Combination Of Tillage Research Articles

Newly Established Bermudagrass Response to Topramezone and Photosystem II-Inhibitor Herbicides

Abstract Bermudagrass is the most troublesome and difficult-to-control perennial grass weed in Florida sugarcane. Once established, it is only controlled effectively during the sugarcane fallow period using nonselective herbicides and tillage combinations. It is important to evaluate options for selective management of bermudagrass that escape sugarcane fallow period management programs to mitigate its progressive increase as the crop cycle increases from plant cane to ratoon crops. Greenhouse and field studies were conducted in Belle Glade, Florida, from 2017 to 2018 to determine the response of newly established bermudagrass from sprigs with stolons to two or three sequential applications of topramezone (25 and 50 g ha-1) every 14 d and the combinations of topramezone (25 and 50 g ha-1 ) with photosystem II (PS II)-inhibitor herbicides atrazine (2,240 g ha-1), ametryn (440 g ha-1), and metribuzin (2,240 g ha-1). Two or three sequential applications of topramezone with a cumulative total of 75 to 100 g ha-1 provided >93% bermudagrass control 42 d after the first sequential application under greenhouse and field conditions. These treatments had 12% chance of survival 70 d after the first sequential application. There was an additive effect of PS-II inhibitor herbicides on bermudagrass control in mixtures with topramezone. The mixture of topramezone (50 g ha-1) with metribuzin and atrazine provided more than 87% and 92% bermudagrass control under greenhouse and field conditions, respectively, 42 d after treatment. Bermudagrass treated with topramezone (50 g ha-1) mixture with metribuzin had 23% chance of survival 70 d after treatment. The results show good efficacy of sequential topramezone applications every 14 d or mixtures with PS-II inhibitor herbicides atrazine and metribuzin for control of newly established bermudagrass which typically escape control measures during the sugarcane fallow management period.

Effect of conservation agriculture on soil fungal diversity in rice-wheat-greengram cropping system in eastern Indo-Gangetic plains of South Asia.

Conservation agriculture (CA) is emerging as an eco-friendly and sustainable approach to food production in South Asia. CA, characterized by reduced tillage, soil surface cover through retaining crop residue or raising cover crops, and crop diversification, enhances crop production and soil fertility. Fungal communities in the soil play a crucial role in nutrient recycling, crop growth, and agro-ecosystem stability, particularly in agricultural crop fields. This study investigates the impact of seven combinations of tillage and crop residue management practices of agricultural production systems, including various tillage and crop residue management practices, on soil fungal diversity. Using the Illumina MiSeq platform, fungal diversity associated with soil was analysed. The results show that the partial CA-based (pCA) production systems had the highest number of unique operational taxonomic units (OTUs) (948 OTUs) while the conventional production system had the lowest number (665 OTUs). The major fungal phyla identified in the topsoil (0-15 cm) were Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Mortierellomycota, with their abundance varying across different tillage-cum-crop establishment (TCE) methods. Phylum Ascomycota was dominant in CA-based management treatments (94.9±0.62), followed by the partial CA (pCA)-based treatments (91.0 ± 0.37). Therefore, CA-based production systems play a crucial role in shaping soil fungal diversity, highlighting their significance for sustainable agricultural production.

Soil properties and yield of mung bean [VIGNA RADIATA (L.) WILCZEK] as influenced by tillage and phosphorous fertilizer management on sandy loam soil in Chitwan, Nepal

Phosphorous application combined with a variety of tillage methods promotes the growth and development of mungbeans and sustainably improves soil health. A field experiment was conducted in Mangalpur, Nepal from February to May of 2021 and 2022 to investigate the impact of varying tillage practices and phosphorous doses on the growth, development, and yield of mung beans, while also analyzing changes in soil physicochemical properties on sandy loam soil. The research was conducted in a 2-factorial split-plot design with three replications. After completion of the study, the plant height (59.43 cm), nodule plant-1 (15.84), pod plant−1 (23.65), and seed yield (1087.76 kgha−1) were significantly higher when phosphorous was applied at 40 kgha−1 and 60 kgha−1. Among different tillage practices, significantly greater plant height (57.21 cm), nodule per plant (15.76), pod plant−1 (24.99), seed pod-1 (10.76), seed yield (1089.92 kgha−1), and 1000-seed weight (48.23 g) were observed in conventional tillage. P at 60 kgha−1 resulted in significantly higher total soil nitrogen (0.207 %) and available P (30.65 kgha−1). Similarly, for tillage practices, statistically higher total soil nitrogen (0.23 %) and available phosphorous (32.45 kgha−1) were observed in zero tillage practices. Furthermore, pH was seen to be significantly higher in conventional tillage (6.12) followed by strip (5.79). A combination of conventional tillage with 40 kgha−1 was observed better in short-term conditions however, for better growth and yield of mung bean and sustainable health of the soil, zero tillage with 40 kgha−1 phosphorous can be suggested for sandy loam soil and environmental conditions present in the study site in the long-term.

