Strip-till Technology Research Articles

Exploring the Synergy between Humic Acid Substances, Dehydrogenase Activity and Soil Fertility

The European Commission’s “Farm to Folk” (F2F) strategy recommends reducing fertilizers by at least 20% by 2030. In this aspect, the main goal of our study was to verify whether a 20 and even 40% reduction in nitrogen (N) fertilization rate would be sufficient to maintain soil fertility (expressed as dehydrogenase activity—DHA, humic acid substances—HA substances, E4/E6 ratio), and yields of wheat and rapeseed cultivated in strip-till technology. Two fields (10 ha each) were established for wheat and rapeseed cultivation, and soils (0–20 cm) were sampled before sowing and after harvesting. It was found that a 20% fertilization reduction does not adversely affect the biological activity expressed by DHA. Nevertheless, the reduction in nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates led to a slight decrease in the E4/E6 ratio, which could serve as a potential indicator of fertilization reduction. DHA, E4/E6 ratio and content of HA substances were also dependent on the crop. Following harvesting, both rapeseed and wheat exhibited a positive correlation between the E4/E6 ratio and the degree of fertilization rate (FR), as well as yield.

JUSTIFICATION OF CONSTRUCTION AND TECHNOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF THE STRIP-TILL SECTION FOR STRIP TILLAGE WITH THE APPLICATION OF FERTILIZERS

The STRiP-TiLL technology came from the USA, where at a certain stage, as a result of changes in the external environment, it was formed from the technology of direct seeding, or No-Till. This tillage technology is most suitable for row crops. Yes, it was primarily developed in North America specifically for corn. Gradually, it proved itself well during the cultivation of other row crops, in particular, sunflower, soybean, sugar beet, etc. Strip cultivation, as a resource-saving technology with the prospect of its application in arid conditions, is quite promising in the cultivation of industrial crops. The key principles of implementing the strip-till technology are the separate type of its application, i.e. the formation of strips and sowing are spread over time, or combined - when the processes of forming strips and sowing are carried out simultaneously. World agricultural engineering offers various technical and technological solutions for the implementation of strip-till technology, based on the application of the principles of separate and combined methods of implementing this technology, in which they use: in the first version - separate machines for forming strips and sowing, in the second - about combine them into one unit and use one universal unit. One of the features of strip tillage is the possibility of using various chemicals and mineral fertilizers at the same time as sowing seeds, which makes it possible to make the fertilizing process quite precise and targeted, placing active substances right near the roots of the plants. Strip-Till allows you to integrate oxygen into the soil with part of the fertilizers when plants with a short growing cycle are planted. This improves plant development by eliminating stress. Passing the rollers on both sides of the seed line eliminates the air pocket left by the paws, promoting ideal plant growth. Loosening only the seed line limits or eliminates inter-row weed growth while creating a water storage area that will percolate to the roots of the harvested plants.

Spatial Distribution of Soil Macroelements, Their Uptake by Plants, and Green Pea Yield under Strip-Till Technology

Using conservation tillage to grow crops that enhance soil quality, such as legumes, seems to be one of the best solutions for sustainable agriculture. The field study was conducted to identify the effect of soil cultivation technology and fertilization, via strip-tilling (reduced) vs. plowing (conventional), on the availability and uptake of NPK and Mg, as well as on the growth of shoots and roots and yield of green peas (Pisum sativum L.). The research was carried out in central Poland (53°05′16.8″ N, 19°06′14.4″ E) over two growing seasons of green peas in 2016 and 2017. Our study has shown that the spatial distribution of macroelements in the soil is influenced by the tillage method. The availability and nutrient uptake by green peas, their growth parameters, and yield were also influenced by the tillage system. However, the effect was observed mainly in the first year of the study, which had less precipitation and higher temperatures. In general, in our study, the strip-till has a positive impact on the nutrient uptake by plants, contributing to longer shoots and roots and higher biomass accumulation, especially in the first part of the growing season. In 2016, with less rainfall, green peas under strip-tilling produced more pods per plant and the yield was higher than under plowing (by 13.8%). In 2017, with higher precipitation, an increase in yield under strip-tilling compared to plowing was also observed (by 9.1%), but this difference was not statistically significant. To sum up, strip-tillage seems to have a positive impact on the spatial distribution of macroelements, growth parameters, and yield of green peas, and can be recommended as a technology for the sustainable production of this crop.

