Direct Sowing Research Articles

Influence of tillage systems on terbuthylazine degradation and leaching in the soil

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the cultivation system on the rate of degradation and movement of terbuthylazine in the soil. Model experiments were carried out on soil taken from the field, parts of which were differentiated for 3 years in terms of the cultivation system: conventional (with pre-winter ploughing), reduced (disk harrow + tillage unit) and zero tillage (no tillage – applica­tion of glyphosate-containing herbicide + direct sowing). The soil was collected with a Van der Horst core sampler into the columns. In a stationary spray chamber, a herbicide containing terbuthylazine was applied at the recommended dose of 500 g/ha. On the basis of the conducted research, it was found that terbuthylazine is a substance with medium persistence in soil (DT50 = 27–34 days). This substance shows the slowest degradation in soil with a zero tillage system. On the other hand, the lack of disturbing the soil structure has a positive effect on the mobility of the herbicide, allowing it to move faster outside the plant root zone.

Development, spread of root rot on plowing, disking and direct sowing

The results of the study showed that various methods of tillage affect the population of the soil with pathogens. Less populated was the soil where traditional tillage was carried out - autumn plowing. With this treatment, in the 0-10 cm layer, the soil colonization with root rot conidia was lower than with minimal tillage and zero sowing. In the 10–20 cm layer, the same trend persisted. The presence of conidia of the genus Alternaria was observed mainly in layer 0-10; 0-20cm and was negligible. At zero sowing, the conidia in the 10-20 cm layer were mostly semi-decomposed.

Ocena potencjalnej toksyczności dla ekosystemu wody słodkiej w wyniku chemicznej ochrony kukurydzy w różnych systemach uprawy roli

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the use of plant protection products on the freshwater ecosystem in the production of maize for grain in different soil tillage systems. The analyzes were performed on the basis of data on chemical protection of maize in conventional tillage, reduced tillage and direct sowing. The data were obtained from 15 selected farms located in the Wielkopolskie Voivodeship. The studies were conducted in accordance with the life cycle assessment methodology. Using the PestLCI 2.08 model, emissions to the environment from the use of plant protection products were determined. The calculated emissions were used to assess the freshwater ecotoxicity potential using the USEtox 2.02 model. It was found that in all soil tillage systems, the largest stream of emissions of active substances to the environment was the amount of substances available for leaching and surface runoff, followed by emissions to air and emissions to groundwater. Herbicides were the main source of emissions from plant protection products used. A greater threat of toxic effects on the freshwater ecosystem was observed on farms producing maize for grain in direct sowing due to the greater use of herbicides than on farms with conventional and reduced tillage.

Peculiarities of tillage in the conditions of dry farming in the cultivation of soybeans

Soy is a multipurpose oilseed crop. It is highly nutritious and improves soil fertility. Rainfed agriculture needs to improve crop cultivation technologies and focuses on various methods of soil cultivation that contribute to the formation of an optimal agrophysical structure that contributes to a consistently high soybean yield. Therefore, it is expedient and relevant to study the influence of various methods of tillage on the density and hardness of the soil in two phases of soybean development (beginning of soybean vegetation and before harvesting) with the identification of its yield. The following methods of tillage have been studied: flat-cutting, layer-by-layer, mouldboard and without tillage (direct sowing). The highest soil density in both phases of soybean development on the agrobackground without tillage was 1.34 g/cm3 and 1.27 g/cm3. The decrease in soil density was revealed by 13.43-16.53% with flat-cut tillage; by 6.71-16.53% with layer-by-layer tillage; by 5.22-5.51% during moldboard tillage. The highest soil hardness in both phases of soybean development, 1.15 MPa and 2.65 MPa, was established on the agrobackground without tillage. A decrease in soil hardness by 1.53-1.92 times was revealed during flat-cut processing; 1.77-2.77 times with layer-by-layer processing; in 1.64-2.07 at dump. The highest soybean yield was obtained on the agrobackground with flat-cut tillage – 1.90 t/ha. A decrease in yield was established by 15.82% with the layer-by-layer method, by 3.44% with the moldboard method of tillage, by 7.11% on the agrobackground without tillage.

