Depth Of Cultivation Research Articles

Model and dynamic performance analysis of mountain tractor suspension implements

A tractor three degree of freedom of agricultural implement suspension mechanism is proposed. The position and posture of the agricultural suspension implement frames are controlled by adjusting these three active motion pairs. Since the agricultural suspension implement is fixed on the mountain tractor through three points, the adjustment of the agricultural implement position and posture is obtained. Corresponding dynamic performance analysis of the mountain tractor suspension implements is analyzed. This model can be used for the operation of the tractor and farm implement set with automatic chassis levelling on the slope. The farm implement and the slope terrain can be profiled by adjusting the position and posture of the farm implement, and the lateral uniformity of the cultivation depth can be improved.

Latitudinal, seasonal and depth-dependent variation in growth, chemical composition and biofouling of cultivated Saccharina latissima (Phaeophyceae) along the Norwegian coast

The Norwegian coastline covers more than 10° in latitude and provides a range in abiotic and biotic conditions for seaweed farming. In this study, we compared the effects of cultivation depth and season on the increase in biomass (frond length and biomass yield), chemical composition (protein, tissue nitrogen, intracellular nitrate and ash content) and biofouling (total cover and species composition) of cultivated Saccharina latissima at nine locations along a latitudinal gradient from 58 to 69° N. The effects of light and temperature on frond length and biofouling were evaluated along with their relevance for selecting optimal cultivation sites. Growth was greater at 1–2 m than at 8–9 m depth and showed large differences among locations, mainly in relation to local salinity levels. Maximum frond lengths varied between 15 and 100 cm, and maximum biomass yields between 0.2 and 14 kg m−2. Timing of maximum frond length and biomass yield varied with latitude, peaking 5 and 8 weeks later in the northern location (69° N) than in the central (63° N) and southern (58° N) locations, respectively. The nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor (averaged across all locations and depths) was 3.8, while protein content varied from 22 to 109 mg g−1 DW, with seasonality and latitude having the largest effect. The onset of biofouling also followed a latitudinal pattern, with a delayed onset in northern locations and at freshwater-influenced sites. The dominant epibiont was the bryozoan Membranipora membranacea. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of S. latissima cultivation along a wide latitudinal gradient in North Atlantic waters and underscore the importance of careful site selection for seaweed aquaculture.

Strategic tillage of a long-term, no-till soil has little impact on soil characteristics or crop growth over five years

Strategic tillage describes the occasional use of tillage in an otherwise no-till system. The practice can provide a pragmatic solution to emerging agronomic issues in no-till systems but raises concerns about prolonged or irreversible soil damage. We investigated the impact of a single tillage event at a long-term no-till experiment under treatments with retained or annually autumn-burned crop residues. One half of each residue-treatment plot received a single pass of a rotary hoe (ST) 4 weeks before sowing in 2011, the first year of the experiment; the other half of each plot remained unchanged (NT). Soil physical, chemical and biological fertility in the surface layers (0–20 cm), as well as crop growth and yield were monitored for 5 years (2011–15). Following the ST treatment, soil bulk density and strength were initially reduced to the depth of cultivation (~15 cm) irrespective of residue treatment. Water-stable macroaggregates in the surface 0–5 cm were also reduced but recovered to pre-tillage levels within 1–2 years after ST treatment. Soil pH, total carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), and fine-fraction C and N were all initially stratified in the surface layer (0–5 cm) of the NT treatment but were redistributed more evenly throughout the 0–10 cm layer of the ST treatment and remained so throughout the 5-year period. With ST, there was an initial loss in total C stocks in the 0–10 cm layer of 2.2 t/ha, which recovered within 2 years; however, total C stocks remained lower in plots with stubble retained than with stubble burnt after 5 years. Soil Colwell P levels were not stratified and not influenced by tillage treatment, presumably because of the annual additions in the starter fertiliser at sowing. ST had no impact on crop establishment or grain yield in any year but increased the early biomass of wheat at Z30 compared with NT in the first 2 years. Annual stubble retention reduced the early growth of crops in all years, and yield of wheat in the first 3 years, consistent with long-term effects of retained stubble at the site, but there was no interaction between stubble retention and tillage treatments on soil conditions or crop growth. Crop yields of long-term, annually cultivated treatments were also similar to those of ST and NT treatments during the 5 years of the experiment. Overall, the minor short-term negative impacts on soil physical conditions, the persistent and arguably beneficial effects on soil chemistry and biology, and absence of impacts on crop production suggest that strategic tillage can be a valuable agronomic tool in sustainable production in this region.

