Plow Tillage Research Articles

Evaluating crop nitrogen status in maize leaves: A predictive modelling approach using chlorophyll fluorescence parameters

The consumption of chemical fertilizers has increased eight-fold since the 19th century, outstripping crop yields increases and, emphasizing the need for precise nitrogen (N) assessment in crops to optimize fertilization and mitigate environmental impacts. This study developed a model using chlorophyll fluorescence technology to accurately evaluate the N status in maize leaves while addressing the limitations of current labor-intensive and environmentally sensitive methods. Based on a long-term experiment initiated in 2011, maize hybrid Fumin 985 was sampled in 2021 and 2022 under two crop-straw management strategies (SM: no tillage with surface straw mulch, SP: plough tillage with straw incorporation) and six N application rates. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were formulated using chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (ChlF) to assess leaf N content (N leaf). The results indicated that a N application rate of 270 kg ha−1 sufficed to meet crop N requirements. Leaf characteristics such as N leaf, total pigment content (TP), and leaf dry weight (DW leaf) changed significantly with increasing N application rates, influencing rapid chlorophyll fluorescence (OJIP) dynamics. Principal component analysis (PCA) reduced ChlF from 35 to 21, and four models were developed, among which, the model using ChlF and TP was more accurate than the model using DW alone. Key ChlF parameters for PLSR model performance included ABS/RC, φ(Eo), ETo/CSm, and δ(Ro)/(1–δ(Ro)). Although non-destructive N leaf detection using chlorophyll fluorescence technology proved feasible, additional leaf characteristics, such as TP, are necessary to improve model accuracy. Considering local field conditions is essential for the application of this technology at a larger scale. Precise evaluation of N status using chlorophyll fluorescence is beneficial for a more efficient N management and sustainable agriculture.

Enhancing soil quality for sustainable agricultural practices in Subak rice fields

Understanding the soil quality of Subak rice fields in Bali is crucial for maintaining agricultural sustainability. This study aimed to explore aspects of soil quality, identify limiting factors, and offer guidance on sustainable land management. Utilizing survey methods, laboratory analysis, and soil quality determination, soil samples were selectively collected from each land unit (LU). LU selection was based on overlays of Subak zonation, soil type, slopes, rainfall, and elevation using Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. Key soil quality indicators were assessed, including bulk density, texture, porosity, moisture content, pH, organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, base saturation, and nutrients (N, P, K). Overall, soil quality in the study area is classified as good in all LUs, but with significant variations in Soil Quality Index (SQI) values, suggesting the need for tailored management recommendations. Limiting factors include soil texture, organic carbon content, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and biomass C. Recommended soil management practices include single plow tillage and the application of manure, urea, and SP-36 fertilizer on paddy fields. This approach aims to enhance land productivity sustainably while upholding environmental conservation and the principles of Subak, which have historically maintained a balanced and sustainable agricultural ecosystem.

Dynamic characteristics of a tractor cabin during plow tillage and rotary tillage

Dynamic characteristics of a tractor cabin during plow tillage and rotary tillage

Tillage influence on agrophysical soil properties and crop productivity in the irrigated conditions of the steppe zone of Ukraine

The main goal of the study was to establish the influence of various tillage systems on the agrophysical properties of dark-chestnut soil under short-grain crop rotation in the irrigated conditions of southern Ukraine. The research was carried out during 2021-2022 in a stationary experiment on a four-field crop rotation: grain maize – winter rapeseed – winter wheat – soybeans. The experimental field was in the semi-arid steppe climate zone at the Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine. Three tillage systems were studied for their influence on soil bulk density, porosity, and water permeability, namely: mouldboard-differentiated ploughing tillage; differentiated chisel tillage; and differentiated ploughless tillage with soil slitting. Soil bulk density was determined using the core method. Soil porosity was calculated as the ratio of total bulk density to solid fraction bulk density. Water infiltration rates, established through the water absorption test method, were used to measure soil water permeability. The results of the study were statistically analysed using the common ANOVA procedure with Fisher’s least significant difference test at P<0.05. In addition to the agrophysical parameters of the soil, the energy output of the crop rotation was assessed. It was established that mouldboard tillage did not provide significant benefits in terms of bulk density and soil porosity. However, ploughing showed the best results for soil water permeability across all crops in the rotation. The highest energy output of crop rotation (119.1 GJ/ha) was recorded for the ploughless-differentiated tillage system with soil slitting, whereas the mouldboard ploughing and chisel tillage systems produced somewhat lower energy yields of 112.0 and 108.6 GJ/ha, respectively. Therefore, ploughless-differentiated tillage with soil slitting is the most effective option for short-grain crop rotations in irrigated conditions of southern Ukraine, in terms of creating optimal soil agrophysical properties and achieving the highest crop productivity

