Assessment of long-term barley–legume rotations in a typical Mediterranean agro-ecosystem: grain and straw yields

Traditional Mediterranean rainfed cereal/fallow systems are being replaced by cereal monoculture due to land-use pressure. Food or forage legumes in rotation with cereals are an alternative sustainable cropping system. Complex cropping systems can only be assessed by long-term trials. This 11-year rainfed barley-based rotation trial in northern Syria assessed rotation effects on yields of barley and legumes, with particular emphasis on the management of vetch. The mean order of barley grain yields from the rotations was: vetch for hay, vetch for grazing > fallow = medic = vetch for seed > lentil, and continuous barley. Straw yields followed a similar pattern. Nitrogen (60 kg ha^?1) increased grain (39%) and straw (65%) yields. The N fertilization of barley had no carryover effect on the alternative legume crops. Although there were no significant differences in seed or straw yield between lentil and vetch, seasonal rainfall influenced overall yields. Total biomass yields were in the order of vetch, medic and lentil. There is a compelling case for annual vetch paired with barley in rotations for the Mediterranean region. Thus, barley/vetch rotations can potentially enhance barley yields and improve soil quality, and provide valuable fodder for small ruminants as well in the region's agricultural systems.     

Genetic variability and estimates of heritability in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) genotypes grown in a semiarid zone of Sudan

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate nine genotypes of sorghum grown for two consecutive cropping seasons in 2006 and 2007 under rain-fed conditions in a semiarid zone at the Research Farm of El Fasher Research Station, Sudan. The objective of the study was to assess genetic variability and heritability among sorghum genotypes using phenotypic morphological traits. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used for the experiment. The grain yield (kg ha^?1), the number of heads/plant, followed by straw yield (kg ha^?1) had the highest genotypic coefficients of variation in both seasons. High heritability (above 95%) was shown for plant height in both seasons. High genetic advance was reported in straw yield, 1000-grain weight and days to flowering in both seasons. Highly significant differences among genotypes were found for all characters. The high-yielding genotype was Adv-Edo-CWS (E-9) with grain yields of 2780.6 kg ha^?1. Grain yield was significantly and positively correlated with straw yield (r = 0.91), number of heads/plant (r = 0.69), plant height (r = 0.53) and 1000-grain weight (r = 0.36). However, it was significantly and negatively correlated with days to 50% flowering (r = ?0.21). Based on their positive association with grain yield, the character’s straw weight, number of heads/plant, plant height and 1000-grain weight would be the preferable selection criteria for sorghum improvement program in the country.     

Soil temperature,growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) as affected by wheat straw mulch

Maize crop is grown mostly in tropical/subtropical environments where drought adversely affects its production. A field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil for four years (1999 – 2002) to study the effect of wheat straw mulch (0 and 6 t ha^?1) and planting methods (flat and channel) on maize sown on different dates. Maximum soil temperature without mulch ranged from 32.2 – 44.4°C in channel and 31.6 – 46.4°C in flat planting method. Mulching, however, lowered soil temperature by 0.8 – 7.0°C in channel and 0 – 9.8°C in flat planting. Mulching, on an average, improved leaf area index by 0.42, plant height by 14 cm, grain yield by 0.24 t ha^?1 and biomass by 1.57 t ha^?1, respectively. Mulching improved grain yield only in flat sowing. Interaction between sowing date and planting method was significant. Seasonal variation in biomass were significantly correlated (p = 0.05) with mean air temperature during 0 – 45 days after planting (DAP) (r = ?0.95), pan evaporation during 0 – 15 DAP (r = 0.79) and negative correlation with rainfall in entire cropping season (r = ?0.89), whereas biomass increase with mulch in different cropping seasons had negative relation (r = ?0.74) with amount of rain during 0 – 15 DAP.     

