Soil Preparation Research Articles

The effect of soil cultivation systems on agronomic and physical properties of dark gray soil and productivity of the field crop rotation link

The purpose of the research is to identify the most effective and preferable variant of the basic autumn tillage for inclusion of dark gray forest soil into the tillage system when sowing spring crops. The research was carried out in 2021–2023 in the conditions of the Chuvash Republic in the link of the field crop rotation "barley–peas–oats". Moldboard and non-moldboard autumn soil tillage methods were compared: plowing (26–28 cm) – control; cultivation (15–17 cm); disking (12–14 cm); without tillage. The tillage system was completed by surface early pre-sowing cultivation to a depth of 6 cm. During the studied years, the average soil density in the 0–30 cm layer was within the optimal values: after moldboard plowing it was 0.93–1.09 g/cm3 , after cultivation – 0.98–1.13 g/cm3 , without basic tillage– 1.05–1.20 g/cm3 . The average values of the soil porosity after plowing were in the range of 50.4–62.5 % and decreased with the abandonment of the basic tillage to 52.0–57.4 %. In arid conditions of 2021 growing season, the total supply of productive moisture in the 0–30 cm soil layer was 12–14 % higher after cultivation than after plowing. The analysis of the structural and aggregate state of the soil (0–20 cm) revealed an increase in the proportion of dusty particles by the end of the experiment after plowing from 3.9 to 6.9 %. When using a stubble cultivator as the basic tillage unit, the proportion of the lumpy fraction increased. The average annual productivity of the crop rotation link during moldboard plowing was the highest – 20.5 c/ha of grain units per 1 ha, after cultivation – 19.5 c of grain units per 1 ha. At the same time, plowing is the most expensive and economically unprofitable way of basic soil preparation. After cultivation with a KOS-3.0 combined stubble cultivator, the profitability of crop cultivation was significantly higher – 9.4–18.1 % after cereals in dry years and 96.9 % after peas under optimal hydrothermal conditions (for plowing – 8.3–4.2 % and 73.7 %, respectively).

ОЦЕНКА ВЛИЯНИЯ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ ПРЕПАРАТОВ ЦИТОДЕФ-100 И ГИБЕРЕЛОНА НА ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ РАСТЕНИЙ НУТА В УСЛОВИЯХ РЕСПУБЛИКИ ТАТАРСТАН

The studies were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of chemical regulators of plant growth and development (preparations Cytodef-100, Giberelon) on the features of the formation of the yield of chickpea plants. The experiments were carried out in 2021-2022 on the gray forest soil of Agrobiotechnopark of Kazan State Agrarian University. Experimental design: control (without the use of growth regulators); seed treatment with the growth regulator Cytodef-100 (60 g/t); seed treatment with Cytodef-100 (60 g/t) and two-fold spraying with Giberelon (70 g/ha) in the phases of 3-5 true leaves and full flowering. The object of the study was the chickpea variety Privo1. The soil is gray forest, heavy loamy. Humus content is 4.4% (according to Tyurin), mobile phosphorus 378 mg/kg and exchangeable potassium - 125 mg/kg (according to Kirsanov), pHsol - 5.2. The experiment was repeated four times, the plots were placed sequentially, the area of each plot was 25 m2. The system of primary and pre-sowing soil preparation included stubble cultivation, plowing, cultivation, pre-sowing and post-sowing harrowing, pre-sowing application of azophoska at a rate of 150 kg/ha. The weather conditions in the studied years were relatively favorable, but 2021 was extremely dry. The number of plants surviving for harvesting in the variant of complex treatment of seeds and plants with plant growth regulators increases by 10.0 pcs/m2, the number of beans by 14.0 and 4.45 pieces and the number of seeds by 16.0 and 8.7 pieces per plant, respectively, compared to the study years. In this variant, the damage to chickpea by root rot was 16% and 10% less, and the number of nodules was 2 and 5 pieces more per plant compared to the control variant. The use of the complex processing system led to an increase in chickpea yield to 2.02 and 1.7 t/ha and the profitability of crop production by 106.8 and 106.0%, the protein content in grain by 1.5% compared to the control variant.