Efficiency Analysis of Powertrain for Internal Combustion Engine and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Tractor According to Agricultural Operations.

As interest in eco-friendly work vehicles grows, research on the powertrains of eco-friendly tractors has increased, including research on the development of eco-friendly vehicles (tractors) using hydrogen fuel cell power packs and batteries. However, batteries require a long time to charge and have a short operating time due to their low energy efficiency compared with hydrogen fuel cell power packs. Therefore, recent studies have focused on the development of tractors using hydrogen fuel cell power packs; however, there is a lack of research on powertrain performance analysis considering actual working conditions. To evaluate vehicle performance, an actual load measurement during agricultural operation must be conducted. The objective of this study was to conduct an efficiency analysis of powertrains according to their power source using data measured during agricultural operations. A performance evaluation with respect to efficiency was performed through comparison and an analysis with internal combustion engine tractors of the same level. The specifications of the transmission for hydrogen fuel cell and engine tractors were used in this study. The power loss and efficiency of the transmission were calculated using ISO 14179-1 equations, as shown below. Plow tillage and rotary tillage operations were conducted for data measurement. The measurement system consists of four components. The engine data load measurement was calculated using the vehicle's controller area network (CAN) data, the axle load was measured using an axle torque meter and proximity sensors, and fuel consumption was measured using the sensor installed on the fuel line. The calculated capacities, considering the engine's fuel efficiency for plow and rotary tillage operations, were 131.2 and 175.1 kWh, respectively. The capacity of the required power, considering the powertrain's efficiency for hydrogen fuel cell tractors with respect to plow and rotary tillage operations, was calculated using the efficiency of the motor, inverter, and power pack, and 51.3 and 62.9 kWh were the values obtained, respectively. Considering these factors, the engine exhibited an efficiency of about 47.9% compared with the power pack in the case of plow tillage operations, and the engine exhibited an efficiency of about 29.3% in the case of rotary tillage operations. A hydrogen fuel cell tractor is considered suitable for high-efficiency and eco-friendly vehicles because it can operate on eco-friendly power sources while providing the advantages of a motor.

Effects of autumn tillage with straw return on soil physical characteristics of corn fields in the eastern loess plateau

The implementation of unsuitable tillage practices has the potential to disrupt the structure integrity of the ploughed layer, as well as to influence the physical parameters of the soil. The application of a reasonable tillage method has been demonstrated to result in an improvement in the physical quality of the soil. Three autumn tillage practices have been implemented at the Dongyang Experimental Station of Shanxi Agricultural University since 2016: no-tillage with straw mulch (NTS), autumn rotary tillage with straw incorporation (RTS), and autumn plough tillage with straw incorporation (PTS). The impact of autumn tillage practices on soil physical quality in the 0–30 cm profile of spring corn fields was evaluated following the corn harvest in 2018 and 2019. The results showed that compared to the NTS treatment, the application of RTS was found to have decreased significantly by 9.6%–24.2% in soil bulk density, while it increased significantly by 12.8%–34.0% in total porosity and by 43.5%–146.4% in macroporosity at a depth of 5–10 cm. In comparison to the NTS treatment, the adoption of PTS was found to decrease significantly by 10.7%–30.5% soil bulk density, while it increased significantly by 9.9%–42.7% the total porosity and 23.1%–202.8% the macroporosity at a depth of 0–10 cm. Furthermore, the soil microporosity significantly increase of 7.5%–11.1% under the RTS treatment at the 0–5 cm soil depth and 7.7%–11.2% under the PTS treatment at the 10–20 cm soil depth. Soil physical quality index (SQI) significantly increase under the RTS and PTS treatments, with a 41.26% and 57.57% improvement, respectively, in comparison to the NTS treatment. In summary, the adoption of autumn tillage with straw return (RTS and PTS) demonstrated a reduction in soil bulk density, an increase in soil porosity, macroporosity, and a promotion of capillary porosity, and promoted the improvement of soil physical quality on the Eastern Loess Plateau when compared to no-tillage with straw mulch (NTS).

