Agriculture plays a huge role in the development of the state, as well as its economy. After society began to switch to the industrial model, agricultural production lost its importance. Nevertheless, it remains a major supplier of products and cash to the budget.
Modern technology has increased productivity, while spending less effort. Consider the basic operations of tillage.
Cultivation
This is one of the most common processing options used in agriculture in various countries. It can be of several types (continuous and inter-row), and certain requirements are imposed on it.
Cultivation is a method of tillage in which a shallow lower layer of earth is brought to the surface. At the same time, it loosens and crumbles, and also mixes with each other. Thanks to this processing method, the field surface is leveled, weeds are cut and the necessary fertilizers get into the soil.
This method allows you to loosen the top layer, which performs very important functions. It prevents water from evaporating, accelerates the penetration of heat into the soil, and creates optimal conditions for microbiological processes and nutrient intake.
Plowing
This is another way of tillage. Plowing, like cultivation, is the turnover and subsequent loosening of the layer. It is made using plows equipped with skimmers.
In the process, the earth rises and crumbles, falling asleep to the top layer. It contains the bulk of larvae of pests and weed seeds. As a result, this layer of earth is deep where most of the pests die.
A separate point is the adjustment of mechanisms for work. It is necessary that the depth and width of the plowing be optimal for the plant culture and soil type, and not the crumbled layer should be covered by loosened soil.
Difference
Very often you can find the opinion that plowing and cultivation are one and the same thing. In fact, there are significant differences.
Plowing is the cultivation of the soil during which a complete turn of the land occurs. The lower layers cover the upper. Moreover, the depth can be up to 40 centimeters.
Cultivation is a process in which the loosening of the earth occurs without its circulation. It is not suitable for plants that need planting depth. Therefore, it is used in spring tillage.
Cultivator selection
Devices for tillage come in two forms. It is electrical and mechanical. The former require a power supply, so the latter are much more common. They are most often called motor cultivators.
They work on gasoline or special oil. To choose a good option for yourself, you should dwell on the parameters:
- The size of the plot, its features and soil composition. The choice of cultivator model is affected by area (flat or hilly), peat or clay, as well as the depth of future processing (weeding or plowing).
- Cost. European models will be much more expensive than domestic or Chinese brands. But it should be remembered that foreign equipment has a longer service life.
- Power and weight. There are small, light, heavy or heavy. It is necessary to rationally choose a motor cultivator, since there is no point in buying a massive unit for processing a small area.
Safety precautions
Soil cultivation is a process that requires caution and attention. First of all, you need to make sure that there are no solid and sharp objects on the site. During operation, avoid touching the unit with body parts and be especially careful when refueling it.