Влияние агрономических и агрохимических факторов на продуктивность орошаемой гибридной кукурузы Росс 140 СВ в почвенно-климатических условиях Республики Татарстан

The purpose of the research is to determine the degree of influence of agronomic and agrochemical factors on the productivity of irrigated hybrid corn Ross 140 SV in the soil and climatic conditions of the Republic of Tatarstan. A stationary field experiment was carried out on irrigated fields of land use of LLC “Kyrlay” in Arsk municipal district in 2022. This experiment was aimed at studying the influence of various factors on the yield and quality of the irrigated crop. After the commissioning of the irrigated site in 2023, the research was continued on the basis of LLC “Agrobiotechnopark” of Kazan State Agrarian University. The design of a stationary field experiment is aimed at determining the effect of different fertilizer doses on the yield of an irrigated agricultural crop. In this case, five options are considered: control (without fertilizers). This option serves as a base for comparing results with other options. It shows how the crop will develop without fertilizers. N74P40K74 for 30 t/ha of biomass, involves applying fertilizers in the amount of 74 kg of nitrogen (N), 40 kg of phosphorus (P) and 74 kg of potassium (K) per 30 tons of biomass. N98P53K97 for 40 t/ha of biomass, in this option the fertilizer doses increase: 98 kg of nitrogen, 53 kg of phosphorus and 97 kg of potassium per 40 tons of biomass. N123P66K121 for 50 t/ha of biomass, this option studies the effect of high fertilizer doses on yield. N148P80K148 for 60 t/ha of biomass: In this variant, the fertilizer doses are maximum: 148 kg of nitrogen, 80 kg of phosphorus and 148 kg of potassium per 60 tons of biomass. The object of the study is the hybrid corn variety Ross 140 SV. The agrochemical parameters of two typical gray-forest soils were as follows: the humus content according to Tyurin was from 3.2 to 3.6%, mobile phosphorus – from 148 to 150 and exchangeable potassium – from 162 to 165 mg/kg of soil according to Kirsanov. The reaction of the soil environment in the salt extract was close to neutral (pH. 6.1 - 6.5). The experiment was repeated three times, the plots were placed systematically, the area of each plot was 126 m2 (4.2 by 30 meters). The system of primary and pre-sowing soil preparation was carried out (in autumn) with stubble disking to 6-8 cm and plowing to 25-27 cm. Pre-sowing cultivation consisted of harrowing in 1-2 tracks. Corn was sown in the second ten-day period of May with a row spacing of 70 cm. Seeds at a seeding rate of 70 thousand pcs./ha were embedded to a depth of 6-8 cm with rolling. Mineral fertilizers were applied in doses calculated for the planned yield of 30 t/ha, 40 t/ha, 50 t/ha, 60 t/ha of biomass. The optimal dose of fertilizers to achieve maximum productivity of hybrid corn Ross 140 SV is N123P66K121 calculated for the planned yield of 50 t/ha of biomass, at which the yield of green mass is 50.7 t/ha, and the payback of mineral fertilizers reaches 81.2 kg of green mass per 1 kg of NPK.