Soil quality associated with microbial community characteristics and dominant taxa across different tillage practices

AbstractDespite conservation tillage being a promising strategy to mitigate soil degradation, the intricate role of microbial communities in shaping soil quality over long‐term tillage remains poorly understood. The study aimed to investigate the microbial mechanisms governing the soil quality index (SQI) and maize yield under different tillage practices spanning 13 years, including no‐till without straw retention (NT0), no‐till with straw retention (NTSR), plough tillage with straw retention (PTSR), and rotary tillage with straw retention (RTSR). The findings revealed that NTSR improved the SQI index by 22.4% and 11.3% higher than PTSR and RTSR, respectively, within the 0–10 cm soil layer. This improvement was correlated with an increase in maize yield (R2 = 0.39, p < 0.05). PERMANOVA analysis confirmed that both soil depth and tillage practices significantly impacted the composition of microbial communities (p < 0.05). Furthermore, conservation tillage, compared to PTSR and RTSR, increased the abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis by 78.6%–460.3% but decreased the saprophytic fungal abundance by 27.5%–28.3%. Soil quality was notably influenced by the interaction between bacterial and fungal communities. The presence of bacterial‐dominated Module 2 was associated with decreased soil quality in the 0–10 cm soil depth (r = −0.47, p < 0.01). This study emphasizes the pivotal role of microbial diversity and dominant taxa in driving soil quality after long‐term conservation tillage practices. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for establishing farmland management to achieve agricultural and ecological sustainability in the face of climate change and soil degradation challenges.

Managing Residue Return Increases Soil Organic Carbon, Total Nitrogen in the Soil Aggregate, and the Grain Yield of Winter Wheat

Soil tillage and maize residues return are important practices for tackling and promoting soil quality and improving crop yield in the North China Plain (NCP), where winter wheat production is threatened by soil deterioration. Although maize residues incorporation with rotary tillage (RS) or deep plowing tillage (DS) is widespread in this region, only few studies have focused on rotation tillage. Four practices, namely RT (continuous rotary tillage without maize residues return), RS, DS, and RS/DS (rotary tillage every year and deep plowing interval of 2 years), were evaluated under field conditions lasting a period of 5 years. After a 5-year field experiment, the mean soil bulk density of the 0–30 cm soil layer decreased significantly with RS, DS, and RS/DS, i.e., by 4.19%, 6.33%, and 6.71% compared with RT, respectively. The treatments greatly improved the total soil porosity, soil aggregate size distribution, soil aggregate stability, and the root length density in the 0–30 cm soil layers. Residues return with DS and RS/DS treatments significantly increased the soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) storage in the 0–30 cm soil layer, mainly owed to the increases in the SOC and TN pool associated with the macro-aggregate. A positive trend in the grain yield was noted under both DS and RS/DS conditions, whereas a decreasing tendency was presented in continuous rotary treatments. In summary, RS/DS treatment significantly increased the amount of SOC and TN, improved the particle size distribution of soil aggregates, and thus improved the soil’s physicochemical properties, which is beneficial for wheat to achieve high yields. Our results suggested that RS/DS was a highly efficient practice to improve soil quality and increase crop production in the NCP.

