Traditional Tillage Systems Research Articles

Evaluating the Performance of a Novel Digital Slippage System for Tractor Wheels Across Varied Tillage Methods and Soil Textures

Accurate measurement of slip rate (SR) in agricultural tractors, particularly in Iraq, is essential for optimizing tractive efficiency, fuel economy, and field efficiency. Presently, tractors in Iraq lack sensors for SR detection, posing a challenge. This research addresses the issue by introducing a wireless technology, the novel digital slippage system (NDSS), designed to precisely measure the SR of rear wheels. The NDSS was tested across diverse field conditions, involving six soil textures and various kinds of agricultural tillage equipment (A-TE). Different tillage practices, including conservational tillage (CT) with a chisel plough, traditional tillage (TT) with a moldboard plough and disc plough, and minimum tillage (MT) using disc harrowing and spring tooth harrowing, were examined. Results from the NDSS were compared to traditional techniques, demonstrating the cost effectiveness and overall performance. Silty loam soil exhibited higher SR values, while the silty clay soil showed lower values. SR varied significantly across soil textures, with more cohesive soils leading to reduced SR percentages. Additionally, tillage methods had a marked influence on SR values. The use of CT resulted in higher SR values of 18.35% compared to TT and MT systems, which recorded lower SR values of 13.69% and 6.03%, respectively. SR measurements were also found to be affected by the draft force during the loading of A-TE, emphasizing the role of operational conditions in tractor performance, especially in challenging field environments. Comparison between NDSS and traditional techniques revealed that the NDSS offered high accuracy, flexibility, configurability, and consistent performance. The NDSS demonstrated superior precision, making it an effective tool for assessing SR in agricultural tractors.

Traditional potato tillage systems in the Peruvian Andes impact bacterial diversity, evenness, community composition, and functions in soil microbiomes

The soil microbiome, a crucial component of agricultural ecosystems, plays a pivotal role in crop production and ecosystem functioning. However, its response to traditional tillage systems in potato cultivation in the Peruvian highlands is still far from understood. Here, ecological and functional aspects of the bacterial community were analyzed based on soil samples from two traditional tillage systems: 'chiwa' (minimal tillage) and 'barbecho' (full tillage), in the Huanuco region of the Peruvian central Andes. Similar soil bacterial community composition was shown for minimal tillage system, but it was heterogeneous for full tillage system. This soil bacterial community composition under full tillage system may be attributed to stochastic, and a more dynamic environment within this tillage system. 'Chiwa' and 'barbecho' soils harbored distinct bacterial genera into their communities, indicating their potential as bioindicators of traditional tillage effects. Functional analysis revealed common metabolic pathways in both tillage systems, with differences in anaerobic pathways in 'chiwa' and more diverse pathways in 'barbecho'. These findings open the possibilities to explore microbial bioindicators for minimal and full tillage systems, which are in relationship with healthy soil, and they can be used to propose adequate tillage systems for the sowing of potatoes in Peru.

Tillage systems affect soil nitrogen availability and interact growth parameters of different faba bean cultivars

Abstract. Al-Enezy AFM, Zaidan BA, Almehemdi AF, Hussein AA, Salih MAA. 2023. Tillage systems affect soil nitrogen availability and interact growth parameters of different faba bean cultivars. Biodiversitas 24: 5558-5564. A field trial was conducted during the winter season of 2021-2022 in one of the agricultural lands of Hamid Shaban village, which belongs to Abu Ghraib District of Baghdad Province (33°17'51.3"N, 44°04'55.0"E). The aim of the experiment was to investigate nitrogen availability in two different tillage systems and the growth characteristics of six broad bean varieties on clay-loamy soils. The field trial was triplicated using the Randomized Complete Block (RCBD) method. The first factor was the six broad bean varieties (Turkish, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, American and local), the second factor was the cultivation system Conservation Tiltage (no-till) and the traditional cultivation with a mouldboard plow. The results showed that the availability of nitrogen in the soil in the traditional tillage system corresponds to the superior to conservative tillage systems. Where this gives an average available nitrogen concentration of 23.3 mg kg-1, an increase of 21 in relation to conservation tillage, which resulted in an average concentration of available nitrogen of 19.1 mg kg-1. In addition, all the growth characteristics of the plants favored the traditional agricultural system. In the variety comparison, the Italian variety was characterized by the highest nitrogen content available in the soil of 26.10 mg kg-1 as well as the highest values ??of plant growth properties among the six varieties.

