Field Plowing Research Articles

Sistem Pertanian Masyarakat Wewengkon Adat Kesepuhan Citorek Tahun 1990–2021

This study aims to determine the Community Agricultural System of Wewengkon Adat Kesepuhan Citorek in 1990–2021. This research method is the historical method, including; heuristic stage, source criticism, interpretation, and historiography. The research analysis uses the moral economic theory of farmers by Scott, the theory of rational farmers by Samuel L. Popkin and the theory of cultural value orientation by Kluckhohn. The results of this study show that the Citorek Kesepuhan Customary Wewengkon is located at an altitude of 500-1050 meters above sea level, a mountain which includes the Mount Halimun Salak National Park (TNGHS). There are two main rivers (Citorek River and Cimadur River) to support farming. The life of the Wewengkon Adat Kesepuhan Citorek community in 1990–2021 in implementing the agricultural system shows two characters, firstly the morale of the farmer's economy is subsistence by complying with various agricultural regulations or prohibitions (start of farming time, holidays farming, use of rice types, and tabernacles) secondly has the character of rational farmers who are open to the use of agricultural technology such as rice field plowing tools (tractors), rice grinding machines, fertilizers (urea and bungkil) and weed killer. Local traditions of the Wewengkon community's Wewengkon Adat Kesepuhan Citorek community traditions such as salametan, nabeh goong gede, ngarengkong and seren tahun have (1) cultural values, namely deliberation, religion and obedience (2) meanings, namely the relationship between humans and humans, nature, time, creation, and with himself.

Tillage depth regulation system via depth measurement feedback and composite sliding mode control: A field comparison validation study

The existing methodologies employed for the quantification and regulation of tractor’s tillage depth present considerable shortcomings, primarily characterized by their low accuracy and poor disturbance rejection proficiency in complex agricultural terrains. In this study, we present a sophisticated feedback control strategy designed to mitigate these challenges. Our innovative approach hinges on calculating tillage depth from the alignment of the tractor’s hydraulic lifting arm, achieved by employing a mechanical angle sensor. This sensor adeptly gages the angle of the lifting arm, aligning it with the tillage angle of the pull rod and the implement’s angle, resulting in a robust relational model correlating the lifting arm angle with the tillage depth. This pioneering method amalgamates the accuracy inherent in the static model, derived from the tillage angle-based depth measurement, with the dynamic stability afforded by the mechanical ascertainment of the lifting arm angle. In conjunction, we introduce a Hybrid Extended State Observer-Based Backstepping Sliding Mode Controller (HESO-BacksteppingSMC). The HESO is instrumental in estimating unmeasured state variables and lumped disturbances, utilizing the system’s output feedback signal. Our control frame component capitalizes on the fast power-reaching law to yield a continuously smooth control signal, effectively eradicating the conventional chattering phenomenon inherent in controllers and amplifying its functional applicability. Theoretical evaluations affirm the uniformly and ultimately bounded stability of the errors associated with our proposed observer and controller, underscoring their robustness. The superior performance of our proposed tillage depth measurement and control methodology has been corroborated through a series of comprehensive simulation and field plowing trials, attesting to its precision and reliability in complex agricultural settings.

Validation of Criteria for Predicting Tractor Fuel Consumption and CO2 Emissions When Ploughing Fields of Different Shapes and Dimensions