Influence of weather on the fibre yield of mesta (Hibiscus sabdariffa) in the north coastal zone of Andhra Pradesh,India

Mesta (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is an important fibre crop in the north coastal zone of Andhra Pradesh which accounts for 59% of India's total production of mesta. The area under this crop has reduced dramatically in recent years and in order to understand the contribution of weather to this decline, long-term experimental data (14 years) on mesta cv. AMV-4 and regional crop yields were analysed. Crop yields decreased in seasons when rainfall exceeded 900 mm and maximum temperature remained below 32.0°C during 10–16 weeks after sowing (WAS), which coincided with the active vegetative stage. The average yields of the region were high when seasonal rainfall ranged between 600 and 725 mm. Increased fibre yields were observed when increasing seasonal rainfall coincided with maximum temperatures exceeding 33.5°C. Fibre yields from a long-term experiment showed strong positive correlations with maximum temperature during 6–16 WAS (r = 0.79) and with mean diurnal temperature range (8.6–10.7°C) during 11–19 WAS (r = 0.66). Step-wise regression showed that maximum variability in fibre yield was explained by maximum temperature which could be used to develop models to predict yield at least one month in advance with acceptable accuracy. This prediction could then be used as an input for crop planning and market intelligence.     

Prediction of tillage operation strategies for dryland wheat production in a degraded loess soil

Conservation tillage systems are advocated worldwide for sustainable crop production; however, their favorable effects on soil properties are subject to the length of their use. The following study aimed at using the CENTURY agroecosystem model to simulate long-term changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production. Tillage systems include conventional tillage (CT, control), minimum tillage, chisel plow (CP) and zero tillage with (R⁺) and without residues (R^?) in fallow-wheat system. The model validation with 2-year field experiment showed that the simulated results were strongly correlated with observed results for total organic carbon (r² = 0.94), active soil carbon (r² = 0.91), slow soil carbon (r² = 0.84) and passive soil carbon (r² = 0.85). Similarly, model simulations for biomass and grain yields were, respectively, 81% and 76% correlated with observed results. The long-term simulations predicted that SOC stock and its fractions will gradually build up, crop biomass and grain yield will enhance with crop residue retention, especially under chisel plough in comparison of existing CT system. The study concludes that CP and retention of crop residues have potential to improve SOC contents and ultimately crop production.     

Effect of soil type on the time-course of changes in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) productivity in Tokachi District,Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract

To clarify the effect of soil type on changes in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) productivity since 1980 in Tokachi District (Hokkaido, Japan), we analyzed yield data from 121 settlements from 1980 to 2002 using maps of parent materials and surface organic matter contents in a geographical information system. The soil types were Brown Lowland soils, Andosols with an alluvial subsoil, Wet Andosols and Andosols. The sugar beet yields were highest in the Andosols and moderate in Andosols with an alluvial subsoil. Yields in Brown Lowland soils in the 1980s were similar to those in Andosols, but decreased below the yields in the Andosols by the 1990s. The yields in Wet Andosols were the lowest in the 1980s, but have been similar to those in Andosols with an alluvial subsoil since 1990. Thus, productivity appears to have varied over time in Brown Lowland soils and Wet Andosols. The correlation coefficients between yields and cumulative daily mean temperature from late April to mid-July since 1990 were highest in the Andosols (r = 0.67), lowest in the Brown Lowland soils (r = 0.50) and intermediate in the other soil types (r = 0.54–0.60). However, the magnitude of the correlation between the yield and the cumulative precipitation since 1990 was lowest in the Andosols (r = –0.22), highest in the Brown Lowland soils (r = –0.58) and intermediate in the other soil types (r = –0.44 to –0.45). These results suggest that the present soil water environment in the Andosols is superior to that in the other soil types.     

Effect of soil tillage and weed control methods on weed biomass and yield of lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.)

Abstract

The study was carried out in dryfarming areas in Ankara, Turkey, over 2 years (2001 – 2002 and 2002 – 2003). The objective was to determine different soil tillage and weed control methods on weed biomass and yield components, yield of lentil (Lens culinaris). This study compared the effects of two tillage systems (shallow minimum tillage and traditional tillage) and three weed control methods (weedy check, hand weeding and herbicide) on weed biomass, growth characteristics, seed yield and some yield components of lentil. Significant differences were found among weed control methods for weed biomass and yield parameters of lentil. Tillage systems had no significant effect on weed biomass or yield of lentil. The highest yield and lowest weed biomass was found in the hand-weeded treatment compared to the other weed control methods. Results of this research indicate that weeds are a main constraint for lentil growing under dryland conditions. Grain yield of lentil was reduced more than 60% due to uncontrolled weeds.     