Carbon footprint estimation for tillage operations

As a larger use of agricultural machinery, the measurement of carbon emission is highly important. Quantification of the carbon footprint is important for the identification of more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. Information about input energy (fuel energy) used by some tillage techniques was collected and converted into carbon. In order to use low emission tillage operations, the equivalent carbon emission factors of each tillage technique were determined. The carbon equivalents for using traditional tillage system were the highest comparing with other tillage systems (158.63 kg CE ha-1 and 55.63 kg CO2e ha-1), while No-till system which give (5.8 kg CE ha-1 and 5.45 kg CO2e ha-1). Improved conservation technology and management equipment can all help minimize the carbon footprints of farm machinery.

Could conservation tillage increase the resistance to drought in Mediterranean faba bean crops?

Climate change, especially in Mediterranean countries, might have a detrimental effect on agro‑ecosystems and agricultural production, as well as on the price, quantity and quality of the products. This study assesses the potential impact of drought predictions on a faba bean crop, and evaluates the adoption of conservation tillage practices to reduce this effect. For this purpose, a rainfall exclusion experiment was carried out in a Mediterranean rotation in Southwest Spain, where a long-term tillage experiment was running since 2008. Soil water storage (SWS), crop productivity and mineral nutrition, plant ecophysiology and biomass quality, as well as the colonization of roots by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and symbiotic Rhizobium bacteria were evaluated over one growth cycle to study the combined effect of different tillage systems - non-tillage (NT), reduced tillage (RT) and traditional tillage (TT)- and rainfall reduction. Rainfall reduction had a negative impact on faba bean germination on the TT system, and on its aboveground biomass across the three tillage systems, but did not affect grain production. The percentage of biomass yield reduction by rainfall exclusion was 30% for NT, 50% for RT and 20% for TT. In the case of RT, low yields were influenced by a high incidence of weeds under rainfall reduction. The negative effect of water exclusion was especially evident on photosynthesis rates and stomatal conductance across all tillage types, while leaf water potential was affected by drought only in the TT system. These ecophysiological indicators were positively associated to some variables of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and Rhizobium nodulation in roots. Changes in the patterns of symbiotic interactions in response to drought depended on the tillage type. We conclude that, despite no effect on soil water storage, in the conservation tillage systems the increase in the mycorrhizal colonization in roots, particularly under NT, could be beneficial for plants to face drought stress. However, in a scenario of reduced rainfall it will be necessary to invest more resources in weed control under RT.

Agrophysical indicators of ordinary chernozem depending on the methods of its tillage in the Northern Steppe of Ukraine

Topicality. The spread of negative processes in the soil associated with the aggravation of the economic situation in modern Ukraine, the rapid rise in prices for equipment, fuels and lubricants, the replacement of energy-intensive traditional tillage systems with non-moldboard and other resource-saving ones, requires further and deeper research on their impact on her agrophysical indicators. Purpose. To study the influence of the primary tillage on the agrophysical indicators of ordinary chernozem in the link of the field grain-fallow-row crop rotation (winter wheat after maize of milk-wax ripeness - peas for grain - winter wheat) in the conditions of the Northern Steppe of Ukraine. Materials and Methods. Methods of primary tillage based on moldboard plowing and non-moldboard loosening against the background of moldboard plowing for corn were studied. In experimental studies, we used field, laboratory and statistical-mathematical methods. The agrophysical parameters of the soil were determined according to generally accepted methods. Results. No significant difference has been found in the influence of the primary tillage methods on the soil density in the 0–30 cm layer under the crops of the crop rotation link in spring and at their harvesting. In 2011 and 2012, there was a significant increase in the number of water-stable aggregates (over 0.25 mm) in the soil under non-moldboard tillage, compared with plowing, under all crops of the crop rotation link in the spring and during harvesting, mainly in the 0–10 and 10–20 cm layers. This was more often observed in the spring – on average for 2010–2012, the difference in this indicator in the soil layer of 0–30 cm for the crops of the crop rotation link was: winter wheat after maize of milk-wax ripeness – 1.9, peas – 4.4 and winter wheat after peas – 3.0 %, and on average for the crop rotation link – 3.1 It is established that moldboardless tillage contributes to a significant reduction in moisture consumption for unproductive evaporation in conditions of frequently repeated drought events. Conclusions. The studied methods of primary tillage of ordinary heavy loam chernozem equally affect the bulk density and do not cause deterioration of this indicator. The non-moldboard tillage improves the water resistance of the arable soil layer under crops in the crop rotation link and reduces moisture consumption for evaporation, compared to plowing. Key words: tillage, density, water resistance, productive moisture, winter wheat, peas

