Tillage methods: technological operations and tasks

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Machining the soil layer is the main stimulator of crop rotation processes. A properly designed cultivation system, in particular, improves the moisture supply and aeration of the earth, and also contributes to the activation of beneficial microorganisms. Modern methods of soil cultivation combine elements of traditional soil cultivation and new technologies, but in each case, when using them, one must also take into account external microclimatic conditions and the requirements for specific vegetation.

Tillage tasks

With the help of agrotechnical tools, an agricultural enterprise or a farmer on his own plot organizes the process of creating favorable conditions in the soil in terms of the development of cultivated plants. Benefits of mechanical processingquite a scientific reason. Favorable effects are both on the fertile layer and on plants, acting in several directions at the same time - at the biological, physical and chemical levels. Of fundamental importance is the regulation of the temperature and humidity regime, which is achieved through structural changes in the soil cover. As an example of the positive impact of agricultural tools on the process of plant development, one can cite different-depth methods of tillage. The impact on the yield of castor beans with the intensive use of this system is positive. The highest productivity indicators of this crop in terms of specific figures correspond to 1.25-1.28 t/ha. Of course, we are not talking about the universal application of such methods, since in each case the mechanical action has different effects. For this reason, multi-level processing systems are being formed, taking into account the seasonal state of plants and the fertilizer application program.

According to research by experts, the percentage impact of tillage on the development of crops with a mandatory increase in yield varies on average from 3 to 12%. In the most favorable conditions, this percentage can reach 26-60%, depending on the methods and operations of mechanical tillage used. The challenges posed by users of these soil care practices based on scientific knowledge are as follows:

• Regulation of nutrient medium for cultivated plants. It is achieved both by the targeted placement of fertilizer materials in the soil, and by increasing the activitymicrobiological processes.
• Transformation of sown and arable soil layers in order to increase their agrophysical qualities.
• Artificial incorporation into the soil cover to the depth of plant residues, grass sod, fertilizers, agronomic materials and ameliorants.
• Destruction of pests and reduction of their population in arable layers to the optimal threshold of harmfulness.
• Providing balances of air, water and thermal regimes.
• Minimizing the development and occurrence of soil erosion.
• Formation of a microrelief that will enable the production of high-quality field work throughout the entire cycle from sowing to post-harvest activities in a short time.
• Creating favorable conditions for increasing the capacity of the arable layer in terms of its fertility and positive biochemical activity.

Basic technological operations in tillage

The nature of the deformations to which the soil structure is subjected affects further physico-chemical and biological processes in the fertile layer. Each operation involves a certain impact, which has its own task within the framework of the general crop rotation. The basic and most common tillage methods can be summarized as follows:

• Crushing. In the process of exposure, the whole mass of the soil mass is disintegrated into lumps (small or large). In the working operation of crumbling, disc harrows and moldboard plows are used. From an agronomic point of view, clods are valuablefraction from 0.25 to 3 mm depending on the type of soil.
• Loosening. If crumbling changes the size of lumps, then loosening affects the configuration of their relative position. Thus, the non-capillary porosity of the soil, its water permeability and, in general, the carrying capacity are increased. In arid regions, loosening is especially important as a way to increase aeration and deep penetration of water vapor. This operation is carried out with rotary hoes, steam cultivators and flat cutters.
• Stirring. It is usually applied in one process with the addition of useful materials to the soil, which are distributed over the surface or at a certain depth. The main task is to provide a uniform structure in terms of the content of useful components within a certain site.
• Alignment. It is required to close the moisture inside the soil structure, reduce the evaporative capacity and, as a result, increase the productivity of the cover. This operation is similar to surface methods of mechanical tillage by means of harrowing. For this, harrows, lightweight rollers, sleds, etc. are used.
• Seal. This method serves to give the upper part of the soil layer the desired structure. The fact is that the processes of mineralization in conditions of insufficiently dense soil incorporation slow down due to the evaporation of moisture in an open structure. Accordingly, to exclude such processes, a soft seal is required. The working surface is pressed by water-filled rollers with a pressure of about 50 kN.

Dumpboard and non-moldboard tillage methods

The blade execution mechanics resembles wrapping, but in an augmented form. The wrapping itself in this case may not be complete, but this part of the operation is necessarily followed by loosening, mixing and cutting. If necessary, a temporary opening of the reservoir for fertilization - incorporation can be used.