Climate change is linked to CO2 emissions, the reduction of which has become a top priority. In response to these circumstances, scientists must constantly develop new technologies that increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Agriculture today is dominated by arable fields of various sizes, shapes, and dimensions, and to achieve fuel economy and environmental impact requirements, it is not enough to know only the principles of optimization of tillage processes; it is also necessary to understand the influence of field size and its shape and dimensions on tillage performance. The purpose of this research is to present a methodology that allows predicting tractor fuel demand and CO2 emissions per unit of ploughed area when ploughing field plots with different shapes and dimensions and to confirm a suitable variable for such a prediction. Theoretical calculations and experimental tests have shown that the field ploughing time efficiency coefficient is a useful metric for comparing field plots of different shapes and dimensions. This coefficient effectively describes tractor fuel consumption and CO2 emissions during ploughing operations on differently configured field plots. A reasonable method for calculating the real field ploughing time efficiency coefficient is based on field and tillage data and a practical determination method using tractor engine load reports. It was found that during the research, when ploughing six field plots of different shapes and dimensions, with an area of 6 ha, the field ploughing time efficiency coefficient varied from 0.68 to 0.82, and fuel consumption between 15.6 and 16.5 kg/ha. In the field plot of 6 ha, where the field ploughing time efficiency coefficient was 15% higher, the fuel consumption per unit area was lower by about 5.5%. The results of this study will help to effectively predict tillage time and tractor fuel consumption required for different field shapes and dimensions.

Sistem Pertanian Masyarakat Wewengkon Adat Kesepuhan Citorek Tahun 1990-2021


 This study aims to determine the Community Agricultural System of Wewengkon Adat Kesepuhan Citorek in 1990–2021. This research method is the historical method, including; heuristic stage, source criticism, interpretation, and historiography. The research analysis uses the moral economic theory of farmers by Scott, the theory of rational farmers by Samuel L. Popkin and the theory of cultural value orientation by Kluckhohn. The results of this study show that the Citorek Kesepuhan Customary Wewengkon is located at an altitude of 500-1050 meters above sea level, a mountain which includes the Mount Halimun Salak National Park (TNGHS). There are two main rivers (Citorek River and Cimadur River) to support farming. The life of the Wewengkon Adat Kesepuhan Citorek community in 1990–2021 in implementing the agricultural system shows two characters, firstly the morale of the farmer's economy is subsistence by complying with various agricultural regulations or prohibitions (start of farming time, holidays farming, use of rice types, and tabernacles) secondly has the character of rational farmers who are open to the use of agricultural technology such as rice field plowing tools (tractors), rice grinding machines, fertilizers (urea and bungkil) and weed killer. Local traditions of the Wewengkon community's Wewengkon Adat Kesepuhan Citorek community traditions such as salametan, nabeh goong gede, ngarengkong and seren tahun have (1) cultural values, namely deliberation, religion and obedience (2) meanings, namely the relationship between humans and humans, nature, time, creation, and with himself.
 Keywords: Agricultural System, Wewengkon Adat, Kesepuhan Citorek.

Load characteristics analysis of tractor drivetrain under field plowing operation considering tire-soil interaction

The drivetrain of a tractor is prone to fatigue failure under heavy load plowing operations. The load variation of its transmission shafting is affected by the "machine-soil" interaction environment, especially the tire-soil interaction. Therefore, a load transfer model of a tractor plowing operation composed of a drivetrain model, tire-soil interaction model, and tractor dynamics model was established, to analyze the load characteristics of the transmission shafting. For verifying the proposed model, the field plowing process was carried out experimentally. The driving wheels and shafting were discussed as influenced by the slip rate variation in the tire-soil interaction model. The fitting distribution characteristics of cycle average and range of transmission shafting in the rain-flow domain were obtained. The results showed that the established model can accurately simulate the speed and dynamic load characteristics of the tractor plowing operation. The driving wheel loads increased with the increase of slip rate except for the motion resistance. When the slip rate exceeded 25 %, loads of the transmission shafts changed steadily. The reliability of fit R2 of the statistical distribution for transmission shafting load was greater than 0.94. The mean and variance of rear-drive half shaft torque were the largest, where fatigue failure was more likely to occur. The above theoretical model and results provide practical guidance for structural optimization design, fatigue durability analysis and reliability loading test of the tractor drivetrain.