Digestate Application Methods and Rates with Regard to Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Crop Conditions

Digestate is commonly used as a liquid organic fertilizer, as it contains nutrients that are important for plant growth and thus help reduce usage of mineral fertilizers. Since the digestate application leads to the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere, it is necessary to find a suitable application method and fertilizer rate with minimal gas emissions while providing sufficient nutrients to crops. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between selected GHGs and ammonia (NH3) release into the atmosphere and different rates of digestate applied, i.e., 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 m3 ha−1. Two digestate incorporation methods were used, i.e., a disc application unit (D) and strip-till (S). The fluxes, i.e., methane (CH4), ammonia, and carbon dioxide (CO2), were monitored using the wind tunnel method. Crop growth and potential nutrient utilization by silage maize were assessed through stand condition monitoring by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) using remote sensing. Under the given conditions, the digestate rates and the compared application methods had significant effects on the level of fluxes. The rate of digestate was confirmed to affect the yield of silage maize. The yield increased by more than 8% when using the disc applicator. Based on our results, it is advisable to apply digestate by strip-till technology at rates of approximately 20 m3 ha−1.

Research on a Machine–Tractor Unit for Strip-Till Technology

One of the most modern technologies for growing row crops is strip-till. Currently, it occupies an intermediate position between conventional tillage and no-till technologies. Special complex and expensive machines are used to implement strip-till technology practically. To avoid this, a combined unit is proposed, including a tractor and two simple machines: a front-disc harrow and a chisel plough mounted behind the tractor. As experimental studies have shown, this unit makes implementing the strip-till one-pass technology possible. In this case, the oscillations process in the soil-loosening depth of strips is low-frequency since at least 95% of this statistical parameter variance is concentrated in the frequency range of 0–16.8 s−1 or 0–2.7 Hz, and its maximum falls at a frequency of 0.4 Hz. The soil-loosening depth in the strips can deviate from the mean value by ±2 cm once per 7.1 m of the combined unit’s path. With a mean speed of its movement of 2.1 m·s−1, the release frequency of the mean value of the soil-loosening depth exceeding ±2 cm is only 0.29 s or 0.05 Hz. Not less than 95% of the loosened strips’ non-straightness oscillations variance is in the frequency range of 0–0.25 m−1, and the value of the variance itself is small and amounts to 1.08 cm2. Proceeding from this, the non-straightness of the loosened strips by the combined unit can be considered satisfactory since its indicators meet the requirements for the non-straightness of row crops in terms of variance and frequency oscillations.

Cultivation of Crops in Strip-Till Technology and Microgranulated Fertilisers Containing a Gelling Agent as a Farming Response to Climate Change

Climatic and soil conditions are changing in response to the increasing human impact. This requires the introduction of low-cost, low-emission, but effective technologies in the field cultivation of crops, in turn requiring and justifying research in this area. In laboratory tests and field studies, the production and environmental effects of strip-till and the application of microgranular fertilisers with a gelling component were determined (and, in particular, their use in combination as a plant cultivation technology). These effects were measured in terms of soil properties, the biomass production, and the yields of maize (Zea mays L.), spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and winter rape (Brassica napus L.). Fertiliser microgranules with a gelling agent absorbed water in the amount of 118.6–124.7% of fertiliser mass and increased the volumetric moisture content of the soil in the layer in which they were applied (0–7.5 cm) by 3.0–3.9 percentage points compared to the soil moisture without fertiliser. Strip tillage with the application of fertilisers with a gelling agent significantly increased the amount of water in the soil during the sowing period for winter and spring plants and reduced the CO2 emissions from the soil relative to the conventional tillage without microgranular fertiliser. The biomass of maize, spring barley, and winter rape before flowering, as well as the yields of these plants, were higher when cultivated using strip-till and fertilisers with gelling agents than when ploughed with a mouldboard plough without the use of microgranulated fertilisers. This technology also increased the number of microorganisms, including bacteria, actinobacteria, and filamentous fungi in the soil after harvesting compared to the unfertilised, ploughed soil. Strip tillage and microgranulated fertilisers containing a gelling agent can thus reduce the environmental pressure exerted by agriculture and reduce the risk of climate change, as well as being a way of adapting agriculture to climate change.

