Disc Harrow Research Articles

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Different Mechanical Tools for the Termination of Cover Crops Using a Modular Prototype

Highlights Cover crops are crops that cover the bare soil, providing multiple benefits. Cover crops must undergo a termination which can be based on mechanical methods. A modular prototype has been developed to evaluate different types of tools. The synergic use of multiple tools in combination yields better results. Abstract. Cover crops are crops that occupy the soil between the end of a cash crop and the beginning of the next one, providing both agronomic and environmental benefits. To allow for the subsequent cultivation of the cash crop, cover crops must undergo an appropriate termination process based on winter frost, herbicide chemical treatments, or mechanical methods. For this latter approach, previous published research has only examined the effectiveness of termination obtained with individual mechanical tools without considering the possible synergistic effects of multiple tools with complementary actions. To address this gap, a modular multi-tool prototype has been developed in this work. It allows for the evaluation of the effects of different types of tools, both individually and in combination. The working modules of the prototype include: 1) tine cultivator; 2) disk harrow; and 3) crimper roller. Field trials were carried out in 2021 and 2022 on three fields of approximately 6000 m2, which were divided into 60 plots each and sown with vetch and barley. The plots were mechanically terminated with the prototype in different configurations, and the effectiveness of the different modules and their combinations was subsequently evaluated by measuring the NDVI index using ground sensing technology. The results indicate that the disk harrow 15°, used alone and in combination with other tools considered (crimper roller and tine cultivator for barley, crimper roller for vetch), offered the best termination effectiveness for both barley and vetch, with a termination rate of greater than or equal to 85%. Keywords: Conservation agriculture, Cover crops, Crimper roller, Disk harrow, Mechanical termination, Tine cultivator.

Determination of the content and quality agricultural techniques required for thousand hectares of cotton area

The article presents a normative method for substantiating the composition and quantity of tractors and agricultural machinery required for 1000 hectares of cotton in the soil and climatic conditions of the Republic of Uzbekistan. For the substantiation of the composition of machines (plough, disc harrow, seeder, cultivator, cotton harvester, etc.), modern equipments were selected to perform the agro-technical measures (ploughing, leveling, sowing, harvesting, etc.) identified in the technological map of cotton cultivation. In substantiating the required number of specific machine required for performing specific agricultural measure or practice per 1000 hectares, its productivity of one shift determined during testing, the duration of the shift, the number of shifts, the daily productivity, the duration of the agricultural measures and practices, the volume of seasonal work were used as arguments.

Полуаналитическая модель взаимодействия дисковой секции лущильника с неоднородной по глубине почвой

The draft force of a harrow disc gang determines the specific energy cost of tillage. To minimize the cost of determining the draft force of the disc gang in relation to the harrow parameters and soil properties, the author carried out a mathematical modeling of the interaction of the harrow gang with the soil. The semi-analytical model has been built on the assumption of variable depth soil, constancy of depth, forward speed and approach angle of the harrow. It is shown that when the soil is variable only in depth, it can be characterised by two empirical constants and the coefficient of friction of the soil on the disc surface. The kinematic parameter of the disc gang, equal to the ratio of the circumferential speed on the disc blades to the forward speed of the harrow, is determined by the soil properties, the relative depth, equal to the ratio of the working depth to the radius of the discs, and the approach angle of the harrow gang. Based on the analysis of the moments of the soil resistance forces to cutting and friction, the author has shown that when the friction forces in the disc bearings in the variable depth soil are negligibly small, the disc gang of the harrow rotates at an angular speed that provides the minimum possible power of the harrow gang required for tillage. Explicit expressions are obtained for the required power and tractive force of the harrow gang as a function of the number of discs, the angle of approach of the harrow gang, the relative depth, the radius of the discs and the soil properties. Their comparison with published field experiments showed that the maximum relative error in determining the draft of a harrow gang with flat discs was 3.3% for post-harvest stubble harrowing, and 2.6% for a harrow gang with spherical discs in a tillage bin.