ВЛИЯНИЕ СРОКОВ ПОСАДКИ НА РОСТ, РАЗВИТИЕ И УРОЖАЙНОСТЬ КАРТОФЕЛЯ

The aim of our research was to study the influence of potato planting dates on growth, development and productivity of promising early-ripening varieties Riviera and Reggi. Field experiments in 2024 were conducted at LLC Agrobiotechnopark at Kazan State Agrarian University. The scheme of the stationary field experiment provided for the study of potato varieties Reggi and Riviera at the following planting dates: May 15 (control), May 20 and May 25. The soil of experimental plot was gray forest soil. The initial humus content according to I.V. Tyurin was 3.5-3.7%, mobile phosphorus - 250 mg/kg and exchangeable potassium according to A.T. Kirsanov - 145 mg/kg of soil, pH (according to salt extract) - 6.3. The experiment was repeated three times, the placement of plots was randomized, the area of each plot was 60 m2. The system of primary and pre-planting soil preparation included autumn winter plowing to a depth of 21 cm, by PLN-5-35 plow in conjunction with MTZ-1221 tractor, the day before planting, loosening was carried out by KSN-3.4 aggregate to a depth of 17 cm and pre-planting milling of the soil was carried out. When planting potatoes, mineral fertilizers were applied at a dose of N40P40K40. Planting was carried out on May 15, 20 and 25 by KSM-4N potato planter. The tuber planting rate was 2.9 t/ha (according to 75x30 cm scheme, the average weight of planting material was 65 g), the average planting density was 44 000 pieces of planting tubers/ha. Under the conditions of 2024, planting potatoes at an earlier date (May 15) allowed for the studied early-ripening varieties Riviera and Reggi to form the maximum height of potato plants (42.7 and 49.5 cm, respectively), and also to preserve the maximum number of stems of the studied crop (4.8 and 5.1 pieces/bush). With later potato plantings (May 25), there was a maximum breakage and injury of potato sprouts after vernalization. Planting the studied potato varieties at earlier dates contributed to the maximum accumulation of the aboveground mass of the tops, which in Reggi variety reached 326.5 g/bush, and the leaf area was 24 650 thousand m2/ha. The maximum accumulation of tuber mass - 591.3 g/bush in Reggi variety was formed when planting potatoes on May 15. The highest productivity of Reggi potatoes 23.65 t/ha was obtained when planting on May 15, and later planting (May 20 and 25) led to a decrease in the productivity of the potato crop and amounted to 22.38 and 21.87 t/ha, respectively.

Moisture Accumulation During Summer Tillage of Fallow Fields

The paper emphasizes that the primary objective of fallow field tillage in summer and pre-sowing soil preparation is to create the most favorable conditions for moisture retention and accumulation within soil layers. (Research purpose) The study aimed to investigate the process of moisture accumulation within soil layers as influenced by the type of working bodies used for continuous tillage of fallow fields. (Materials and methods) The research was conducted in field conditions using an experimental model of a steam cultivator equipped with a roller having a working width of 3 meters, as well as a standard KSOP-4 cultivator for continuous tillage. (Results and discussion) Observations from June to August confirmed that the experimental steam cultivator with a roller effectively prevented the displacement of wet soil layers to the surface, maintaining a volumetric moisture content of 16.42-17.37 percent in the 5-centimeter layer. Moisture accumulation was recorded at various soil depths, with volumetric moisture levels recorded at 28.40-30.48 in the 10-centimeter layer, 30.18-32.82 percent in the 15-centimeter layer, and 26.90-29.38 percent in the 20-centimeter layer. For comparison, continuous tillage using a standard cultivator resulted in the displacement of wet soil layers to the surface, with volumetric moisture levels of 22.62-25.14 percent in the 5-centimeter layer. Moisture accumulation in deeper soil layers decreased, showing 18.57-21.57 percent in the 10-centimeter layer, 14.09-15.58 percent in the 15-centimeter layer, and 22.75-22.21 in the 20-centimeter layer. (Conclusions) The study demonstrated that using specific working bodies for continuous soil cultivation in summer ensures moisture retention within the soil layers. This approach facilitates shallow cultivation to a depth of 4-6 centimeters without exposing wet layers to the surface.

The rheometry approach in modern soil studies: a review

Digital soil rheometry is a relatively new and rapidly developing research direction that currently occupies a small niche in soil and agrophysics studies. This paper presents a review of studies based on the rheometry approach as part of soil mechanics research in different countries. The fundamental principles and equations of oscillatory amplitude sweep tests and oscillatory tests with controlled strain (resilience test) are described, with a focus on soil structure as the main object of the study. Key deformation and strength parameters (storage and loss moduli (G' and G``), the linear viscoelasticity range (LVE-range), shear stress (t), structural recovery index (R), etc.) describing the mechanical behavior of the soil at the microstructural level are discussed. This paper also highlights the influence of soil preparation: soil structure, water content, temperature, and the normal force applied during tests as parts of the research protocol – on the obtained results. Furthermore, this review examines research trends within the rheometry approach that have emerged over the past two decades of its application to soil studies. Based on the analysis of existing studies, potential directions for the further development of rheometry in soil research are proposed.

