Depth Of Cultivation Research Articles

Determining the influence of structural and technological parameters of strip tillage on sunflower vegetation

The object of this study is the process of strip tillage, its effect on soil moisture in the strip, and subsequent vegetation of sunflower plants. At the same time, the task to increase the efficiency of strip tillage was solved. It has been established that the rational values of the structural and technological parameters of the strip tillage section in terms of fuel consumption depend on the speed of movement of the unit, the depth and width of the tilled strip of soil. One section of the unit was used for the research. The studies were conducted using the Box-Benkin three-factor experiment design. It was established that the rational values of the structural and technological parameters of strip tillage in terms of fuel consumption have the following values: the depth of strip tillage h=20‒25 cm, the width of strip tillage b=20‒25 cm, the speed of the unit from 7.5 to 11 km/hours. In this case, the actual fuel consumption ranged from 4.2 to 6.3 l/ha. It was also established that an increase in the width and depth of the strip cultivation leads to an increase in moisture loss in it. The highest value of soil moisture occurs at the minimum values of the depth and width of the strip cultivation, and the lowest at their maximum values. The influence of the width of the cultivated strip on the height of sunflower plants is more significant than the influence of the depth of tillage. This applies both to the range of changes in the height of sunflower plants (12.4‒13.6 cm compared to 12.5‒13.1 cm) and the intensity of the impact. The greatest influence on the height of sunflower plants is exerted by the magnitude of the transverse displacement of the axis of the row of plants. The intensity of this influence is approximately the same as the depth of tillage, and the range of changes in the height of sunflower plants is 11.7‒14 cm. Research results could be used in the design of units for strip tillage and sowing units.

ИЗУЧЕНИЕ ВЗАИМОСВЯЗЕЙ МЕЖДУ ГЛУБИНОЙ, СПОСОБАМИ ОБРАБОТКИ ПОЧВЫ И УРОЖАЙНОСТЬЮ КАРТОФЕЛЯ В ГОРНОЙ ЗОНЕ РСО-АЛАНИЯ

Depth and methods of soil cultivation for potatoes are among the most important agrotechnical techniques that allow increasing the yield of tubers without significant additional costs. The studies were conducted from 2020 to 2023, in the mountain-meadow subalpine zone in the Dargavs basin of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania at an altitude of 1450 m above sea level (Dargavs village). The soil of the experimental site belongs to the mountain-meadow subalpine leached with a humus-illuvial horizon loamy on the eluvium of clay shale. Meteorological conditions during the years of the studies were noted as contrasting. Temperature conditions in the spring were relatively favorable, but during the flowering phase a decrease in air humidity and an increase in air and soil temperature were noted. Potatoes of the Farn variety were planted in the first ten days of May, harvested in the second ten days of September. Moldboard-less tillage methods do not significantly affect soil moisture, accumulation of available nutrients, crop yield and its quality compared to moldboard ones, but weed infestation increases. Plowing of mountain chernozems of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania should be carried out to a depth of no more than 25 cm. Increasing the plowing depth to 35 cm or decreasing it to 15 cm causes a decrease in crop yield (subsoil tillage). Economic efficiency with moldboard plowing to a depth of 25 cm: profit from sales per 1 ha amounted to 283.1 thousand rubles. Increasing the plowing depth to 35 cm reduced profit to 56.1 thousand rubles, and decreasing it to 15 cm to 52.2 thousand rubles. The level of economic profitability amounted to 141.4; 165.7 and 147.2 %, respectively. When applying fertilizers at a dose of N60P60K60 and cultivating the soil with a flat cutter to a depth of 25 cm, the profit amounted to 247.1 thousand rubles per 1 ha with an economic profitability of 152.2 %.