Multi-year soil response to conservation management in the Virginia Coastal Plain

In the coastal plain region of the United States, conservation agriculture practices are being implemented to improve soil health, minimize environmental impacts, and improve farm profitability. Common practices include cover cropping and conservation tillage using strip tillage, minimal tillage, or no tillage. However, the soil response to specific combinations of conservation tillage and cover crop rotations remains poorly quantified. The objective of this research was to evaluate changes in soil properties from different combinations of conservation management. Four tillage systems – conventional, strip, minimal, and no tillage – and three winter cover rotations – fallow, winter cash crop, and high-biomass cover crop – were tested in a split-plot design. Bulk density, depth to a root-restrictive layer, soil carbon concentration, soil carbon stock, field-saturated hydraulic conductivity, and yield were measured over a seven-year period. Bulk density and field-saturated hydraulic conductivity showed greater temporal variation in the strip tillage and conventional tillage practices. Depth to root-restrictive layer was consistently highest in the strip and minimal tillage treatments, which both included implements designed to alleviate subsoil compaction. Treatments that combined conservation tillage with a winter cover (i.e., cash crops or high-biomass cover crops) had greater increases in soil carbon concentrations and carbon stock. Summer cash crop yield was significantly increased following the high-biomass cover crop treatment in 2 out of the 7 years. Altogether, soil carbon showed a more consistent response to conservation management than the other soil properties, which tended to show greater variability based on the time since disturbance (e.g., tillage). Conservation management practices therefore need to be consistently applied for multiple years in order to improve soil properties such as bulk density and saturated hydraulic conductivity.

Substantiating the structural and technological parameters of tillage rotary X-like working bodies

The object of this study is the process of grinding and crumbling the surface layer of the soil with turf of winter crops by X-shaped working bodies. It has been established that the use of a grinding group based on X-shaped rotary working bodies as part of combined tillage tools makes it possible to preliminary loosen the surface layer of heavy soils (overdried or overmoistened). It was established that the optimal values of the parameters of the section of the X-shaped rotary working bodies for the quality of loosening the soil in a layer of 0–10 cm at a depth of cultivation of 14±2 cm depend on the speed of the unit. Thus, at a speed of movement of the unit of 2 m/s, the optimal value of the diameter of the rotor blade is 335.9 mm, the distance between the axes of the rotor batteries is 316.4 mm, and the distance between the rotor blades in the battery is 195.6 mm. At a unit movement speed of 2.5 m/s, the optimal values of these parameters are 331.2, 325.7, and 211.3 mm, respectively, and at a unit movement speed of 3 m/s – 330.1, 346.8, and 106.1 mm. It was also established that the stability of the movement of the X-shaped working bodies according to the root mean square deviation of the working depth increases with the increase in the speed of the unit. Thus, at a unit movement speed of 2.5 m/s, the root mean square deviation of the soil tillage depth is 1.21 cm, at a unit movement speed of 3 m/s – 1.07 cm, and at a unit movement speed of 3.5 m/s – 0 .63 cm. It was also established that the stability of the movement of the working bodies according to the depth of cultivation decreases with an increase in the speed of movement of the unit. Thus, at a movement speed of the unit of 2.5 m/s, the average soil tillage depth is set at the level of 13.1 cm, at a movement speed of the unit of 3 m/s – 12.6 cm, and at a movement speed of the unit of 3.5 m/s – at the level of 11.9 cm.

Effects of Short-Term Tillage on Rhizosphere Soil Nitrogen Mineralization and Microbial Community Composition in Double-Cropping Rice Field.