Development and research of the mechanism for improvement of soil processing instruments

Annotation Purpose. Improving the quality of tillage with implements with disk working bodies. Methods. Analytical and experimental laboratory-field research using the developed mechanism, installed on the serial disk Harrow. Results. The mechanism of automatic regulation of soil tillage in disc instruments has been elaborated and developed. It was established that the developed mechanism ensures the improvement of soil processing quality by disk instruments by automatic alignment of the instruments in relation to the unit movement direction. Conclusions. As a result of research, the mechanism of automated soil tillage quality control instruments was elaborated and developed. It was established that the experimental mechanism of the provisionis to increase the quality of soil tillage by means of automatic instrument alignment with regard to movement direction of the unit. With the soil cultivation depth of 138–139 mm, the automatic control mechanism improves the processing quality, which indicates a decrease in the average quadratic deviation of the depth from ±36.1 mm to ±23.8 mm and a decrease in the depth variation coefficient from 26.2% to 17.2%. Keywords: soil tillage, disk tools, automatic adjustment mechanism.

Innovative Deflector Soil-Cultivating Paw

When planting, most planters coulters enter the ground from the top. They meet hard clods of soil, jump, changing the depth of planting seeds. Some seeds are thrown to the surface. As a result, the sowing germination, as well as yield, decreases. ( Research purpose ) To develop an innovative soil-cultivating pointed paw, eliminating the rejection of soil and the formation of unevenness of the surface, as well as increasing the productivity of the cultivator. ( Materials and methods ) The authors determined the setting parameters of the developed deflector pointed paw with the involvement of mathematical device and taking into account the requirements for the working bodies of soil-cultivating units. ( Results and discussion ) The authors developed an innovative deflector pointed paw. A triangular deflector was placed over the ploughshare. They determined the optimal angle of deflector inclination in the horizontal plane-15-25 degrees, and the height of the installation of the pointed paw over the blade- in 1.5 times above the depth of soil cultivation. It was found that the rear part of the deflector, which has a serrated shape and curved down, allows to grind the soil, forming a small-lumpy structure. It was shown that the soil, moving along the deflector, in collision with the curved part returns to the surface, closing and leveling the formed furrow. The triangular shape of the rack between the ploughshare and the deflector significantly reduces the clogging of coulters with plant residues. ( Conclusions ) The authors proved that the leveled soil surface with a finely lumpy structure of the top layer can be obtained using a deflector pointed paw, which eliminates the use of rollers. This reduces the material consumption of the cultivator, fuel consumption, and productivity increases by 50 percent as a result of increasing the speed of soil cultivation to 18 kilometers per hour.

Technological directions of reducing the energy intensity of the primary tillage process

On the basis of the rational formula of academician V.P. Goryachkin, the definition of the amount of work or energy spent on processing a certain area of the field at a given depth is given. As a result of theoretical studies of field processing by the traditional method, the graphic dependences of the work spent in continuous processing of one hectare of arable land on the depth of soil cultivation are established. The theoretical results strip tillage installed the graphics according to the work required in bandpass processing of one hectare of arable land, of the bandwidth at the maximum depth. Possible options for reducing the energy intensity of tillage in each of the considered methods of tillage are proposed.