Cirsium arvense differs from Tussilago farfara in regrowth from intact and fragmented below‐ground systems

AbstractFast regrowth from deep roots and rhizomes makes it difficult to mechanically control the perennials Cirsium arvense and Tussilago farfara respectively. It is, however, not clear whether new shoots originate mainly from fragments of roots/rhizomes in upper soil layers or from an intact system below depth of soil cultivation. Here we present results from three experiments with natural infestations of C. arvense, and two with both C. arvense and T. farfara. Plots of 1 m2 were excavated to different depths (13–25 cm), all below‐ground plant parts in the topsoil were collected and thereafter fragments were either returned to or removed from the plots. Regrowth from disturbed plots with removed or returned fragments was compared. The origin of regrown shoots, that is, whether they originated from seeds, intact below‐ground root/rhizome systems or returned fragments, was examined. More C. arvense shoots originated from the intact root system (48%–84%) than from root fragments (16%–52%). The final aboveground biomass was not affected by removal of the top‐soil fragments. For T. farfara, a small proportion (3%) of new shoots originated from the intact rhizome system, and the rest from fragments. We conclude that the intact root system of C. arvense contributes at least as much as root fragments to regrowth after soil cultivation, which might imply that time of treatment and depth of cultivation are crucial for the effect of mechanical control. For T. farfara, the results suggest that tillage equipment with high capacity to fragment the rhizome system will contribute to efficient control.

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.

Changes to soil profile carbon and nutrient distribution following pasture renewal with full inversion tillage

ABSTRACT Full inversion tillage (FIT) at pasture renewal is a management option aiming to increase carbon stocks in long-term pasture, to achieve carbon neutrality. This study investigated the effects of FIT on carbon and nutrient distribution in the soil profile (0–7.5, 7.5–15, 15–22.5 and 22.5–30 cm depths) as well as nutrient uptake, and subsequent fodder crop and/or pasture yields across three pasture renewal trials (Trials 1 and 3: Alfisol; Trial 2: Andisol). These effects of FIT were assessed against standard tillage treatments (no till, shallow till), and non-renewed pasture within 8–18 months post-tillage. FIT changed soil carbon stratification, causing 16%–46% reduction in topsoil (0–7.5 cm) cation exchange capacity across the three trials. However, nutrient levels after FIT remained within recommended ranges for crop and/or pasture growth, avoiding any yield reductions. Topsoil fertility post-FIT depended on original degree of nutrient stratification in the soil profile. At Trial 1, temporary deficiencies caused by low subsoil P and K soil tests pre-FIT were anticipated and corrected with fertiliser nutrients for the following break crop and resown pasture. We conclude that soil testing the cultivation depth prior to FIT at pasture renewal provides the necessary soil test information to manage yield expectations.

Technology and technical means for the implementation of reproduction methods for soil fertility

Soil fertility is determined by the presence of humus as the main part of organic matter. The extended reproduction of soil fertility is ensured by the introduction of organic and mineral fertilizers, the cultivation of sidereal crops and the decomposition of plant residues. (Research purpose) The research purpose is developing the technologies and means of mechanization for extended reproduction of fertility. (Materials and methods) For the joint application of liquid organic fertilizers and the cultivation of siderates, a unit has been developed that implements a hose technology for transporting liquid organic fertilizers. Fertilizers are fed through pressure hose lines to the working parts deep into the soil layer. The combined unit consists of a tractor K-744 Kirovets and an adapter for deep tillage with liquid fertilizers, as well as a seeder for small-seeded crops. To level the surface of the field after the passage of the unit and the sealing of the sown seeds of the sideral culture, the unit is equipped with a tooth roller. (Results and discussion) Formulas for determining the critical processing depth are given, the power calculation of the unit is performed. The design of the tillage tool allows to install flat-cutting working parts with a grip of 0.80 meters and slits with a grip of 0.45 meters. Tests of the combined unit were carried out. The depth of tillage was 36±1 centimeters, the seeding rate of the sideral crop (oilseed radish) was 25 kilograms per hectare, the operating speed range of the unit was from 0.4 to 0.8 meters per second. (Conclusions) The uniformity of the subsurface distribution of organic fertilizers was 90-95 percent. The specific energy intensity of the technological process of the combined unit based on the K-744 tractor for intra-soil fertilization is 40-65 kilowatt hours per hectare (excluding the capacity for pumping fertilizers). Energy consumption depends on the depth of cultivation and resistivity of the soil. The proposed method allows preventing water and wind erosion of the soil, improving its agronomically valuable properties. Reducing the pesticide load on the soil and its microflora contributes to the transition to a model of sustainable agroecosystems, improving and improving crop quality. The proposed technology provides extended reproduction of soil fertility.