ΑΞΙΟΛΟΓΗΣΗ ΒΑΣΕΙ ΣΗΜΑΤΩΝ ΔΟΝΗΣΗΣ ΤΩΝ ΚΡΑΔΑΣΜΩΝ ΠΟΥ ΔΕΧΕΤΑΙ Ο ΧΕΙΡΙΣΤΗΣ ΤΟΥ ΕΛΚΥΣΤΗΡΑ

Operator fatigue during work with agricultural machinery is a significant factor contributing to fatal accidents in Greece. Workers operating agricultural machinery, especially those working with tractors and off-road machines, constitute one of the most hazard-prone groups due to mechanical vibrations transmitted from the ground to the operators’ seats. Operators of tractors and off-road machines are exposed to intense mechanical vibrations, underscoring the importance of cumulatively calculating permitted working hours. This work presents a study that was conducted at the Laboratory of Safety and Ergonomics of Agricultural Machinery, Department of Agriculture – Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Thessaly, in order to evaluate the vibrations generated when operators work with agricultural tractors and off-road machinery. The results of the study showed that the highest levels of vibration occurred during disc harrowing operation, particularly when the disc harrow moved vertically or at an angle of 30° to the ploughing direction. For seed bed preparation, it is recommended to use tractors equipped with a suspension system for the operator's cabin and a seat with an adjustable range of perceived vibration. Additionally, to prevent fatigue or health problems for tractor operators, it is advisable to limit permitted working hours to fewer than 8 hours per day.

Effects of agricultural management and of climate change on N2O emissions in an area of the Brazilian Cerrado: Measurements and simulations using the STICS soil-crop model

Soil-plant simulation models have been ever more used as predictive tools to evaluate productivity and environmental impacts of agriculture practices. The aims of this work were to evaluate the STICS model’s capacity of simulate the emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) under different management systems. And, to predict, by applying the calibrated and validated STICS model, the N2O emissions, under different management systems, in the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Brazilian Cerrado. The study was conducted in a long-term experiment at Embrapa Cerrados, located in Planaltina/DF, Brazil. The experiment started in 1995. The following land use systems were evaluated: CT - conventional tillage with disc harrow, and biannual grass/legume rotation; NT1 - No-tillage, with biannual crop rotation – soybean/sorghum; NT2 - No-tillage, with biannual crop rotation – maize/pigeon pea.Closed static chambers and gas sample analysis by gas chromatography were used to measure N2O fluxes. The model was calibrated with the data measured in the CT and NT1 treatments. The attributes used in the calibration were: growth, development and yield of crops and N2O fluxes. To test the model, data from the NT2 treatment was used. Data for all treatments were collected at the same time. After calibration and validation, the STICS model was used to predict the effects of soil management systems, conventional (CT) and no-tillage (NT) on greenhouse gas emissions and on grain and biomass crops production. The simulation was made for the period from 2021 to 2070. The STICS model performed well at simulation of the following parameters: N2O emissions, soil water dynamics, soil temperature; and leaf area, aerial biomass and grain yield of soybean and maize. The performance of the model was good for the conventional soil management system as well as in the no-tillage system. Based on the predicted increase in temperature for the period 2021–2070, we can conclude from the data generated through the STICS model that there is strong evidence that grain yield and total aerial biomass of plants will decrease. The data show that there is a rising tendency in N2O emissions over the simulated period. This is expected to occur for the two soil management systems studied (NT and CT). We believe this increase in emissions along the years is related to temperature increase and to the reduction of crop cycle.