It is worth noting the varieties of moldboard tillage:

• Rotor-disk. Provides crumbling and mixing until the formation of a uniform strip for future sowing.
• Combined technique. Combines the above processing operations, but also provides for the possibility of their execution at depth.

As for the non-moldboard method, loosening is done without wrapping. Here it should be noted that the very need for the turnover of the layer arises in situations where the tools of the surface small-format impact are ineffective in front of the dense structure of the soil. However, there are times when the dump method is not allowed. For example, in regions with a low moisture coefficient, the opening of the soil structure at depth can lead to the drying of the topsoil. The non-moldboard method in the main tillage consists in deep loosening (up to 30 cm) every 3-4 years. In the interim, loosening is also used, but in a relaxed form - at a depth of up to 12 cm with disc cultivators.

At the same time, the top layers of the soil remain unmixed, which contributes to the accumulation of organic nutrientsthanks to the remains of annual crops. On the other hand, the conservation of soil layers with non-moldboard cultivation also contributes to the accumulation of weed seeds and pathogens in the upper layer, which leads to a deterioration in the phytosanitary condition of the soil.

Basic tillage practices

In accordance with GOST 16265-89, a technique in the context of soil cultivation is a single impact on the fertile layer with an agrotechnical tool in order to produce one or a series of technological operations.

Plowing is one of the basic methods of basic tillage. Methods and approaches to its implementation differ depending on the current requirements for the state of the soil. Most often, plows with dumps of various shapes are used for this. For example, the helical working bodies of the mouldboards allow turning, and the plow with a cylindrical surface more effectively crumbles the earth into small clods.

Loosening can be added to the plowing process. In one design of a mounted cultivator, a plow and loosening paws are installed, which makes it possible to simultaneously achieve several positive processing effects at a depth of up to 15 cm. Also, plows with a molehill are used specifically to ensure the removal of excess fluid on fields supersaturated with water. The latter, at a depth below 30 cm, forms drainage channels with a diameter of about 5 cm. On heavy loamy soils, drainage networks of this type can persist for several years without structural changes.

On poorly leveled surfaces, where there are also a large number of unwantedcrop residues, milling is used as the most suitable method of tillage. Techniques with the connection of milling and other cutting tools are, in principle, effective in conditions of a rigid soil structure. Such conditions are not necessarily formed for natural reasons. Incorrectly used annual plowing in one direction may well form dense soil with broken geometry on the surface - with bumps, weed curtains and other defects. Intensive milling at a depth of up to 20 cm, followed by crumbling and leveling, creating a homogeneous arable layer, just helps to correct the situation.

Shallow tillage practices

Mechanical impact on the fertile layer at a depth of up to 8 cm is called superficial. Often, this group also includes operations of shallow cultivation, in which the depth of penetration of the tool can reach 16 cm. The tasks of such an impact on the soil structure are reduced to creating favorable conditions for sowing. That is, the shape of the relief is adjusted to the optimal requirements for convenient seed placement. In addition, surface methods of mechanical tillage are also used in cases where, for one reason or another, it is impossible to perform actions at deeper levels.

After the fields are cleared of grain, peeling is performed. This operation is necessary to deprive pests of their habitats - in the remains of the former vegetation after its harvesting. In drought conditions, peeling allows you to solve a number oftasks, including cutting weeds, loosening the topsoil, activating mulch, reducing moisture evaporation processes.

A wide range of operations on the surface layers is performed with the help of cultivators. This is suspended equipment, which usually implements several methods of tillage at the same time. The methods of the basic range, which are most often carried out within the framework of cultivation, include loosening, crumbling, rolling, mixing, trimming, etc. Depending on the configuration of the working bodies, both inter-row and continuous processing can be performed at depths from 5 to 16 cm.

Features of tillage for forest crops

Although in this case the processing processes have quite obvious limitations in terms of the use of various technical means, the whole range of mechanical methods, as well as chemical and thermal methods of influencing the fertile layer, can be used. Another thing is that the technology itself is being adjusted in the mechanics of using certain means.

The choice of specific methods of soil cultivation for forest crops is determined by the conditions of the place of growth, the characteristics of the forest zone, as well as the bioecological properties of the cultivated vegetation. The most common types of processing include partial and continuous. In the first case, we are talking about cultivation systems with the formation of strips, furrows and landing sites. The goals are to improve the air and water regimes, the destruction of pests and the elimination of the remnants of infected vegetation. As for continuousprocessing, then it is applied in areas that were not in the forest zone. In this case, the range of operations is expanded by harrowing, rolling and plowing.

