Abstract
In this study, the effects of three different main preparatory tillage operations: ploughing at 0.4 m (P40) and 0.20 m (P20) depth and harrowing at 0.20 m depth (MT) were investigated. The tillage operations were carried out at two different times, as the soil water content increased over time from rainfall: (low, 58% (LH) and high, 80% (HH) of field capacity). Results obtained from the soil monitoring carried out before and after tillage showed high values of soil strength in terms of Penetration resistance and shear strength particularly in deeper soil layers at lower water content. During tillage, fossil-fuel energy requirements for P40 LH and P20 LH were 25% and 35% higher, respectively, with respect to the HH treatments and tractor slip was very high (P40 LH = 32.4%) with respect to the P40 HH treatment (16%). Soil water content significantly influenced tractor performance during soil ploughing at 0.40 m depth but no effect was observed for the MT treatment. The highly significant linear relations between grain yield and soil penetration resistance highlight how soil strength may be good indicator of soil productivity. We conclude that ploughing soil to a 0.20 m depth or harrowing soil to a 0.20 m depth is suitable for this type of soil under climate change scenarios.
Highlights
The number of days available for field operations is central to farm planning decisions.The number and distribution of working days influences the type and acreage of crops grown, and the corresponding labour and machinery requirements
Soil water content significantly influenced tractor performance during soil ploughing at 0.40 m depth but no effect was observed for the MT treatment
We conclude that ploughing soil to a 0.20 m depth or harrowing soil to a 0.20 m depth is suitable for this type of soil under climate change scenarios
Summary
The number and distribution of working days influences the type and acreage of crops grown, and the corresponding labour and machinery requirements. The condition of land for field operations can be classified in terms of trafficability and workability. If land is considered trafficable, it is deemed suitable for non-soil-engaging operations (e.g., fertilizer application and crop protection). Workability is concerned with soil-engaging operations and can be considered to be a combination of trafficability and the ability of soil to be manipulated in a desired way without causing significant damage or compaction. The most influential factor in determining the suitability of land for field operations is the soil moisture status. High axle loads are the cause of major concern regarding the risk of soil compaction, especially if wheeling and tillage are conducted at high soil moisture content [2,3]. Tillage is a fundamental factor influencing soil quality, Agronomy 2016, 6, 43; doi:10.3390/agronomy6030043 www.mdpi.com/journal/agronomy
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