Tillage system: purpose, scientific basis, modern technologies and tasks

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

Even the most favorable external conditions for a successful crop rotation cannot guarantee a rich harvest if the soil layer is not properly prepared. Cultivation is of key importance in its preparation and preservation of fertile qualities. This is mechanical tillage, the system of which is based on scientific foundations and is supported by the practice of application.

Assignment of tillage activities

The complex of tillage methods is aimed at regulating almost all aspects of the life and development of cultivated plants, mainly by stimulating the water-air regime of the earth. These properties are directly related to the structural state of the fertile layer, the change of which just occurs due to the methods of mechanical action. In addition, the treatment affects the temperature regime of the earth, increasing or decreasing its heat capacity andthermal conductivity. Ultimately, there is a regulation of the vital activity of microorganisms that contribute to the accumulation of elements necessary for plants. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the negative aspects of the use of tillage systems.

In farming systems, it is important to strike a balance between the overall increase in fertility and the correct use of its potential. Therefore, an additional stimulator of favorable conditions for the soil is artificial fertilizer. Without a combination of the right tactics of mechanical processing and maintaining a sufficient level of humus, in particular, it is impossible to expect a good harvest.

Scientific basics

The current level of scientific knowledge allows us to consider in detail the specific factors affecting the soil layer through tillage tools. The theoretical basis for tillage systems is a branch of physics that studies the granulometric composition and agrophysical properties of the fertile layer. From the point of view of mechanical impact, the following agrotechnical qualities of the land are important:

• Density. The average varies from 1 to 1.5 g/cm3 depending on soil type.
• Porosity. General (50-60%) and aeration (15-25%) porosity is considered.
• Connectivity. Reflects the ability of the earth's structure to resist mechanical stress.
• Sticky. Property of soil that indicates its ability to adhere to tillage surfaces when wet.
• Plasticity. Tendency tochange in the structural form under the action of processing tools.
• Physical ripeness. A complex indicator that reflects the optimal readiness of the soil for mechanical processing.

Tillage tasks

On the basis of the theoretical base, a list of tasks that the technologists and direct participants in the processing process face is formulated. The main ones include the following:

• Intensification of the activity of microbiological processes, which are directly related to the nutrient regime of the fertile layer.
• Minimization of weeds, as well as pests nesting in the upper layers of the soil cover. Indirectly, the tillage system also helps to fight diseases by eliminating the infected remains of old plants.
• Reduce the likelihood of wind and water erosion.
• Create the necessary structural conditions in the soil for fertilization.
• Creating an arable layer.
• Preparing the land for sowing and caring for planted vegetation.

Main processing methods

The main tillage method is plowing, through which crumbling, loosening, mixing and incorporation of vegetation residues is performed. Among the key factors of high-quality plowing, one can single out the shape of the moldboard provided by the plow. For example, a cylindrical blade effectively implements crumbling, but poorly reverses the layer, so it is used in fields with light soils. In turn, a plow with a helical mouldboard successfully copes withwrapping, but not suitable for crumbling.

Also, the main tillage system includes a chisel method of mechanical action, the purpose of which is to loosen the layer at a given depth. In this case, the tasks of dumping or crumbling are not set. Chisel implements are designed to cut holes in the soil to allow moisture to enter. For such tasks, special modifications of plows, cultivators and rippers are used, penetrating to depths from 25 to 60 cm.

Spring Processing System

This complex includes elements of the main, pre-sowing and post-sowing processing. The implementation of the main range of activities falls on the summer-autumn time - the so-called autumn processing. Pre-sowing work is organized in the spring. Actually, the preparation of fields for planting begins immediately after harvesting the previous crop. From this moment, the stimulation of the air-moisture balance begins, as a result of which the cohesion of the soil decreases. In the tillage system for crops of the spring type, plowing tools are used - chisel or disc tools with lancet shares. To them is added the technique of plowing to depth. Processing parameters are determined by the degree of contamination. For example, if young weeds dominate, then the depth is calculated by 5-7 cm.

Winter tillage system

Plants of this species are mainly sown in summer or early autumn. At this point, it is necessary to carefully level the soil layer, providing a sufficient density indicator. Concerningprocessing systems, the following approaches are currently used:

• Handling busy steam. Deep plowing is being implemented so that winter crops can use its effect. When the harvest ends, plowing is repeated, but at a depth less than the level of plowing for fallow plants.
• Falling tillage system for winter crops. It begins with the elimination of the remains of the former vegetation by disking. Plowing is also carried out along the depth of the arable layer. In case of insufficient incorporation of the basal shoots, harrowing is also performed.

Post-plant tillage system

After planting the plants, it is necessary to carry out a set of measures, the purpose of which will be to create conditions for the further growth of plants. In this case, the following techniques apply:

• Destruction of the crust of the soil layer to stimulate the water-air regime.
• Fertilizers and herbicides are planted in the soil.
• Weed shoots are destroyed.
• The soil surface is, if possible, given a certain structural shape that favors the development of planted plants.

Pre-emergence and post-emergence methods can be used in a complex post-seeding tillage system. Before the emergence of seedlings, the earth is rolled or harrowed, and after that, slotting, loosening and hilling in the aisles are performed.

Minimal processing concept

Despite the active development of technical means of tillage,the main trends in the development of methods of mechanical action on the fertile layer are oriented towards reducing its role in crop rotation processes. This principle is called zero-till or no-till system. On the one hand, it is based on the negative factors of multiple passage of technical equipment across the field, and on the other hand, on the request to increase the energy efficiency of technological operations. In general, the no-till tillage system in crop rotation can be characterized as an optimization of traditional cultivation methods.

In practice, the concept of minimal processing is implemented through the following principles:

• Combining several operations in one process.
• Reducing the depth of processing.
• Replacing mechanical tools with herbicides.

But the question logically arises - will the optimization affect the performance and overall quality of processing? Again, the practice of implementing these principles suggests otherwise. In addition to reducing the cost of power and financial resources, a gentle effect on the soil is provided, which provides additional benefits:

• Preservation of humus.
• Preservation of moisture in the fertile layer.
• Reducing erosion risks.
• Expansion of opportunities with sequential sowing of different cultivated plants.
• Minimize the formation of unwanted furrows.
• Varying the depth of processing allows you to maintain the overall structure of the soil.

Conclusion

Extensive range of agrotechnicaloperations and means of tillage, coupled with a detailed analysis of the composition of the fertile layer, makes it possible to cultivate land with high efficiency in areas suitable for this. At the same time, promising directions for the development of crop rotation techniques are inevitably combined with the principles of preserving the ecology of the environment and reducing energy resources. Also, the latest methods and systems of tillage are developed taking into account the peculiarities of the use of modern chemical stimulants.

As for the technical arsenal, it is also designed with a big bias towards optimization, reduction in size and increase in controllability. A new generation of equipment with electronic control appears, allowing not only to perform mechanical tasks, but also to simultaneously monitor certain indicators of soil condition through sensors.