Soil extracellular enzyme plays a vital role in changing soil nitrogen (N) mineralization of rice field. However, the effects of soil extracellular enzyme activities (EEA) and microbial community composition response to N mineralization of rice field under short-term tillage treatment needed to be further explored. In this study, we investigated the impact of short-term (8-year) tillage practices on rhizosphere soil N transformation rate, soil enzyme activities, soil microbial community structure, and the N mineralization function gene abundances in double-cropping rice field in southern China. The experiment consisted of four tillage treatments: rotary tillage with crop straw input (RT), conventional tillage with crop straw input (CT), no-tillage with crop straw retention (NT), and rotary tillage with all crop straw removed as a control (RTO). The results indicated that the rhizosphere soil N transformation rate in paddy field under the NT and RTO treatments was significantly decreased compared to RT and CT treatments. In comparison to the NT and RTO treatments, soil protease, urease, β-glucosaminidase, and arginase activities were significantly improved by the CT treatment, as were abundances of soil sub, npr, and chiA with CT and RT treatments. Moreover, the overall diversity of soil bacterial communities in NT and RTO treatments was significantly lower than that in RT and CT treatments. Soil chitinolytic and bacterial ureolytic communities were also obviously changed under a combination of tillage and crop straw input practices.

Changes in Soil Physical Properties and Soybean Productivity under Preparatory Tillage Systems in Virgin Vertisols of Central India

Preparatory tillage, undoubtedly, is one of the most crucial practices that alter soil physical attributes and also affect crop growth and yield. In this sense, this experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of various preparatory tillage systems on soil physical properties and soybean productivity thereby find out a suitable tillage combination for vertisol of Vidarbha region of central India. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with eight tillage treatments and three replicates. Experimental results revealed that soil physical properties and productivity of soybean differed significantly under different preparatory tillage system and zero tillage. Further data revealed that conventional tillage treatment T8 (1ploughing + 2 tyne harrow + blade harrow) and T7 (1 Ploughing + 1 Tyne Harrow + 1 Rotavator) significantly improved the soil physical properties (infiltration rate, bulk density, porosity, soil moisture content) and grain yield (2378 and 2268 kg ha-1, respectively). Moreover zero tillage treatment T1 and shallow tillage treatments (1Blade Harrow + 1Rotavator and 1Tyne Harrow + 1 Rotavator) did not show any significant improvement in soil physical properties and grain yield of soybean.

Is using combined tillage implements the solution?

The fuel consumption, The energy requirement, the time of prepare seedbed, the tractor wheel slippage and the number of passes in the field, all of this factors make farmer choose more efficient method of plowing. Compound tillage is the solve and the method means that two, three or more different plowing tools are work at one time for plowing soil, pulverization, seeding and fertilize, the aid of this way, reduce the drudgery, number and saving time of the field operation. The primary (conventional) and secondary tillage implements are becoming expensive time, fuel and cost, additional, need several passes to prepare seedbed, which increase compaction and damage of the soil and leads to formation the hard pan in the soil due to tractor and machines movement. The farmer size of the field holdings in Iraq is middle or usually small, the way of increase the the width of tools or speed is less useful and effective, therefore, reduce and shorten the number of traffic or passes by use a combination tillage implements consider better solution. Compound tillage saving cost of 44-55%, time of 50-55% and enable the farmers to reduce the number of trips over the field, also, shortage of farm labor. Carrying out the tillage process by compound tillage with two or more equipment to reduce time, fuel consumption and power requirement foe prepare the best seedbed. In this review, various paper researches on combination tillage implement will be discussion.

Response of Growth and Yield of Samhong King Curly Mustard Greens (Brassica juncea L.) to Land Tillage and Differences in Mulch Application

Land processing intensively and over an extended period can lead to a decline in cultivated land quality, resulting in suboptimal plant growth. The utilization of mulch is anticipated to enhance soil quality, enabling mustard plants to thrive and yield effectively. This study investigates the most effective type of mulch in conjunction with land tillage to maximize the growth and productivity of Samhong King curly mustard greens. The experiment was conducted at the Mapena Agricultural and Livestock Polytechnic experimental garden from November 2023 to March 2024. A factorial (3x2) experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design with four blocks. The first factor, mulch type, comprised three levels: straw, silver-black, and no mulch. On the other hand, the second factor, land tillage, consisted of two levels: tillage and no-tillage. Observations encompassed growth parameters, harvest variables, and environmental factors. The data underwent statistical analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA), with Tukey's statistic calculated at a significance level of 5%. The findings revealed that the combination of tillage with silver-black mulch application facilitated superior growth and yield of curly mustard greens compared to the application of straw mulch or no mulch with tillage and no-tillage.