ФИТОСАНИТАРНОЕ СОСТОЯНИЕ АГРОФИТОЦЕНОЗОВ ГОРОХА ПОСЕВНОГО ПРИ РАЗЛИЧНЫХ СИСТЕМАХ ОСНОВНОЙ ОБРАБОТКИ ПОЧВЫ

Research was carried out to determine the influence of various systems of basic soil cultivation on the prevalence and development of pests in the agrophytocenosis of peas. The work was carried out in 2017-2019 in the Republic of Mordovia in the second rotation of the crop rotation: peas - winter wheat - soybeans - spring barley. The experimental scheme included the following options: autumn disking at 10…12 cm + moldboard plowing at 22…24 cm (disking + plowing); autumn disking with a disc harrow at 10…12 cm (disking); zero tillage (direct sowing). The use of disking and direct sowing increased the infestation of crops with young weeds, compared with plowing, by 12 and 24 weeds/m2. Plowing led to a decrease in the amount of thistle and horsetail. The prevalence of rust and gray rot in peas was largely influenced by weather conditions favorable to pathogens. In 2017 the prevalence of rust in the flowering phase was higher than in the drier years of 2018-2019 by 44...53%, gray mold - by 17...23%. The intensity of pathogen development increased as the crop matured; in the experiment, the lowest value of this indicator was against the background of disking. Plowing significantly reduced the density of the pea aphid population compared to disking (by 79%) and direct sowing (by 11%). A similar pattern was noted for gamma moth caterpillars. The results obtained can be used in the development of an integrated system for protecting peas from a complex of pests for the southern forest-steppe of the Non-Chernozem zone of the Russian Federation.

Determination of Draft Power, PTO Power and Fuel Consumption of Single Acting Disc Harrow Driven from PTO

In this study; A single-acting disc harrow is used, which takes its movement from the tractor PTO. PTO driven single-acting disc harrow was tested with disc diameters of 610 and 660 mm, disc direction angles of 160 - 230 and 300, and disc revolutions of 104.97 - 119.97 and 143.96 min-1. Single-acting disc harrow moving from PTO was compared in terms of disc diameter, directional angle and disc revolutions. The lowest draft force requirement was obtained from D1N1Y1, D2N1Y1 and D1N1Y2 applications, with values of 0.48 kW, 0.61 kW and 0.79 kW, respectively. The highest draft power requirement was obtained from D2N3Y3, D2N3Y2 and D1N3Y3 applications with 7.80 kW, 6.97 kW and 5.25 kW values, respectively. The lowest PTO power take-off power requirement from the applications was obtained from the D1N1Y1, D1N2Y1 and D1N3Y1 applications, with values of 22.80 kW, 22.88 kW and 24.82 kW, respectively. The highest PTO power take-off power requirements were obtained from the D2N3Y3, D1N3Y3 and D2N3Y2 applications, with power requirements of 41.15 kW, 39.40 kW and 38.62 kW, respectively. In terms of fuel consumption, the lowest fuel consumption was determined in D1N1Y3, D1N1Y2 and D1N1Y1 applications with 11.40 L ha-1 11.63 L ha-1 and 11.95 L ha-1 values. The highest fuel consumption was obtained from 18.34 L ha-1, 17.78 L ha-1 and 17.58 L ha-1, respectively, and D2N3Y3, D2N3Y2 and D2N3Y1 applications.

Оценка целесообразности применения мотоблоков и мини-тракторов для механизации работ в лесных питомниках Российской Федерации

At the moment, a significant part of the equipment operated in permanent forest nurseries is worn out by 70-80%. At the same time, the existing equipment has excessive productivity, which in conditions of small forest nurseries leads to excessive operating costs. The area of sowing departments and fallow fields in modern nurse-ries rarely exceeds 3 hectares, which makes it possible to accept small farms as the closest analogy in terms of the volume of agrotechnical work. Based on the cluster analysis of the nomenclature of existing machines and tools of various types, the options for re-equipping forest nurseries with small-sized mobile energy means (SMEM) and small-scale mechanization means (SMM) in modern geopolitical conditions were evaluated. Firstly, the information on ploughshares, disc harrows, spreaders of solid fertilizers, sprayers, precision seeders and cul-tivators for aggregation with tillers and mini-tractors available for purchase was analyzed. Secondly, the neces-sary level of power-to-weight ratio of the heavy vehicle has been determined to perform the entire list of mecha-nized work on growing planting material in a forest nursery. Thirdly, the economic feasibility of using tillers and mini-tractors to perform work in forest nurseries by calculating "hourly operating costs" was evaluated. The re-duction of the range of SMEM and SMM models offered on the market of the Russian Federation is not a limiting factor. There are enough machines and tools of Russian, Belarusian and Chinese production to ensure mecha-nized work in a forest nursery. The most effective are SMEM with an engine power of 30 kW and a load capacity of 700 kg rear suspension. SMEM is economically feasible to use with an annual volume of work equivalent to 60 hectares of conventional arable land, or less. With large volumes, the use of more productive tools with a trac-tor of traction class 1.4 is economically justified.

THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT MICROBIAL FERTILIZERS ON THE WEEDINESS OF MAIZE

The experiment with low-input technology of maize was conducted at the field "Radmilovac", Faculty of Agriculture Belgrade in 2022 on the luvic chernozem soil type. Cropping system included tillage with a disc harrow at 25-30 cm with the complete previous crop residues incorporation and the pre-sowing tillage with a harrow. The basic fertilization was conducted in autumn with 500 kg ha-1 NPK (15:15:15). For top dressing in spring, the following microbiological fertilizers were applied: biofertilizer "Slavol" with 5.0 l ha-1 in two treatments and Eko lame 10 l ha-1 in three treatments. The top dressing in the control variant was done with nitrogen fertilizer AN at the rate of 60 kg ha-1 N. The maize (ZP SC 666) cultivar was grown in a six-crop rotation (winter wheat-maize-spring barley+red clover-red clover-soybean-sunflower). The weed community in maize consisted of 12 weed species, with dominating: Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. (perennial), Solanum nigrum L. and Avena fatua L., (annual species). The obtained results show that the highest number of weeds, weeds per species, fresh and air-dry biomass were recorded in the control treatment. The statistically lowest values for the number of weed plants per species were recorded in the treatment with Eko lame, but for air-dried biomass in the treatment with Slavol. The differences in weediness in the variants with microbiological fertilizers were not statistically significant, while there were statistically very significant differences compared to the control. Application of microbiological fertilizers affected the initial faster growth of maize plants and increased competitiveness against weeds.

INFLUENCE OF TILLAGE TOOLS ON AGROPHYSICAL PARAMETERS OF MEADOW-BOGGY SOIL AND RICE PRODUCTIVITY IN KAZAKHSTAN

Zonal technology treatment of the soil system for rice cultivation comprised various operations carried out with tillage equipment types in the Kyzylorda Region, Kazakhstan. With the region's agriculture sector having a low technical base, the performance of these operations is mostly meager, which does not justify itself in the modern conditions of the agro-industrial complex‟s functioning. The presented studies sought to determine the influence of different tillage tools on the soil‟s plowing quality, agrophysical properties, and rice productivity, carried out at the Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Rice Growing, named after I. Zhakhaev, Kazakhstan. The study observed the use of a “Lemken Juwel-7 reversible plough” contributed to achieving a ridge ratio of 1.09 due to the uniform size and shape of the layers. The reversible plough provided the smallest area occupied by clods bigger than 5 cm (0.16 m2). Notably, fall-plowed soil disking, mineral fertilizers' incorporation, followed by soil rolling under rice with the BDM-„Agro‟ disk harrow and the Horsch Terrano 4 FX cultivator positively affected the structural and aggregate composition of the soil before rice planting. Using the Lemken Juwel 7 reversible plough and the Horsch Terrano 4 FX cultivator in the meadow-boggy soil treatment system contributed an average increase of 0.71 t/ha in rice yield under the environmental conditions of Kyzylorda Region, Kazakhstan. Employing these tillage units makes obtaining the maximum amount of agrotechnical soil fractions possible, positively affecting the field germination of seeds and rice grain yield.

Productivity of the soft winter wheat cultivar ‘Duma Odeska’ depending on the characteristics of stubble tillage

Purpose. To determine the effect of surface soil tillage, carried out with the help of various agricultural machines, on its weediness, the intensity of decomposition of plant residues of winter barley and the yield of the next crop (winter wheat variety ‘Duma Odeska’). Methods. General scientific, special, field, mathematical-statistical and computationalcomparative methods were used in the research. Results. In the conditions of oversaturation of crop rotations and application of resource-saving cultivation technologies, the use of new tools for surface tillage with its simultaneous crushing, cutting of the root system of weeds and crop residues, their partial wrapping and mulching of the field surface is relevant. In 2021–2022, the greatest decomposition of winter barley stubble was observed 21 days after surface tillage with the DUCAT RST-6 rotary harrow – on average 5.1–6.5% higher values than when using the DUCAT UVT-6 vertical tillage harrow and the DUCAT-2.5 short disc harrow. The DUCAT RST-6 caused the highest weed and carrion seed germination (30–37 pcs/m2 ), the DUCAT-2.5 the lowest (13–18 pcs/m2 ). The highest grain yield of winter wheat of the variety ‘Duma Odeska’ (5.63 t/ha) in the years 2022–2023 was achieved by surface stubble cultivation with the DUCAT-2.5 implement. Conclusions. According to the results of the conducted researches it was established that the stubble tillage with the rotary harvester DUCAT RST-6 immediately after the harvest of the preceding crop (winter barle) is the most favourable for the germination of carrion and weed seeds.