Modeling and Forecasting the Removal of Biogenic Elements from Agricultural Lands Depending on the Soil Agrophysical Properties

Introduction. Environmental pollution prevention, including prevention of water bodies, with nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) when they are removed from agricultural lands with possible runoff is a topical problem that requires a timely solution. The studies have found that the removal of nutrients is a result of geochemical processes, fertilization, and other factors. In this regard, mathematical modeling of the process of removal of nutrients from agricultural lands and their possible entry into water bodies is an urgent task. Aim of the Study. The study is aimed at modeling and predicting the process of possible removal of nutrients from agricultural lands to water bodies. Materials and Methods. When conducting the study, there were used well-known modeling methods. They are the methods for calculating the removal of nutrients from agricultural objects into water bodies, based on the minimum amount of initial information for predicting the eutrophication of water bodies and agrochemical methods taking into account the structure and size of field and agricultural areas, crop yields, and removal nutrients with the harvest. Results. Based on an analysis of the literature and expert judgment, a list of the most significant indicators influencing the process of nitrogen and phosphorus removal was justified. There have been developed mathematical models to determine and predict the input of nutrients from agricultural lands to water bodies. There have been found significant indicators influencing the amount of input of nutrients, such as the amount of applied fertilizers, the volume of moisture, soil water capacity, field area, depth of cultivation, etc. There is given an example of calculating the amount of input of nutrients into water bodies with a rainfall intensity of 50 mm per hour. Discussion and Conclusion. The essence of the proposed mathematical models comes down to the synthesis of numerous indicators in the complex process of removal of nutrients and their impact on water quality. The proposed mathematical models make it possible to predict the removal of nutrients from agricultural lands and to develop and implement technical and technological solutions to prevent environmental pollution.

The Impact of Long-Term Mulched Drip Irrigation on Soil Particle Composition and Salinity in Arid Northwest China

The evaluation of soil particle composition and salt dynamics is essential for promoting the sustainable development of oasis agriculture in arid regions under long-term mulched drip irrigation (MDI). In this study, we employed the space-for-time substitution method to investigate the long-term effects of MDI on soil particle composition and salinity. Additionally, seven fields, with MDI durations ranging from 0 to 16 years, were selected to represent the primary successional sequence though time in Northwest China. Soil samples were collected from three soil depths (0–30 cm, 30–60 cm, and 60–100 cm) and then analyzed in the laboratory for soil particle composition and salt content. Our findings demonstrated that influenced by the depth of mechanical cultivation and the maximum wetting front depth, the long-term application of MDI significantly altered both the structure of soil layers and the composition of soil particles after 8 years. Soil sand content and soil salinity gradually decreased, whereas the content of soil silt and clay increased with increasing MDI duration throughout 0–100 cm soil depth. Furthermore, the rates of soil desalination stabilized after 10 years of MDI application, with desalination levels exceeding 90% in the 0–100 cm soil layer. Additionally, the soil mass fractal dimension (Dm) exhibited an upward trend across 0–100 cm soil depth. The changes in soil particle composition indirectly influenced the variations in Dm and salt content. Our study demonstrated that long-term application of MDI effectively mitigated soil salinity, changed soil structure, and ultimately enhanced soil quality and cotton yield.