Assessing the long‐term effects of conservation agriculture on cotton production in Northeast Louisiana using the denitrification–decomposition model

AbstractConservation agriculture (CA) aims to sustain agricultural production, soil, and environmental health in agroecosystems and has been promoted throughout the United States. The adoption of CA in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) systems provides both agronomic and environmental benefits. Yet, there is limited information on the long‐term effects of CA practices on crop yield and adaptation strategies. An integrated CA system, that is, cover crops with no‐tillage (NT) instead of conventional agriculture, was implemented in the long‐term field experiments and assessed with an integrated biogeochemical model. Using the denitrification–decomposition model, this study estimated the effects of four different cover crops, for example, native grass (NG), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum), on cotton yield under four different nitrogen (N) levels (e.g., 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N/ha) and estimated responses on carbon (C) sequestration, and ecosystem functionality over a 10‐year study. The NT‐NG 50 N was used as a calibration dataset to accurately estimate the cotton lint yield with a normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) of 21% and model efficiency of 0.3. The calibration data validated the effects of hairy vetch, winter wheat, and crimson clover under the NT‐50 N with NRMSE of 24%, 21%, and 25%, respectively. According to the scenario analysis, the 50 kg N/ha application with a single‐irrigation event (10‐cm depth) was most beneficial for maximizing the cotton yield with cover crop incorporation at the NT system over the long term. The effects of increasing cover crop biomass (i.e., double seed rate) on C content, regardless of N application rates, varied based on the relationship between the main and cover crop species. Besides, the furrow plow tillage system provided efficient C sequestration. The proposed approach stands to provide agricultural and environmental sustainability with the implementation of cover crop or crop residue incorporation instead of increased N application, seed rates, and irrigation events under NT practices.

Untargeted metabolomics to study changes in soil microbial community in response to tillage practices

Soil microbes are the main drivers of nutrient turnover in agro-ecosystems. The series of biochemical processes involved by these microorganisms are inseparable from the regulation of metabolites in the root-zone soils. Therefore, understanding the evolution of microbial communities driven by root-zone soil metabolites will help optimize agricultural management practices. Based on a field experiment, we explore the changes in soil properties, microbes, and metabolites under three tillage practices such as no-tillage with straw mulching (NTS), rotary tillage, and plough tillage with straw returning (RTS and PTS) based on untargeted metabolomics. We found that NTS helped to enhance nutrient contents and enzyme activities in the 0–20 cm soil layer. Specifically, compared with RTS and PTS, NTS increased grain yield by 6.4 % and 8.5 %, and SOC by 13.3 % and 5.7 %, respectively, but decreased pH by 2.8 % and 1.1 %. In addition, compared with NTS, RTS and PTS decreased the fungal richness by 16.5 % and 8.1 %, and decreased the fungal shannon index by 16.4 % and 9.2 %. However, tillage practices did not result in substantial differences in the alpha diversity of bacterial community. Both bacterial and fungal community composition were substantially affected by tillage practices and they were both significantly correlated with soil metabolites. In the symbiotic networks, NTS significantly increased the abundance of microorganisms with high connectivity, while RTS significantly increased the concentration of metabolites with high connectivity. Amino acids, as the main drivers, were significantly and positively associated with bacterial and fungal community composition, mainly enriched in the metabolic pathways of D − glutamine and D − glutamate metabolism and arginine and proline metabolism, and correlated with soil properties negatively and carbohydrates positively, directly or indirectly affecting soil microbial community composition. Our findings would provide new insight into metabolomics for the in-depth understanding of the metabolic mechanism for soil microbial community changes in dryland wheat fields under different tillage practices.