Assessing the Impact of Grazing and Restoration Methods on Pannonian Grasslands

Our study examined the impact of grazing by Hungarian Grey cattle on plant communities in grasslands restored and established through different methods. The grasslands were established and restored in 2009 using five methods: (I) naturally regenerating fallow, (II) hay-mulch addition, (III) seeded grassland following soil preparation, (IV) grazing on abandoned alfalfa fields, and (V) overseeded fallow initiated in 1989. From 2009 to 2011, all sites were uniformly mowed, after which they were grazed using free-ranging Hungarian Grey cattle starting in 2012. This project aims to restore traditional land use and dry grassland grazing in the region. Phytosociological recordings were conducted in 2012, the first year following grazing initiation, and again in 2020, nine years later. We assessed the botanical composition and grassland management value across sites in a 260-hectare experimental area within the Pannonian biogeographic region. The current study seeks to determine how different grassland restoration techniques have influenced the botanical composition and grassland management values of pastures and to identify the most suitable restoration methods. Statistical analyses were conducted using R to assess species count differences across four vegetation categories. The results indicate that the overseeded fallow established in 1989 and the hay-mulch addition method were the most effective techniques. Directly seeded grasslands and abandoned alfalfa fields differed most significantly from these areas. Across all types, species richness and total cover increased relative to the initial conditions in 2012, and the naturalness of the species composition also improved. Returning to traditional land use improved the ecological state of all sites. Restoration of the grazed areas proved optimal over the elapsed period, with two years of mowing followed by grazing. Grazing with Hungarian Grey cattle, a low-impact rustic breed, yielded successful grassland restoration outcomes. Among the restoration methods, direct seeding and the use of alfalfa fields proved uneconomical and ineffective in promoting the desired species composition. Natural regeneration and, particularly, the hay-mulch addition method, were the most effective for conservation and grassland management.

Hybrid Soybean as Green Manure for Improving Soil Properties and Subsequent Crop Growth

The rapid increase in fertilizer use has led to the degradation of soil quality, nutrient imbalances, reduced biodiversity, and soil compaction. To address these challenges, hybrid soybeans with efficient biological nitrogen fixation capabilities and broad environmental adaptability were selected as green manure to reduce fertilizer application, thereby improving soil fertility and structure. This study utilized the varieties “Forage Soybean S001” (S001), “Neinong S002 Forage Soybean” (S002), “Mengnong S003 Forage Soybean” (S003), “Mengnong S004 Forage Soybean” (S004), “Mengnong S005 Forage Soybean” (S005), and “Mengnong S006 Forage Soybean” (S006) as green manure materials. The clean tillage (CK) treatment served as the control, ensuring a residue-free soil surface while maintaining consistent practices in soil preparation, irrigation, and field management across all treatments. Field planting of green manure and subsequent crops was conducted at the M-Grass Ecology and Environment (Group) Company’s experimental site in Hohhot in early May of 2023 and 2024. The plots each measured 20 m2, with three replications arranged in a randomized block design. A combination of field experiments and laboratory analyses was utilized to investigate the effects of incorporating various hybrid soybean varieties as green manure on soil nutrient levels, soil enzyme activity, soil microbial communities, and the subsequent growth of oats. The results indicated that incorporating various hybrid soybean varieties as green manure into the soil significantly improved soil nutrient levels and enzyme activity. The diversity and richness of soil bacterial communities increased significantly, accompanied by alterations in community structure and composition. These changes enhanced soil fertility and optimized the microbial community structure, promoting the growth of subsequent crops. Among all the treatments, S001 and S004 were particularly effective in enhancing the soil environment, indicating their potential as superior green manure resources for broader application.

Justification of the operating parameters of the soil mill for the formation of a ridge

Abstract This paper presents the development and justification of operating parameters for a soil milling machine designed to form ridges for the pre-sowing preparation of industrial crops. The study focuses on determining the optimal parameters of the working bodies and operating modes of the cutter, emphasizing the importance of reducing undesirable soil fractions to enhance seed germination. Experimental results demonstrate that the use of organomineral complexes significantly improves soil structure, leading to better moisture retention and reduced vibrations during sowing. The machine’s design incorporates four sections, each equipped with milling drums, ridge formers, and compaction rollers, allowing for efficient soil preparation in a single pass. Key findings indicate that increasing the number of knives on the milling drum enhances soil crumbling efficiency, with optimal configurations yielding significant improvements in grain weight and overall crop quality. The research highlights the effectiveness of the developed machine in achieving high-quality tillage while conserving resources, thereby contributing to more sustainable agricultural practices.