The character and distribution of physical contaminants found in soil previously treated with mixed waste organic outputs and garden waste compost

The re-use of waste materials by application to land is an increasingly common practice around the world, but where municipal solid waste materials are applied, it is almost inevitable that physical contaminants such as glass and plastic will be added to the soil. In many jurisdictions, there are prescribed limits for the amounts of physical contaminants that may be present in these materials, but there is little information on whether these limits safeguard soil functional condition. Here, physical contamination of soil is described after varying rates of a mixed waste organic output (MWOO) and garden waste compost (GWC) were incorporated into field plots. At application rates of 100 and 200 t/ha, both treatments resulted in a coarsening of the topsoil particle size distribution, but only in the MWOO-treated soils were physical contaminants largely responsible for this. The physical contaminant particles present were found only to the depth of cultivation, and included glass, rigid and film plastics, and synthetic fibres. These contaminants were most commonly observed in the gravel and coarse sand-sized fractions, and in those soils treated with the highest rates of MWOO application. Physical contaminant particles acted as both enveloping and nucleating agents for mineral grains and organic matter, and blocked some pores. Although soil physical condition is usually improved by the incorporation of organic matter, the extent of pore blockage evident here suggests that soil physical functions such as water percolation may be affected as the organic matter is broken down and the soil undergoes natural re-consolidation.

Формування гумусного стану та поживного режиму ґрунту під кукурудзу на зерно в сівозміні на зрошенні

The purpose. To determine directions of formation of humus state, nutritive regimen of dark-chestnut soil and productivity of corn for grain at use as fertilizer of collateral products of cultures of crop rotation on the background of different ways, depths of basic cultivation and doses of application of fertilizers in crop rotation at irrigation. Methods. Field, quantitatively-weight, visual, laboratory, calculative-comparative and mathematical-statistical with the use of conventional in Ukraine techniques and methodical recommendations. Results. It is established that after harvesting soya bean (predecessor of corn for grain) on not fertilized background (on alternatives of basic cultivation for soya bean) the mass of collateral products on surface of soil made 2,71–3,05 t/hectare. Calculated indexes of formation of humus testifies to negative balance of humus on not fertilized background in all alternatives of systems of basic soil cultivation with the highest index (– 0,58 t/hectare) at one-deep-seated shallow subsoil cultivation. At use of fertilizers the negative balance of humus also is fixed. The maximum productivity of grain of corn (14,82 t/hectare) is gained in alternative of shallow disk cultivation with slit planting on depth of 38–40 cm in system of differentiated-1 soil cultivation for crop rotation on the background of dose of fertilizers N180P60. On the average for 3 years on the background without importation of fertilizers the level of productivity on alternatives of ways and depths of basic cultivation oscillated from 3,05 t/hectare at subsoil shallow disk cultivation on the background of its long use in crop rotation up to 4,46 t/hectare at system of differentiated-1 soil cultivation with one slit planting on depth of 38–40 cm for crop rotation. Conclusions. At growing corn for grain in crop rotation at irrigation it is expedient to apply disk cultivation on depth of 8–10 cm in system of differentiated cultivation with one slit planting on depth of 38–40 cm during rotation, to use as fertilizer of cormophyte and rooted masses with importation of fertilizers at dose of N180P60.

Investigation of Moving Flat Hexagonal Disk Attachment

The article “Investigation of moving flat hexagonal disk attachment” reviewed the operation of flat hexagonal disk attachment used on discer for tilling the soil, exposed to wind erosion. The research of flat disk attachment is carried out in FSBEI HE OSAU named by P.A. Stolypin. The main laws are set and described and the quality evaluation criteria of cutting up weed vegetation δ in dependence upon angle of attack, cultivation depth and the distance between discs on the shaft are also represented. Using received dependences in practice it is not difficult to define the quality of weed vegetation cutting up and when required to make regulations of disc implement for quality weed vegetation cutting up. Arrangement is done by setting of basic parameters of stubble cleaner: angle of attack, cultivation depth and the distance between discs on the axle.

Design, construction and evaluation of semi-automatic vegetable transplanter with conical distributor cup

In this research, in order to increase the speed and precision of cultivation, the semi-automatic tomato transplanter with conical distributor cup was designed and constructed. In this machine, transplants are transmitted by a semi-automatic distributor and through the conical bowls into the fall tube and transferred to the furrow formed by the furrower. In the field evaluation of the machine, these parameters were considered: the distance between the cultivated seedling, cultivation depth and angle, and the amount of physical damage to seedlings. The tests were carried out using a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized block design with ten replications. The treatments consisted of three levels of forward speed, including speed of 1, 2 and 3 km h−1 and two levels of cultivation depth at 5 and 10 cm. The results showed that interaction between the forward speed and the cultivation depth had no significant effect on the variables studied, the factor of forward speed had significant effects only on the variables of deployment angle and physical damage to the seedlings, and the factor of cultivation depth was only effective on the variable of the seedling deployment angle. The most appropriate forward speed and cultivation depth were 2 km h−1 and 5 cm, respectively. With a forward speed of 2 km h−1 and in one cultivation row, a theoretical capacity of 0.008 hah−1 was determined for the machine.