Contributions from carbon and nitrogen in roots to closing the yield gap between conventional and organic cropping systems

This study investigates the effect of different crop rotation systems on carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in root biomass as well as on soil organic carbon (SOC ). Soils under spring barley and spring barley/pea mixture were sampled both in organic and conventional crop rotations. The amounts of root biomass and SOC in fine (250–253 μ m), medium (425–250 μ m) and coarse (>425 μ m) soil particulate organic matter (POM ) were determined. Grain dry matter (DM ) and the amount of N in harvested grain were also quantified. Organic systems with varying use of manure and catch crops had lower spring barley grain DM yield compared to those in conventional systems, whereas barley/pea showed no differences. The largest benefits were observed for grain N yields and grain DM yields for spring barley, where grain N yield was positively correlated with root N. The inclusion of catch crops in organic rotations resulted in higher root N and SOC (g C/m²) in fine POM in soils under barley/pea. Our results suggest that manure application and inclusion of catch crops improve crop N supply and reduce the yield gap between conventional and organic rotations. The observed positive correlation between root N and grain N imply that management practices aimed at increasing grain N could also increase root N and thus enhance N supply for subsequent crops.     

By-Plant Prediction of Corn (Zea mays L.) Grain Yield using Height and Stalk Diameter

Methods for determining midseason nitrogen (N) rates in corn have used the parameter normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and, in some cases, plant height. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship of stalk diameter along with predictors of yield, including NDVI and plant height with grain yield. Five site-years of data were analyzed, where several rows of corn plants were selected, and yield from plants within the row was recorded individually. Measurements of stalk diameter, plant height, and NDVI were taken from growth stages V8–VT. Using a value of stalk diameter × plant height gave the best correlation with grain yield (r² = 0.34, 0.55, 0.67; V8, V10, V12, growth stages respectively). This work showed that stalk diameter × plant height was positively correlated with by-plant corn grain yields, and this parameter could be used for refining midseason fertilizer N rates for growth stages V8–V12.     

Growth,yield and yield components of dry bean as influenced by phosphorus in a tropical acid soil

Phosphorus (P) deficiency is one of the most yield limiting factors for dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) production in tropical acid soils. Dry beans are invariably grown as mono-crops or as inter-crops under the perennial tropical crops. Information is limited regarding the influence of phosphorus fertilization on dry bean yield and yield components and P use efficiency in tropical acid soils. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of phosphorus fertilization on dry bean growth, yield and yield components and P uptake parameters. Phosphorus rates used were 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mg P kg^?1 of soil. Soil used in the experiment was an acidic Inceptisol. Grain yield, shoot dry weight, number of pods, and 100 grain weight were significantly (P < 0.01) increased with phosphorus fertilization. Maximum grain yield, shoot dry matter, number of pods, and 100 grain weight were obtained with the application of 165, 216, 162, and 160 mg P kg^?1 of soil, respectively, as calculated by regression equations. Grain yield was significantly and positively associated with shoot dry weight, number of pods, P concentration in grain and total uptake of P in shoot and grain. Phosphorus use efficiency defined in several ways, decreased with increasing P rates from 50 to 250 mg P kg^?1 of soil. Maximum grain yield was obtained at 82 mg kg^?1 of Mehlich 1 extractable soil P. Results suggest that dry bean yield in Brazilian Inceptisols could be significantly increased with the use of adequate rates of phosphorus fertilization.     

Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Response to ESN and Urea Application in a No-Till Barley Cropping System

We investigated the effect of environmentally smart nitrogen (ESN) fertilizer on nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions under no-till barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) production over 3 years at three sites in Alberta, Canada. Treatments included two barley cultivars, with ESN and urea applied at 1× and 1.5× the recommended rate, and herbicide at 50% and 100% of registered in-crop rates. Cumulative N₂O emissions over the growing season were low (0.11 to 1.32 kg nitrogen (N) per hectare or 0.05–0.22 g N kg^?1 grain yield), and not affected by barley cultivars or herbicide rates in all nine site-years, nor by fertilizer type or rate in seven out of nine site-years. However, average N₂O emissions from ESN were 15% lower (P = 0.05) than urea across all site-years. Our results suggest ESN could play a role in reducing N₂O emissions, but the reduction will depend on rainfall events and crop N utilization.     

