https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2307-1894
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Abstract
The effects of four continuous tillage regimes; mouldboard ploughing, tine-tillage, shallow tine-tillage, no-tillage; and three tillage rotations (involving shallow tine-tillage once every two, three, and four years in rotation with no-tillage), and two rates of synthetic agrochemicals (standard: with regular application of synthetic agrochemicals; and reduced: fewer synthetic agrochemicals in combination with biostimulants) on wheat and canola yield and quality were investigated between 2018 and 2020 under typical Mediterranean climatic conditions in South Africa. It was hypothesised that a combination of tillage rotations and the application of reduced synthetic agrochemicals will improve crop yield and quality relative to mouldboard ploughing or no-tillage. Results showed that a combination of reduced application of synthetic agrochemicals and tillage rotation practices maintained but did not significantly increase crop yield and quality, relative to no-tillage and mouldboard ploughing. Results also showed that intensive ploughing is unnecessary as it did not significantly increase yields (p > 0.05). In addition, it is possible to reduce the quantity of synthetic agrochemicals applied by partially replacing them with biostimulants without significant changes in grain or seed yields and quality. We, therefore, suggest that producers opt for biostimulants in combination with no-tillage or tillage rotation as a sustainable way of farming.
REVIEWING EDITOR:
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the Western Cape Agricultural Research Trust for providing the research bursary and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture staff for their work in maintaining these trials and assisting with data collection. They also thank Real IPM for their technical support and for supplying the biostimulants.
Authors’ contributions
PS, JL, FR, and JB contributed to the study conceptualisation, and methodology, and edited the manuscript. FT conducted the research and drafted the initial manuscript under the guidance of PS, JL, FR, and JB. FT also conducted the statistical analysis. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Disclosure statement
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Flackson Tshuma
Dr Flackson Tshuma is a researcher within the Department of Agronomy at Stellenbosch University, where his work is marked by a commitment to sustainable agricultural practices. He holds a dual PhD in Agronomy from Stellenbosch University in South Africa and Coventry University in the UK. His research interests primarily revolve around the utilisation of biostimulants to minimise the reliance on synthetic agrochemicals in cereal crop cultivation. Furthermore, he has interests in the impact of various tillage methodologies (particularly rotational tillage systems that involve no-tillage and deep ripping), on dryland cereal production and soil nutrient stratification.
Pieter Andreas Swanepoel
Prof Pieter Swanepoel is the Chairperson of the Department of Agronomy at Stellenbosch University. As an Associate Professor, Prof Swanepoel directs an active research program focused on conservation agriculture and pastures, providing mentorship to MSc and PhD students. His research is grounded in agroecosystem principles, which emphasize the integration of sustainable farm management techniques to support the intensification of grain production systems. With a focus on responsible and ethical resource use, his research encompasses soil, water, nutrient, crop, and animal resources. Swanepoel contributes to the Protein Research Foundation (PRF), which promotes sustainable local production of protein to meet the increasing demand for animal production purposes, with a current focus on canola and soybean production.
Johan Labuschagne
Dr Johan Labuschagne is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Agronomy, Stellenbosch University, South Africa. He obtained his PhD in Agronomy at Stellenbosch University with the thesis titled: Nitrogen Management Strategies on Perennial Ryegrass-White Clover Pastures in the Western Cape Province. He is involved in lecturing undergraduate agronomy students as well as supervising various PhD and MSc Agric students. Dr Labuschagne has 25 years of experience in various aspects related to long-term studies, with a focus on soil disturbance and crop rotation systems. He also has extensive experience in nitrogen fertilisation of wheat and canola grown under conservation agriculture systems. He is registered as a Professional Natural Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions.
James Bennett
Dr James Bennett has a BSc and MSc in Biological Sciences from the University of Warwick and a PhD in Smallholder Farming Systems in South Africa from Coventry University. He is currently an Associate Professor in Environmental Studies at the Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience at Coventry University. His primary research interests are in the management of communal rangelands for livestock production in Africa and the integration of sustainable practices into smallholder agricultural systems in Africa.
Francis Rayns
Dr Francis Rayns has degrees in biological sciences from Bangor University and De Montfort University, both in the UK. He currently works in the Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience at Coventry University. His research interests focus on sustainable management of soil fertility (particularly the use of green manure crops and the utilisation of waste materials in the form of soil amendments such as compost, anaerobic digestate and biochar) and also has interests in intercropping, the use of heritage vegetable varieties, alternatives to the use of plastics in agriculture and citizen science as a method for improving agricultural practice.