Influence of tillage and fertilizers on the weed infestation of field crop rotation link in the Northern Steppe of Ukraine

Topicality. In the current conditions in Ukraine, the issues of weed control in crops do not lose their relevance due to the negative processes caused by the aggravation of the economic situation, the rapid soaring prices on mineral fertilizers, machinery, fuels and lubricants, plant protection products, the replacement of energy-intensive traditional tillage systems with moldboardless and other resource-saving ones. Purpose. To study the influence of tillage and fertilizers on the weed infestation of agricultural crops in the link of the field grain-fallow-row crop rotation: winter wheat after maize (milk-wax ripeness) – grain peas – winter wheat in the Northern Steppe of Ukraine. Materials and Methods. Methods of tillage with applying mineral fertilizers under the primary tillage were tested. The field and statistical-mathematical methods were used in experimental studies. The number of weeds in crops was determined by the quantitative-weight method using square frames. Results. It was established that moldboardless tillage in the crop rotation link against the background of plowing under maize and harrowing with light harrows during the growing season leads in comparison with moldboard tillage to the following increase in weed infestation – on average for years of research: annual weeds during the growing season: in peas crops – by 40.6 (without fertilizers), 44.2 (with recommended dose) and 51.6 (with calculated dose) pcs/m2; before harvesting: by 22.7, 24.4 and 36.4 pcs/m2, respectively; in winter wheat crops after peas – by 0.5, 11.9 and 19.4 pcs/m2; 5.8, 8.4 and 6.7 pcs./m2, respectively; perennials in winter wheat crops after peas during the growing season: by 10.4, 9.1 and 10.9 pcs/m2; before harvesting: by 19.1, 18.3 and 20.0 pcs/m2, respectively. The application of mineral fertilizers increases germination of annual weed seeds. This was most clearly observed in winter wheat crops after maize of milk-wax ripeness. A tendency towards an increase in the air-dry weight of weeds under fertilization was revealed for all crops in the crop rotation link. Conclusions. Moldboardless tillage increases the number of weeds, but does not increase their air-dry weight, and decreases grain yield and quality. Mineral fertilizers applied in the experiment increase the air-dry weight of weeds and the number of their annual species. The species composition of weeds in the crops did not depend on the method of tillage. Key words: weeds, tillage, mineral fertilizers, winter wheat, peas

Вплив систем обробітку ґрунту на ефективність вирощування соняшника в умовах заходу України

The purpose of research: сomparative assessment of the effectiveness of sunflower cultivation with the introduction of traditional and resource-saving tillage systems in the soil and climatic conditions of Western Ukraine. Research methods: hypothesis, experiment, field observation, laboratory, visual and comparative calculation method. Research results: Field research was carried out in the soil and climatic conditions of Western Ukraine on a field with sod and deep clayey sandy soils. Plots with different tillage systems were laid out for research: plot 1 – traditional tillage (plowing to a depth of 25 cm); plot 2 – conservation tillage of the soil (chiseling to a depth of 35 cm); plot 3 – mulching of the soil (disking to a depth of 10 cm). According to the results of the research, a positive effect of the intensity and depth of the main tillage on plant height and elements of the structure of the sunflower crop was noted. With traditional tillage, the highest yield of sunflower seeds was noted - 1.81 t/ha. On the plot with conservation tillage, the yield is 1.75 t/ha, and on the plot with mulch tillage – 1.72 t/ha. The yield difference between the best and worst indicators was only 0.09 t/ha. Plowing requires significant energy and labor costs, which exceed similar indicators for the implementation of tillage systems. Direct operating costs for plowing were the largest and amounted to 1,661 UAH /ha, which is 618 and 986 UAH /ha more than the costs of deep plowing and disking, respectively. The introduction of traditional tillage contributes to the formation of the highest yield and an increase in profit by 192-229 UAH /ha. However, despite the lowest profit, the highest profitability of 52.2% was obtained due to the lowest costs on the plot with mulching, which is 1.0-1.8% more than on the plots with conservation and traditional tillage systems. Conclusions. The results of the conducted research and calculations indicate that the investigated tillage systems (traditional, conservation and mulching) are at the same level in terms of yield and economic efficiency of sunflower cultivation in the conditions of Western Ukraine. Keywords: research: sunflower, tillage systems, yield, efficiency.

ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ ЗАСТОСУВАННЯ БІОПРЕПАРАТІВ ДЛЯ ВИРОЩУВАННІ ПШЕНИЦІ ОЗИМОЇ

The aim of the work is to highlight the results of a field experiment on the effectiveness of the preparations "Pop up Plants Humate Potassium" and "Regoplant" in the cultivation of winter wheat. Methods. The field experiment was conducted in 2020/2021 on the lands of L. Pogorilyy UkrNDIPVT (Kyiv agro-soil district of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe). Experience factors: factor A – tillage system (A1 – traditional, A2 – conservation, A3 – mulching, A4 – mini-till); Factor B – biological products "Potassium Humate + Regoplant" (B1 – control (without the use of preparations), B2 – the use of preparations for seed treatment and crop nutrition. When growing wheat, the traditional technology for the region was used, except for the elements of the experimental scheme. The effectiveness of the preparations was established by determining the biological yield of wheat and its structure compared to the control. Results. The use of humic preparations increased the weight of grain from the ear and the weight of 1000 seeds, which led to an increase in the biological yield of grain and the harvest index. The highest yield of wheat was observed in the traditional tillage system (A1), and the lowest – in the system of mini-till (A4). The largest increase in yield from the use of preparations (40 %) was observed in the version with a conservation tillage system (A2), and the smallest increase (20 %) – in the mulching tillage system version (A3). The experiment factors also influenced the growth of grain quality. In particular, the grain of the control variant contained 12.44 % of crude protein by weight of dry matter (seeds of the third class), and the grain of the experimental variant – 12.84 % of crude protein by weight of dry matter (seeds of the second class). There was also a decrease in the content of nitrogen-free extractive substances and crude ash. Conclusions. The use of "Pop up Plants Humate Potassium" and "Regoplant" had a positive effect on winter wheat yield and grain quality indicators. The average increase in the biological yield of winter wheat under different tillage systems was 30 % of the control. The superiority of the biological yield of winter wheat grain was noted in the variant with ploughing and biological fertilizers. The use of biological fertilizers also helped to improve grain quality indicators. Key words: Winter Wheat, Potassium Humate, Regoplant, Biological Yield, Tillage Systems.

Impact of Conservation Agriculture and Traditional Tillage Systems on Epiedaphic Springtails, Ground Beetles, Rove Beetles, and Spiders

Impact of Conservation Agriculture and Traditional Tillage Systems on Epiedaphic Springtails, Ground Beetles, Rove Beetles, and Spiders

