Even the most favorable external conditions for a successful crop rotation cannot guarantee a rich crop if the soil layer is not prepared properly. The key to its preparation and preservation of fertile qualities is cultivation. This is a mechanical tillage, the system of which is based on scientific foundations and is supported by practical application.
Appointment of tillage measures
A set of tillage methods is aimed at regulating almost all aspects of the life and development of cultivated plants, mainly due to the stimulation of 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 of the earth, increasing or decreasing its heat capacity and thermal 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, the negative aspects of the use of soil tillage systems must be taken into account.
In farming systems, it is important to balance the overall increase in fertility and the proper 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 machining and maintaining a sufficient level of humus, in particular, it is impossible to expect a good harvest.
Scientific background
The current level of scientific knowledge allows us to examine in detail the specific factors affecting the soil layer through tillage tools. As a theoretical basis for soil tillage systems, a section of physics is considered that studies the particle size distribution and agrophysical properties of the fertile layer. From the point of view of mechanical impact, the following agrotechnical qualities of the earth are important:
- Density. The average value varies from 1 to 1.5 g / cm 3 depending on the type of soil.
- Porosity. The total (50-60%) and aeration (15-25%) porosity are considered.
- Connectivity. Reflects the ability of the earth structure to resist mechanical stress.
- Stickiness. A property of the soil, which indicates its ability to adhere to the surfaces of tillage implements when moistened.
- Plastic. The tendency to change the structural form under the influence of processing tools.
- Physical ripeness. A comprehensive 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 technologists and direct participants in the processing process are formulated is formulated. The main ones include the following:
- Strengthening the activity of microbiological processes with which the nutrient regime of the fertile layer is directly related.
- Minimization of weeds and pests nesting in the upper layers of the soil cover. Indirectly, the soil tillage system also helps fight diseases, eliminating contaminated remains of former plants.
- Reducing the likelihood of wind and water erosion.
- Creating the necessary structural conditions in the soil for fertilizing.
- Creation of arable layer.
- Preparation of land for sowing and care of planted vegetation.
Basic Processing Methods
The main tillage method is plowing, by means of which crumbling, cultivating, mixing, and planting residues of vegetation is carried out. Among the key factors of high-quality plowing, one can distinguish the shape of the blade provided by the plow. For example, a cylindrical dump effectively implements crumbling, but weakly produces a turnover of the formation, so it is used in fields with light soils. In turn, a plow with a screw dump shape successfully cope with turning, but is not suitable for crumbling.
Also, the main soil treatment system includes the chisel method of mechanical action, the purpose of which is to loosen the layer at a given depth. In this case, the objectives of the blade or crumbling are not set. Chisel guns are designed to create slits in the soil so that moisture penetrates into them. For such tasks special modifications of plows, cultivators and cultivators are used, penetrating to depths from 25 to 60 cm.
Processing system for spring
This complex includes elements of the main, pre-sowing and after sowing treatment. The implementation of the main range of activities falls on the summer-autumn time - the so-called autumn processing. Presowing work is organized in the spring. Actually, the preparation of the 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 soil connectivity decreases. In the soil tillage system for spring crops, peeling tools are used - chisel or disk implements with lancet paws. To them is added the technique of plowing to a depth. Processing parameters are determined by the degree of clogging. For example, if juvenile weeds dominate, then the depth is calculated at 5-7 cm.
Winter tillage system
Plants of this species are mainly sown in summer or early fall. At this point, it is necessary to carefully level the soil layer, providing a sufficient indicator of density. As for processing systems, today the following approaches are applied:
- Handling busy fumes. Deep plowing is being implemented so that winter crops can use its effect. When harvesting ends, plowing is repeated, but at a depth less than the level of plowing under steam plants.
- Autumnal soil cultivation system for winter crops. It begins with the elimination of the remains of the former vegetation by the method of disking. Plowing along the depth of the arable layer is also carried out. In case of insufficient termination of the basal processes, harrowing is also performed.
Post-sowing system
Already after planting, it is necessary to carry out a set of measures, the purpose of which will be to create conditions for further plant growth. 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 embedded in the soil.
- Weed seedlings are destroyed.
- If possible, a certain structural form is set for the soil surface, which favors the development of planted plants.
In the complex of the post-sowing system of tillage, pre-emergence and post-emergence methods can be used. Before the emergence of seedlings, the earth rolls in or harrows, and after that they perform the slotting, loosening and hilling in the aisles.
Minimal processing concept
Despite the active development of technical means of cultivating the soil, the main trends in the development of methods of mechanical action on the fertile layer are oriented towards a decrease in its role in crop rotation processes. This principle is called zero-processing or no-till system. On the one hand, it is repelled by the negative factors of repeated passage of technical equipment across the field, and on the other hand, from a request to increase the energy efficiency of technological operations. On the whole, the soil tillage system in the rotation according to no-till principles can be described as an optimization of traditional cultivation methods.
In practice, the concept of minimal processing is implemented due to the following principles:
- Combining several operations in one process.
- Reduced processing depth.
- Replacement of mechanical tools with herbicides.
But the logical question arises - will optimization not affect productivity and overall processing quality? Again, the practice of implementing these principles suggests the opposite. In addition to reducing the cost of power and financial resources, a gentle effect on the soil is provided, which gives additional advantages:
- Humus Conservation.
- Preservation of humidity of the fertile layer.
- Reduced erosion risks.
- Expanding opportunities with the successive sowing of different cultivated plants.
- Minimizing the formation of unwanted furrows.
- Varying the depth of processing allows you to maintain the overall soil structure.
Conclusion
An extensive range of agricultural operations and tillage, coupled with a detailed analysis of the composition of the fertile layer, allows high-efficiency cultivation of land in suitable territories. 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 soil cultivation methods and systems are being developed taking into account the peculiarities of using modern chemical stimulants.
As for the technical arsenal, it is also being designed with a large bias towards optimization, reduction in size and increased manageability. A new generation of equipment appears with electronic control, which allows not only to perform the tasks of mechanical processing, but also to track certain indicators of the state of the soil through sensors.