Evaluating the effect of soil moisture during sowing on the depth of cereal crops seeding

Abstract

Evaluation of the depth of seeding cereal crops after sowing by units equipped with tyne coulters and tine cultivators under different soil moisture conditions in the steppe zone of Siberia is given. The studies were conducted from 2018 to 2021 in the steppe zone of the Altai Territory. Soil moisture was determined using an HH-2 electronic moisture meter from Delta-T Devices, the principle of operation of which is based on measuring the electrical conductivity of the soil. The depth of seed placement was determined by the etiolated (clarified) part of the plants. When comparing the results, the value of standard deviations from the average value of seed placement depth was taken, because according to the principle of evaluation it corresponds to the agrotechnical requirements for sowing. The standard deviations from the seed placement depth after sowing by the machines equipped with tyne coulters and tine cultivators found in the soil moisture range from 12 to 40% were analyzed. Standard deviations from the average defined seed placement depth are summarized in scatter diagrams. All deviations from the depth of placement after sowing with these coulters were within the acceptable limits of changes in agrotechnical requirements, which are ± 10 mm. The relationship between deviations from the average depth of seeding and soil moisture at the time of sowing was established. Relationship equations of these indicators are highly significant, as evidenced by high coefficients of determination. These equations will allow agricultural producers of the steppe zone of the Altai Territory with knowledge of soil moisture at the time of sowing to predict its quality component after sprouting, since the uniformity of seed distribution on the depth of seeding affects the crop yield.