The seasonal variation in nitrogen, amino acid, protein and nitrogen-to-protein conversion factors of commercially cultivated Faroese Saccharina latissima

The demands of new food sources are increasing with the increasing human population. Proteins are a main nutrient for human consumption and in animal feed, which will be in short supply in the near future. Many macroalgal species have shown to possess significant levels and quality of protein, comparable to conventional protein-rich foods. The brown macroalga Saccharina latissima was commercially cultivated in an open ocean area in the Faroe Islands. The effect of depth, cultivation site and seasonal variation in nitrogen, protein concentration, and the amino acid profile were investigated to study the potential of Faroese cultivated S. latissima as a protein source. Moreover, the nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor was calculated. The average nitrogen concentration was 2.1 ± 0.2% of dry weight (dw) with no significant variation between sites, a single month with significant variation between cultivation depths (March 2016), and a significant seasonal variation (among most months). The average protein concentration determined by summing up total amino acids was 4.3 ± 0.9% of dw, and comparable to or slightly lower than other studies. There was no depth, site or seasonal variation in AA-protein concentration for the cultivated S. latissima. The lack of seasonal variation was most likely a consequence of the year-round stable physical conditions in the Faroe Islands, and compared with other studies surprising as most found seasonal variation of AA-protein. The quality of the protein was high (EAA score > 100%) in March, although the low total concentration of protein limits the possibilities to use S. latissima solely as a protein source or for protein extraction and other nutrients should be investigated to understand its potential as a food or feed source.This study will recommend estimating total protein concentration by summing up the total amino acids (AA-protein), as the widely used 6.25 factor is highly overestimating the protein concentration.

Mechanized application of ameliorants for preservation of soil moisture on cultivated lands

During the drought season agronomic crops get into a critical situation when a lack of moisture and nutritional chemicals can result in plant wilting and crop loss. To prevent the following situation, it is proposed to apply liquid ameliorants in the process of subsurface tillage which can accumulate moisture in a soil. The introduction of ameliorants offered to carry out work on liquid ameliorants directly into the root soil layer, to create favorable conditions for the development of the plant. Also, when making soil ameliorants preventing the leaching of their streams generated from rainfall and meltwater. Experimental studies have shown that zero tillage with simultaneous application of liquid ameliorants (in the process of experiment was used urea-ammonium nitrate) can increase soil moisture at cultivation depth from 22 to 47%. Moisture of the soil was determined in two months after cultivation and applying of liquid ameliorants according to the National Standard 28268-89 “Soils. Methods of moisture determination, maximum hydroscopic moisture and permanent wilting coefficient of plants”. In this case, received values of filtration filters and soil porosity show qualitative soil cultivation for crop growing.

Mechanized application of ameliorants for preservation of soil moisture on cultivated lands

During the drought season agronomic crops get into a critical situation when a lack of moisture and nutritional chemicals may lead to a wilt of plants and crop loss. For preventing of the following situation it is proposed to apply liquid ameliorants in the process of subsurface tillage which can accumulate moisture in a soil. The introduction of ameliorants offered to carry out work on liquid ameliorants directly into the root soil layer, to create favorable conditions for the development of the plant. Also, when making soil ameliorants preventing the leaching of their streams generated from rainfall and meltwater. Experimental studies have shown that zero tillage with simultaneous application of liquid ameliorants (in the process of experiment was used urea-ammonium nitrate) can increase soil moisture at cultivation depth from 22 to 47%. Moisture of soil determined after two months after cultivation and applying of liquid ameliorants according to the National Standard 28268-89 “Soils. Methods for determination of moisture, maximum hydroscopic moisture and moisture of steady plant fading”. In this case, received values of filtration filters and soil porosity show qualitative soil cultivation for crop growing.