वेदों में कृषि-विज्ञान: अथर्ववेद-संहिता के विशेष सन्दर्भ में

Some modern scholars opine that ancient Indian people did not attach much importance to the economic progress in life. This view seems to be incorrect when we go through the several references of Vedic literature. According to the Vedic approach, Artha (money) is as important as any other thing in life. In Vedas, there are many prayers for the prosperity and welfare of the society. The agriculture, animal husbandry, trade and other economic resources extant in the country at that time were properly developed for economic growth. This paper discusses development of agriculture including cultivation of crops. In Vedas, sufficient literary evidences are mentioned for availability of irrigation systems, use of manure, clearing of forests, ploughing of fields, and sowing of seeds. Earth was identified as forest and field. Farmer was known as the Lord or controller of plough (hala). By the end of Rigvedic period all the agricultural processes were known to Aryans. Siira, laangala, phala, ashtraa, vaaha etc. terms are used in the Atharvaveda (AV) for the related equipments of agriculture. The AV mentions ploughing of fields by six or twelve oxen. It states that canals were dug for irrigation besides natural resources such as rivers, wells etc. In times of famines, people suffered a lot. Two crops were cultivated every year. In the AV, there is mention of barley (yava), rice (vriihi), sesame, a type of pulse (maasha), sugarcane (iikshu) and some wild varieties of rice. The protection of crops from insects, and certain types of birds is considered in some hymns. It appears from this study that the Vedic agriculture was not much different from the current traditional agriculture practices seen in rural areas of India

Validation of MCD64A1 and FireCCI51 cropland burned area mapping in Ukraine

Small fires represent an important under-represented fire type within active fire and burned area datasets in addition to fire emission inventories, especially in regions with substantial agricultural areas. In order to improve regional and global burned area and fire emissions inventories, active fire and burned area algorithm developers are focusing on improving the mapping accuracy of the timing and spatial extent of these small fires. However, product developers have often relied on burned area validation methods that are designed for larger wildfires, and which are therefore not appropriate for these small fire types. Specifically, validation of crop residue burns using pre- and post-Landsat and Sentinel imagery (as recommended by the Committee on Earth Observing Satellites Working Group on Calibration and Validation (CEOS) Land Product Validation protocol) breaks down because the short duration (less than 1 day) between the burn and the subsequent field plowing removes the burned signature before the next sensor overpass. Here we describe an alternate approach that allowed us to rigorously validate two widely available, coarse-resolution global burned area products — MCD64A1 and FireCCI51 — in cropland through using exhaustively-mapped field-level burned area reference maps produced for seven reference areas in Ukraine in 2016 and 2017. Our results highlight the overall high omission errors (MCD64A1: 71–76% and FireCCI51: 63–99%) and commission errors (MCD64A1: 62–81% and FireCCI51: 49–93%) for both products within cropland, while also demonstrating the difficulty of mapping crop residue burned area within the spring, pre-planting mapping period compared to the summer, post-harvest mapping period. Product-specific artifacts and errors are also demonstrated including the confusion with the larger harvest spectral signal (MCD64A1) and the large swaths of unmapped pixels clustered in regular geometric shapes (FireCCI51). These validation results will be used to help guide the upcoming MCD64A1 Collection 7 burned area product improvements within cropland.

Detection of Crop Seeding and Harvest through Analysis of Time-Series Sentinel-1 Interferometric SAR Data

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is more sensitive to the dielectric properties and structure of the targets and less affected by weather conditions than optical sensors, making it more capable of detecting changes induced by management practices in agricultural fields. In this study, the capability of C-band SAR data for detecting crop seeding and harvest events was explored. The study was conducted for the 2019 growing season in Temiskaming Shores, an agricultural area in Northern Ontario, Canada. Time-series SAR data acquired by Sentinel-1 constellation with the interferometric wide (IW) mode with dual polarizations in VV (vertical transmit and vertical receive) and VH (vertical transmit and horizontal receive) were obtained. interferometric SAR (InSAR) processing was conducted to derive coherence between each pair of SAR images acquired consecutively in time throughout the year. Crop seeding and harvest dates were determined by analyzing the time-series InSAR coherence and SAR backscattering. Variation of SAR backscattering coefficients, particularly the VH polarization, revealed seasonal crop growth patterns. The change in InSAR coherence can be linked to change of surface structure induced by seeding or harvest operations. Using a set of physically based rules, a simple algorithm was developed to determine crop seeding and harvest dates, with an accuracy of 85% (n = 67) for seeding-date identification and 56% (n = 77) for harvest-date identification. The extra challenge in harvest detection could be attributed to the impacts of weather conditions, such as rain and its effects on soil moisture and crop dielectric properties during the harvest season. Other factors such as post-harvest residue removal and field ploughing could also complicate the identification of harvest event. Overall, given its mechanism to acquire images with InSAR capability at 12-day revisiting cycle with a single satellite for most part of the Earth, the Sentinel-1 constellation provides a great data source for detecting crop field management activities through coherent or incoherent change detection techniques. It is anticipated that this method could perform even better at a shorter six-day revisiting cycle with both satellites for Sentinel-1. With the successful launch (2019) of the Canadian RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) with its tri-satellite system and four polarizations, we are likely to see improved system reliability and monitoring efficiency.