Increased light intensity enhances photosynthesis and biochemical components of red macroalga of commercial importance, Kappaphycus alvarezii, in response to ocean acidification

The concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) has increased drastically over the past several decades, resulting in the pH of the ocean decreasing by 0.44 ± 0.005 units, known as ocean acidification (OA). The Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyta, Solieriaceae), is a commercially and ecologically important red macroalga with significant CO2 absorption potential from seawater. The K. alvarezii also experienced light variations from self-shading and varied cultivation depths. Thus, the aim of present study was to investigate the effects of two pCO2 levels (450 and 1200 ppmv) and three light intensities (50, 100, and 150 μmol photons·m−2·s−1) on photosynthesis and the biochemical components in K. alvarezii. The results of the present study showed that a light intensity of 50 μmol photons·m−2·s−1 was optimal for K. alvarezii photosynthesis with 0.663 ± 0.030 of Fv/Fm and 0.672 ± 0.025 of Fv’/Fm’. Phycoerythrin contents at two pCO2 levels decreased significantly with an increase in light intensity by 57.14–87.76%, while phycocyanin contents only decreased from 0.0069 ± 0.001 mg g−1 FW to 0.0047 ± 0.001 mg g−1 FW with an increase in light intensity at 1200 ppmv of pCO2. Moreover, moderate increases in light intensity and pCO2 had certain positive effects on the physiological performance of K. alvarezii, specifically in terms of increasing soluble carbohydrate production. Although OA and high light levels promoted total organic carbon accumulation (21.730 ± 0.205% DW) in K. alvarezii, they had a negative impact on total nitrogen accumulation (0.600 ± 0.017% DW).

Cover crops improve soil structure and change organic carbon distribution in macroaggregate fractions

Abstract. Soil structure is sensitive to intensive soil management. It can be ameliorated by a reduction in soil cultivation and stimulation of plant and microbial mediators for aggregate formation, with the latter being a prerequisite and measure for soil quality. Cover crops (CCs) are part of an integrated approach to stabilize or improve soil quality. Thereby, the incorporation of diverse CC mixtures is hypothesized to increase the positive effects of CC applications. This study entailed an investigation of the legacy effect of CCs on soil aggregates after three crop rotations in the second main crop (winter wheat) after the last CC treatment. Four CCs (mustard, phacelia, clover, and oat) cultivated in pure stands and with a fallow treatment were compared to a mixture of the four CC species (Mix4) and a highly diverse 12-plant-species mixture (Mix12) in a long-term field experiment in Germany. The organic carbon (OC) distribution within macroaggregate fractions (16–8, 8–4, 4–2, 2–1, and <1 mm) and their aggregate stability were measured by dry- and wet-sieving methods, and the mean weight diameter (MWD) was calculated from water-stable aggregates. The results showed that, compared to the fallow, all CCs increased the MWD between 10 % and 19 % in soil under the following main crop. The average MWD increase over the fallow was slightly higher for CC mixtures (16 %) than for single CCs (12 %). Most of the OC (67.9 % on average) was stored in the <1 mm aggregate fraction, highest in the topsoil and decreasing with soil depth. The intermediate fractions (8–4 mm, 4–2 mm, 2–1 mm) stored 8.5 %, 10.5 %, and 11.0 % of the total OC, while 2.1 % was stored in the 16–8 mm fraction. Higher MWD improvement at the 20–30 cm depth also indicates additional benefits from a reduction in the cultivation depth. Structural equation modelling (SEM) suggests that single CCs were more likely to increase OC storage in small macroaggregates <1 mm, while CC mixtures were more likely to increase OC in the largest fraction (8–16 mm). Different individual CC species or mixtures exhibited varying involvement in the formation of different aggregate fractions. We provide evidence that litter quality, root morphology, and rhizosphere input, which affect microbial mediators of aggregate formation, might be the main reasons for the observed differences between CC treatments. Cover crops are valuable multifunctional tools for sustainable soil management. Here, we showed that they contribute to structure amelioration in arable soils. Increasing the functional diversity of plant species in CC mixtures could be a strategy to further enhance the positive effects of CCs in agroecosystems.

Study of soil tillage process from parameters and working depth of the working bod

The article presents the results of experimental studies of the positive influence of the optimal combination of ripping elements with a stand on the quality of soil tillage and traction resistance of the working body. In the experiment, model samples of ripping elements of rectangular shape were tested on a universal dynamometer. It was found that the qualitative and energy characteristics of the working body are mainly influenced by five factors: the depth of cultivation (H), the angle of inclination of the stand (αst) relative to the horizontal, the width (b), the length of outrigger (L) and the cutting angle (β) of ripping elements.