Strategies for optimizing the enrichment direct sowing: inoculation with Trichoderma spp. and use of a hydrogel

Strategies for optimizing the enrichment direct sowing: inoculation with Trichoderma spp. and use of a hydrogel

Influence of Media and Sowing Condition on Field Emergence of Palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer L.)

Studies were carried out to find the influence of media and sowing conditions on the field emergence of Palmyrah seeds. The seeds were sown in a sunken nursery bed, raised nursery bed, and direct sowing to observe field emergence. The experiment was conducted in a Randomized Block Design with eight replications of 50 seeds sown in each treatment. The observations were recorded at monthly intervals up to 24 months after sowing. The results revealed that Palmyrah seeds sown in a raised bed containing red earth, sand and farmyard manure 2:1:1 ratio recorded the highest field emergence of 78.67 % followed by seeds sown in sand and field conditions. This study concluded that Palmyrah seeds sown in raised bed containing red earth, sand and farmyard manure 2:1:1 ratio used for sowing/multiplication purpose.

DIRECT SOWING IMPROVES CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT OF SILAGE MAIZE FULLY IRRIGATED WITH RECYCLED WASTE WATER BY INCREASING WATER RETENTION IN THE SOIL

Increasing fresh water shortage has revealed the use of waste water in agricultural irrigation, deficit irrigation approaches and integrated management of soil moisture with tillage-sowing practices. The crop productivity in the irrigated conditions is directly controlled by photosynthetic activities. Therefore, the effects of the irrigation with recycled domestic waste water at different irrigation water levels (100%, 67% and 33%), compared to full irrigated fresh water, on the chlorophyll content of silage maize and surface soil moisture in conventional tillage and direct sowing conditions were examined in the irrigation periods of two experimental years (2020 and 2021). The soil moisture was determined by 1.5% higher in direct sowing than in conventional tillage, and the chlorophyll content in full irrigation with waste water and the direct sowing was found by 4.9% and 1.9% higher than in full irrigation with fresh water and conventional tillage, respectively. However, chlorophyll content decreased by 20.7% and 34.0% at 33% and 67% deficit irrigation with waste water compared to full irrigation with waste water. The significant (p<0.01) linear correlation between the soil moisture and chlorophyll content showed that chlorophyll content can be managed with the soil moisture. It can have concluded that full irrigation with waste water in the direct sowing can be recommended with positive effects on the conservation of fresh water resources, effective managing soil moisture, thus saving irrigation water, increasing chlorophyll content and crop productivity.

Designing the Sowing Unit of a Seeder with an Anchor Furrow Opener

Energy- and resource-saving technologies have recently been of a particular attention when cultivating agricultural crops. Zero soil treatment or No-Till (direct sowing) is one of the promising technologies. The research aims to substantiate the design and technological parameters of a redeveloped sowing unit of a furrow opener seeder. The simulation modelling and calculation of the technological process were carried out using the Flow Vision software package. The calculated draft resistance of the anchor furrow opener in the virtual tillage bin was 364 N. The results of the strength calculation were processed using the software package APM WinMachine. Strength calculations have shown that a support with a fixed anchor furrow opener resists load during operation and does not deform. The anchor attachment point is the area under stress with sufficient strength, which margin factor is above 3. The maximum displacement in the stressed area (anchor tip) is 0.035 mm. Direct sowing laboratory and field tests showed that at an average depth of 6.1 cm, the standard deviation was 3.6 and the variation coefficient was 6.8%. Virgin soil tests at an average depth of 4.9 cm revealed a standard deviation of 5.2 with a variation coefficient of 12.3%. The developed sowing unit with an anchor furrow opener is recommended for production.

