Disadvantages of sowing methods on soil water content root distribution and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the Loess Plateau of South Shanxi, China

Abstract Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a staple crop worldwide and yield improvement since the green revolution was attributed to chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizer application. The field experiment was performed from 2016 to 2020 in the eastern part of Loess Plateau, China, to study the effect of two sowing practices carried out before summer fallow, i.e., wide-space sowing (WS) and drill sowing (DS). The results indicated the soil water content, root length surface density (RLSD), at anthesis by drought was 44% under WS and 29% with DS, while the reduction in above-ground dry weight was 67% under WS and 56% under DS. More soil water was depleted from the deep soil layer (80–100 cm depth) than that in the shallow layer (20–60 cm depth). The average contribution rates of soil water content at sowing to grain yield under DS were 23–25%. Thus, drill sowing in summer fallow should be adopted for high water storage and yield stability.