Evaluation of the No-Till Demonstration Studies in South East Anatolia Region of Turkey

The practice of no-till in crop production has gained popularity in recent years because it is a superior soil conservation practice and offers reduction in fuel and labor requirements. But, its adaption is very slow in many countries because of lack of knowledge, experience and machines. A series of demonstration studies was conducted to observe the performance of the no-till systems in farmers’ conditions in South East Anatolia region of Turkey. Four demonstration sites were established, each of which was also planted with farmers’ application for wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) after wheat, wheat after lentil (Lens Culinaris, L), wheat after cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and lentil after wheat in 2009-2010 growing season. Yield was higher under no-till planting (1.50 t ha-1) than farmers’ application (1.10 t ha-1) for lentil production after wheat. The no- till planting had similar yield to farmers’ application for wheat production after wheat and lentil. The yield performance of wheat following cotton for no-till ridge planting and farmers’ application was not consistent at three demonstration sites. In conclusion, the studies of the demonstration showed that no-till planting may be used in lentil and wheat production following wheat and lentil under these weather and soil conditions in South East Anatolia Region of Turkey.