YIELDS AND SELECTED QUALITY PARAMETERS OF WINTER WHEAT (TRITICUM ESTIVUM L.) IN ORGANIC CROPPING SYSTEM AS AFFECTED BY FORECROPS IN THE YEARS 2006-2008

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate yields and selected qualitative parameters of winter wheat cultivated after three different forecrops in the years 2006-2008. Stationary field experiment was established on a loamy luvi-haplic chernozem in a maize–barley growing region in South - Western Slovakia. The tested variety Bardotka is known as a variety with good content of gluten and high values of sedimentation test. The weather conditions statistically modified qualitative parameters of winter wheat grain (crude protein, wet gluten, fall number, sedimentation test, ** P<0.01). The forecrops statistically significantly influenced grain yields and thousand-grain weight (** P<0.05). The average grain yield was 5.99 t/ha. The average yield after alfalfa was 6.48 t/ha and 5.86 t/ha after spring barley (winter wheat was amended by farm manure) and winter wheat yield after pea was 5.65 t/ha. The highest crude protein content as well as wet gluten content, fall number and sedimentation test were after spring barley. The lowest values of all selected qualitative parameters were determined after pea. In the years 2006-2008 the most suitable quantitative parameters of winter wheat grown in the organic farming system were obtained after alfalfa. The best effect on the qualitative parameters of winter wheat had spring barley followed by farm yard manure application.