Mineral and organic fertilisation influence ammonia oxidisers and denitrifiers and nitrous oxide emissions in a long-term tillage experiment

Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from different agricultural systems have been studied extensively to understand the mechanisms underlying their formation. While a number of long-term field experiments have focused on individual agricultural practices in relation to N2O emissions, studies on the combined effects of multiple practices are lacking. This study evaluated the effect of different tillage [no-till (NT) vs. conventional plough tillage (CT)] in combination with fertilisation [mineral (MIN), compost (ORG), and unfertilised control (CON)] on seasonal N2O emissions and the underlying N-cycling microbial community in one maize growing season. Rainfall events after fertilisation, which resulted in increased soil water content, were the main triggers of the observed N2O emission peaks. The highest cumulative emissions were measured in MIN fertilisation, followed by ORG and CON fertilisation. In the period after the first fertilisation CT resulted in higher cumulative emissions than NT, while no significant effect of tillage was observed cumulatively across the entire season. A higher genetic potential for N2O emissions was observed under NT than CT, as indicated by an increased (nirK + nirS)/(nosZI + nosZII) ratio. The mentioned ratio under NT decreased in the order CON > MIN > ORG, indicating a higher N2O consumption potential in the NT-ORG treatment, which was confirmed in terms of cumulative emissions. The AOB/16S ratio was strongly affected by fertilisation and was higher in the MIN than in the ORG and CON treatments, regardless of the tillage system. Multiple regression has revealed that this ratio is one of the most important variables explaining cumulative N2O emissions, possibly reflecting the role of bacterial ammonia oxidisers in minerally fertilised soil. Although the AOB/16S ratio aligned well with the measured N2O emissions in our experimental field, the higher genetic potential for denitrification expressed by the (nirK + nirS)/(nosZI + nosZII) ratio in NT than CT was not realized in the form of increased emissions. Our results suggest that organic fertilisation in combination with NT shows a promising combination for mitigating N2O emissions; however, addressing the yield gap is necessary before incorporating it in recommendations for farmers.

Short‐term effects of double‐layer ploughing reduced tillage on soil structure and crop yield

AbstractSoil tillage is widely acknowledged to affect soil characteristics and agricultural productivity. This research investigates the short‐term effects of various tillage methods on soil physical properties and crop yields at a Central German field site with a dry climate (mean temperature 9.5°C; annual precipitation 470 mm). Three tillage approaches were evaluated: conventional plough tillage (25 cm depth), cultivator tillage (18 cm depth), and double‐layer plough tillage (15 and 30 cm depth). We assessed soil physical properties through standard laboratory analyses, compression tests, soil pore structure via X‐ray computed tomography (X‐ray CT) and crop yields over 3 years. The results indicate that cultivator tillage approach increased soil bulk density relative to conventional tillage, especially in the second year, though this effect diminished over time. Double‐layer plough tillage emerged as a viable short‐term alternative to conventional tillage, achieving comparable soil bulk density. Saturated hydraulic conductivity values were generally higher for soils under conventional tillage or double‐layer plough tillage than for cultivator tillage, highlighting their soil loosening effect. Classical soil analysis methods combined with X‐ray computed tomography provided valuable insights into tillage induced changes to soil structure. Cultivator tillage resulted in a distinct pore structure with reduced macroporosity and pore connectivity. Despite notable soil property variations, crop yields remained consistent across the tillage methods. Overall, double‐layer plough tillage presents a sustainable option, moderately improving soil physical properties while maintaining crop yields. This study highlights the need to assess the short‐term effects of tillage on soils and contributes to the broader dialogue on optimizing tillage strategies for effective soil management and crop production.

Optimization of the morphological, structural, and physicochemical properties of maize starch using straw returning and nitrogen fertilization in Northeast China

The combination of straw returning and nitrogen (N) fertilization is a popular tillage mode and essential strategy for achieving stable yield and high quality. However, the optimal combination strategy and the influence of tillage mode on the morphological, crystalline, and molecular structures of maize starch remain unclear. We conducted a long–term field experiment over 7 years in Northeast China using two tillage modes, rotary tillage with straw returning (RTS) and plow tillage with straw returning (PTS), and four N application rates. The relative crystallinity, 1045/1022 cm−1 value, and B2 and B3 chains of maize starch were higher under RTS than under PTS, resulting in increased stability of starch and improvements in gelatinization enthalpy and temperature. The surface of the starch granules induced by N fertilizer was smoother than that under the N0 (0 kg N ha−1) treatment. The proportion of amylose content, solubility, swelling power, and light transmittance increased under N2 (262 kg N ha−1) treatment, along with improvement in starch pasting properties. These results suggest that RTS combined with N2 treatment can regulate the morphological, structural, and physicochemical characteristics of maize starch, providing an essential reference for improving the quality of maize starch from an agronomic point of view.

