Two field experiments were conducted at the Agricultural Research and Experimental Center, Faculty of Agriculture at Moshtohor, Kalubia Governorate, during 1998 and 1999 seasons, to study the effect of different tillage systems including chisel plowing and moldboard plowing each alone and preceded by subsoiling and weed control treatments (Control, Sromp, Goal and Stomp + Goal) on soil properties, weeds and yield in cotton as well as economic evaluation of studied treatments.
The results indicated that subsoiling + moldboarding reduced the bulk density. The reduction of bulk density lead to the increase of soil porosity. The reduction in fresh and dry weights of weeds were substantial with moldboard plowing especially when preceded by subsoiling. The mixture of Stomp + Goal was the more effective treatment in controlling weeds. Whereas, Goal gave a less reduction as a weed control. The highest values in seed cotton yield and its attributes i.e. number of plants/fed., number of open bolls/plant, seed cotton yield/plant as well as plant height were recorded with subsoiling + moldboarding. Also, the mixture of Stomp and Goal was the best treatment affecting those attributes. Under moldboard plowing preceded by subsoiling, the highest weed control was exerted by the mixture of Stomp + Goal application at both surveys in both seasons. The maximum net farm return was achieved by subsoiling + moldboarding when combined with applying Stomp being 3852.6 L.E. in 1998 and with the mixture of Stomp and Goal, being 3508.5 L.E. in 1999.