Effects of 41 Years of Application of Inorganic Fertilizers and Farm Yard Manure on Crop Yields,Soil Quality,and Sustainable Yield Index under a Rice-Wheat Cropping System on Mollisols of North India

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) on crop yield sustainability and soil quality in a long-term trial initiated during the wet season of 1971 under a humid subtropical climate. Over 41 years of study, 100% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) + farm yard manure (FYM) at 15 t ha^?1 recorded the most sustainable grain yields. Optimal and superoptimal NPK fertilizers gave quite similar crop yields to that of 100% NPK + FYM at 15 t ha^–1 up to two decades but thereafter yields declined sharply due to emergence of zinc (Zn) deficiency. The sustainable yield index (SYI) values indicated that wheat yields were more sustainable than rice. Soil organic carbon and available N, P, K, and Zn in the control plot decreased the most, whereas 100% NPK + FYM at 15 t ha^–1 improved available N, P and K, maintained soil organic carbon, and decreased Zn over initial levels. Grain yield and SYI were more significantly correlated with Soil Organic Carbon (SOC). Continuous application of FYM contributed the maximum Soil Quality Index (SQI) (0.94), followed by Zn.     

Crop rotation effects on yield of oilseed rape,wheat and barley and residual effects on the subsequent wheat

Economic conditions are forcing farmers to grow crops with high revenue leading to cereal-dominated crop rotations with increasing risk due to unfavourable preceding crops or preceding crop combinations. Based on a long-term field trial (1988–2001) with 15 different rotations including winter oilseed rape (OSR), winter wheat, winter barley, spring peas and spring oats, the effects of different preceding crops, pre-preceding crops and crop rotations on the grain yield of mainly OSR, winter wheat and winter barley were quantified. In the subsequent 2 years (2001/2002 and 2002/2003), winter wheat was grown on all plots in order to test the residual effects of the former crops (as preceding crops in 2002 and as pre-preceding crops in 2003) and crop rotations on growth, grain yield and yield components.

Unfavourable preceding crops significantly decreased yield of OSR, wheat and barley by 10% on average, however, with a large year-to-year variation. In addition, break-crop benefits in both crops, wheat and OSR, persisted to the second year. Wheat as preceding crop mainly decreased the thousand grain weight, and to a lesser extent, the ear density of the subsequent wheat crop. The amount of wheat yield decrease negatively correlated with the simple water balance (rainfall minus evapotranspiration) in May–July. In 2001/2002 and 2002/2003, the preceding crop superimposed the crop rotation effects, thus resulting in similar effects as observed in 1988–2001.

Our results clearly reveal the importance of a favourable preceding crop for the yield performance of a crop, especially wheat and OSR.     

Effects of zinc fertilizer amendments on yield and grain zinc concentration under controlled environment conditions

The application of zinc (Zn) fertilizer to lentil is an agronomic strategy that has the potential to improve yield and enhance grain Zn concentration. A pot study was conducted to determine if Zn fertilizer applied to three popular Saskatchewan lentil cultivars could increase yield and concentration of Zn in the grain. The effects of soil and foliar applied Zn forms, including ZnSO₄, Zn chelated with EDTA, Zn lignosulphonate, and a control were evaluated. Forms of Zn were not found to significantly increase yield (P = 0.828) or grain Zn concentration (P = 0.708) in any of the lentil cultivars tested. Fertilization with soil applied ZnSO₄ resulted in significantly (P < 0.0001) higher amounts of residual available Zn in the soil relative to other Zn treatments. Soil fertilized with ZnSO₄ had 1.13 mg kg^?1 diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Zn compared to 0.84 mg Zn kg^?1 and 0.77 mg Zn kg^?1 in the soil and foliar applied chelated Zn, respectively.     