Spatio-temporal microbial regulation of aggregate-associated priming effects under contrasting tillage practices

Tillage intensity significantly influences the heterogeneous distribution and dynamic changes of soil microorganisms, consequently shaping spatio-temporal patterns of SOC decomposition. However, little is known about the microbial mechanisms by which tillage intensity regulates the priming effect (PE) dynamics in heterogeneous spatial environments such as aggregates. Herein, a microcosm experiment was established by adding 13C-labeled straw residue to three distinct aggregate-size classes (i.e., mega-, macro-, and micro-aggregates) from two long-term contrasting tillage histories (no-till [NT] and conventional plow tillage [CT]) for 160 days to observe the spatio-temporal variations in PE. Metagenomic sequencing and Fourier transform mid-infrared techniques were used to assess the relative importance of C-degrading functional genes, microbial community succession, and SOC chemical composition in the aggregate-associated PE dynamics during straw decomposition. Spatially, straw addition induced a positive PE for all aggregates, with stronger PE occurring in larger aggregates, especially in CT soil compared to NT soil. Larger aggregates have more unique microbial communities enriched in genes for simple C degradation (e.g., E5.1.3.6, E2.4.1.7, pmm-pgm, and KduD in Nitrosospeera and Burkholderia), contributing to the higher short-term PE; however, CT soils harbored more genes for complex C degradation (e.g., TSTA3, fcl, pmm-pgm, and K06871 in Gammaproteobacteria and Phycicoccus), supporting a stronger long-term PE. Temporally, soil aggregates played a significant role in the early-stage PEs (i.e., < 59 days after residue addition) through co-metabolism and nitrogen (N) mining, as evidenced by the increased microbial biomass C and dissolved organic C (DOC) and reduced inorganic N with increasing aggregate-size class. At a later stage, however, the legacy effect of tillage histories controlled the PEs via microbial stoichiometry decomposition, as suggested by the higher DOC-to-inorganic N and DOC-to-available P stoichiometries in CT than NT. Our study underscores the importance of incorporating both spatial and temporal microbial dynamics for a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying SOC priming, especially in the context of long-term contrasting tillage practices.

Effects of Tillage Practices on the Growth and Yield of Maize, in the Guinea Savannah Ecological Zone of Ghana

Abstract: A field study was conducted to investigate the influence of conventional tillage (CVT) and conservation tillage (CST) on various aspects of maize yield parameters and grain yield, using the Wagdaata maize variety. The study was conducted at the experimental farm of Tamale Technical University, located at Northern region, Tamale, Sagnarigu municipality in the Guinea savannah ecological zone of Ghana in 2023 cropping season. A randomised complete block design was used with three replicates. The treatments consisted of two tillage practices: conventional tillage (CVT) and conservation tillage (CST) and a control. The CVT involved plowing the soil to a depth of 15cm using a tractor plough with disk to plow. The CST involved use of hoe to make ridges and the control was direct seeding without loosen the soil. Plant height was evaluated every two weeks by measuring the height of maize to the base of the apex leaf. Other data collected were: maize leaf area. Cob characteristics including ear height, cob weight with husk, fresh cob weight, and dry cob weight, number of cobs per hectare and number of kernels per cob, 1000 seed weight and grain yields. The present study revealed that plant height, maize leaf area and shoot dry weight increased in the ridges than the other tillage practices. Cob characteristics such as ear height, cob weight with husk, fresh cob weight, and dry cob weight, number of cobs per hectare and number of kernels per cob, 1000 seed weight and grain yields was also optimum with the ridges as a against the other tillage practices. The study showed increased grain yield by 66% in the ridge tillage (2,389 kg/ha) over the plough tillage (1,436 kg/ha). The study provides comprehensive insights into the impact of tillage practices on various aspects of maize growth and yield, with ridge tillage emerging as a favorable practice for optimizing maize plant development and overall productivity in the Guinea savannah ecological zone of Ghana.