Morpho-Physiological Adjustment of Swietenia humilis Zucc. Plants to Varied Nutrient and Light Conditions and Their Performance in Nurseries and Fields Under Soils with Different Preparations

To enhance the plantation performance of Swietenia humilis Zucc., a threatened precious woody species from the dry tropics of Latin America, this study examined its morpho-physiological responses to variations in nutrient and light availability. We established a nursery trial with factorial treatments: three levels of fertilization (4, 6, and 8 g L−1 of substrate using a controlled-release fertilizer, CRF, 18-6-12) and two shade intensities (60% and 40%), alongside a full sun treatment. The field performance of nursery-raised plants was evaluated under two site conditions (with and without mechanical soil preparation) over 48 months. In the nursery, S. humilis exhibited diverse morpho-physiological characteristics influenced by the studied factors, with optimal growth observed at 6 g of the CRF and 40% shade. Mechanical soil preparation significantly improved plant survival, reducing mortality risk by 99.16% and increasing survival probability to nearly 75%. Height growth was also enhanced, being 2.5 times greater in the prepared site compared to that in the unprepared one. S. humilis showed acclimatization in the field, producing new foliage with high chlorophyll content. In conclusion, nursery management and soil site preparation influence the field performance of S. humilis. These findings have practical implications for improving the management of S. humilis in plantations across the dry tropics.

Impact of Molybdenum Foliar Application on Black Bean Development and Seed Production

Bean is a crop of great importance to Brazilian agriculture, due to their relevance for population diet and also as it is one of the countries that produces and consumes more beans. However, their production remains low and one of the reasons may be the failure in absorbing the most of the fertilization applied. Therefore, research is needed to find ways to ensure maximum efficiency and absorption of nutrients by plants, such as the use of Molybdenum application via foliar. The objective of the work was to evaluate the development and yield of beans with foliar application of Molybdenum. The experiment was conducted in randomized blocks in a 2 x 4 x 3 factorial scheme (sowing season x doses x application time), with treatments consisting of two sowing season: autumn/winter (sowing in February - dry season) and spring/summer (sowing in October – rainy season), four Mo doses (0, 50, 150 and 300 ml ha-1 of commercial Mo based product) and three application times, starting the count after 50% plant emergence (10 days after emergence – DAE, 20 DAE and 30 DAE). The experiment was performed at the Experimental Farm of the Grand Dourados Federal University, at the municipality of Dourados, MS, Brazil. The Mo source was a commercial product with a concentration of 216 g l-1 Mo. Black beans were sown using a conventional procedure, with soil preparation by subsoiling, harrowing and leveling. A pneumatic seeder was used with a spacing of 0.45 m, 12 seeds per meter of furrow, in plots of 5 x 5 m, totaling 10 plants per meter, a population of 222,222 plants ha-1 and depth of 0.02 m. For the agronomic evaluations, five plants per plot were collected at the end, when the crop reached physiological maturity, in the central line, for the following determinations: number of pods per plant; number of seeds per plant; number of seeds per pod; mass of a thousand seeds and yield. Positive Results in yield components and effective yield of black-beans were found when 50 ml ha-1 of molybdenum was applied via foliar application. Although it was not one of the objectives of the study, it was concluded that the amount of rainfall in the crop cycle affects the action of molybdenum on bean plants.

Development of a machine for cultivation and sowing of grain crops

BACKGROUND: When designing sowing machines, requirements are imposed to ensure soil preparation and sowing of grain crops as part of the implementation of energy-saving technology, since their productivity largely depends on these types of work. Thus, increasing the efficiency of sowing machines is an urgent task. AIM: – the development of a seeder design that allows, with maximum simplification of the design compared with analogues, reducing metal consumption and increasing the manufacturability of the product, both in production and in operation, to ensure the best conditions for the growth of crops and a significant increase in yield. In one pass, the seeder sows the main crop, small-seeded crop (binary component) and introduces mineral fertilizers, and can also be used when putting waste and fallow lands into circulation. METHODS: Methods of system analysis, mathematical modeling, and experiment planning were used in the development of the drill design. Experimental studies were conducted in the field and laboratory conditions in accordance with existing methods, using modern electronic and mechanical devices. Experimental data processing was carried out in the environment of the MathCAD system, Microsoft Office Excel. RESULTS: In contrast to known analogues, the proposed technical solution of the seeder simplifies the design, reduces the weight and improves the manufacturability of the product - on a simple frame welded in one plane from pipes, but free enough for the passage of crop residues and soil particles, on one side are installed stands with tines for mounting discs, and on the other - for mounting the hopper. The plane of attachment of tines for disc mounting is as close as possible to the soil surface, which reduced the load on the frame and reduced its material intensity. The seed drill-cultivator developed by the authors allows to realise all operations related to soil cultivation and sowing of grain crops Translated with DeepL.com (free version). CONCLUSIONS: The design solutions for the cultivator planter obtained by the authors simplified the design of the planter compared to its analogues, reduced its metal consumption, and therefore its weight, which makes it possible to use tractors of a smaller class with lower fuel consumption. The adjustment of the angle of attack of the discs has also been simplified, and the additional installation of baking powder has reduced the clogging of the seeder with crop residues and soil lumps.