BASIC CONSTRUCTIONS OF SECTIONS FOR FERTILIZER APPLICATION IN SECTION OF STRIP-TILL TECHNOLOGY

Strip-till technology was formed in the USA on a short corn-soybean crop rotation. Both crops are harvested in September-October and thereby exclude the appearance of post-harvest weeds. In addition, both crops are grown on wide-row crops, and this prompted the emergence of strip cultivation technology. Strip-till technology is an alternative tillage option between traditional plowing and direct seeding. When applying this technology, the soil is deeply loosened only within the row, the rest of the field remains untreated. Structurally, each section for strip soil cultivation consists of such working bodies as a frame, a front slotted disk that cuts the soil surface and plant remains, and also withstands the depth of cultivation. Cutting discs on one rack clear the row of plant remains and lightly mulch the soil surface. The section rack performs tillage to a depth of up to 30 cm, and if additional equipment is available, it can provide fertilizers, including at two different depth values, and the rear roller compacts and grinds the soil surface. The use of this technology makes it possible to reduce the number of operations in one pass of the unit. Also, the above-mentioned tillage technology can solve such problems as high weediness, low fertility of soils with insufficient content of organic substances, the presence of a short growing season, and can also be used in arid regions and soils prone to wind erosion. The disadvantage of this technology is the need to apply a continuous action herbicide. But these economic costs of weed control are not significant in the total cost of tillage. It should be noted that herbicides are also applied according to traditional technology.

Cultivation of sunflower with srip loosening of the soil in the conditions of Ciscaucasia

The search and modernization of modern technologies for the cultivation of tilled crops in the Stavropol Territory are primarily associated with obtaining higher crop yields at the lowest production costs and achieving of a significant soil protection effect. Strip-till technology involves the creation of narrow waterabsorbing gaps against the background of stubble and plant residues treated with glyphosateleft on the field. The proposed technology includes an element of modernization — pre-treatment of the stubble with the “Catros” disc tool, which creates soil-straw mulch on the soil surface, preventing moisture evaporation. During the research period from 2019 to 2021, an increase in the average monthly temperature of the spring-summer period (May — June — July) by 1.8 °С, 2.7 °С and 2.0 °С respectively was established in comparison with the long-term average. At the same time, the decrease in the amount of precipitation in the spring period over the years of research averaged 11 mm, with a critical decrease in June 2019 by 52 mm and in July 2020 by 54 mm from the long-term one.A higher density of soils in the main periods of sunflower vegetation was established in comparison with traditional technology by an average of 0.03 g/cm3 due to a lower (by 0.9 mm)average weighted diameterof soil particles. Capillary porosity with Strip-till in the spring was 21%, which formed a larger (by 11 mm)moisture reserve compared to the traditional one, and the yield of sunflower with the Strip-till technology is 0.26 t/ha more, and the profitability is higher by 33%.

Features of the choice of working bodies for the technology of strip tillage when sowing re-crops

The article is devoted to the description of the advantages and features of the resource-saving method of land cultivation using the Strip-Till technology. Also the results of the search for the possibility of using it in the conditions of the Republic of Uzbekistan when growing of re-crops in exiting furrows and in row spacing ridges are presented. As a result of experimental studies, the hardness and moisture content of the soil were determined, and data on the quality of soil cultivation by the developed working bodies were obtained. The layout schemes of the working bodies in the design of the unit for the considered technology are presented. The results of studies on the choice of types and design of working bodies for strip tillage are substantiated. It was found that the equipment of the aggregate with sections consisting of 3 flat cutting discs and a lancet chisel best ensures the required quality of soil loosening and equable depth of its processing, as well as the width of the cultivated strip and evenness of the treated area, protects the organs from clogging with soil and grower residues. For normal operation of the planter working bodies, the cultivated strip width of the soil must correspond to the planter coulters width.