ОБОСНОВАНИЕ И РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ ПРАКТИЧЕСКИХ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЙ ПЛУГА ДЛЯ КОПКИ КАРТОФЕЛЯ ПРИ ВЛАЖНЫХ ПОГОДНЫХ УСЛОВИЯХ

In Central Russia, wet conditions for potato harvesting occur on average once every 5 ... 6 years. The task is practically not feasible for small-scale agricultural production - peasant farming (peasant farms) and smallholding, because of they are limited both in power plants (tractors) and in potato-harvesting equipment. Therefore, it is proposed to dig up potatoes with a very common three-unit plow, followed by picking in a mechanized way. For the turnover of the tuberous layer, a trellised conical blade is proposed. A graphic analysis of the turnover of the reservoir with the determination of the secretive zones of loss of tubers was carried out, an analytical calculation with the task of stabilizing the course of the plow on the potato ridge, since, compared with field plowing, the plow body plank is placed in the furrow and the soil reaction to it is not sufficiently implemented. Formulas for calculating the area of the field board are given. For calculations, the average hardness of the soil of the ridge and furrow of the potato plantings was determined experimentally with an absolute soil moisture of 31%. According to the calculations, enlarged field boards were made and installed deeper than the body stroke. Field boards with an increased area of 1.5 ... 1.6 times stabilized the plow. The changes made to the frame, the support wheel and the trailed (mounted) plow system are also shown.

Applicability of a closed-path quantum cascade laser spectrometer for eddy covariance (EC) flux measurements of nitric oxide (NO) over a cropland during a low emission period

Croplands are important sources of atmospheric nitric oxide (NO). However, high-frequency measurements of NO fluxes over croplands using the eddy covariance (EC) technique are still scarce, mainly due to instrumental limitation. In this study, a closed-path NO analyzer based on a quantum cascade laser (QCL) absorption spectrometer was employed for EC flux measurements over a subtropical vegetable field during a two-month summer period with the lowest NO emission intensity of the year. The purpose was to investigate the detection limit of the EC system based on this NO analyzer and evaluate its applicability for measuring the turbulent fluxes of NO under field conditions. The performance of the analyzer was stable, showing an average precision (0.1 s) of 0.338 nmol mol−1 and a corresponding flux detection limit of 5.6 μg N m−2h−1 at the 95% confidence interval. The measured turbulent NO fluxes ranged from −7.1 to 61.4 μg N m−2h−1 (median: 3.5 μg N m−2h−1), with a relative random error of 386% before field ploughing and 76% thereafter. The systematic errors due to the high-frequency loss and the use of lag times of carbon dioxide for NO flux calculation were estimated at 12% and 3%, respectively. During the measurement period, 37% of the observed half-hourly fluxes were larger than the detection limit; the magnitude of these fluxes is comparable with that measured by the static chambers. Nevertheless, this EC system could be still qualified for measuring turbulent NO fluxes over common croplands if the flux averaged at daily or longer timescales are of interest, because either flux detection limit or random error would decrease by an order of n, wherein n is the number of half-hourly fluxes being taken for averages. This study shows that the closed-path dual-QCL analyzer could be an effective option for EC measurements of turbulent NO fluxes with the advantages of (i) stable performance, (ii) high precision and fast response, and (iii) feasible instrumental maintenance for long-term field measurements. However, the observed turbulent fluxes still underestimated the soil NO emissions likely due to chemical reaction loss of NO below the sensor height. Further studies are necessary to address this systematic error.

