Crop yield and water use efficiency in semi-arid region of Turkey

Published source details Cayci G., Heng L.K., Öztürk H.S., Sürek D., Kütük C. & Sağlam M. (2009) Crop yield and water use efficiency in semi-arid region of Turkey. Soil & Tillage Research, 103, 65-72.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Water: Use crop rotations Action Link
	Crop production: Use crop rotations Action Link

Water: Use crop rotations

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2003–2005 in a rainfed winter wheat field in Central Anatolia, Turkey, found that wheat used water to produce grain more efficiently in plots with crop rotations, compared to continuous wheat, but there were inconsistent differences in soil water storage between plots with or without crop rotations. Water use: Wheat used water more efficiently in plots with crop rotations, compared to continuous wheat (5.4–9.4 vs 2.3 kg/ha/mm). Water availability: Less water was found in soils with crop rotations, compared to continuous wheat, in five of 30 comparisons (116–154 vs 150–167 mm), but more water was found in two of 30 comparisons (156–163 vs 125 mm). Methods: Wheat was grown continuously (three plots) or in rotation with one of five other phases (three plots each: winter lentil, chickpea, sunflower, spring lentil, or fallow). Each plot was 5 x 15 m. All plots were fertilized. Before the experiment, these rotations had been used for 21 years in this field. The wheat was harvested in July. Soil moisture was measured with a neutron probe (0–90 cm depth) and soil water storage was calculated from the change in soil moisture.
Crop production: Use crop rotations

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2003–2005 in a rainfed winter wheat field in Central Anatolia, Turkey, found higher wheat yields in plots with rotations, compared to continuous wheat. Crop yield: Wheat yields were higher in plots with rotations (1,320–2,243 vs 543 kg grain/ha). Methods: Wheat was grown continuously (three plots) or in rotation with one of five other phases (three plots each: winter lentil, chickpea, sunflower, spring lentil, or fallow). Each plot was 5 x 15 m. All plots were fertilized. Before the experiment, these rotations had been used for 21 years in this field. The wheat was harvested in July.