Analysis of 38 kW class agricultural tractor engine load rate according to agricultural operation

This study was conducted to analyze the engine load ratio of a 38 kW agricultural tractor to calculate national emissions. Engine output was calculated using engine CAN (Controller area network) data measured through a load measurement system. In this study, plow tillage (PT) and rotary tillage (RT), which are the main agricultural tasks of small and medium horsepower tractors, were selected and performed three times for each stage. The engine load ratio was calculated as the ratio of the engine power generated during work and the engine rated power, and weights (25% each for PT M1, PT M2, RT L3, and RT L4) according to the agricultural work ratio were applied. The engine load ratio was found to be an average of 0.68 and 0.75 for the M1 and M2 stages of plow tillage work, respectively, and an average of 0.57 and 0.65 for the L3 and L4 stages of rotary tillage work, respectively. The weighted load ratio was 0.17, 0.19, 0.14, and 0.16 for plow tillage operation M1, M2, and rotary tillage operation L3 and L4, respectively. The integrated load factor was found to be 0.66, which is approximately 1.38 higher than the current domestic load factor of 0.48.

Combine Application of Zinc and Boron Improves Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) Performance Under No Tillage and Plough Tillage

No-tillage (NT) and crop rotation with green manure crops is a best alternative to plough tillage because it sustains environmental health, conserves natural resources and also improves crop growth and yield Conventional tillage practices result in losses of soil, water, and nutrients in the field, as well as degraded soils with low organic matter content and unstable physical structures, resulting in low crop yields and inefficient water and fertilizer usage. Micronutrient deficiencies, such as zinc (Zn) deficiency, is becoming more common in various annual crops as a result of continuous tillage. Zn has specific and essential physiological functions in plant metabolism, influencing yield and quality. Boron (B) plays an important role in the physiological process of plants, such as cell elongation, cell maturation, meristematic tissue development, and protein synthesis. To evaluate the role of Zn and B this experiment was performed in College of Agriculture BZU Bahaddar Sub Campus Layyah. Experiment was comprised of two tillage systems (No tillage and plough tillage) and three treatments application including (Zn, B, Zn+B) compared with control. These treatments were arranged according to RCBD split plot arrangement with net plot size of 1.8×4m. Findings of this study revealed that combine application of Zn and B boosted pearl millet growth and yield under no-tillage. Maximum relative water contents (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI), chlorophyll pigment, plant height, tillers per plant, leaf area index (LAI), stem diameter, length of ear head, seeds per ear, grain mass, grain yield, biological yield and 1000 grains were recorded when combine application of Zn and B was done under no-tillage. From the results it was concluded that pearl millet growth and yield can be maximized through combine application of Zn and B under no tillage.

Conservation tillage impacts on soil biodiversity: Additional insights from the Collembola-associated bacteria

The effects of conservation tillage on soil biodiversity are crucial for maintaining the balance and stability of agroecosystems, but research on soil animal-associated microbiota, an important compartment of soil biodiversity in addition to soil microbiota and soil animals, is still lacking. Here, we used 16 S rRNA amplicon sequencing to investigate the diversity and composition of bacteria associated with two Collembola species (Entomobrya sibirica and Ceratophysella sp.) of different life forms under four different tillage practices: (1) conventional moldboard plow tillage with no straw mulch (CT), (2) moldboard plow tillage with straw mulch (MT), (3) no-tillage with straw cover (NT) and (4) no-tillage with straw cover and crop rotation (NTR). We found that conservation tillage increased Collembola abundance and Collembola-associated bacterial diversity, with no significant effect on soil bacteria. Ceratophysella sp. seemed to be more adapted to NTR, whereas E. sibirica was more adapted to MT. Interestingly, Collembola abundance was positively correlated with its associated bacterial diversity, with the relative abundance of Sphingomonas and Pelomonas being positively correlated, but Pseudomonas and Rhodococcus being negatively correlated with Collembola abundance. We identified Methylobacterium-Methtylorubrum and Streptomyces as indicator bacteria for the MT treatment, but no common indicator between the two Collembola species in the NTR treatment. Conservation tillage significantly affected the composition and network structure of Collembola-associated bacteria, particularly in the MT and NTR treatments. Our study suggests that conservation tillage practices affect at least two of the three compartments of soil biodiversity – soil microbiota, soil animals and soil-animal associated microbiota. If only one tillage practice is preferred, we recommend the no-tillage with straw mulch and rotation (NTR) as the most optimal strategy for conserving soil biodiversity.