Tillage and mulching influence weed community dynamics and crop productivity of Sesbania alley–based food–fodder systems in rainfed agro-ecosystems

Context or problemCrop yield in rain-fed agro-ecosystems is limited by low soil moisture availability and weeds. Objective or research questionThis study aimed to answer the questions- 1. Do tillage practices, mulching and Sesbania alley-based food-fodder cropping system affect weed dynamics under rainfed agro-ecosystem? and 2. Is the productivity of a Sesbania alley-based rainfed food-fodder system affected by tillage practice, mulching or crop sequence? MethodsA four-year field experiment was conducted with Sesbania alley-based food-fodder systems (sorghum – chickpea; sorghum – barley; sorghum – mustard), and three tillage practices (conventional tillage; minimum tillage during rainy season - zero tillage during winter season; conventional tillage during rainy season - zero tillage during winter season) with and without mulch. ResultsDuring the study period, conservation agricultural techniques resulted in a shift in weed flora in all Sesbania alley-based cropping systems. Grass, broadleaf, and total weed densities declined by 8–9%, 35–38%, and 11–13%, respectively, across diverse cropping systems from 2014 to 15; however, sedge population increased (13–29% increase) during the same period. Mulching practices considerably reduced sedge density compared to the without-mulch treatment in all the tillage combinations. The lowest total weed biomass was recorded for minimum tillage during the rainy season and zero tillage + mulching treatment (17 g m–2) during the winter season. Weed species abundance and dominance were greater in 2014, while the diversity and evenness of weed species were higher in 2016, which indicates a weed shift. Sesbania hedgerow + (sorghum-mustard) with conventional tillage during the rainy season and zero tillage during the winter season without mulching had the highest weed diversity index and evenness than that of other treatment combinations. The Sesbania dry matter (DM) yield was significantly higher by 13% and 11% in minimum tillage during the rainy season and zero tillage during the winter season with mulching compared to conventional tillage without mulch in 2015–16 and 2016–17, respectively. However, tillage and mulching had a significant effect on the grain and straw yields of winter crops. All the tillage practices with Sesbania mulching recorded higher grain and straw yields for winter crops compared to the un-mulched treatments. ConclusionsThe innovative Sesbania alley-based rainfed food-fodder system, along with reduced tillage and mulching, improved productivity and altered weed dynamics. Implications or significanceThe knowledge gathered on weed dynamics may aid in determining weed management tactics under conservation agricultural practices. Double cropping is possible without compromising fodder needs by employing suitable tillage and mulching procedures, as well as Sesbania alley-based cropping systems.

Development of a Method for Soil Tilth Quality Evaluation from Crumbling Roller Baskets Using Deep Machine Learning Models.

A combination tillage with disks, rippers, and roller baskets allows the loosening of compacted soils and the crumbling of soil clods. Statistical methods for evaluating the soil tilth quality of combination tillage are limited. Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data and machine learning models (Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Neural Network (NN)) are proposed to investigate roller basket pressure settings on soil tilth quality. Soil profiles were measured using LiDAR (stop and go and on-the-go) and RGB visual images from a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) tillage experiment on clay loam soil with treatments of roller basket down, roller basket up, and no-till in three replicates. Utilizing RF, SVM, and NN methods on the LiDAR data set identified median, mean, maximum, and standard deviation as the top features of importance variables that were statistically affected by the roller settings. Applying multivariate discriminatory analysis on the four statistical measures, three soil tilth classes were predicted with mean prediction rates of 77% (Roller-basket down), 64% (Roller-basket up), and 90% (No till). The LiDAR data analytics-inspired soil tilth classes correlated well with the RGB image discriminatory analysis. Soil tilth machine learning models were shown to be successful in classifying soil tilth with regard to onboard operator pressure control settings on the roller basket of the combination tillage implement.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ СРЕДСТВ ИНТЕНСИФИКАЦИИ НА БИОЛОГИЧЕСКУЮ АКТИВНОСТЬ И ФИТОСАНИТАРНОЕ СОСТОЯНИЕ ПОЧВЫ ПОД ПОСЕВОМ ГОРОХА