Effectiveness of Conventional and Minimized Tillage Practices on Soil Quality Properties and Maize Yield Attributes

The effects of tillage systems on soil properties and crop productivity have been the subject of many studies to ensure sustainable productivity. Aims: In the study, the effects of different tillage methods applied in the intermediate period of wheat-maize rotation on the soil quality properties and corn yield elements were investigated in the pre-planting period (PP) and plant growth period (PGP) of corn. Methods: Conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage with subsoiling and chisel (MT1), minimum tillage with subsoiling (MT2), minimum tillage with chisel (MT3) and direct sowing (DS) methods were compared. As a result of the tillage practices, at 0-20 cm, the highest bulk density values were measured in the DS and CT methods, and 20-40 cm was determined in the CT method. The penetration resistance values of the soils measured at a depth of 0-80 cm were significantly affected by the applications made in both PP and PGP. The highest saturation value was measured in the MT3, the highest field capacity and plant available water contents were measured in the DS. The effects of the applications on the chemical properties of the soil and the nutrient content of the corn plant were limited. The effects on only grain protein ratio from yield components of corn plant were significant, the highest value was measured in CT. Considering the sustainable management of soils labour requirement and lower costs it was concluded that DS and MT methods are more applicable than CT methods in terms of yield.

Can Peat Amendment of Mars Regolith Simulant Allow Soybean Cultivation in Mars Bioregenerative Life Support Systems?

Higher plants will play a key role in human survival in Space, being able to regenerate resources and produce fresh food. However, the creation of a fertile substrate based on extra-terrestrial soils is still a challenge for space cultivation. We evaluated the adaptability of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) cultivar 'Pr91M10' to three substrates, the Mojave Mars regolith Simulant MMS-1, alone (R100), and in a mixture with blond sphagnum peat at two different volumes, 85:15 (R85P15) and 70:30 (R70P30), in plants directly sown on the substrates or transplanted after sowing on peat. The low pH of peat (4.34) allowed the mitigation of the alkalinity of the Mars regolith simulant (pH 8.86), lowering the initial pH to neutral (6.98, R85P15), or subacid to neutral (6.33, R70P30) values. Seed germination reached the highest percentage in the shortest time in the mixture of regolith simulant with 15% of peat. The cultivation substrate did not affect the plant growth and nutritional status. However, a significant interaction between the substrate and planting method was found in several growth parameters, with the highest positive effects observed in plants resulting from direct sowing on the regolith mixture with peat.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE WATERMELONS CULTURE OVER TIME

Research into the cultivation of watermelons began many years ago. At the beginning, at RDSPCS Dăbuleni, the study of as many varieties and hybrids as possible was considered, in order to determine which ones find optimal conditions for growth and development on sandy soils and which meet the demands of the constantly changing market. Another important concern in the research activity at RDSPCS Dăbuleni was related to the obtaining of extra-early and early productions. In the traditional culture, established by direct sowing, mulching the soil with polyethylene ensured a production increase of 5.2 t/ha, 0.9 t/ha representing extra-early production, and in the seedling culture, by mulching the total production increased by 7.2 t/ha, and extra-early production increased by 2.3 t/ha compared to the non-mulched crop. Plant grafting, regardless of cultivar, rootstock and protection method, showed resistance to the attack of Fusarium oxysporum, even when crop rotation was not respected, but did not influence the attack of foliar pathogens (Alternaria cucumerina and Colletotrichum lagenarium).

Technologies of oats cultivation on ordinary chernozem in the Krasnoyarsk region

Studies to determine the impact of increasing the flow of biogenic energy in the agroecosystem on the productivity of oats were carried out in 2017-2019 in a stationary field experiment of the laboratory of varietal agricultural technologies. An assessment was made of minimal tillage, using the BDM-6 Rubin disc harrow and direct seeding technology with an improved SZS-2.1 stubble seedier, in comparison with traditional technology based on mouldboard plowing (control). The object of study is the oat variety Tubinsky, which showed a yield of 4 t/ha during variety testing. The crop yield was formed in severe weather conditions, which limited the oat yield to 2.9–3.4 t/ha, which is 15–28% lower than the level during variety testing. The bioenergetic assessment allows us to note that the highest energy coefficient was obtained in the variant of minimal processing with the use of ammonium nitrate (4.8) and direct sowing without the use of mineral fertilizers (4.4). Nitrogen fertilizers, in the form of ammonium nitrate, applied before sowing in the amount of 1 c/ha, contributed to an increase in oat productivity by 7–9%. In general, resource-saving technologies for crop cultivation reduce production costs by 12.6%, and fuel and lubricant consumption is reduced by 42.6% compared to technology based on mouldboard processing. The inevitable growth of weeds in direct sowing areas is reduced by 80% by the use of herbicides. Differences in the yield level between the technology options are insignificant, (Smallest Difference Existing) SDE05 was 0.4 t/ha.

