Economic Viability of Winter-Wheat Tillage Systems

Abstract

A multidisciplinary field experiment for winter wheat was conducted in Croatia during three seasons. The intention was to examine the effect of tillage systems (TS) on the economic indicators, that is, on the gross margin (GM), rate of profitability (ROP), cost-effectiveness (E) and productivity (P). The TSs were as follows: CT — plowing up to a 30 cm depth, DT — disking up 8-12 cm, LT — loosening up to 35 cm and NT — no-tillage. The experimental design was a randomized block one in four repetitions, whereby the basic TS plot amounted to 540 m2. The economic indicators were calculated using the economic equations and standards. Statistical analysis was performed with the SAS 9.3 and Microsoft Excel 2016 software. The results are pointing that the LT assigned the prime economic results. The ROP was in the following order: CT (32.67%) < DT (37.39%) < LT (40.31%) < NT (42.29%). The same order was established for the E, as follows: CT (1.33) < DT (1.37) < LT (1.40) < NT (1.42). The NT established the best P because of the lowest production costs, but due to a significantly lower yield, the NT has a limited adoption in practice. A viable agricultural production by the implementation of reduced soil tillage systems has its capabilities and potential while invigorating economic sustainability and agricultural production’s financial efficiency.