The aim of research is to determine the parameters of biological activity of meadow-chernozem soil and its phytoimmunity in grain-fallow crop rotation at different levels of cultivation intensification and the use of chemicals. The studies were carried out in a long-term (launched in 1973) stationary experiment in grain-fallow crop rotation (fallow – wheat – peas – wheat – barley) under pea crop in the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Omsk Agrarian Scientific Center. In certain periods of 2022 and 2023, with favorable soil moisture, the presence of a significant amount of plant residues in the variant with minimum-zero tillage and the use of complex chemicals, the number of soil micromycetes and nodule bacteria increased to 93.0 thousand and 13.9 million CFU/g, respectively. The total number of soil microflora in the arable layer under different soil cultivation systems for peas without the use of complex chemicals was 51.4–61.2 million CFU/g with a difference of 19.0 % in the ascending series: No-till < moldboard < combined. The use of mineral fertilizers in combination with plant protection products in moldboard and combined tillage did not have a significant effect on the amount of soil microflora, a slight decrease to 17.0 % within the experimental error was noted. In the variants with No-till tillage in combination with intensification products, stimulation of the growth of the number of microorganisms to 22.0 % in relation to the control was noted. On average, according to the soil tillage factor, the greatest development of pea root rot was observed in the No-till variant (3.8 %), a slight decrease (3.2–3.6 %) – in moldboard and combined tillage. The use of plant protection products during the growing season of peas made it possible to reduce the development of root rot by 47.0 % relative to the control, depending on the soil tillage method. With combined treatment, the greatest prevalence of pea root system disease was noted (37.8 %), the least – with No-till treatment (30.8 %). In laboratory conditions, using the wet chamber method, a complex of root rot pathogens was determined, among which fungi of the genus Fusarium spp. prevailed.

Determining conditions for providing maximum traction efficiency of tractor as part of a soil tillage unit

This study aims to investigate the operation of a tractor as part of the tillage unit on the basis of analysis of its interaction with the supporting surface and the correlation between the mass of the tractor and tool. The classic approach to determining the efficiency factor does not take into account the extensive system of power take-off shafts and the extent of their use in combined tillage units. To solve the related problem, a mathematical apparatus was built in the study, which makes it possible to determine the rational ratio between the traction force of a tractor and the mass of the tillage unit. Underlying the methodological basis of the work is the generalization and analysis of the study of traction indicators of the tractor as part of the tillage unit. Empirical models of unit operation were constructed by employing the basic principles of the system approach and analysis of technical systems. When improving the methodology of research using the method of partial accelerations and our devised procedures, it was possible to significantly reduce the time without compromising the quality of results. The maximum traction efficiency for John Deere 8R series tractors as part of the tillage unit was determined, ηTmax=0.719, as well as the conditions for its provision. The traction efficiency for tractors with wheel formula 4K2, mass Gim=6–10 t, with power consumption from 60 % to 80 % was determined; it is 0.58–0.64. The results of the study make it possible to obtain a new solution to the scientific problem of ensuring the maximum traction efficiency of the tractor as part of the tillage unit, based on the rational ratio between the traction force of the tractor and the weight of the machine-tractor unit. The proposed system approach could be used to justify the layout of units and recommendations regarding their modes of operation in the case of instability of operating mass and traction force

Influence of tillage methods combined with mulching on soil physical properties and potato yield in dry farming area under different precipitation years.