Parameters of the robe roller for soil preparation

Studying the parameters of a ridge-forming roller for soil preparation is an urgent task in agricultural technology. This paper examines the influence of various parameters of ridge-forming rollers on the quality of soil tillage and its preparation for sowing. The main parameters are analyzed, such as the shape of the rollers, the depth of cultivation, the angle of inclination of the ridges, as well as the influence of their combinations on the structure of the soil and its air-water regime. The effectiveness of various configurations of ridge-forming rollers is assessed in order to optimize the process of preparing the soil for further agrotechnical measures. The results obtained can be used to develop recommendations for the selection of optimal parameters of ridge-forming rollers depending on the specific conditions of the soil and climatic region.

ЗМІНА ПРОДУКТИВНОСТІ СОЇ ЗАЛЕЖНО ВІД ВПЛИВУ СИСТЕМИ ОСНОВНОГО ОБРОБІТКУ ҐРУНТУ ТА СТИМУЛЮЮЧИХ РЕЧОВИН

The purpose of the research work is to determine the influence of the tillage system and stimulating substances on the amount and structure of the biological yield of soybeans, to justify the feasibility of using the studied stimulating substances in the technology of growing soybeans for the use of different systems of the main tillage in the conditions of the forest-steppe of Ukraine to overcome the negative impact of climatic factors. Materials and methods. Field experiments were carried out in the five-field research crop rotation of Leonid Pogorilyy UkrNDIPVT (Kyiv agro-soil district of Right Bank Forest Steppe). Factors of the experiment: factor A – stimulating biological drugs (A1 – use of drugs; A2 – control (without the use of drugs); factor B – soil cultivation system (B1 – traditional, B2 – conservation, B3 – mulching, B4 – mini-till). Soy was grown according to the technology traditional for the region, with the exception of the elements included in the experiment scheme. The effectiveness of the researched elements of cultivation technology was established by determining the biological yield of soybeans and their structure. Results. Correlation analysis indicates that the elements of cultivation technology that we studied significantly affect the density of plant stands of agrophytocenoses: the depth of soil cultivation and the density of plant stands, as well as the use of biological preparations and the density of plant stands are connected by average direct correlations expressed by coefficients r = 0.4901 and r = 0.5380, respectively. After conducting a correlation analysis, we established that an increase in the depth of tillage, within the framework of our experiments, contributes to the growth of abortiveness of seeds (r = 0.7215), and the use of biological preparations in the technology of growing soybeans - to a decrease in the rate of abortiveness of seeds (r = –0.6501 ). The level of biological yield significantly depends on the factors included by us in the scheme of experiments. Increasing the depth of tillage had a positive effect on the growth of soybean biological yield, as indicated by the correlation coefficient r = 0.5876. The value of the biological yield of soybeans, within the limits of the schemes of our experiments, was also affected by the use of biological preparations – the presence of a direct average correlation between them was established, which is expressed by the coefficient r = 0.5880. Conclusions. Increasing the depth of tillage had a positive effect on the growth of soybean biological yield, as indicated by the correlation coefficient r = 0.5876. The value of the biological yield of soybeans, within the limits of the schemes of our experiments, was influenced by the use of biological preparations - the presence of a direct average correlation between them was established, which is expressed by the coefficient r = 0.5880. The use of biological preparations in the technology of growing soybeans contributed to the reduction of the abortiveness of its seeds (r = –0.6501) and the improvement of biometric indicators of plants. Keywords: soybean, growing technologies, stimulants, tillage, yield, abortiveness of seeds.

On the possibility of controlling the depth of tillage using an inertial navigation system (INS)

The article discusses a number of theoretical aspects of the problem of continuous monitoring of the depth of soil cultivation by agricultural machine and tractor units. A method for controlling the depth of tillage is proposed, based on determining the relative position of the tractor and implement relative to each other and relative to the soil surface. Using the modeling method, the initial requirements for measurement accuracy were obtained and the possibility of using inertial navigation systems for the task at hand was substantiated.

