EFFECT OF DIFFERENT TILLAGE SYSTEMS ON SOIL PROPERTIES AND WHEAT YIELD IN MIDDLE ANATOLIA

Field experiments were conducted on a clay soil in entisol to determin e the effect of different tillage tools on soil properties, emergence rate index and yield of wheat in Middle Anatolia. There were four diff erent tillage treatments: mouldboard ploughing followed by disc harrow ing twice; rotary tillage twice; stubble cultivator followed by a disc harrowing; heavy globe disc twice. The smallest aggregate mean weight diameters and surface roughness were produced by rotary tillage. Decr easing mean weight diameter decreased the surface roughness. There was a significant (P < 0.01) effect of the four different tillage systems on moisture content, bulk density, penetration resistance, aggregate mean weight diameter and surface roughness. Tillage systems had a sign ificant effect on emergence rate and yield of wheat. Emergence rate in dex and yield of wheat varied from 15.24 to 18.88 and from 3065 kg ha( -1) to 4265 kg ha(-1), respectively. The greatest emergence rate index and yield were obtained with stubble cultivator followed by disc harr owing treatment.