ANALYSIS OF EFFECTS OF COVER CROP AND TILLAGE METHOD COMBINATIONS ON THE PHENOTYPIC TRAITS OF SPRING WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) USING MULTIVARIATE METHODS

The paper presents the results of multivariate analysis assessing variation in quantitative traits after the application of various cover crops and tillage methods in cultivation of spring wheat in three years of study. The purpose of this study was to assess the multivariate phenotypic variation of spring wheat under 27 different combinations of three cover crops, three tillage methods and three years of study. 13 quantitative traits were monitored through the course of three years (2011-2013) in Poland. The result was statistically analyzed using the multivariate methods. Analysis of canonical variables proved to be a reliable tool providing a comprehensive assessment of variation in the effect of cover crop and method of tillage combinations on many traits simultaneously. The most diverse treatments were Z-A-1 (cover crop: zero, method of tillage: aggregate, in 2011) and N-P-2 (cover crop: no tillage, method of tillage: plowing, in 2012). The most similar treatments (in terms of 13 traits assessed) included Z-A-1 (cover crop: zero, method of tillage: aggregate, in 2011) and N-A-1 (cover crop: N - no tillage, method of tillage: aggregate, in 2011).