Specificity of the 137Cs distribution in arable elementary landscape-geochemical system contaminated during the accident at the Chernobyl NPP

The main goal of the work was to check whether the regularity in the 137Cs distribution, established in the undisturbed forest elementary landscape-geochemical system (ELGS: i.e., the upper - slope - closing depression), is the same in the meadow system. Cs-137 activity was measured with a step of 1 m by field gamma-spectrometer along three parallel cross-sections, the two of them 185 m long and 15 m away from each other, the third one in between (at the selected measurement points). Obtained results confirmed that despite plowing after the accident 137Cs variation in the arable ELGS demonstrate a pronounced and stable cyclic regularity close to synchronic (r = 0.744, n = 155). 137Cs vertical distribution studied in 44 soil cores down to the depth of 40 cm in 2–5 cm increments (541 specimen in total) confirmed the field plowing after the accident. The radionuclide inventory in the top 10–20 cm layer correlated with the field gamma-spectrometry measurement at the corresponding sampling point. The revealed regular variability of 137Cs distribution in arable conditions allowed us to suggest existence of the universal mechanism responsible for the secondary distribution of elements in ELGS. In our opinion water is the only factor and working body which can produce such an effect. If our hypothesis is correct the obtained results provide valuable information for improving spatial schemes of pollution monitoring and fertilizer application.

Estimation of farm tractor performance as a function of time efficiency during ploughing in fields of different sizes

Tractors have to perform various agricultural tasks in fields of different sizes. While working, tractors consume large amounts of fuel and contribute considerably to pollution of the environment. This study provides a method for the estimation and comparison of tractor performance when ploughing is carried out in fields of different lengths. Tractor performance as a function of time efficiency is estimated during tests with a 160 kW Massey Ferguson MF6499 tractor performing soil ploughing operations. For characterisation of different field sizes, a time efficiency factor was introduced, which was expressed as the ratio between the duration of ploughing operation and the duration of the whole ploughing process including the non-working time. Ploughing of fields with lengths of 200, 300, 500, 750, and 1000 m resulted in time efficiency values of 0.56, 0.67, 0.78, 0.84, and 0.88, respectively. This study analysed the tractor productivity, power utilisation efficiency, fuel consumption, and CO2 and CO emissions for five fields. These indicators were calculated using the tractor engine Electronic Control Unit (ECU) ‘Load Profile’ database. Regression analyses demonstrated that the tractor performance indicators perfectly correlate with the time efficiency factor according to either a linear or exponential equation model. It should be noted that the suggested method allows for better estimation and comparison of tractor performance indicators when ploughing is performed in fields with different width-to-length ratios.

Особливості дослідження агрофізичних властивостей чорноземів за різних систем обробітку

Дослідження параметрів агрофізичних властивостей ґрунтів є теоретичною і практичною основоювиборутої чи іншої системи обробітку ґрунту, що є ключовою ланкою сучасного землеробства. У науковій літературі вивченню агрофізичних властивостей ґрунтів присвячена значна кількість публікацій у періодичних виданнях. У даній роботі висвітлюються особливості дослідження агрофізичних параметрів ґрунтів на чорноземі південному малогумусному важкосуглинковому на лесі за різних систем обробітку під кукурудзу: оранки, чизельному, нульовому і для порівняння переліг із природнім травостаном. Методичні особливості досліджень детально висвітлені у статті. Визначення агрофізичних параметрів за різних систем обробітку ґрунту показало, що п’ятирічне застосування нульового обробітку під кукурудзу суттєво покращило, у порівнянні із оранкою, структурний склад чорнозему південного, вміст цінних агрегатів складав 62,4–66,6 %, агрегати мали округлу форму із вираженою пористістю. Щільність ґрунту також була оптимальною у межах 1,10–1,26 г / см 3 , що дає підстави позитивно оцінити досліджуваний агрозахід і можливість його впровадження у виробництво.