We conducted a field experiment in the dry farming area in south Ningxia from 2018 to 2021, to explore the influence of tillage methods combined with mulching on soil bulk density, aggregate content, soil water storage and potato yield under different precipitation years. There were four tillage methods (15 cm depth ploughing, and 30 cm, 40 cm and 50 cm depth subsoiling) and three mulching measures (mulching with oat straw, plastic film and no mulching), with the ploughing depth of 15 cm without mulching as control. The results showed the combination of tillage and mulching effectively reduced soil bulk density in 0-60 cm layer after three years of farming compared with that prior to the experiment. Under the same tillage mode, the best effect was achieved in mulching with oat straw under different precipitation years. To be specific, the best effect in 20 cm and 40 cm soil layers was achieved in mulching with oat straw for 30 cm depth subsoiling, in 60 cm soil layer for 15 cm ploughing in wet year, and for 40 cm depth subsoiling in 20 cm, 40 cm and 60 cm soil layers in normal and dry years. In 0-20 cm soil layer, the content of >0.25 mm soil aggregate was the highest for 40 cm depth subsoiling with oat straw mul-ching in all the three years. In 20-40 cm soil layer, the content was the highest for 15 cm depth ploughing with oat straw mulching in wet year, and for 40 cm depth subsoiling with oat straw mulching in normal and dry years. In 40-60 cm soil layer, content was the highest for 15 cm depth ploughing with plastic film mulching, 30 cm depth subsoiling with plastic film mulching, and 30 cm depth subsoiling with oat straw mulching in wet, normal and dry years, which was increased by 18.8%, 27.0%, and 35.8%, respectively, compared with the control. In the key growth stage (from squaring to tuber expansion) of potatoes, soil water storage in 0-100 cm layer was optimal for 30 cm depth subsoiling with oat straw mulching in wet year and for 40 cm depth subsoiling with oat straw mulching in normal and dry years, with an increase of 19.4%, 19.5%, and 23.7%, respectively. Potato yield was the highest for 30 cm depth subsoiling with oat straw mulching in wet year and for 40 cm depth subsoiling in normal and dry years, with an increase of 84.6%, 81.7%, and 106.3%, respectively. The correlation analysis showed that improved soil physical properties played a significant role in increasing potato yield, with the most significant role of soil bulk density and soil water storage at the squaring stage. Potato yield was high at a tillage depth of 34.67-36.03 cm. We concluded that the combination of tillage method and mulching could effectively improve soil physical pro-perties and increase soil water storage in the growth stage of potatoes, thereby significantly increa-sing potato yield. Potato yield in dry farming area could be enhanced through 30 cm depth subsoiling with oat straw mulching in wet years, and 40 cm depth subsoiling with oat straw mulching in normal and dry years.

Effects of transitioning from conventional to organic farming on soil organic carbon and microbial community: a comparison of long-term non-inversion minimum tillage and conventional tillage

The combination of conservation tillage (non-inversion and no-till) with organic farming is rare due to weed problems. However, both practices have the potential to improve soil quality and increase soil organic C (SOC). This study investigated the changes in SOC, microbial biomass, and microbial composition during the transition from conventional to organic farming (from 2014 to 2020) in a long-term tillage trial established in 1999. Non-inversion minimum tillage to a depth of 10 cm (MT) resulted in SOC stratification, whilst conventional soil tillage with 25-cm-deep mouldboard ploughing (CT) maintained an even SOC distribution in the plough layer. After 12 years of contrasting tillage in 2011, the uppermost soil layer under MT had a 10% higher SOC content (1.6% w/w) than CT (1.45% w/w). This difference became even more pronounced after introducing organic farming in 2014. By the fall of 2020, the SOC content under MT increased to 1.94%, whilst it decreased slightly to 1.36% under CT, resulting in a 43% difference between the two systems. Conversion to organic farming increased microbial biomass under both tillage systems, whilst SOC remained unchanged in CT. Abundances of total bacterial and Crenarchaeal 16S rRNA and fungal ITS genes indicated shifts in the microbial community in response to tillage and depth. Fungal communities under MT were more responsive to organic farming than bacterial communities. The improved soil quality observed under MT supports its adoption in both organic and conventional systems, but potentially large yield losses due to increased weed cover discourage farmers from combining MT and organic farming.

Optimized tillage can enhance crop tolerance to extreme weather events: Evidence from field experiments and meta-analysis