Ecological restoration in pasture areas with direct seeding

The use of direct seeding in projects for the recovery of degraded areas has stood out in some regions of the country because of its effectiveness, lower operating costs, and ease of implementation. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the potential of direct seeding the haul in ecological restoration of a deactivated pasture dominated by Urochloa brizantha, here characterized by an invasive weed plant. The experiment consisted of eight treatments resulting from different combinations of seeds (tree and herbaceous cover crops), the use of treatments to break the dormancy of tree species seeds (with and without), and the use of different types of substrates (clay and sawdust). The tested treatments did not affect seedling emergence, survival, or initial growth. The most established species in the study area were Piptadenia gonoacantha, Mabea fistulifera, Dalbergia nigra, and Senegalia polyphylla, which could potentially compose the list of species to be used in forest restoration projects through the use of direct sowing techniques. Plant survival at the end of the evaluation period every three months until the 14 months of experiment implementation corresponded to a density equivalent to 4300 plants per hectare, this result compared to other techniques, shows muvuca as a seeding technique viable direct for the area under study. However, further studies using higher seed densities of cover species are necessary to control the invasive grass Urochloa brizantha effectively.

Effects of Different Methods of Accelerating Germination on Early Growth of Spinach

Because spinach seeds have a hard seed coat structure, if direct sowing is adopted without seed treatment in production and cultivation, it is very easy to cause poor seed emergence, resulting in a certain degree of yield reduction. Studying the germination conditions of spinach seeds under different conditions is of great significance for the quality of spinach seed germination and farmers' sowing and production. In this study, two methods were used to treat spinach seeds and observe their germination. The results show that the two methods are significantly better than the control, indicating that H2O2 soaking and warm soup soaking can promote the germination of spinach seeds. The effect of 20% H2O2 soaking is the best. Dioxygen water can also release oxygen in aqueous solution, which is very beneficial to the growth of Spinach Seedlings. Therefore, it is suggested that spinach seeds should be soaked in 20% H2O2 or warm water in combination with the actual production, so as to promote the germination of spinach seeds under appropriate temperature conditions.

Amaranth production in Tulyehualco Xochimilco, Mexico City

Objective: To know the form of production and commercialization of amaranth in Tulyehualco, Xochimilco, to identify and propose improvement actions. Methodology: During 2010-2019, amaranth was cultivated in at least 11 states in Mexico, while in Mexico City it is grown in the municipalities of Xochimilco, Milpa Alta and Tláhuac. Xochimilco stands out due to harvested area and production, with 82.9 ha and 91.7 t which represents 60.4% and 55.6% respectively. The information was obtained through the application of a survey through non-probability sampling for convenience, with the selection criterion of individuals who were willing to be surveyed, and the survey was applied from September to December 2019, to n=35 producers, n=3 marketers and n=4 transformers. Amaranth production is carried out in two ways, by means of chapin and directly, and due to its traditional way of producing the crop is ancestral in those areas, so there is a millenary knowledge of the families that are dedicated to planting the crop. Results: Amaranth production has a positive cost benefit ratio R (B / C) although production is better in direct sowing. Planting with a seedbed (Chapin) has higher costs and yield, however, this does not compensate the producer in profits. Conclusions: For a potential impact at the level of amaranth production, the adoption of technologies related to density, nutrition and technical recommendations for pest and disease control is necessary

A Study on Farmers Knowledge and Challenges with Direct Seeded Rice under the Rice-Wheat Cropping System in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India