Centrifugal Test Study on the Vertical Uplift Capacity of Single-Cylinder Foundation in High-Sensitivity Marine Soil

Offshore wind power is a new type of clean energy with broad development prospects. Accurate analysis of the uplift capacity of offshore wind turbine foundations is a crucial prerequisite for ensuring the safe operation of wind turbines under complex hydrodynamic conditions. However, current research on the uplift capacity of suction caissons often neglects the high-sensitivity characteristics of marine soils. Therefore, this paper first employs the freeze–thaw cycling procedure to prepare high-sensitivity saturated clay. Subsequently, a single−tube foundation for wind turbines is constructed within a centrifuge through a penetration approach. Ten sets of centrifuge model tests with vertical cyclic pullout are conducted. Through comparative analysis, this study explores the pullout capacity and its variation patterns of suction caisson foundations in clay with different sensitivities under cyclic loading. This research indicates the following: (1) The preparation of high-sensitivity soil through the freeze−thaw procedure is reliable; (2) the uplift capacity of suction caissons in high−sensitivity soil rapidly decreases with increasing numbers of cyclic loads and then tends to stabilize. The cumulative displacement rate of suction caissons in high-sensitivity soil is fast, and the total number of pressure–pullout cycles required to reach non-cumulative displacement is significantly smaller than that in low-sensitivity soil; (3) the vertical cyclic loading times and stiffness evolution patterns of single-tube foundations, considering the influence of sensitivity, have been analyzed. It was found that the secant stiffness exhibits a logarithmic function relationship with both the number of cycles and sensitivity. The findings of this study provide assistance and support for the design of suction caissons in high-sensitivity soils.

Protein and Oil Contents, Micro- and Macronutrients, and Other Quality Indicators of Soybean Cultivated in Lowland Fields.

The cultivation of soybean is being expanded in traditional areas cultivated with rice, called the lowlands. However, soil characteristics are different from those in the highlands, which influences the exportation of nutrients to the grains. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the physical-chemical and technological characteristics of soybean grains harvested in lowlands in Brazil. Two-year crops (2021/22 and 2022/23) were used with two types of soil preparation (scarified and non-scarified) and six cover crop treatments (oats, clover, ryegrass, fallow, ryegrass + oats, and ryegrass + clover). The influence of these treatments was evaluated in terms of the grain yield, oil and protein contents, oil composition, quality indices (acidity, peroxide, iodine, and saponification), and contents of ash, carbohydrates, and micro- and macronutrients. Grain yield achieved an average of 3829.8 kg ha-1. Soil scarification positively influenced grain yield and contributed to higher protein and oil contents, with maximum values of 32.7 wt% and 27.6 wt%, respectively. The main fatty acids in oil were oleic acid (22.13 ± 1.48-26.32 ± 0.98%) and linoleic acid (36.32 ± 1.57-52.18 ± 1.58%). The macronutrients phosphorus (5.12 ± 0.39-5.79 ± 0.37 kg ton-1), calcium (2.79 ± 0.19-3.05 ± 0.18 kg ton-1), magnesium (2.37 ± 0.14-2.57 ± 0.13 kg ton-1), and sulfur (2.85 ± 0.18-3.19 ± 0.20 kg ton-1), and the micronutrients copper (9.73 ± 1.42-11.68 ± 1.07 g ton-1), iron (111.42 ± 6.86-122.02 ± 5.00 g ton-1), and manganese (43.58 ± 3.34-47.08 ± 2.74 g ton-1) were in agreement with the values reached in the highlands. For potassium (18.87 ± 0.38-29.29 ± 1.44 kg ton-1) and zinc (30.02 ± 2.45-38.00 ± 1.03 g ton-1), soil scarification allows higher levels of absorption. The use of ryegrass as a cover crop allows higher levels of nitrogen absorption, reaching up to 44.93 ± 2.74 kg ton-1. Regarding the acidity (0.19-0.52%), peroxide (9.64-16.39 mEq O2 kg-1), iodine (85.34-91.91 mg KI g-1), and saponification (182.33-203.74 mg KOH g-1) indices of the oil, all values were obtained in accordance with the scientific literature. The conclusions of this study indicate that it is possible to cultivate soybean in lowlands after developing the proper soil preparation. Consequently, the yields are increased, and grains will benefit from higher protein and oil contents, enhancing soybean quality for commercialization.

