Effect of Three Tillage Implements on Potato Yield and Water Use Efficiency

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of tillage implements on potato yield and water use efficiency. The study was conducted at a private farm at Al-Kharj Governorate, Saudi Arabia during 2015 in randomize complete block design with three replications. Three primary tillage implements commonly used in Saudi Arabia for seedbed preparation with different configurations: disk harrow, chisel plow and moldboard plow were used. The potato variety used was Spunta. Centre pivot system was used to provide irrigation water. The statistical analysis indicated that tillage implement had significant effect on yield and water use efficiency. The highest yield of 37.19 t/ha was observed during plowing with moldboard plow and the lowest (32.33 t/ha) was observed during plowing with disk harrow. The highest water use efficiency of 7.91 kg/m3 was observed during plowing with moldboard plow and the lowest (6.88 kg/m3) was observed during plowing with disk harrow. The results could be helpful to develop comprehensive technology to increase potato yield and water use efficiency in semi-arid region like Saudi Arabia.