Works to care for the soil in the conditions of cutting areas are of a specific nature against the background of the general agrotechnical process of crop rotation. This is also due to the fact that the methods of tillage for forest crops are generally intended to create conditions for planting seedlings and seedlings of shrubs and trees. Another thing is that there is a universal set of microbiological and chemical parameters that should be improved through such processing.

Evaluation of tillage quality

Obviously, the mechanization of the fertile layer of the earth itself does not guarantee an increase in the nutritional properties of the soil and the necessary regulation of water and air characteristics. Therefore, large farms periodically analyze the quality of processing, taking into account its compliance with agrotechnical requirements. It should start with the fact that the activities should be carried out in a timely manner. Violation of the schedule or seasonality can nullify the positive effects of crop rotation. For example, autumn soil tillage during early plowing is more effective in terms of ensuring the preservation of moisture and pest control than in later periods. Delayed field work can result in uneven planting of crops, not to mention the risk of soil drying out.

In addition to the timing, processing parameters such asdirection and depth. The direction is chosen strictly across the previous orientation or at an angle to it. As noted above, annual unidirectional plowing can lead to hardened deformation of the surface layer, after which milling will be required. With regard to depth, the level of occurrence of working tools must be reasonable. This value is directly related to the possibility of regulating the moisture balance of the lower layers. In any case, all methods of deep tillage must ensure uniformity and a minimum degree of deviation. So, with an arable depth of up to 20 cm, the maximum allowable slope reaches 2 cm.

Principles of Minimal Processing

Even if the general rules of land cultivation are observed, the risks of its depletion remain with prolonged mechanical impact on the fertile layer. In addition, the likelihood of soil erosion and its physical degradation increases, against which the ability to absorb humus also decreases. These and other negative factors of techniques and methods of mechanical tillage determined the relevance of the topic of introducing the principles of minimalistic impact of agricultural tools on the ground. In practice, this is expressed in the following principles:

• Reduce the frequency of applying deep processing without superficial layer adjustments.
• Soils in optimal condition are cultivated sparingly.
• Several work procedures are performed within one technological operation.
• Reducing the number of operations involving connectionwheeled and tracked vehicles. This measure reduces the pressure on the soil.

This logically raises the question of the risks of using optimized tillage methods, such as a decrease in yields. Indeed, some of the indicators reflecting the fertile properties of the land are reduced against the background of a decrease in the intensity of mechanical action in one form or another. But, on the other hand, this damage is fully compensated for by the general stimulation of positive soil processes associated with the regulation of nutrients and microorganisms. Particularly favorable effects are observed in the biochemical processes of enzyme metabolism and the transformation of various organic compounds.

Alternative tillage methods

Along with the principles of minimalist cultivation, there are also alternative systems for cultivating the land. Among the most notable are the Strip-till moderate processing technology and the No-till method. In the case of the Strip-till technique, strip deep loosening is supposed to be performed, during which feed elements are abundantly introduced. On the one hand, the fertilizer further stimulates the growth of planted crops, and on the other hand, it supports biochemical processes in the structure of the soil itself. The Strip-till processing method has a fundamental difference, which consists in preserving the inter-row strip with untouched soil. This is also a technological solution aimed at preserving the natural structure of the earth. In particular, the left area supports the work of the preserved capillaries with the circulation of moisture and nutrients.trace elements that form a beneficial ecosystem. In the case of No-till technology, we are talking about a complete rejection of mechanical impact. The optimal state of the land for crop rotation is ensured by maintaining balance in the processes of the biocenosis of soil organisms. In practice, this task is achieved by applying special fertilizers, herbs and microorganisms.

Conclusion

The urgency of the problems in the agricultural sector of agriculture emphasizes the dependence of human food supply on natural biological and chemical systems. It would seem that the previously unknown development of technical means and synthesized substances for soil nutrition should guarantee the stability of crop rotation processes. But even innovative methods, methods and systems of tillage do not eliminate the risks of negative processes, which after years manifest themselves in the form of depletion of fertile layers. Problems of this kind are due to the fact that the soil is a multi-level complex ecosystem, interconnected with a huge number of external factors of influence. Interfering with the arrangement of this biological infrastructure, a person immediately violates a number of natural processes. Against this background, new principles of land cultivation are emerging, largely related to the reduction of the mechanical impact on its structure.