Modernization of strip-till technology in the cultivation of corn for grains in Ciscaucasia

Relevance. The cultivation of tilled crops with the introduction of new technologies requires a scientific justification of their effectiveness, taking into account the emerging soil and climatic factors. The use of the modernized Strip-till technology is based on the surface treatment of stubble with disc tools, against the background of stubble treatment with glyphosate, which preserves productive moisture.Methods. Research in scientific and production experiment was carried out in the zone of unstable moisture in the southeastern part of the Stavropol Territory on the southern chernozem (humus — 3.0%; PO5 — 11.3 mg/kg; K2O — 276 mg/kg; pH — 7.48). The main moldboard cultivation according to the traditional technology was carried out with a plow PN-82-35, according to the Strip-till technology — deep non-moldboard cultivation with a cultivator — a Blu-Jet slot cutter.Results. Unfavorable climatic conditions of the summer-autumn period of 2018, 2019 and 2020, with a shortage of precipitation in July 2018 by 20.2 mm, in August 2019 by 33.6 mm and in July 2020 by 51.4 mm from the norm, caused reduction in the yield of corn for grain.W ith a higher density of the soil for non-moldboard cultivation in comparison with the moldboard one for the periods of observation, which is 0.02, 0.04 and 0.02 g/cm3 respectively, an increase in capillary porosity by 7, 5 and 3% is noted. Accordingly, a larger supply of productive moisture in terms of sampling at Strip-till is associated with a large volume of capillary pores, with a direct correlation (r = 0.86). The increase in the reserves of productive moisture by Strip-till in the periods of observation, in comparison with dump processing, was 9, 10 and 7 mm, which led to an increase in the yield of corn for grain by 0.24 t/ha and profitability —by 33%.

ПРОБЛЕМЫ И ПЕРСПЕКТИВЫ ПЕРЕХОДА НА РЕСУРСОСБЕРЕГАЮЩИЕ ТЕХНИКО-ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ РЕШЕНИЯ ПРИ ВОЗДЕЛЫВАНИИ ПРОПАШНЫХ КУЛЬТУР

The planned strategy to reduce costs and produce competitive agricultural products required significant efforts. It is necessary to improve tillage systems. The experience of managing the economy, the introduction of combined tillage systems of individual elements of resource-saving technologies for tillage, direct sowing, which have already been mastered in regions prone to erosion, the advanced countries of the world, are analyzed. The results of studies of new domestic technical and technological solutions in the field of combining production operations are considered. The analysis of the features of the transition to Strip-till technologies was carried out. It was revealed that such technologies have a number of agroecological advantages: reducing dependence on weather conditions, increasing biota, soil moisture reserves, saving soil from water and wind erosion, reproducing soil fertility, improving mineral nutrition of plants, increasing the efficiency of cultivated crops and arable land, rational use and increasing the productivity of agricultural machinery. An analysis of the experience of implementing Strip-till technology in farms showed an increase in yield, a reduction in the cost of fuel and lubricants, and a decrease in the use of fertilizers. It seems organizational-economically and technically-technologically effective to combine the operation of autumn tillage with the simultaneous application of mineral fertilizers. It is concluded that it is necessary to develop combined tillage units with the simultaneous application of mineral fertilizers using the Strip-till technology.

Application of the Chow method for evaluation of morphometric parameters of the sunflower root system

When growing sunflower, great importance is provided to the issue of accumulation and preservation of moisture in deep soil horizons, which in turn affects the productivity of crops. In arid regions, providing plants with moisture is of particular importance. The technologies of conservation agriculture in relation to sunflower cultivation allow varying the depth of autumn tillage from 17 to 33 cm, which, in combination with the metered use of mineral fertilizers and considering the difference in moisture consumption for the growing season from a meter layer of soil, provide an increase in yield compared to the traditional main autumn tillage. Moreover, the ratio of income from the sale of sunflower seeds grown in an arid steppe to production costs depends on the combination of the depth of strip processing and the dose of fertilization. Wherein, in the main zones of commercial sunflower production, high yield increases are provided by the application of nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizers, which contribute to the intensive formation of underground vegetative organs, which has unlimited growth in length and positive geotropism. The article presents the results of the application of multivariate regression analysis to study the morphobiological features of formation of the root system of sunflower grown using Strip-Till technology on the experimental field of the Povolzhye Educational and Scientific Production Association of the Saratov State Agrarian University named after N.I. Vavilov. The results of the morphometric assessment indicate a better development of the root system of plants in the treated strips compared to traditional types of basic tillage. To determine the limits of applicability of the piecewise linear regression model and develop practical recommendations for implementation of resource-saving potential of the Strip-Till technology in the dry steppe zone of the South-East of Russia used a reliable and sensitive criterion based on the method of J. Chow.

