3 RD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FOOD, AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL SCIENCES (ICOFAAS 2021), Erzurum, Türkiye, 13 Ekim - 17 Aralık 2021, ss.93-101
In recent years, solutions for agricultural water scarcity such as reducing water losses
and leakages, expanding alternative water resources such as treated wastewater, and applying watersaving technologies have been presented within the scope of adaptation to climate change. Among these
solutions, no-tillage technique also has been investigated to enhance agricultural sustainability since it
improves the structure of the soil and ensures the preservation of soil moisture. This research was
conducted to investigate the effects of tillage techniques (conventional and no-tillage) and water quality
(freshwater and wastewater) on chlorophyll content, leaf area index, leaf relative water content and
electrolyte leakage of silage maize. Chlorophyll content, leaf area index, and electrolyte leakage of
silage maize found statistically significant at different levels for measured parameters. However, leaf
relative water content found statistically non-significant. Using wastewater as irrigation water increased
chlorophyll content by 4.5% as compared to freshwater irrigation and no-tillage practice increased
chlorophyll content roughly 2.1% as compared to conventional tillage practice. Leaf area index
increased by 5% under wastewater irrigation as compared to freshwater irrigation. Electrolyte leakage
occurred 15.2% more under wastewater irrigation as compared to freshwater irrigation while it was
4.8% more under no-tillage practice as compared to conventional soil tillage.