Aim: To create awareness among the farmers about Direct seeded rice (DSR) which is resource-intensive technology to create a substitute of rice planting in Rice wheat cropping system.
 Study Design: Survey method.
 Place and Duration of Study: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (ICAR-IIVR) conducted training programs on dry-direct seeded of rice amongst the farming community in Deoria District, Uttar Pradesh, from Kharif 2010 to 2019.
 Methodology: The study area of this new technology was undertaken by using a comprehensive questionnaire through a field survey of farmers who had adopted DSR during 2010 to 2019 in five blocks viz. Bhatparrani, Bhatni, Bankata, Salempur and Lar. Five villages were selected from each block and 6 dry-direct seeded of rice practicing farmers were selected purposively for this study.
 Results: The research found that the majority of the respondents agreed that the potential advantages of direct seeded of rice technology must include cost savings (97.33 percent) followed by 96 percent of respondents are agreed that no need of puddling in direct seeded of rice technology followed by no need of seed bed preparation (94.66 percent) and 94 percent respondents are agreed with direct seeded of rice being a water wise technology, provides the solution, direct seeded of rice saves labor as it avoids nursery raising, uprooting seedlings, transplanting, and puddling (92 percent); 91.33 percent of respondents agreed that the total variable costs of rice were lower in direct seeded of rice (DSR) than in puddled transplanted rice (PTR). The main technical challenges most respondents experienced weed management is major problem 93.33 percent, Non availability of the quality seed and drill machine for direct sowing of rice (89.33 percent). The most effective training and educational barriers were a Lack of communication between the farming communities by the mass media agencies (82 percent), lack of awareness of the farming community regarding calibration of direct seeded of rice machine (74.66 percent). Lack of the cooperation between fellow farming community to share their experiences on direct seeded of rice (88 percent), community pressure (72.66 percent), higher cost of seed drill machine (79.33 percent) and Lack of awareness of farmer about minor adjustments of machine (85.33 percent) were also mentioned as significant constraints under the categories of socio-psychological economic and extension, respectively.
 Conclusion: Direct seeded of rice is a desirable choice when the future of rice production is in jeopardy due to worldwide water constraint and rising labour costs.

Evaluation of the effects of conservation practices carried out in the 1970s on soil properties in the Eastern Region of Paraguay

AbstractSoils in subtropical and tropical regions are extremely fragile to perturbations due to their sandy texture, acid nature, low soil organic carbon (SOC) and low cation exchange capacity. In Paraguay, deforestation and subsequent cultivation affect 60% of the land. Certain conservation practices were carried out in the 1970s in response to the important degree of degradation caused by the soil degradative processes. Although the management of crop soils is still very intensive, to date there is no data on how the practices are affecting the sustainability of the system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical and physical properties of three subtropical soils (Ultisol, Alfisol and Oxisol) under different agricultural systems and types of management, aimed at conservation, in the Eastern Region of Paraguay. The agricultural systems differ in the main crop (soybean or maize) and rotation crop (oat, turnip, crotalaria, lupins, maize). The soil properties were compared with those in disturbed natural forests and eucalypt plantations established on former agricultural land. The physical and chemical properties of the soil were determined in the 0 to 40 cm layer. The soils in the disturbed natural forest systems were less acidic and contained more Ca, Mg and K than the cultivated soils. Relative to the seminatural forests, the cultivated soils contained 20 to 40% less SOC and had lower macronutrient reserves and higher bulk density (up to 1.45 g cm−3). The SOC was higher in the agricultural systems with oats sown as a rotation crop in winter. By contrast, the N content was higher in systems with lupins or turnips grown in winter. Even when managed using conservation practices (direct sowing, retention of harvest residues, green manure), the soils in the agricultural systems under study displayed signs of physical and chemical degradation. The findings show that these conservation practices are not sufficient to correct the impact of intensive agricultural management.