Вплив мінімізації обробітку ґрунту на вміст елементів живлення у чорноземі звичайному

Продуктивність сільськогосподарських культур залежить від поживного режиму ґрунту. До факторів, що впливають на вміст елементів живлення у ґрунті, відносять різні системи обробітку ґрунту. У статті наведено результати досліджень щодо впливу мінімізації обробітку ґрунту в Північному Степу України на вміст основних елементів живлення. У зразках ґрунту визначали вміст нітратного азоту потенціометрично, амонійного азоту з реактивом Несслера, рухомих фосфатів та обмінного калію за Чиріковим. Встановлено зміни у перерозподілі їх вмісту в 0-30 см шарі чорнозему звичайного за мінімального та нульового обробітків ґрунту. Найвищий ступінь диференціації відмічено за нітратним азотом: збільшення нітратів у шарі 0-10 см відносно шару 10-20 см становило 28,3 % на мінімальному обробітку та 42,3 % – на нульовому обробітку; відносно 20-30 см шару – відповідно 46,5 та 92,2 %.. Встановлено зменшення вмісту нітратного азоту на 6,0-14,5 %, підвищення рухомих форм фосфору на 9,8 % та обмінного калію на 4,2 % за мінім і зації обробітку ґрунту.

Агроекологічні основи контролювання забур’яненості та поширення вовчка в посівах соняшнику Степу України

<p>Due to the violation of the technology of sunflower growing in Ukraine and the disbalance of scientifically grounded crop rotation, or their complete absence, with the expansion of sunflower seeds in the structure of crops to 40% and more, and the simplification of the system of basic cultivation of arable land, accompanied by a sharp increase in perturbation of crops by autotrophic and parasitic weeds. To determine the impact of agrotechnical measures, saturation of sunflower seeds, soil tillage systems, and fertilization on the number and species composition of various agrobiological groups of weeds in sunflower crops, including <em>Orobahche cumana</em> Walls. To reduce the herbicide (chemical) loading in agrophytocoenoses of oilseed crops, and ecologization of protection from weeds it was supposed to reveal optimal and environmentally friendly parameters of modern elements of sunflower cultivation technology. The scheme of the experiment included two grains–steam–breeding and grain–seed crop rotations with saturation in the structure of sunflower seeding 12.5%, 20% and 33.3%; three cardinally different systems of basic cultivation of the ground (filed plowing, differentiated and systems of mulching and no-till); two fertilizer systems (no fertilizers + post–harvest residues, N30–60P30–45K30–45 + post–harvest residues). All other elements of agrotechnics were standard and generally accepted for the steppe zone. The accounting of obstinacy was carried out by quantitative–weight and species–specific methods. A tendency has been observed to increase the number of weeds before the first inter–row treatment for mulching and no-till and direct sowing (10.4–15.1 pcs/m<sup>2</sup>) in 1.3–1.5 times compared with the filed plowing (7, 1–12.4 pc. /m<sup>2</sup>). At the time of harvesting in comparison with the spring definition, the infestation of oilseed crop under fertilized background decreased by 1.6–4.2 times; and their quantitative values were 2.6–5.2 pcs/m2 (field plowing), 4.1–8.1 (differentiated tillage), 5.5–12.4 pcs/m<sup>2 </sup>(no-till), indicating the preservation of regularities inherent in the spring period. It was established that the air–dry weight of weeds (within the limits of individual terms of the definition) varied in versions directly proportional to the change in quantitative values, and on average slightly higher for mulching and no-till (3.8–15.7 g/m<sup>2</sup>) than filed plowing (1.8–12.3 g/m<sup>2</sup>). It was proved that the degree of manifestation of the active biological phase of the vaginal parasitism naturally increased with the reduction of the time interval of sunflower return in crop rotation, especially in 3–way crop rotation (33.3% sunflower) – 6.9–12.7%, that is, each sunflower field in the crop rotation – an additional resource for the accumulation of Broomrape in the soil. The increase in the degree of sunflower damage with sunflower wool (up to 11.0–12.7 pcs/100 plants) was observed on the background of deep plowing and decreased with a decrease in the depth of main cultivation in shallow and direct sowing by 6.9–7.8%, or 1.6 times as a result of the localization of the Broomrape in the ground beside the sunflower roots, which provokes its germination with its root secretions, while the seeds of Broomrape for mulching and no-till are located on the top of the soil, soil surface or plant residues, that make impossible its germination in a more dense soil in the absence of the root system of host plant (sunflower). Maximum seed yield (2.35–2.82 t/ha) was obtained in 8–crop rotation at the concentration of sunflower in the seed structure of 12.5%. Extension of the sown area to 25% and 33.3% contributed to a decrease in yields of 2.14–2.67 and 2.10–2.56 t/ha, or 8.9–5.3% and 10.0– 9.2% due to the increase in the degree and intensity of damage to plants by Broomrape. Thus, the expansion in the structure of sunflower crops to 33.3% and the minimization of the main cultivation of the soil leads to an increase in perishability by autotrophic weeds in 1.3–1.5 times, and the degree and intensity of damage by Broomrape, on the contrary, decreases on the finely treated agrofons regarding the localization of seeds in the upper layer of soil or on plant residues, which makes it impossible to germinate.</p>

