Soil management and weed control affect wheat productivity and resilience in semi-arid systems

Kelvin Harrison Diri, Gani Stybayev, Meisam Zargar, Aliya Baitelenova, Bekzak Amantayev, Saltanat Kulzhanova, Yeldos Kulzhabayev, Rakhiya Yelnazarkyzy

2026

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DOI 10.3934/agrfood.2026016
Data confidence 70 medium
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Abstract

Soil management and herbicide selection are vital to wheat production in semi-arid agroecosystems; however, their relative contributions to crop physiology and yield formation remain poorly quantified under field conditions, particularly in semi-arid environments. This study, conducted during the 2025–2026 growing season, evaluated three sulfonylurea-based treatments: Metsulfuron methyl, tribenuron methyl + metsulfuron methyl (mixture), and thifensulfuron methyl in spring wheat under two management systems, conventional tillage (CT) and stubble retention (SR), across two sites in Northern Kazakhstan. Results indicated that canopy development, physiological performance, and grain yield were significantly enhanced (p < 0.05) under CT compared with stubble retention, with yield increases ranging from 14% to 65% depending on site and treatment. Herbicide-treated plots recorded a significant 24%–30% higher grain yield than the untreated control, although differences among active ingredients were generally modest. Physiological indices indicated no evidence of herbicide-induced stress at recommended rates, as chlorophyll content (SPAD) and the effective quantum yield of photosystem Ⅱ remained stable at heading. Strong and moderate positive correlations were observed between grain yield and tillering coefficient and grains per spike (r = 0.86*** and r = 0.47**, respectively). Yield path analysis further revealed site-specific mechanisms, with tillering coefficient exerting the strongest direct effect on yield at Site A (β = 0.60), and grains per spike dominating at Site B (β = 0.55). Hierarchical clustering further revealed that soil management defined overall trait structure, whereas herbicide-related differences were secondary and expressed primarily under favorable conditions. The research findings highlight the predominant role of soil management in regulating wheat productivity and physiological performance. This further emphasizes the importance of integrating effective weed control with adaptive soil management strategies to improve yield stability in semi-arid agroecosystems.