Yam tuber and maize grain yield response to cropping system intensification in south-west Nigeria

Four factorial trials were conducted with yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.) at Ibadan, Nigeria from 2013 to 2015, investigating effects of (1) tillage (2) fertilizer (3) intercropping (4) yam plant densities. Yam tuber yields varied between years (2013: 16.44 Mg ha^?1; 2014: 10.08 Mg ha^?1; 2015 26.61 Mg ha^?1). In 2013 neither tillage nor fertilizer affected tuber yields. In 2014 tillage increased yields (+25.4%, P < 0.0001), fertilizer reduced yield (?10.5%; P = 0.0046). In 2015 tillage increased tuber yields by 8.1% (ns), fertilizer application increased yield (+17.5%, P = 0.0017). Across the years, tuber yields increased (P < 0.01) with increasing yam density with a constant increase in 2013 up to the highest density, yet yields leveled out above 14,815 plants ha^?1 in 2014 and 2015. Intercropping with maize (66,667 plants ha^?1) reduced tuber yield by 42.62% in 2013, 44.52% in 2014 and 30.68% in 2015 (P < 0.01 all years) across all yam densities. Maize grain yield was higher in sole crop in 2 years. Fertilizer increased yields in all years (P < 0.0001). Maize yield had no response to the yam densities. Ridging had a negative effect on grain yield in 2015 (?0.3 Mg ha^?1, P = 0.0002). Increasing plant density appears a safe measure to increase yam yields.     

Evaluation of seed yield and seed yield components in red–yellow (Pisum fulvum) and Ethiopian (Pisum abyssinicum) peas

Red–yellow (Pisum fulvum Sibth. et Sm.) and Ethiopian (Pisum abyssinicum A. Br.) peas have become of increasing interest to breeders in the last decade, as they have been found to be partially or completely tolerant to various biotic stresses, such as to attack by pea weevil, mildew blight or rust. A trial was carried out at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops at Rimski ?an?evi from 2005 to 2007, with 13 accessions each of red–yellow and Ethiopian peas sown at 100 viable seeds m^?2, in plots of 0.5 m². Seed yield per plant in red–yellow pea was significantly and positively correlated with seed number per plant (r = 0.881**), pod number per plant (r = 0.839**) and number of fertile nodes (r = 0.820**). The highest positive correlation among the agronomic characteristics in Ethiopian pea was between number of fertile nodes and number of pods (r = 0.937**). Seed yield in Ethiopian pea was highly significantly correlated with number of seeds (r = 0.807**), pods (r = 0.692*), and fertile nodes (r = 0.638*). The results suggest that plant morphology of the progenies between red–yellow or Ethiopian peas and grain-type common pea could not differ significantly from that of individual parents. That means that it could be possible to develop hybrid lines that could keep the desirable morphological traits of grain-type common pea, such as lodging-tolerance and high seed yields, and to make an introgression of a specific resistance from wild pea taxa, especially by back-crosses with the former. However, one must always be aware of unpredicted outcomes as a result of rather different genetic basis of individual seed yield components.     

Phosphorus-induced zinc deficiency in wheat pot-grown on noncalcareous and calcareous soils of different properties

High levels of phosphorus (P) often induce zinc (Zn) deficiency in plants grown on Zn-poor soils. We investigated P-induced Zn deficiency in durum wheat (Triticum durum L. ‘Carpio’) grown on 16 noncalcareous and 31 calcareous soils differing in levels of available (Olsen) P and available (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable) Zn using micropots. A completely randomized factorial design with two levels of P (0 and 40 mg P kg^?1 soil) and Zn (0 and 3 mg Zn kg^?1 soil), i.e. four treatments (‘control’, + P, + Zn, and + PZn), were used. Grain yield of control plants depended mainly on the Olsen P level. Phosphorus had a negative effect on yield in 6 soils with Olsen P/Zn_DTPA > 25, and Zn a positive one in 5 soils with Olsen P/Zn_DTPA > 50; and the + PZn treatment generally resulted in the highest yield. Grain Zn concentration of control plants was negatively correlated with growth and Olsen P. Calcareous soils were less sensitive to P-induced Zn deficiency than noncalcareous soils because phosphate is sorbed by calcite rather than being co-adsorbed with Zn on the Fe oxides. Co-application of P and Zn to soil at low and application of Zn at high Olsen P ensured both maximum yield and grain Zn bioavailability.     