Динаміка чисельності бур’янів і їх видового складу в агроценозах кукурудзи залежно від обробітку грунту та удобрення в північному степу України

<p>We determined that the structure of phytocenosis of weeds in corn crops caused by the influence of their adaptive ability and structure of crop areas in crop rotation. The basis of the dominance of weeds in the species structure is the resistance to herbicides, wide range of similarity, morphological plasticity, and the presence of non-toxic signs. The application of the technology of corn cultivation of small, non-field multicultural soil cultivation (chiseling, flattening loosening) leads to strong increase in the level of permeation by 1.4-1.8 times, which in turn requires the additional rules for soil treatment and postemerged herbicides that reliably control the corn productivity. It has been proved that field plowing and chiseling together with the introduction of the N<sub>30</sub>P<sub>30</sub>K<sub>30</sub> had minimal advantage on the corn grain yields in non-fertilized conditions due to better nutritional conditions and lower levels of perennial crops. The most effective soil treatment was the shallow and flattening loosening of the chip which under increase of nitrogen content (N60P30K30) caused by corn fertilization allows us to obtain the same yield concerning the plowing and chiseling. The methods of basic soil cultivation under low level of feed infestation (9.0-12.6 pieces/m²) did not have significant effect on the quality of corn grain. The introduction of mineral fertilizers (especially nitrogen) increases the tendency to increase the protein content in the grain (proteins) and reduce the content of carbohydrates, especially the starch.</p>

Ріст і розвиток рослин кукурудзи залежно від мульчувального обробітку ґрунту та удобрення в степу України

<p>We proved the high efficiency of soil mulching cultivating (chisel, planar) and improved fertilizer system (N<sub>60</sub>P<sub>30</sub>K<sub>30</sub> + post-harvest residues) in the technology of corn growing, which is not inferior to the plowing, provides optimal biometric indices of plants and elements of the structure of crop corn crop. We observed only a slight tendency in reducing the morphological characteristics of the canines (diameter, length, and number of grains) for flat-rope loosening (14-16 cm), especially in non-fertilized areas (control), which is explained by the negative influence of growth of bulk mass and hardness soil, reduction of nitric capacity of chernozem, and deterioration of phytosanitary state of crops. Application of mineral fertilizers (N<sub>30-60</sub>P<sub>30</sub>K<sub>30</sub>) reduces this insignificant difference and contributes to obtaining practically identical indicators. The maximum grain yield of corn on the unfertilized filed and the introduction of the N<sub>30</sub>P<sub>30</sub>K<sub>30</sub> could be achieved by field plowing and mulching (4.83-5.33 t/ha), when the usage of subsurface plow with the increase of nitrogen (N<sub>30-60</sub>P<sub>30</sub>K<sub>30</sub>) also contribute to high yields (5.62 t/ha). The last could be associated with the normalization of the nitrate mobilization when a plurality of plant residues from the predecessor (5-7 t/ha) are introduced into the soil. The minor differences of the corn yield indicate the equivalence of these basic soil cultivation methods.</p>