Structural analysis and fatigue prediction of harrow tines used in Canadian prairies

The Canadian prairies are renowned for their substantial agricultural contributions to the global food market. Harrow tines are indispensable in farming equipment, especially for soil preparation and weed control before planting crops. During operation, these tines are exposed to repetitive cyclic loading, which eventually causes fatigue failure. Commercially available three different harrow tines named 0.562HT, 0.625HT, and 0.500HT undergo an experimental fatigue evaluation and are validated through Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Fatigue life estimation for different deflections under various real-field deflections was carried out where 0.562HT showed groundbreaking life compared with others. The study results showed that the fatigue life is highly dependent on geometry, number of coils, pitch angle, leg length, and coil diameter. The 0.354HT model, developed to investigate the effect of wire diameter, closely resembles the 0.500HT model. The harrowing ability of the four different harrow tine models against identical deflections has been analyzed. Experimental fractured surfaces went through morphological investigation. This research has an impeccable impact on prairies’ agricultural acceleration by saving time and mitigating unpredictable fatigue failure often faced by farmers. Even the observed failure phenomena can serve as motivation to develop more reliable and durable harrow tines, which could increase agricultural efficiency.

How Accurately Is Topsoil Texture Shown on Agricultural Soil Maps? A Case Study of Eleven Fields Located in Poland

Agricultural soil maps (ASMs) showing the agricultural land of Poland were prepared at a 1:5000 scale in the 1960s and 1970s. These maps show land suitability groups, soil type, and soil texture (ST) to a depth of 150 cm. Nowadays, these maps are being digitalized and might be a basis for the preparation of modern soil maps at the local, regional, national, and international levels. The agreement between the ST of the topsoil derived from ASMs and the recently evaluated one for eleven fields located in three voivodeships (regions) of Poland was studied. This study considered the examination of soil profiles or augerings and the laboratory analysis of the ST. The agreement between the ST status in the field and that according to the ASMs was field-specific. A complete agreement (purity) within the field was assessed for 5–79% of ST classes and for 23–100% of agronomic categories (ACs), i.e., groupings of similar ST classes. However, the averaged agreement, which treated adjacent ST classes as having a partial agreement, varied from 37 to 88% for ST classes and from 61 to 100% for the ACs among studied fields. These results indicate the variable quality of the information shown on ASMs and the necessity of improving these maps.

The Use of Integrated Crop–Livestock Systems as a Strategy to Improve Soil Organic Matter in the Brazilian Cerrado

This study aimed to analyze the carbon (C) stock and stabilization of soil organic matter in particulate- and mineral-associated fractions across different land use systems after 32 years of experimentation in the Brazilian Cerrado. The experiment was established in 1991 and was performed in Planaltina-DF. The treatments evaluated included continuous pasture with monoculture grasses; integrated crop–livestock systems under no tillage; continuous cropping under no tillage; minimum tillage; and the preservation of the native Cerrado biome in its original condition. Soil sampling was performed to a depth of 30 cm. Carbon and nitrogen (N) stocks were quantified for the years 2001, 2009, 2013, and 2023, with soil organic matter fractionation performed on samples from 2023. Land use change resulted in significant losses of soil C and N in areas managed with conventional soil preparation practices. Systems that promote plant diversity, such as integrated crop–livestock systems, enhanced soil C and N stocks (72.8 and 5.5 Mg ha−1, respectively) and increased both particulate organic matter and mineral-associated fractions, most of which were in more stabilized forms. Integrated crop–livestock systems are management practices that offer an effective alternative to present methods in terms of combating climate change and supporting ecosystem sustainability.