Soil data importance in guiding maize intensification and yield gap estimations in East Africa

Wide maize yield gaps have been reported in Eastern Africa, hence possibility for increasing production. Previous yield gap studies relied on generic soils data such as Harmonized World Soils Database (HWSD). Using CERES-Maize model, the importance of newly available and detailed Africa Soil and Information Service (AFSIS) data in estimating yield gaps and assessing intensification potentials was studied at Sidindi, Kenya and Mbinga, Tanzania. Predicted water-limited yields (Yw) at Sidindi using AFSIS and HWSD soils data were 9.21 Mg ha^?1 and 9.88 Mg ha^?1 (p = 0.002); and at Mbinga 10.48 Mg ha^?1 and 10.90 Mg ha^?1 (p = 0.085). Adequate rainfall masks differences in simulated Yw. The calibrated model predicted grain yield with a root mean square (RMSE) of 1.7 Mg ha^?1 at Sidindi; and 2.13 Mg ha^?1 at Mbinga. The model was sensitive to available phosphorus, with a 15% increase resulting in yield increases of 177% for treatment NK and 46% for the control. For stable organic carbon content, a 15% decrease increased grain yields for treatment PK by 57.6%. To guide intensification and yield gap estimations, accurate active soil carbon, total carbon, available phosphorus and texture data are vital.     

Optimizing the Nitrogen Management Strategy for Winter Wheat in the North China Plain Using Rapid Soil and Plant Nitrogen Measurements

Excessive nitrogen (N) fertilizer with improper split-application in small-scale farming is widespread for reducing N use efficiency and polluting the environment. The objective of this study was to develop a strategy for providing winter wheat with twice-topdressing N by quickly measuring the soil and plant N status. During the period 2009–2011, a field experiment was conducted for winter wheat cultivar Zhongmai-175 in the North China Plain. The mineral N (Nmin) pool at a soil depth of 0–90 cm and topdressing N twice, as total N supply, was gradually increased from 0 to 420 kg N ha^–1 to mimic the farmers´ practices. Measurements with the Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) meter were taken on the uppermost fully expanded leaf, and the SPAD index was expressed relative to SPAD readings of sufficiently fertilized plants. Grain yield exhibited linear-plus-plateau responses to total N supply with a significant difference between years, the r² ranged from 0.73 to 0.94. With a basal N application of 30 kg ha^–1, the soil Nmin at 0–90 cm supplemented by twice-topdressing N (1:1 ratio) at Zadoks growth stage (ZGS) 22–23 in early spring and ZGS 47–52 was required at 150–165 kg N ha^–1 to achieve a maximum grain yield of 3.9–5.3 t ha^–1. The SPAD index exhibited a strong exponential response to N supply irrespective of plant growth stage and year (r² = 0.95–0.97); the value of 0.94 was critical in denoting N deficiency from sufficiency status. The N topdressing at ZGS 47–52 could be precisely modified/estimated by the equation y = 161.7–218x^5.16, where x is the SPAD index. Since SPAD readings varied significantly from year to year, our study suggests that it might be difficult to precisely manage field N for winter wheat.     

Barley yield and weed development as affected by crop sequence and tillage systems in a semi‐arid environment

Abstract

In order to monitor barley and weed development on a loamy sand soil subjected to different agronomic practices, field experiments were conducted for three growing seasons (1992–95) in a semi‐arid agrosystem in central Spain. For eight years, independent plots were managed with three crop sequences: barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)?vetch (Vicia sativa L.); barley? sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.); and a barley monoculture. In all cases, two tillage systems were implemented: no‐tillage and conventional tillage. In the years with standard rainfall (400 mm) an improvement in growth‐related cultivation variables and yield components of barley were observed in plots under barley?vetch rotation and/or conventional tillage. In drier conditions (<350 mm) the growth rate, crop yield and yield components of barley tended to improve under the no‐tillage system. Barley?vetch rotation and/or conventional tillage increased nitrate‐nitrogen (NO₃‐N) content in barley plants. Similar results were found for the concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg). In addition, the plots under crop rotation showed a weed biomass with a high concentration of N, K, and Ca in comparison with plots under monoculture. The lack of spring herbicide treatment in the no‐tillage plots led to a 3‐fold increase in weed density compared with the plots under conventional tillage.