ANALYTICAL DETERMINATION OF ASYMMETRIC PARAMETERS DISK HARROW

Having analyzed the technologies of pre-sowing field preparation, it should be concluded that the soil is processed before sowing with cultivators, disk, tooth and needle harrows, as well as soil tillers. Rolling before sowing ensures the destruction of soil lumps, as well as partial leveling of the field surface. However, the task of qualitative preparation of the field for sowing with the use of disk harrows is currently insufficiently solved, therefore it is necessary to substantiate the rational design parameters of an asymmetric disk harrow containing working bodies, which include, in particular, spherical disks. The following should also be noted, if the harrow is intended for use on harder, for example, chernozem soil, then the rod is attached to the hole further from the axis of rotation of the two-armed lever, which ensures the distance of the attachment device from the middle line of the harrow, which conditions the preservation of its balance when working on such soil. The process of rectilinear movement and rotation of spherical disks with a certain radius R in the soil at a depth h, which are installed at different angles to the direction of harrow movement, is considered. In the work, the impact of spherical disks with the remains of stubble, chopped straw was considered, it was established that spherical disks should be clamped between the sharpened cutting edge and the soil and cut them. It has been established that for guaranteed rotation of a spherical disk in the soil with minimal slippage and rolling resistance, its diameter must be substantiated. Since the spherical disk for soil cultivation is installed at an angle of attack α, to the direction of harrow movement, the projection of the spherical disk in the longitudinal-vertical plane is an ellipse with semi-axes. The rational diameter of the spherical disc of the asymmetric disc harrow under the conditions of its rotation in the soil with minimal values of sliding and rolling resistance, as well as a high-quality process of cutting the soil, stubble and soil displacement, is theoretically substantiated. It was established that the rational values of the diameter of the spherical disc of the asymmetric disc harrow depends on the depth h of soil treatment, the angle of attack α and the physical and mechanical properties of the soil.

The Impact of Tillage Systems and Herbicide Type on the Growth and Yield of Wheat and the Growth Parameters of Associated Weeds

The investigation was placed in the Al-Ghamij region, which is located north of Basrah in Iraq, in silty-clay soil. Three tillage systems were used in the study: conventional tillage with a moldboard plow, reduced-tillage with a disc harrow, and the no-till system. Additionally, three herbicides were used: Chevalier (300 g ha-1), Granstar (15-20 g ha-1), and Topic (0.75 l ha-1) to control weed growth. According to the RCBD design, using split plots, with the main plots devoted to tillage techniques and the split plots to herbicide. The results showed the significant superiority of the reduced-tillage system by the disc harrow, with the fewest weeds per square meter, the fewest weeds dry weight per square meter, the tallest plants, the most tillers per square meter, the most spikes per square meter, the most grain yield, and the most biological yield totaling (48.7 plants m-2, 3.82g m-2, 81.67 cm, 370.78 tiller m-2, 344.4 spike m-2,4519.00 kg ha-1, and 10340.00 kg ha-1), compared to no-till and reduced-tillage methods, conventional tillage using a moldboard plow resulted in the highest number of weeds, the highest dry weight of the weeds, the shortest plant, the fewest tillers per square meter, the fewest spikes per square meter, the smallest grain and biological yield (105.3 plants m-2, 10.20 g m-2, 78.33 cm, 310.22 tiller m-2, 264.9 spike m-2, 3296.00 kg ha-1, and 9985.00 kg ha-1). The results of the study demonstrated the significant superiority of the Chevalier herbicide as it exhibited lower dry weight of weeds per square meter, the highest plant, more tillers and spikes per square meter, and the highest biological yield (4.49 g m-2, 82.33 cm, 347.89 tiller m-2, 309.7 spike m-2 and 10301.00 kg ha-1) respectively,. On the other hand, the Topic herbicide displayed the highest weeds dry weight, shortest plants, the lowest number of tillers and spikes, and the lowest biological yield (8.87 g m-2, 78.00 cm, 326.11 tiller m-2, 297.7 spike m-2 and 10023.00 kg ha-1).

