Influence of soil tillage minimization on the density of southern chernozem in conditions of the dry steppe of the Southern Urals

Abstract

Article presents the results of studies on the effect of minimizing the main tillage on the bulk density of southern chernozem in the conditions of the dry steppe of the Southern Urals. Influence of the system of annual shallow tillage (Mini-till) and direct sowing technologies (No-till) on the density of the root layer and the general porosity of the soil during the cultivation of spring wheat was studied. It was revealed that the absence of soil loosening for several years leads to its compaction above the optimal values for most grain crops. The condition for the application of No-till technology has been determined - the formation of a layer of plant mlch, which loosens the top layer of soil to a depth of up to 15 cm and excludes its overcompaction. Absence of the influence of fine tillage on the density of the root layer of the soil was revealed, its role in the fight against weeds and the creation of technological conditions for sowing was confirmed. The compaction limit of the southern chernozem and its equilibrium density in the 15-40 cm horizon were determined.