Comparative growth of Mytilus chilensis (Hupé 1854) and Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck 1819) in aquaculture longline system in Chile

Choosing an alternative species of mussel for the aquaculture industries, will be possible if it has equal or greater yield than the mussel cultivated. This study compares the growth of the chilean native mussel Mytilus chilensis with the non-native Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and evaluate if environmental variables and cultivation depth affects mussels growth. Mussel were seeded in summer, with the same mean total weight and shell length for both species. At the end of the experiment, shell length (SL), condition index and gonadosomatic index were compared over month, depth and species. Highly significant differences were found in shell length between month and depth and between month and species (p < 0.05). The linear relationship between the gonad weight and wet meat weight in M. chilensis present a higher gonad weight for the same wet meat weight than M. galloprovincialis. It can be concluded that at the end of the harvest size cultivation M. chilensis presents a greater gonad weight, condition index and gonadosomatic index.

Mapping of cultivated organic soils for targeting greenhouse gas mitigation

Cultivated organic soils can be a major source of GHG emissions in countries with high coverage of peat soils. Targeting mitigation measures based on mapping of cultivated organic soils would reduce these emissions and increase sustainability of agriculture. Different georeferenced datasets were combined to study the area trend and describe current agricultural use of organic soils. The area was also mapped regionally into classes based on intensity of cultivation and organic layer depth, and an example allocation of potential mitigation measures was made at the country scale. The area and proportion of cultivated organic soils have increased in Finland since 1990 but the clearance rate has decreased in recent years. More than half of the area retains a peat layer deeper than 0.6 m indicating long-lasting mitigation potential with measures capable of slowing peat decomposition. Sixty-five percent of the cultivated organic soil area was not considered a priority area for radical management changes, for various reasons, but there are 85,000 ha of field with more realistic potential for GHG mitigation. The mapping method was found to be a practical tool for depicting the GHG mitigation potential of cultivated organic soils. Significant reductions in agricultural GHG emissions can be expected with implementation of the suggested mitigation measures.

ГРУНТООБРОБНА УСТАНОВКА З ВИКОРИСТАННЯМ ГНУЧКОГО РОБОЧОГО ОРГАНУ ДЛЯ КОНТРОЛЮ РОСТУ БУР’ЯНІВ

Мета. Провести дослідження в польових умовах робочого органу у вигляді троса на роторній ґрунтообробній розрихлювально-сепаруючій установці, що підвищує якість обробітку ґрунту та дозволяє контролювати ріст бур’янів. Методи. Визначення коефіцієнта структурності ґрунту, гербологічного моніторинигу бур’янів. Результати. У польових умовах експериментально визначено, що використання гнучкого робочого органу сприяє підрізанню пласта ґрунту, його кришінню в залежності від стану і різновиду. Встановлено, що при зміні швидкості руху установки в нижньому шарі ґрунту спостерігаються незначні середні зміни коефіцієнта структурності ґрунту в порівнянні з контролем. Збільшення швидкості руху експериментальної установки призводить до зменшення коефіцієнта структурності в верхньому і нижньому шарах. Зниження коефіцієнта структурності зі збільшенням глибини обробітку при роботі машини з гнучким елементом пояснюється тим, що при глибині обробітку 0,03 м відбувається вирівнювання поверхні поля, що сприяє збільшенню коефіцієнта структурності. Дослідження впливу використання експериментальної ґрунтообробної установки на засміченість посівів буряку столового показало, зниження загальної засміченості посівів за дворазового обробітку з повтором через 35 днів з використанням гнучкого елементу, яка досягла перед збиранням 95,7%, що на 29% перевищує даний показник, досягнутий без застосування гнучкого робочого органу. Загибель дводольних бур’янів становила 98,5% перед збиранням, що на 13% перевищує результат, отриманий без використання гнучкого робочого органу Висновки. Наявність гнучкого елемента у вигляді троса у складі робочих органів експериментальної установки позитивно впливає на якісні показники обробітку ґрунту. Експериментально доведено, що наявність гнучкого робочого органу у вигляді троса в експериментальній установці забезпечує більш раціональний перерозподіл агрономічно цінних грудочок ґрунту за глибиною оброблюваного шару в порівнянні з контролем. Використання гнучкого елемента у вигляді троса в складі робочих органів роторної ґрунтообробної розрихлювально-сепаруючої установки, дозволяє ефективно контролювати ріст бур’янів без застосування гербіцидів.