Microstructural changes in Oxisols under long-term different management systems

ABSTRACT There has long been a discussion about the effects of soil management on its structure. Since changes can occur due to management and time of use, more accurate assessments can be achieved if carried out in long-term experiments. This study investigated the long-term effects of soil management on the physical quality of a Cerrado Oxisol (Latossolo Vermelho), focusing on microstructural changes. Micromorphology and computed tomography techniques were used to assess the soil's microstructure. The study compared areas under long-term and different soil management practices, including disc plowing, no-tillage, and disc harrow+subsoiler. A native Cerrado area was considered as the reference. Micromorphology revealed some changes in the pedological features of soil aggregates, but the granular structure showed good resistance even after two decades of use and management. It also indicated a decrease in larger pores and an increase in the surface soil layer micropores for the disc plowing and no-tillage treatments. These results were consistent with traditional laboratory evaluations of soil porosity. Computed tomography was limited due to increased soil bulk density in the cultivated treatments, but it showed potential for assessing soil porosity and pore connectivity. We concluded that micromorphology effectively identifies microstructural changes in Oxisols with small and strong granular structures, and the granular soil aggregates displayed resilience even after long-term management. The micromorphometric evaluation corroborates with traditional methods and suggests loss of pores associated with the disc harrow+subsoiler treatment.

Wind erosion after steppe conversion in Kazakhstan

Semi-arid regions of Central Asia suffer from wind erosion due to expanding steppe conversion and unsustainable farming practices. Empirical data from field observations are needed to support the implementation of adapted management. In this study, a mobile wind tunnel was used for the first time in Kazakhstan to assess the soil's erodibility under real conditions. Field experiments were conducted on loamy sands with different initial conditions that are typical for the most erosive time of the year: a bare surface with a cloddy structure after recent steppe conversion, a weak crust on a plot with barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and a plot with loose material in the rows of maize plants (Zea mays L.). Subsequently, different levels of mechanical stress (low, moderate, high) were considered to analyze the effect of disruptive forces soils experience during field cultivation (light cultivator, disc harrow, tractor tires) on possible soil losses. The results of wind tunnel experiments showed already great differences under initial conditions. The cloddy structure of the recent steppe conservation had the lowest susceptibility against wind erosion due to a good aggregation and a large roughness, resulting in soil loss of 12 g m−2. The plot grown with barley was less affected by wind erosion due to the weak crust, smaller distances between plants, and leaves close to the ground (soil loss of 34 g m−2). Maize was also the most problematic crop in the study area because wind can blow below the plant canopy without considerable resistance during the early growth stages. Additionally, existing deposits in the maize rows from previous erosion events led to the highest soil loss of 1609 g m−2. Mechanical stress by seedbed preparation generally increased the erodible fraction, resulting in higher soil losses (light cultivator: 198 ± 129 g m−2, disc harrow: 388 ± 258 g m−2). The most severe disruption of soil structure occurred on tractor tire tracks, causing a loss of 2767 ± 1810 g m−2. Consequently, the pulverizing effect of tractor tires on dry soil must be considered a serious emission source. Comparing the soil organic carbon content of topsoil and eroded material showed that organic carbon was enriched only in the aeolian sediments of the recently converted plot (+69%). We conclude that soils after steppe conversion need to be treated with particular care from the very beginning so that severe events from the past are not repeated.