ЕФЕКТИВНІСТЬ ЗАСТОСУВАННЯ НАНОДИСПЕРСНОГО ПОРОШКУ ОКСИДУ ЗАЛІЗА У ВИРОЩУВАННІ ЯЧМЕНЮ ЯРОГО ТА СОЇ

The aim of this research was to study of efficiency of iron oxide nanoparticle application (nano Fe+) in the cultivation of spring barley and soybeans by different systems of basic tillage in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. The effectiveness of nano Fe+ applying was determined by determining the biological yield of the studied crops and its structure and comparison with the control version of the experiment (without the use of nanopreparation). The studied crops were spring barley and soybeans. The number of variants of the experiment were 16 (8 variants for each culture). Number of repetitions – three. The research was carried out according to the following scheme: factor A – tillage system (A1 – traditional, A2 – conservation, A3 – mulching, A4 – mini-till); factor B – iron oxide nano Fe+ (B1 – control (without the use of nano Fe+), B2 – the use of nano Fe+ for seed treatment at a rate of 5 mg/t). Used nanopreparation of black iron oxide magnetite is a polyvalent iron oxide (FeO - Fe2O3 - Fe3O4). Results of field research showed a tendency to increase the yield of barley and soybeans with the use of iron oxide nanoparticles in the treatment of seed material. The increase in the yield of spring barley was different depending on the system of basic tillage and ranged from 5 % (conservation system) to 25 % (traditional system). The most favorable conditions for the formation of spring barley yield within the experiment were formed by the mulching system of tillage, which together with the use of nano Fe+ allowed to form the biological yield of the crop at the level of 61,2 c/ha. The effect of direct exposure to nano Fe+ in the case of the mulching system was a 12 % increase in yield compared to control. The use of nano Fe+ on soybean crops helped to increase plant survival. Biological yield during soybean seed treatment nano Fe+ was higher in almost all tillage options. The greatest effect from the use of nano Fe+ was observed for the traditional tillage system (+ 55 % compared to the control). Conclusions. The results of the field experiment revealed a positive effect from the use of nano Fe+ in seed treatment in the technology of growing spring barley and soybeans. It is noted that nano Fe+ influenced the growth and development of the studied crops and the formation of their yields. The average level of biological yield of spring barley (for all applied tillage systems) without nano Fe+ treatment was 50 c/ha, and with the use of nanopreparation – 58 c/ha. For soybeans, the average level of biological yield for all studied systems without nano Fe+ was 17 c/ha, and with the use of nanopreparation – 21,6 c/ha.

ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКАЯ ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТЬ ВЫРАЩИВАНИЯ ЗЕРНОВЫХ КУЛЬТУР В ЗАВИСИМОСТИ ОТ СИСТЕМ ОБРАБОТКИ ПОЧВЫ И ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ УДОБРЕНИЙ

The research was carried out in order to find new technological and technical solutions that ensure the economic efficiency of farming, stabilization and increase of crop yields due to the rotation of grain crop rotation in the conditions of the southeast of the Volga-Vyatka region. The field experience was established in 2014 in the Nizhny Novgorod region. Scientific research was carried out in the grain crop rotation: 1. mustard for seeds 2. winter wheat; 3. soy; 4. spring wheat; 5. peas; 6. oats. The scheme of the experiment included 5 tillage systems (factor A), which differ in the methods of the main finch tillage. For each tillage system, the effect of mineral fertilizers at a dose of N60P60K60 and destructors of plant residues (ammonium nitrate at a dose of 10 kg a.i. per 1 ton of straw and the biological product Stimix®Niva) was determined (factor B). All the studied tillage systems and applied mineral fertilizers with straw destructors allow for expanded agricultural production. The lowest conditional profitability of production was found for the traditional tillage system using a plow with dumps - 99.3 %, which is 34.6% lower than the conditional profitability in the field experiment variants using disking as the main autumn tillage - which provides the highest average conditional profitability of 133.9 %. The average conditional profitability of grain production using the No-till technology for the rotation of the grain crop rotation was 123.3 %, which is 24.0 % higher than the conditional profitability of traditional tillage and 10.6 % lower than that of the resource-saving technology of agricultural production using a disc harrow. At the same time, the direct sowing technology provides the highest absolute profitability of grain production for the rotation of a six-field crop rotation in the conditions of the southeast of the Volga-Vyatka region when cultivating crops according to N60P60K60 background together with the use of the biological product Stimix®Niva – 170.9 %

Comparative assessment of energy flow, carbon auditing and eco-efficiency of diverse tillage systems for cleaner and sustainable crop production in eastern India

