crop and its values were higher under clover-rice than those under wheatrice. Values of rice yield without puddling were higher than those under puddling. The highest value of rice yield was found under clover-rice without puddling. Generally, it was recommended to cultivate rice after clover or wheat without puddling to increase the yield and save the cost of operation puddling.

Summary in Arabic.

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