DENSITY OF THE STRUCTURE AND HARDNESS OF THE SOIL FOR GROWING WINTER WHEAT

The article highlights the results of research on over-compaction of the arable layer of the soil during the cultivation of winter wheat. When taking care of winter crops, the greater part of the researched fields begins to be affected by various technical measures in the fall, when at the beginning of September, the corresponding areas are prepared for sowing the crop after harvesting one or another predecessor. As a result, the agronomic value of the fields where the leading culture of modern agriculture of our country is grown is significantly reduced, as well as the productive capacity of the root system of winter wheat significantly deteriorates, which is reflected in a correspondingly negative way on the quality characteristics of plants and harvest.
 In the studies that took place during 2018-2021, it was established that the method of the main tillage of the soil, namely its depth and the terms of determination in the arable layer, significantly influenced the final bulk mass of its layers. A rather significant deterioration of the structural agrophysical state of the soil and an increase in the hardness of the latter in variants with shallow disc tillage by 10-12 cm is explained, first of all, by the formation of a large dispersion of its seed layer (0-10 cm) and compaction of layers of 10-20 cm in comparison with shelfless plowing.
 According to the research results, it was established that in all layers of the soil, when the latter was worked with disc harrows of the BDT-3 type, on average, its volume mass increased in the following parameters compared to tillage: 0-10 cm - by 0.13 g/cm3; 10-20 cm - by 0.09 g/cm3; 20-30 cm - by 0.01 g/cm3 and 0-30 cm, respectively, by 0.09 g/cm3.
 Thus, our research has proven the preservation of the regularity of a larger volumetric mass of the soil when performing a shallow disc tillage of 10-12 cm in comparison with plowing without a shelf of 14-16 cm.

“Effects of soil management, rotation and sequence of crops on soil nitrous oxide emissions in the Cerrado: A multi-factor assessment”

The emission of nitrous oxide (N2O), one of the main greenhouse gases, which contributes significantly to global warming, is a major challenge in modern agriculture. The effects of land use systems on N2O emissions are the result of multiple variables, whose interactions need to be better understood. In this sense, this study analyzed the possible effects of different soil managements, crop rotations and sequences, as well as edaphoclimatic factors causing N2O emissions from soils in the Cerrado biome (scrubland). The following four land-use systems were evaluated: 1) No-tillage cultivation with biennial crop rotations and sequences: legume-grass and alternating grass-legume crops in the second season - NT-SS/MP; 2) No-tillage with biennial rotations and sequences: grass-legume and alternating second crop of legume-grass - NT-MP/SS; 3) Conventional planting with disc harrow and biennial legume-grass rotation-CT-S/M; and 4) Native Cerrado (CE), no agricultural land use. The legume and grass species, planted in the two no-tillage treatments were soybean, followed by sorghum BRS3.32 (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) (SS), and maize, followed by pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) (MP). Nitrous oxide emissions were evaluated for 25 months (October 2013 to October 2015), and the results were grouped in annual, total, growing and non-growing seasons, as well as yield-scaled N2O emissions. The mean N2O fluxes were 24.14, 15.71, 32.49 and 1.87 μg m−2 h−1 in the NT-SS/MP, NT-MP/SS, CT-S/M and Cerrado areas respectively. Cumulative N2O fluxes over the total evaluation period from the systems NT-SS/MP, NT-MP/SS, CT-S/M and CE, respectively, were 3.47, 2.29, 4.87 and 0.26 kg ha−1. A correlation between N2O fluxes and the environmental variables was observed, with the exception of water-filled pore space (WFPS), but N2O peaks were associated with WFPS values of >65%. In the 2014–2015 growing season, yield-scaled N2O emissions from NT-MP/SS were lower than from CT-S/M. A multi-factor approach indicated that conventional management with main season soybean or maize and no alternating crop sequence intensifies soil N2O emissions in the Cerrado.

Analysis of soil compaction induced beneath the working depth due to tilling action of different active tillage machinery