Машина для вычесывания сорняков: эффективность обработки посевов бахчевых

The cultivation of melons and gourds is a rather laborious process and the main costs fall on the treatment of crops from weeds and harvesting. Before the weed damage threshold is reached, three or four row spacing treatments with cultivators are required, which ensures soil compaction. The number of treatments can be reduced by loosening the row spacing 0.1 to 0.12 m with a device capable of affecting the root system of weeds. It is established that weeding out is affected by the gear ratio between the weed extractor rotors. In order to determine the optimal value of the gear ratio on the technological process, the author conducted laboratory and field studies. The distance, on which the root diggers interact with the soil, was determined in the soil channel when varying the gear ratio from 1.0 to 4.0 and the depth of cultivation of 0.05 and 0.1 m. In field conditions, the author measured the length of weed roots removed from the soil at a working depth of 0.05 and 0.1 m, at the gear ratio of 1.0 to 4.5, and with a pitch of 0.5. As a result of research, the author observed the optimum length of traces of the front sections of the digger equaling 0.35 m and that of rear ones equaling 0.08 m at a gear ratio of 4.0. The greatest length of weed roots extracted to the surface with the digger blade of 0.26 to 0.32 m was observed at a gear ratio of 4.0 and a depth of 0.1 m. It is concluded that the efficiency of tillage depends on the gear ratio between front and rear rotors and the depth of tillage. The highest weeding-out efficiency was observed at a gear ratio between the weed extractor rotors of 4.0.

Combine effects of multiple environmental factors on growth and nutrient uptake of euryhaline seaweed growth in integrated multitrophic aquaculture systems

Macroalgae are biofilters that increase the ability of the environment to assimilate nutrients and whose biomass finds different uses in the industrial sector. The growth of Ulva sp. and Gracilaria lemaneiformis and their ability to remove nutrients from enriched water was assessed in a series of laboratory experiments. This study tested their growth performance under: a) three different salinities (15, 20 and 25 psu), b) three different initial densities (low(1 g/l), medium (2 g/l) and high(3 g/l)) and c) four light intensities (1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 lx). The best results regarding the specific growth rate were achieved for Ulva and Gracilaria (SGR 11 % and 6 %) under light intensity of 3000 lx, salinity of 25 psu, and density of 2 g/l. After four days >80 % of NH4-N and 95 % of PO4-P had been removed from the tanks by Ulva sp. The growth and production performance were tested among: 1) three different depths (10, 20 and 30 cm) in multitrophic system (Fishes + Macroalgae). Finally, based on the best combination obtained from the first phase of the experiment, it was set up the last experiment where the nutrient uptake performances of Ulva were tested among three multitrophic systems (IMTA (Fishes +mussel + Ulva), “Fishes + Ulva”, “Fishes + mussel”). Although the best cultivation depth was 10 cm for both Ulva and Gracilaria, there were significant differences between the WBP (Wet Biomass Production) of the two species (Ulva WBP =46 ± 8.02 g m−2d−1; Gracilaria WBP = 8.5 ± 0.51 g m−2d−1) (p < 0.05). Finally, after the 8th-day experiments, the concentrations of NH4–N were lower in the “Fishes+Ulva” (44.32 %) system and IMTA (27.36 %) system compared with the “Fishes+mussel” system. Moreover, phosphates (PO4-P) concentration decreased by 51.75 % and 57.58 % in the aquaria with “Fishes+Ulva” system and IMTA system, respectively. The results obtained in this study show that Ulva sp. and G. lemaneiformis can grow satisfactorily and absorb nutrients from water efficiently, proving to be suitable candidates for wastewater treatment of aquaculture facilities.

