INFLUENCE OF SOIL TILLAGE DEPTHS ON SOIL WATER-PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND WEED INFESTATION IN THE WHEAT FIELD

A 3-year study results in the typical sierozem soils of Samarkand Province, Uzbekistan revealed that soil tillage to 30-35 cm depth has reduced the number of biennial and perennial weeds in the winter wheat field for 30- 40 %, soil compaction – for 0.08 g cm-3 , increased soil porosity for 1.5-2.0%, water infiltration for 6-hours – for 87-101 m3 ha-1 and improved soil microbial activity. Grain yield of winter wheat during the study years ranged from 5.94 to 6.26 t ha-1.