Technology of strip chemical treatment in the resource-saving system of agriculture in Volgograd region

To preserve and restore disturbed lands and reduce the damaging impact on air, plants and soil, it is necessary to apply resource-saving technologies. Strip-till technology is recommended for tilled crops. The technical solution is offered to increase the efficiency of the working solution use due to the rational distribution on the objects of influence and increase of its uniformity. That is, it is possible to reduce the hectare rate of consumption of the working solution by using the method of strip chemical treatment of plants. This is achieved by the redistribution of the working solution between the row and the row with the cultivated plant. The technical solution is to equip the serial sprayer with two lines with spray nozzles and special separator bodies. After a quick changeover in the field without the use of special tools, it is possible to switch from continuous spraying to strip spraying and back. At switching over to strip spraying, the spray solution is sprayed strictly along the strips of cultivated plant growth and covers the whole surface of stem and leaves. This allows reducing the cost of liquid chemicalization agents application and accurately redistributing the working solution.

Innovative method of strip-till 3-D spraying in chemical treatment of crops to implement resource-saving approaches in strip-till technology

A new approach to the technology of chemical treatment of crops based on the technological process of volumetric 3-D spraying, which differs favorably from the classical technology of continuous spraying, is developed. The development makes it possible to competently and efficiently apply working chemical solutions depending on the phase of growth and development of the cultivated plant on the object of treatment. When designing the technological process of volumetric 3-D spraying, the architectural features of the cultural plant were taken into account. The applied approach to the application of the working solution to the plant allows combining the methods of solid and strip spraying. For this purpose, a technical solution is offered to retrofit a serial boom sprayer with special bodies for separation of liquid flows and directing the liquid to the object of treatment. In this case a new, more stable flow in width and height is formed. The paper considers the results of studies of the technological process of chemical treatment with the use of strip technology in terms of quality indicators. The technical solution makes it possible to perform fast equipment adjustment in the field without using special tools. At the same time, it is possible to switch from solid spraying to strip spraying and vice versa. When switching to strip spraying, the spray solution is sprayed strictly along the strips of the crop and covers the entire surface of the stem and leaves. This allows you to reduce the cost of applying liquid chemicals and accurately redistribute the spray solution. As a result of the technology the goals of reducing costs, improving the quality of chemical treatment and increasing the environmental friendliness of the chemicalization process are achieved.

Sunflower cultivation technology with strip tillage in the Ciscaucasian zone

The article presents research materials devoted to evaluating the technology of sunflower cultivation with strip basic soil cultivation using elements of Strip-till technology in comparison with the recommended one. The originality of the approach to the cultivation system, in comparison with the classic Strip-till technology, consists in preliminary surface stubble cultivation in two tracks, which retains productive moisture, provokes more intensive germination of weeds, and, accordingly, a more effective effect of subsequent spraying of the stubble with glyphosate. It was found that during the growing season of sunflower with abnormally harsh climatic conditions in 2020 (GTC = 0.07) the soil density in the flowering phase of sunflower was 1.30-1.32 g/cm3, with low moisture reserves in layer 0-100 cm both in spring (57 and 65 mm, respectively) and in bloom (5 and 16 mm, respectively). Applying the fractal dimension method with the calculation of the development index of the root system D, it was found that the harder the agrophysical parameters were during the period of plant development, the less intensively the roots developed: at GTC = 0.22, the D index with the recommended technology and Strip-till technology was 1.63 and 1.76 units respectively, and at GTK = 0.07 — 1.46 and 1.51 units. The low yield of sunflower is associated with a deficit of productive moisture in the summer-autumn period of 2019 and 2020, with a lower reserve of 23 and 102 mm from the long-term norm; nevertheless, a significant increase in the yield of sunflower over the years of research was established by 0.96 and 0.14 tons/ha when cultivating a crop with strip tillage based on the introduction of elements of Strip-till technology in comparison with the recommended one, with a decrease in costs by 11% and an increase in profitability up to 136%.