The frequency of droughts and floods has increased due to climate change and human activities, leading to adverse impacts on agricultural production. Conventional tillage exacerbates the vulnerability of crops to extreme weather. Optimized tillage practices can maintain crop yield stability by increasing soil water-holding capacity during dry seasons and improving crop lodging resistance during heavy rainfall events. The effects of tillage practice under different rainfall types on the productivity of summer maize were studied by combining a five-year field experiment and a meta-analysis. The study tested four tillage treatments: conventional tillage (CT), no-tillage (NT), ridge cultivation with no-tillage (RNT), and winter wheat conventional tillage followed by summer maize no-tillage (NC). Normal rainfall years (2018, 2019 and 2021), a wet year (2020), and a drought year (2022) were experienced during the experiment. Compared to CT, NC significantly increased available soil water storage during the dry season by an average of 19.7 % (P < 0.05). NC and RNT had lower lodging rates during the wet year than CT, and over the five years, NC had a higher average maize yield (9.8 t ha−1) than RNT, while RNT had a higher yield during the wet year (10.7 t ha−1). NC also had significantly higher yield stability than CT. Furthermore, NC and RNT had higher rainwater use efficiencies (RUE) (23.9 and 23.0 kg ha−1 mm−1, respectively) than NT and CT (22.9 and 21.6 kg ha−1 mm−1, respectively). A meta-analysis showed that the crop yield under combined tillage (COT) was significantly higher than CT and NT by 6.7 % and 7.1 %, respectively, confirming the reliability and universality of the field experiment results. Overall, NC rotation is recommended as the best tillage system for sustainable crop production under semi-arid conditions, while RNT can be used in areas with abundant rainfall and prone to flooding. Our research findings offer evidence-based insights into management strategies that can enhance agricultural ecosystem resilience and production stability under extreme climate conditions.

Zero-tillage in Mung Bean-Wheat Cropping System: Impact on Soil Properties and Crop Productivity

Background: Inclusion of legume crops in efficient cropping system is important to maintain soil bio-physical property for sustainable production systems. Conservation agriculture (CA) practices have been demonstrated to be successful in cereal based systems. But the information on zero-tillage as CA practice in legume based systems is lacking, which may further help in conservation of soil resources on sustainable basis. Hence study on impact of zero-tillage on soil biological and physico-chemical properties was undertaken at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Bawal (Rewari), India during 2019-20 and 2020-21. Methods: The soil of experimental site was loamy sand in texture and low in organic carbon, N and P, while medium in K. The treatments included nine tillage combinations for crop establishment under mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system (MWCS) viz., Zero-tillage mung bean (ZTM) fb zero-tillage wheat (ZTW), ZTM fb reduced tillage wheat (RTW), ZTM fb conventional tillage wheat (CTW), reduced tillage mung bean (RTM) fb ZTW, RTM fb RTW, RTM fb CTW, Conventional tillage mung bean (CTM) fb ZTW, CTM fb RTW, CTM fb CTW. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Result: After two years, there was no change in soil texture and EC of the soil due to different crop establishment methods, while the bulk density of upper soil layer (0-15 cm) decreased marginally under system-based ZT method. The Infiltration rate increased with decrease in the frequency of tillage in both the crops. Organic carbon in upper layer increased while pH decreased marginally under ZTM-ZTW as compared to CTM-CTW. Available N and P showed increasing trend with decrease in number of tillage operations after two years of MWCS. Tillage practices had no significant effect on available K. The grain yield of wheat was not influenced by tillage during 2019-20, but in 2020-21 it was significantly higher under ZT wheat sown after ZTM (5025 kg ha-1) than RTW (4622-4722 kg ha-1) and CTW (4593-4641 kg ha-1), irrespective of tillage practices in mung bean. The seed, stover and biological yields of mung bean were similar under all crop establishment methods in MWCS. This indicated sustainability of zero-tillage methods of establishment in MWCS.

ПОВЫШЕНИЕ ЭКСПЛУАТАЦИОННЫХ ПОКАЗАТЕЛЕЙ ПОЧВООБРАБАТЫВАЮЩЕ-ПОСЕВНОГО КОМПЛЕКСА КУЗБАСС ПК 6.1 НА БАЗЕ ТРАКТОРА «КИРОВЕЦ» К-735

The problems facing agricultural engineering require the search for new design and layout schemes and justification of the operating modes of machine and tractor units. One of the ways to increase the efficiency of agro-industrial production is the use of combined tillage and sowing complexes that perform several technological operations in one pass. The purpose of the research is to determine the performance indicators of a machine and tractor unit based on a K-735 wheeled tractor with a Kuzbass PK 6.1 sowing complex. Rational modes were determined taking into account changes in the weight of seeds and fertilizers in the hopper, sowing depth and speed of movement during sowing of grain crops and showed an increase in MTA productivity. The productivity of the unit for one hour of the main time was 5.97 ha/h, after justifying the operating mode of the sowing unit increased to 6.20 ha/h. Modernization of the bunker module makes it possible to increase the traction and dynamic performance of the unit, reducing the compacting effect of the wheels on the soil.