Computer modeling of the process of depth of soil treatment

The article is devoted to the problem of creating methodological foundations for research on the processes of machine use in agriculture. The basic approaches and principles of the formation of domain models are outlined, as the output processes of the functioning of the technological system of tillage and depth of cultivation are taken. A mathematical model of the process of depth of soil cultivation is proposed, which allows the implementation of research using modern software and hardware systems through a computer experiment.

Implementation of nature-like technologies in the development of new working bodies for tillage in arid conditions

In accordance with nature-friendly technologies, in arid conditions, the accumulation of moisture inside the soil layer is necessary. With a significant difference in the soil temperature of neighboring layers and a decrease in the thickness of the treated layer, moisture is available locally for the plant root system, without dissipation over the entire arable horizon. Purpose: improving the design of the working bodies for tillage, taking into account the zonal-natural conditions of their application. A significant difference in thermophysical characteristics can be achieved with a different structure of neighboring soil layers. The thickness of the treated layer decreases due to the differentiation of the layers during layer-by-layer subsurface tillage and a decrease in the depth of cultivation by each element of the working body. Finding the optimal shape and parameters of the cultivator, chisel and rack of paraplow type of the working body will provide the necessary formation structure to control the process of moisture accumulation in the soil, provided that the agrotechnical indicators are of high quality at a minimum cost. To reduce the resistance to crumbling of the reservoir, it is advisable to present the cultivator in the form of a curve with the property of minimum, the ellipse. The solution to the problem of transforming a paraplow-type strut from a broken line into a curved line is the differential brachistochrone equation of the first order. The parameters of the chisel for the implementation of the technological process with the least energy consumption are selected due to the rational ratio of the cross-sectional area of the treated formation. It is necessary to spend the optimal amount of energy when compressing the soil formation on the bit, creating the necessary and sufficient stress (not more than 3 kPa) to ensure high-quality crumbling of the formation without unloading in front of the working body. It is advisable to apply the principle of the golden ratio, dividing the depth of cultivation into a harmonic proportion of 62 % and 38 %. The depth of the cultivator will be 13-15 cm while the depth of cultivation is 34-39 cm.

Biological activity on maize crops by different methods and depth of basic cultivation against the background of organo-mineral fertilizer systems under irrigation conditions in the south of Ukraine

Biological activity on maize crops by different methods and depth of basic cultivation against the background of organo-mineral fertilizer systems under irrigation conditions in the south of Ukraine

Vpliv globine obdelave tal z vrtavkasto brano na porabo energije in pripravo setvenega sloja pred setvijo koruze

In 2012 on the Laboratory Field of Biotechnical Faculty the field trial was carried out, trying to establish the influence of the soil cultivation on the fuel consumption, on the physical-mechanical soil properties of the seed bed and at the end on the field emergence of maize. A rotary harrow was used for soil preparation just before maize planting and it was adjusted to the soil cultivation depths of 5 cm, 10 cm and 15 cm. The trial was designed as random blocks. A tractor with stepless transmission and nominal power of 73 kW and a rotary harrow with working width of 2.5 m were used. The speed of soil cultivation was 5.0 km h&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; on the tractometer and the engine rotational frequency was 1900 rpm. The fuel consumption per hour, the fuel consumption per hectare and the energy consumption per hectare increased by increasing the adjusted soil depth cultivation from 5 cm to 15 cm using the rotary harrow. At the adjusted soil cultivation depth of 10 and 15 cm cm, the vertical soil resistance at depths between 8 and 13 cm was lower than at the adjusted soil depths of 5 cm. No significant differences were found regarding the soil physical properties in the seed bed and the field emergence of maize among three adjusted soil cultivation depths. The soil cultivation depth of 10 cm proved to be the most appropriate in view of the fuel consumption, energy consumption as well as the physical-mechanical soil properties of the seed bed and plant emergence.