Combined tillage with elements of Strip-till technology for maize in the Ciscaucasian zone

Relevance. The combined method of the main tillage, using certain methods of influence on the cultivated layer, forms a certain soil density. During the growing season of corn for grain, this indicator changes depending on the seasonal soil moisture and the intensity of the development of the root system of the plant, which is ultimately related to the yield of the crop. Material and method. The objects of research are two systems of basic tillage for corn for grain according to the predecessor winter wheat in the zone of unstable moisture of the Stavropol Territory using a dump and a combined method of basic tillage with elements of Strip-till technology. Soil: southern calcareous chernozem, slightly humus. The functional dependence of soil density on the supply of productive moisture and the intensity of development of the root system of grain corn was established by the method of the theory of dimensions. The method of fractal geometry was used to determine the degree of filling the soil space with root systems of grain corn under various systems of basic tillage.Results and Conclusions. It was found that the density of the soil is in direct functional dependence on the supply of productive moisture in the cultivated soil layer and the intensity of development of plant roots. The soil density during the seeding and flowering periods is higher by the Strip-till technology in comparison with the traditional one on average over the years by 0.02 g / cm3 and 0.03 g / cm3, respectively, and the moisture reserve in the spring period with Strip-till is 12 mm. The intensity of development of the root system according to the indicator D with the Strip-till system (1.58) by 0.31 units, more than with recommended processing (D = 1.27). The yield of corn for grain using the Strip-till technology is on average 0.22 t / g higher than with the recommended one, at a lower cost by 2395 rubles / ha.

Mathematical modeling soil tilling unit in the system "soil-aggregate-energy means" for Strip-Till technology soil treatment

The agro-industrial complex of Ukraine is a branch of the national economy designed to ensure the production of sufficient food for the population at high quality. The basis of agricultural production is agriculture, the main subject of which is land. Today, agriculture in the country is experiencing a very serious problem associated with the rapid decline in potential soil fertility. The main material wealth of the country is fertile soils - chernozems, which make up a significant part of the country. Chernozems are extremely fertile and rich in organic matter such as humus, which creates agronomic conditions for growing a wide range of crops of plant origin. In recent years, a new direction in the formation of agriculture is emerging in the world, in fact, it is a new strategy based on the use of modern innovative tillage technologies and the development of combined units for their implementation. With such the latest trends in agriculture in the world, appropriate changes should be made in Ukraine, in particular the introduction of soil-saving and resource-saving tillage technologies. The work is devoted to the development of a mathematical model of the process of operation of the tillage unit for tillage technology as Strip-till. In order to reduce energy consumption for tillage, preserve the main indicator of soil fertility - humus and rational aggregation of energy products with tillage units, promising ways to reduce based on mathematical modeling and analysis of relationships between elements. The mathematical model of the process of operation of the tillage unit for the Strip-till technology in the technological system "Soil-unit-energy means" and the analysis of its intra-system dependences and connections are developed and substantiated.

Influence of selected maize cultivation technologies on changes in the labile fraction of soil organic matter sandy-loam cambisol soil structure

Disc cultivators are a commonly used method in soil processing when growing maize in Central Europe. However, the slope of the land leads to soil losses through water erosion. Therefore, conservation technologies for soil treatment—strip-till and no-till—are recommended. The aim of this research was to assess these technologies in terms of the labile fractions of soil organic matter and the structural state of the soil. Another goal of the work was to find the most sensitive indicators of change in the labile fractions of soil organic matter, which would indicate changes even over a relatively short-term experiment (three years). The experiment was conducted in Central Bohemia, Czech Republic on plots of sandy-loam cambisol. Changes in soil structure and carbon and nitrogen content in various soil fractions were monitored. The obtained results of two soil conservation technologies (strip-till, no-till) were compared with the results for a commonly used technology (disc cultivation). The strip-till technology led to the highest accumulation of a very labile fraction of organic soil matter and the most sensitive indicator of change was the content of water-extractable organic carbon. The no-till technology protected the soil organic matter from decomposition by physical protection in soil aggregates. Most of the soil organic matter remained un-decomposed. Sensitive indicators of change were the nitrogen content in particulate organic soil matter and the content of water-extractable organic nitrogen. It was found that changes in the labile fraction of soil organic matter can be monitored through suitable indicators during a short-term experiment. Furthermore, we found that no-till technology contributes to the protection of unstable soil organic matter against decomposition, especially through physical protection in soil aggregates. In terms of the content of labile fractions of soil organic matter and their possible effect on the potential soil fertility, it was shown in this short-term experiment that strip-till technology was optimal.