SHALLOW AND COMBINED TILLAGE OF BLACK SOIL TYPICAL AT DIFFERENT SPECIALISATION IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN THE LEFT BANK FOREST STEPPE OF UKRAINE

The article presents the results of long-term experimental studies on the effect of different methods of main tillage on soil fertility and crop productivity when applying different degrees of fertilization. Field research was conducted during 2013-2020 on the lands of the Poltava Research Station of the Institute of Pig Breeding and Agro-Industrial Production of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences. It has been established that the systematic use of organic and organic and-mineral fertilization systems improves the nutrient regime of typical black soil with differentiation of the arable layer by the amount of phosphorus and potassium when applying long-term minimal loosening. There is a tendency towards an increase in density in the layers of 20-40 and 40-60 cm when applying systematic shallow tillage, where this indicator exceeds the upper limit of the optimal range of 1,0-1,3 g/cm3. Application of manure and mineral fertilizers compared to surface loosening makes it possible to additionally annually sequester 0,3-0,4 t/ha of carbon, which is equivalent to 1,2-1,6 t of carbon dioxide. By the average multi-year yield of corn per silage, shallow loosening is inferior to combined tillage by an average of 10%. Tendencies to a decrease in the average long-term productivity of soybean, spring barley, and pea crops when using minimal tillage compared to the combined one are manifested only in certain fertilizer options. Under optimal conditions of heat and moisture supply, the ratio of grain and straw in soybeans decreases. On winter wheat, after peas, there is a tendency towards the preference of shallow loosening. The ratio of wheat grain to straw increases significantly under favorable conditions. Corn responds better to the combined tillage system, which prevails shallow loosening in terms of grain yield by the fertilizer options by 6-10%. Under favorable conditions, the ratio of stems to grain increases significantly, especially on fertilized grounds. From the studied crops, the productivity of sugar beets fluctuates to a greater extent to the conditions of the year, and to a lesser extent - winter wheat, grown after peas and corn for grain. By the average long-term crop productivity, shallow tillage is inferior to combined tillage by 4-8% having a confidence level of 5%. When applying manure, it is advisable to use a combined system of soil tillage, for plant-oriented agrarian production, it is economically advisable to use surface loosening for all crops.

Environmental parameters and management as factors affecting greenhouse gas emissions from clay soil

ABSTRACT Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) drive climate change, with agricultural land significantly contributing, influenced by soil properties. While extensive research exists on environmental and management impacts on GHG emissions across various soils and climates, understanding key factors influencing GHG emissions from clay soil in temperate climates is limited. This study aims to investigate the combination of environmental and management factors reducing N2O, CO2, and CH4 emissions from clay soil in temperate climates. Recognising the potential of reduced tillage and legume-based crop rotations in mitigating GHG emissions, we investigate their impact on soil emissions. The conventionally managed field with spring barley, field beans, winter wheat, and winter rapeseed rotation demonstrates the lowest average N2O emission (3.7 g N2O ha−1 d− 1), while the field with winter crops in a reduced tillage rotation shows the highest N2O emission (8.5 g N2O ha−1 d− 1). A rotation with winter crops, beans twice, and barley, under conventional management, demonstrates the highest CO2 emission (140.2 kg CO2 ha−1 d− 1), while the lowest CO2 emission is observed in a rotation with winter crops, beans, and barley under reduced tillage management (100.8 kg CO2 ha−1 d− 1). CH4 assimilation ranges from 3.1 to 5.4 CH4 g ha−1 d−1 across all rotation and tillage combinations. However, ANCOVA results indicate that the volumes of GHG emissions are significantly influenced by the interaction of environmental and management factors, where precipitation is the most significant factor in the interaction with other environmental factors, soil tillage, and crop residues for N2O and CO2 emissions, while CH4 emissions are influenced by the interaction of air temperature with other environmental factors, soil tillage, and crop residues. This underscores the need to consider both management and relevant environmental factors when evaluating the impact of practices on GHG emissions from clay soil in temperate climates.