Identification of the appropriate tillage production system having lower energy use and carbon-emission, and better crop productivity is becoming increasingly important to maintain the environmental sustainability. In the present study, a comprehensive system analysis was performed for four consecutive years (2016–2019) in three major agroecosystems of eastern India: eastern Indo-Gangetic plain, coastal agroecosystem and hill & plateau region. Six rice-based production systems with different levels of farm mechanization viz., a) fully mechanized tillage, b) partly mechanized tillage and c) traditional tillage were considered in the analysis. The main aim was to assess the energy flow and carbon-balance of diverse tillage production systems. Among the different sources of total input energy, chemical fertilizer accounted for the highest energy used in partly mechanized tillage (44%) and mechanized tillage (38%) followed by diesel, irrigation water, plant protection chemical, seed and electricity. Seed, human, animal energy and farmyard manure accounted for 21, 20, 16 and 16%, respectively, of the total energy input in traditional tillage. Maximum energy input (52161 MJ ha−1) was noted in mechanized tillage and minimum with traditional tillage (16879 MJ ha−1). Cropping systems followed in eastern Indo-Gangetic plain were more energy-intensive (50908 MJ ha−1) compared to coastal-ecosystem (27459 MJ ha−1). On an average, the total energy output in mechanized tillage (395245 MJ ha−1) were 0.3 and 2.4 times higher over partly mechanized and traditional tillage, respectively. Overall, the present results indicated that partly mechanized tillage and coastal agroecosystem were the most energy-efficient with an energy ratio of 8.88 and 9.81, respectively. Mechanized tillage was 0.24 and 1.66 times more carbon-intensive in comparison to partly mechanized and traditional tillage system. Mechanized tillage had higher carbon efficiency (3.75), carbon-sustainability index (2.75), carbon-footprint in spatial scales (4342 kg CO2eq. ha−1), but had 34% less carbon-footprint in yield scales compared to traditional tillage. Mechanized tillage showed 22 and 73% higher system productivity compared to partly mechanized and traditional tillage, respectively. Partly mechanized tillage had a 23% lower cultivation cost than mechanized tillage. Thus, the present study suggests that partly mechanize tillage was the most appropriate energy and carbon-efficient production system in eastern India.

Regulation of technological loading on soils: a concept for solving the problem

Аnnotation Purpose. Justify the possibility and feasibility of using the technological standard (Tn) to regulate the technological load on soils to eliminate the conditions of their degradation using the energy assessment of the action of agricultural machinery systems and agronomic measures in terms of the structural-aggregate and humus state, as well as biological activity. Methods. General scientific (field, morphological-genetic, comparative-analytical, agroanalytical, laboratory) and special (determination of the content of elementary soil particles (ESP) and microaggregation by the microscopic method according to Bulygin S. Yu.). Results. Under the conditions of stationary experiments of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine, it was revealed that more than 60 years of use of alkaline chernozem soil in a 10-field crop rotation with a field of clover with a traditional tillage system using moldboard plowing against the background of different fertilization options did not significantly worsen any of the parameters of agrophysical and humus state, biological activity, quantitative and species composition of the microbiological pool. More than 40 years of use of dark gray podzolized soil at a full rate of fertilization, applying lime to neutralize hydrolytic acidity and growing green manures after cereal early ripening crops, leaving the non-marketable part of the crop on the field under the conditions of a traditional processing system with moldboard plowing in a 7-field crop rotation , also with a field of clover, did not worsen the main parameters of its fertility. A conceptual mathematical model has been developed for the processing soil conservation agriculture systems based on the studies. Conclusions 1. Agrophysical parameters of soil have different information content and different sensibility. Each hierarchical level of the soil body system is characterized by a certain set of indicators, including agrophysical ones. It has been established that a scientifically grounded crop rotation against the background of moderate doses of mineral fertilizers, necessary chemical ameliorants with the abandonment of the non-commercial part of the crop and the use of green manure after early grain crops guaranteed to hold the agro physical condition of soils from deterioration. 2. The guarantor of a quasi-stable humus state is the stability of the agrophysical framework of the soil system and the harmony of the microbiological pool, the quantitative and species composition of which determines the balance of the synthesis and mineralization of humus and other organic substances. 3. Changing the effective influence of the living soil phase is determined by its agrophysical state, which leads to a change in the humus state – the first iteration passed. Next – the next and next chain of the spiral of the “life” of the soil (thesis-antithesis synthesis by Hegel), until the bottom or the top of the dynamic equilibrium is achieved, which is determined by the level of agriculture culture. 4. The direction (vector and trend) of the soil formation is determined by the energy ratio of the energy of the Sun in the form of a fresh vegetable residue (the second factor of the genesis of soils according to Dokuchaev) to anthropogenic energy, which is consumed in the implementation of crop technologies, which determines the value of the technological regulation (Tn). 5. The energy assessment of technologies for growing crops under the conditions of long-term stationary experiments made it possible to determine technological standards (Tn): for meadow-chernozem soil – 8.6, for dark gray podzolized soil – 7.2. Keywords: technological standard of energy load, elementary soil particles (ESP), coefficient of microaggregation, humus state, microbiological activity, energy assessment of plant technologies.