Model for Predicting Maize Crop Yield on Small Farms Using Clusterwise Linear Regression and GRASP

Planting a crop involves several key steps: resource assessment, crop selection, crop rotation, planting schedules, soil preparation, planting, care, and harvesting of crops. In this context, estimating the productivity of a crop based on available information, such as expected climatic conditions and agricultural practices, helps farmers reduce the uncertainty of their investment. In Colombia, maize is the fourth most important crop in the country. Significant efforts are required to improve productivity in traditional and technified production systems. In this sense, this research proposes and evaluates an approach called Clusterwise Linear Regression (CLR) to predict the crop maize yield in small farms, considering data on climate, soil, fertilization, and management practices, among others. To develop the CLR model, we conducted the following steps: data collection and preparation, clustering using k-means, cluster optimization with Greedy Random Adaptive Search Procedure (GRASP), and performance evaluation. The cluster optimization process allows the identification of clusters with similar characteristics and generates multiple linear regression models with mixed variables that explain the yield of the farms on each cluster. The Simulated Multiple Start Annealing (MSSA) metaheuristics were also evaluated, but the results of GRASP were the best. The results indicate that the proposed CLR approach is more effective than the linear and nonlinear algorithms mentioned in the literature, such as multiple lasso linear regression, random forests, XGBoost, and support vector machines. These algorithms achieved an accuracy of 70%. However, with the new CLR model, a significantly improved accuracy of 87% was achieved with test data. The clusters’ studies revealed key factors affecting crop yield, such as fertilization, drainage, and soil type. This transparency is a benefit over black-box models, which can be harder to interpret. This advancement can allow farmers to make better decisions about the management of their crops.

Maize Abiotic Stress Treatments in Controlled Environments.

Maize (Zea mays) is one of the world's most important crops, providing food for humans and livestock and serving as a bioenergy source. Climate change and the resulting abiotic stressors in the field reduce crop yields, threatening food security and the global economy. Water deficit (i.e., drought), heat, and insufficient nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus) are major environmental stressors that affect maize yields, and impact growth and development at all stages of the plant life cycle. Understanding the biological processes underlying these responses in maize has the potential to increase yields in the face of abiotic stress. Optimizing individual or combined abiotic stress treatments in controlled environments reduces potential noise in data collection that can be present under less controlled growth conditions. Here, we describe methods and conditions for controlled abiotic stress treatments and associated controls during early vegetative growth of maize, conducted in greenhouses or growth chambers. This includes the environmental conditions, equipment, soil preparation, and intensity and duration of heat, drought, nitrogen deficiency, and phosphorous deficiency. Controlled experiments at early growth stages are informative for future in-field studies that require greater labor and inputs, saving researchers time and growing space, and thus research funds, before testing plants across later stages of development. We suggest that stress treatments be severe enough to result in a measurable phenotype, but not so severe that all plants die prior to sample collection. This protocol is designed to set important standards for replicable research in maize.

Investigation of the Transition to Environmental Remote Sensing and Factors Influencing Effective Decision-Making on Soil Preparation and Sowing Timing: A Case Study

The advancement of smart metering technology is progressing steadily and inevitably across various key economic sectors. The utilizatio.n of remote sensors in agriculture presents unique characteristics and specific challenges. In this study, an on-site experiment was carried out on a Slovakian production farm to analyze the transition from traditional measurement methods to smart meters, focusing on timing decisions related to soil preparation and sowing and their relation to scientifically justified dates. Consequently, a clear distinction was observed in terms of the timing decisions made regarding agricultural activities during traditional, combined, and scientifically based approaches in meteorological data readings. This study contrasts these three scenarios and deliberates on the factors that need to be carefully evaluated before incorporating remote sensors into agricultural processes. This study serves as a valuable resource for individuals involved in the adoption of smart metering practices in the Eastern European agricultural sector and promotes an improved understanding of the interactions within smart-sensing, scientific developments, and land management that contribute to the goal of land-system sustainability.