Talajkímélő művelés hatása a földigilisztákra egy Zala megyei tartamkísérletben

Conventional ploughing tillage is associated with significant soil degradation. Erosion is increasing while soil organic matter is decreasing and life circumstances of soil biota are deteriorating. Non-inversion conservation tillage tends to provide better conditions for soil fauna due to less disturbance, more organic matter and higher soil moisture content. In our study, we investigate the effects of 18 years of conservation tillage on earthworm abundance and biomass. Our study was carried out on a 90 ha area divided into 10 pairs of plots in Southern Hungary close to Dióskál. Samples were taken in spring and autumn during the first 3 years after the shift from conventional to conservation tillage (2004–2006) and then after 15 years the sampling was repeated in the 3-year-period of 2019–2021. Samples were collected with a soil sampler of 10 cm diameter and height. Our results show that the number of earthworms increased explosively after the shift. However, their abundance do not increase after years, but their number and biomass are significantly higher in all periods of the study in conservation tillage areas.

Short-term effect of different returning methods of maize straw on the temperature of black soil plough layer

Clarifying the effect of different maize straw returning methods on soil temperature is crucial for optimizing the management of farmland straw and the efficient utilization of heat resources in the black soil region of Northeast China. To investigate the impacts of straw returning methods on soil temperature, we conducted a field experiment with four treatments during 2018 and 2020, including plough tillage with straw returning (PTSR), rotary tillage with straw returning (RTSR), no-tillage with straw returning (NTSR), and a control treatment of conventional ridge tillage without straw returning (CT). We measured soil temperature and water content at the 5 cm, 15 cm and 30 cm soil layer, and the straw coverage rate during the 3-year maize growth period. We further analyzed the differences of soil temperature in different soil layer under different treatments, accumulated soil temperature and growing degree-days (GDD) above 10 ℃, daily dynamics of soil temperature, the production efficiency of air accumulated temperature among different treatments, and explored factors causing the difference of soil temperature and the production efficiency of air accumulated temperature. Our results showed that different treatments mainly affected soil temperature from the sowing to emergence stage (S-VE) of maize. The daily average soil temperature showed a trend of CT>PTSR>RTSR>NTSR. The differences of soil temperature under different treatments showed a decreasing trend as growth process advanced and soil depth increased. Compared with the CT treatment, soil temperature at 5 cm depth was decreased by 0.86, 1.84 and 3.50 ℃ for PTSR, RTSR, and NTSR treatments, respectively. NTSR significantly reduced the accumulated temperature of ≥10 ℃ in different soil layers and GDD. The accumulated temperature ≥ 10 ℃ at the 5, 15, and 30 cm soil layers decreased by 216.2, 222.7, and 165.1 ℃·d, and the GDD decreased by 201.9, 138.7 and 123.9 ℃·d, respectively. In addition, production efficiency of air accumulated temperature decreased by 9.7% to 15.6% for NTSR. Conclusively, PTSR and RTSR had significant impacts on topsoil temperature during the maize growing period from sowing to emergence, but did not affect the accumulated soil temperature and the production efficiency of air accumulated temperature. However, NTSR significantly reduced topsoil temperature and production efficiency of air accumulated temperature.