Effect of Tillage Systems and Soil Mulching on Soil Temperature at Different Depths during the Growth of Maize (Zea mays L.) in a Semi-Arid Environment

الملخص

Soil temperature is an essential factor influencing heat transfer within agricultural fields, varying primarily according to soil management systems. This study focused to investigate and study the effect of soil preparation methods and mulch used types on soil temperature at different depths during the plant growth stages of maize in an arid area. The field experiment was conducted at the Wasit Governorate Agriculture Directorate / Agricultural research station, in the Al-Kardhiya area, using a structured panel layout. The study included five soil preparation systems: no-till, reduced tillage, straw-covered tillage, conventional tillage, and deep tillage with rotavator. Three mulch types were used: organic mulch with wood shavings, inorganic mulch with gravel, and a no-mulch treatment. Soil temperature at depths of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 cm was measured at regular intervals times throughout the growing season. No statistical analysis was done; description and graphical interpretation were done. The results showed that the surface layer (0 cm depth) captured the highest temperatures during the germination stage, and then gradually decreased with advancing growth stages; this is happened due to many factors such as mainly increased plant shading. Deep tillage with clotting but without mulch resulted in higher temperatures at all depths, while tillage with straw and organic mulch (wood shavings) reduced soil temperatures and increased thermal stability. The results demonstrate that integrated conservation tillage with organic mulch can mitigate soil temperature fluctuations and enhance thermal stability, providing a practical strategy for improving soil management and supporting crop production in arid regions.