СОВЕРШЕНСТВОВАНИЕ РАБОЧИХ ОРГАНОВ ДЛЯ ПОЛОСОВОЙ ОБРАБОТКИ ПОЧВЫ ПО ТЕХНОЛОГИИ STRIP-TILL

When cultivating agricultural crops in the system of soil-protective ecologically safe farming, the Strip-Till technology is effective, which allows you to cultivate the soil in strips in the zone of rows and thereby limit the area of the field subject to loosening. The required indicators for loosening the strips in one pass are achieved by the milling tools. Their disadvantage is increased energy consumption. The purpose of the research is to improve the working units of soil-cultivating cutters for strip tillage in the direction of reducing energy consumption. An innovative milling cutter with different-sized knives has been created, which allows, while maintaining a given quality of soil crumbling, reducing the intensity of excessive grinding of the lower part of the milled layer to small erosive hazardous particles. On soil with a moisture content of 21% and a hardness of 1.6 MPa, comparative tests of the innovative and basic cutters were carried out. In the tests, the factors were changed - the depth of processing was in the range of 8-12 cm and the forward speed was from 0.61 to 1.09 m/s. The test results were presented in the form of mathematical models of the relationship of variable factors with the energy intensity of soil milling with innovative and basic structures. In accordance with the method of optimal planning of a multifactorial experiment, a central orthogonal compositional plan was used. An experiment-planning matrix was drawn up for each of the tested structures. With two factors, it contains a core for 2 × 2 = 4 experiments, four star points and one central experiment. By comparing the models, an average reduction of 15.8% in the energy intensity of strip milling of the soil with the use of innovations with the same quality of soil crumbling was established. This allows us to recommend the innovation for use as part of a complex of soil cultivation and seeding machines for cultivation of crops using Strip-Till technology

CULTIVATOR DEVELOPMENT FOR NEW SOIL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES

Most scientists in the field of agronomy, especially abroad, with the emergence of the latest technologies No-till and Strip-till, called them revolutionary in crop production, yes, along with economic indicators, these technologies retain the fertile potential of the soil. This is achieved through less soil damage due to the minimum number of technological operations, as well as the obligatory cover of the field with plant residues after harvesting. American scientists have shown that with the correct application of these technologies, the main indicator of soil quality - humus does not decrease, but on the contrary - increases. This article analyzes the work of Strip-till units in Ukraine and proposes a KFG-3,6 soil tillage unit developed by scientists from the Department of Agroengineering and Technical Services. The main means that can prevent the loss of fertility of the earth is the introduction of energy saving and fertile technologies. The factors of soil injury and maximum cover of soil with plant residues were laid. The most well-known technologies are the technologies, quite widespread in the USA and Canada, where more than 50% of the land is cultivated, and also in Argentina where they make more than 50%. In Europe, countries such as Germany, France and the UK will cultivate about 10% of land, and in Ukraine will cultivate consist - only 5%. Strip-till technology came to Europe from the United States, where its No-till technology predecessor. At present, almost half of the largest corn crop in the United States is owned by Strip-till. No-till and Strip-till technologies are widely used in crop production. The main argument is to maintain fertility through compulsory soil cover. The Department of Agroengineering and Technical Service of the Vinnytsia NAU has for many years taught a course of lectures for masters on low-cost and environmentally promising technologies in crop production. Manufacturers of Kalina-Agromash agricultural machinery in Vinnytsia region are interested in developing a modernized KFG-3,6 cultivator for Strip-till technology, which is partially covered in this article.