Determination of the efficiency of a plowing unit with an electro-hydraulic control system of working bodies

BACKGROUND: When performing plowing operations with modern tractor units equipped with automatic control systems for hitches, various methods of regulating the depth of soil cultivation are used. The main attention should be paid to compliance with agricultural requirements and fuel consumption reduction. However, there is no integrated numerical criterion for joint assessment of these technological process parameters, helping to justify a reasonable regulation method. AIMS: Development the integral criterion for assessment of the efficiency of plowing unit operation and selection of a reasonable method for adjusting the depth of cultivation for specific soil conditions. METHODS: Mathematical modeling of a plowing unit including the Belarus 1523 tractor with an electro-hydraulic system for controlling the hitch and with the PLN-4-35 four-furrow mounted plow. RESULTS: When using the positional method of adjusting the soil cultivation depth, the total fuel consumption per shift is mp = 28.18 kg with a variation of the cultivation depth Va = 9.99%, when using the power method — mp = 29.74 kg and Va = 5.25%, when using the height method — mp = 29.78 kg and Va = 3.23%, and when using combined methods of adjustment, such as positional-power or height-power, the fuel consumption is mp = 28.94 kg, Va = 5.01% and mp = 29.58 kg, Va = 2.63% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The comparative analysis of the research results shows that, given the force and kinematic disturbances from the soil on the plowing unit, the preferred method of adjusting the soil cultivation depth is the height-force method with a mixing coefficient of α = 0.5. With this method, the value of the integral criterion is respectively 1.4 and 1.2 times lower than with force and height adjustment methods.

Water permeability of dark chestnut soil and agrochemical factors determining chickpea yield

A six-year analysis of changes in soil water permeability according to the basic tillage options is provided. Plowing with a PBS -10 P plow reduced water permeability by 3.1%. An increase in soil density by 6.3% for no-tillage and by 9.8% for minimum tillage reduced water permeability by 13.3 and 41.9%, respectively. Calculation of the multiple regression equation and full correlation analysis showed that the maximum influence on water permeability is exerted by the depth of the main cultivation - 44.92%, soil density determined this indicator by 38.17%, humidity by only 0.91%, the share of unaccounted factors was 16% . The yield of chickpea grain varied from 0.39 - 0.65 t/ha in 2020 (GTCMay - August = 0.20) to 1.54 - 2.12 t/ha in 2023 (GTCMay - August = 0. 64). Over six years of observation, according to factor A (basic tillage for chickpeas), the maximum yield of chickpea grain without the use of agrochemicals was noted on plowing: 1.19 t/ha (PLN-8-35) and 1.20 t/ha (PBS-10 P). Duringnon-moldboard processing (SSD-4 and PChM-4), the yield decreased by 10.9%, with a minimum (PM 7?3) by 22.7%. Foliar feeding with mineral fertilizers and fertilizers based on humic acids during the phases of branching and the beginning of budding of chickpeas of the Zoovit variety increased the yield by 11.9–14.7%.

New Method of Measuring the Depth of Soil Tillage

The authors propose a new method for measuring the depth of soil cultivation by tillage machines based on a system of inertial position sensors. The block diagram and design of the inertial sensor for measuring the depth of travel of the working tools are substantiated. To test the effectiveness of the new method the bench that simulates the immersion of the working tools of soil-cultivating machines to different depths has been developed. The proposed method was examined on the bench.

Applying ploughs for determining the optimal depth of soil cultivation: the development of the scientific views

The presented article examines the historical process of using deep and shallow ploughing of the fertile soil. Therefore, the most optimal option for achieving the highest possible productivity is considered, for example, multi-depth tillage of the soil, when deep, medium, shallow and surface inversion and non-inversion tillages alternate in crop rotations. In particular, when ploughing to the depth of 30 cm, the level of available moisture remains the highest during chiselling, and in conditions of deep ploughing (from 30 to 75 cm), the level of available moisture falls for any type of tillage. As a result of the study, the authors came to the conclusion that when choosing the depth of tillage, it is necessary to take into account the information on the crops to be grown and, first of all, the condition of the root layer of the specific field. Thus, in the course of the full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine and the possible food crisis in some countries of the world caused by this armed conflict, the conducted research cannot be seen as comprehensive and thorough and has further prospects.