Current distribution of Cricetus cricetus in Bohemia, Czech Republic (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

Abstract During the period 2012–2016, distribution of the common hamster, Cricetus cricetus, was monitored in Bohemia, Czech Republic. Between the harvest and subsequent field ploughing, i.e. in August and September, we visited all regions in which occurrence of the species after 1990 was reported in previous studies. There, in every square of the K. F. M. E. mapping grid we checked at least four harvested crop fields, i.e., cereals (preferably wheat and barley), sometimes also alfalfa and various vegetables, and examined also field balks and road ditches. In addition, during all parts of the year we recorded hamster road casualties. Also some personal reports by experienced co-workers were used. Altogether, we recorded hamster presence in 290 sites covering 75 K. F. M. E. squares. The area of the hamster occurrence in Bohemia consists of one big and one small sub-areas, most probably isolated from each other. They form a strip ca. 250 km long and mostly ca. 30–60 km wide. It runs from the lowlands along lower reaches of the Ohře river, through the Prague Plateau, lowlands along the Labe river up to the Svitavská pahorkatina Upland. The easternmost confirmed localities were near Svitavy. The altitude of most of the hamster localities varies between 130 and 300 m, in the Pražská plošina Plateau up to 400 m (altitudes of four exceptional localities near Svitavy are between 462 and 503 m). In some lowland regions of Bohemia the hamster is still common and locally abundant. The hamster prefers deeper soils, mostly various types of chernozem, luvisol and cambisol. It avoids moist places and extensive fields of maize and rape. All our hamster localities are situated in plots of the open agricultural landscape covering several tens of square kilometers. The hamster is also able to inhabit ruderal places in the periphery of villages and towns. During the second half of August and first half of September, the number of dead hamsters in roads increased considerably, suggesting that the traffic causes a not inconsiderable portion of hamster mortality.

The influence of rice plow handle design and whole-body posture on grip force and upper-extremity muscle activation

A previous job screening study revealed ergonomics risk factors in rice field plowing. This work motivated the present experimental investigation of the influence of plow handle design and farmer whole-body posture on grip force and arm muscle activity. A total of 24 experienced farmers performed a simulated plowing task, including walking on even and uneven ground while rolling a tiller equipped with conventional horizontal and proposed vertical handles. Results revealed the proposed handles, designed to promote neutral wrist posture, to increase upper-arm muscle use between 47% and 70% across ground types, as compared with conventional handles. The ratio of grip force to forearm muscle activity (or efficiency in muscle use) increased from 1.85 when using conventional handles on uneven ground to 2.16 when using the proposed handles with symmetrical body posture on even ground. However, participants perceived higher discomfort when using the proposed handles, as they were accustomed to the conventional design.

Effects of bentonite on water infiltration in a loamy sand soil

Water loss as deep percolation is considerable in furrow irrigation in light soils due to the high infiltration rate. Application of soil conditioners such as bentonite reduces the infiltration rate and improves irrigation application efficiency (Ea) in these soils. The effects of bentonite application rates (BAR) of 0, 2, 4 and 6 g L−1 on infiltration of a loamy sand soil were determined in a soil column in the laboratory. The exponent of the Kostiakov infiltration equation was not influenced by BAR. Maximum reduction in infiltration equation coefficient and final infiltration rate (i f) occurred with 2 g bentonite L−1 and this reduction was lower on increasing BAR from 2 to 4 and 4 to 6 g L−1 compared with control. The effect of 2 g L−1 BAR on infiltration and its effect on the design of furrow irrigation in a field with a loamy sand soil indicated that in the first irrigation after field ploughing and seed planting, longer furrow length, lower deep percolation and higher Ea are obtained.