Etude de l’effet des systèmes de culture sur le comportement du blé dur (Triticum durum. Desf) en zone semi-aride de Sétif

Abstract

This study aimed to compare three cropping systems (no-till, reduced tillage, and conventional system) on the development and yield of durum wheat (Triticum durum) in the semi-arid region of Sétif. The experiment, conducted on the Bousselam variety, monitored various phenological, physiological, morphological, and agronomic parameters. Results showed that no-till better preserves soil moisture, regulates temperature, promotes growth, and ensures higher yields compared to the other two systems. However, no-till is affected by high temperatures at the end of the cycle, a particularly important problem in semi-arid areas. Reduced tillage showed intermediate performance, while the conventional system, although effective in the short term, increases water loss and weed pressure. In conclusion, the gradual adoption of no-till represents a sustainable alternative for enhancing cereal productivity in semi-arid Algerian regions, provided that management is adapted to end-of-cycle thermal constraints.