Managing nitrogen environmental impacts to improve green technical efficiency in Philippines rice cultivation

The efficient use of nitrogen fertilisers is a global priority to optimise the economic and environmental outcomes of farming. This paper is the first to consider pollution in the form of nitrous oxide emissions and excess nitrogen to analyse technical efficiency (TE) in farming. This is done by extending the two-stage double bootstrap Data Envelopment Analysis to explicitly model nitrogen pollutants as undesirable outputs. We compared green TE (when undesirable pollutants are considered) and conventional TE (without pollutants) using a case study of 33 rice-producing provinces in the Philippines. Provinces in Mindanao, Luzon, and Visayas islands experienced improvements in green TE but stagnant conventional TE from 2006 to 2017. Although transplanting rice seedlings (rather than direct sowing of seeds) improved both green and conventional TE, seed quality was also identified as an important factor for green TE but not for conventional TE. Our analysis has implications for sustainable rice production and such analysis can be extended to other crops. To advance the effective green transformation of rice production, future research should analyse farm-level data to understand farmers’ decisions regarding seed quality, crop establishment method and nitrogen fertiliser application to devise comprehensive farm integrated management plans.

Effect of Tillage and Sowing Technologies Nexus on Winter Wheat Production in Terms of Yield, Energy, and Environment Impact

Crop production is considered one of the most important agricultural areas in the world, supplying humanity with raw food materials. However, intensive farming very often has a detrimental effect on the environment. The aim of this study was to investigate and assess the efficiency of strip tillage and a sowing machine as well as a direct sowing machine in differently prepared soils in terms of yield, energy, and environmental impact. The experiments were performed with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown using three different tillage techniques and two sowing machines. The results show that the inputs of diesel fuel, energy, and time are directly affected by the number and complexity of technological operations throughout the production chain. The highest inputs of diesel fuel, working time, and energy consumption were needed using conventional tillage technology with strip tillage and a sowing machine (CT–STS), amounting to 130.2 l ha−1, 6.65 h ha−1, and 18,349 MJ ha−1, respectively. The best yields were obtained using no tillage–direct sowing technology (NT–DS), where were reached 7.54 t ha−1. The lowest environmental impact was achieved in the winter wheat production system using NT–DS, where the CO2 emissions were as high as 15%, lower than those under conventional tillage–direct sowing (CT–DS) and CT–STS. The costs of winter wheat production can be reduced by up to 23.6%. The main conclusion regarding the use of strip tillage and sowing and direct sowing machines in traditional tillage technology is that energy and environmental indicators have deteriorated compared to no tillage, but no significant difference in winter wheat yields has been identified.

Production of forest seedlings using sewage sludge and automated irrigation with ozonated cattle wastewater.

The large volume of effluents generated by intensive cattle production can become an environmental problem, requiring solutions that combine treatment and disposal of reuse water. The quality of cattle wastewater (CWW) treated by ozonation, the water requirement and its effect on the growth of seedlings of Dalbergia nigra cultivated with sewage sludge were determined under different light conditions. The study was carried out in a split plot scheme with 2 shading levels (0%-C1, and 49.4% attenuation-C2) and 3 types of irrigation water (control-T1, 1 h ozonation-T2, and 2 h-T3), with 4 repetitions. Direct sowing was realized into 280 cm3 tubes which were irrigated by drip irrigation with automatic management. The height and collar diameter were measured every 21 days, and at the end of the nursery phase, and the Dickson quality index (DQI) and irrigation water productivity (WPir) were determined. In addition, seedlings were transplanted in a forest restauration area (FRA) of Atlantic Forest, with height and diameter monitoring for 200 days. With ozonation, there was an increase in pH and a reduction in electrical conductivity, total solids and turbidity in the CWW, allowing its use for irrigation of forest seedlings. The maximum volumes of water applied were 2.096 and 1.921 L plant-1, with water supply T2 and T1, respectively, and coverages C1 and C2. In these conditions, the seedlings reached DQI of 0.47 and 0.17, and WPir of 2.35 and 1.48 g L-1, respectively. The initial vegetative growth of the seedlings planted in the FRA was benefited by the nutrients provided by the CWW treated. Therefore, the use of sewage sludge and CWW treated has the potential to produce forest seedlings, reducing the release of waste and effluents into the environment.