Aim of study: To quantify the data regarding soil compaction induced beneath the tillage working depth purely due to the tilling action of the different active tillage machinery in sandy loam soil. Area of study: Research Farm, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India Material and methods: The data were quantified in terms of cone index (CI), bulk density, and porosity. Its comparison was also made with conventional practice followed by the farmers, involving only passive-tillage tools (i.e. cultivator and disc harrow). The results did not represent the tractor-imposed soil compaction under the tires. Main results: The maximum soil compaction beneath the working depth in terms of increment in soil CI occurred with rotavator followed by conventional practice, PTO-operated disc tiller, and power harrow, which are in the range of 6.67-7.05%, 5.17-5.29%, 4.29-4.97%, and 2.08-2.36%, respectively. The increment in bulk density was similar to that as mentioned above with values in the range of 3.96-4.06%, 2.30-2.42%, 1.71-1.88%, and 1.31-1.40%, respectively. Furthermore, the maximum decrement in soil porosity occurred with rotavator followed by conventional practice, PTO-operated disc tiller, and power harrow which were in the range of 5.67-6.61%, 2.74-2.94%, 1.71-1.88%, and 2.06-2.25%, respectively. Research highlights: The active tillage rotary machinery cause soil compaction due to the applied compressive force on the soil during their tilling action. They create optimal topsoil tilth but can compact deeper soil due to blade speed, necessitating the selection of ideal rotational and forward speeds to minimize this compaction.

Reducing the range of soil discarding by disc harrows in berry fields

BACKGROUND: The subject of research is the process of transverse discarding of soil by the outer disk mounted on the front section of a disk harrow in the conditions of inter-row spacing of a berry plantation.
 AIMS: Reduction of the range of discarding of a soil layer by the outer disk mounted on the front section of a disk harrow in the conditions of inter-row spacing of a berry plantation.
 METHODS: All studies were carried out on a raspberry plantation. Soil moisture was 28%. The disc harrow was aggregated with the T-25A tractor moved at a constant speed of 7.29 km/h, had an attack angle of 21 and a processing depth of 0.1 m. While carrying out field experiments, the location of all soil fragments outside the furrow formed by the outer disk of the rear section was considered. Both the distance to the fragment edge furthest from the furrow wall and the fragments slope relative to ч were recorded.
 RESULTS: According to the results of field experiments, it was found that the value of the transverse discharge of waterlogged and over-compacted soil in inter-row spacing of berry bushes significantly exceeds the amount of overlap between the front and rear sections of the disc harrow. To exclude the soil discarding into the bush area, the disc harrow was equipped with an additional bump shield oriented at an angle of 5354 in horizontal plane and at an angle of 50-58 to the direction of movement of the harrow.
 CONCLUSIONS: The practical implementation of this technical solution makes it possible to maintain the surface of inter-row spacing at a leveled state throughout their entire service life. At the same time, the disk harrow operates steadily, both with a high degree of impurity of inter-row spacing and excessive soil moisture, as well as provides with grinding and sealing of the annually cut-out raspberry stems.

The agricultural machinery market for crop production and prospects for its development in the postwar period

Due to the hostilities, the largest losses in the agricultural sector of Ukraine’s economy were caused by the loss of agricultural machinery – 20.9% of it was destroyed or damaged. Therefore, ensuring the effective functioning of the market for agricultural machinery is a key factor in restoring the material and technical base of agricultural enterprises. The research aims to investigate the current state of the agricultural machinery market and the impact of military operations on it and to identify effective ways of its development. The following methods were used in the study: dialectical method of scientific knowledge, monographic, statistical, and economic, economic and mathematical, expert evaluation, and graphical. The general trend towards a decrease in the share of households with certain types of machinery in 2015-2022 is determined. Disproportions between large and small forms of management in the provision of machinery, as well as restrictions on access to financial resources for small agricultural enterprises, have been identified. The study identified a general decline in the size of the Ukrainian machinery market due to the loss of production capacity in the east and south of the country. Imports of agricultural machinery – tractors by 57.0%, combine harvesters by 30.0%, seeders by 33.8%, disc harrows by 45.1%, and cultivators by 38.9% – also decreased significantly in quantitative terms. The analysis of state support for agricultural machinery and agricultural enterprises is carried out. A forecast of the development of the agricultural machinery market for crop production under positive and negative scenarios, including risks and challenges that may arise during and after military operations, is made. Recommendations for the development of the market of agricultural machinery for crop production have been developed, including implementation of the state’s protectionist policy; preservation of human resources; evacuation of agricultural machinery enterprises from the war zone; simplification of business to stimulate investment activity; state support for small farms, etc. The implementation of these recommendations will help restore the effective functioning of the agricultural machinery market and the logistics of agricultural production in Ukraine