Manufacturing of Machine for Planting on Wide Ridges Without Tillage in Desert Soils

This research was conducted during three winter seasons (2015-2016), (2016-2017) and (2017-2018) at Ras Sudr Research Station, South of Sinai Governorate, this region suffers from the problems of increasing salinity in soil and irrigation water, in addition to the high level of ground water. Therefore, the cultivation on wide ridges (raised-bed soil) was used for good soil leaching by storing large quantities of irrigation water in these wide ridges and easy drainage it from both sides of the ridges to the adjacent furrows. The wide ridges are considered one of the methods of remedy the rise in ground water level by raising the agricultural soil to a higher level, which helps to move the roots of plants away from the ground water level and to drain the irrigation water through the ridges sides to the adjacent furrows, which does not cause an increase in the ground water level. Also, conservation tillage (no-tillage) reducing the effect of salinity. So that a prototype of combined machine was manufactured which consisted of two units, the first unit to build ridges with the possibility to change the both of width and height of ridges. The second unit to sow wheat seeds on the ridges. The research treatments consisted of two tillage systems (traditional tillage system (TT) and conservation tillage system (CT) i.e., no-tillage), three ridge widths (50cm, 70cm and 90cm) and four ridge heights (0cm, 20cm, 35cm and 50 cm) where, the treatment of (0cm) was indicated to control treatment (flat soil). Also, the effect of three agriculture seasons was studied. Some parameters were measured or estimated as the following; actual field capacity (AFC), field efficiency (FE)), energy requirements (ER), pulling force (PF), fuel consumption rate (FCR), bulk density (BD), average infiltration rate (AIR), soil salinity (SS), water stored in the effective root zone (WS), water consumptive use in root zone (WC), water application efficiency (WA), wheat grain yield (WGY), water productivity (WP) and specific cost of production (SC). When using (CT) system and the largest cross section area of the ridges (90cm width x 50cm height) with continued application of this system for three consecutive seasons achieved the highest values of: (AFC=0.39 ha/h), (FE=93%), (WS=5773 m3/ha), (WC=4834 m3/ha), (WA=89%), (WGY=8.7 Mg/ha) and (WP=1.8 Mg/m3), in addition this treatment achieved the lowest values for both (SS=6.17 ds/m) and (SC=216 L.E/Mg) compared to the other treatments.

Вплив систем обробітку грунту на ріст, розвиток та врожайність льону-довгунця

The purpose of research: to improve the technology of growing flax in the Western region of Ukraine on the basis of the introduction of systems for minimizing tillage, which will increase the yield of trusts and seeds. Research methods: field, laboratory, visual and comparative calculation method. Research results: Field experiments included the study of three tillage systems (traditional, canning and mulching) and determining their impact on growth and development and yields of trusts and flax seeds. The traditional tillage system included the following operations: plowing with a reversible plow to a depth of 27 cm, cultivation with simultaneous harrowing and pre-sowing tillage. The conservation system is based on deep shelfless loosening of the soil and provided for chiseling to a depth of 40 cm, disking to a depth of 15 cm, cultivation with simultaneous harrowing, pre-sowing tillage. During the implementation of the mulching system, disking to a depth of 15 cm, cultivation with simultaneous harrowing and pre-sowing tillage with a combined unit was carried out. Tillage implements and machines were used to perform tillage operations: disc harrow BDVP-3,6, reversible plow PON-5/4, chisel PCh-3, cultivator KPSP-4, pre-sowing tillage unit LK-4. The SZ-3,6 ASTPA grain seeder was used for sowing long flax of the Kamenyar variety. Simultaneously with the sowing of flax seeds, local application of mineral fertilizers (nitroammophoska 2 c/ha) was carried out. The application of conservation tillage allows to obtain the yield of flax trust at the level of 3,5 t/ha, which is 0,4 t/ha (12.9 %) more than from the area of traditional tillage and 0,7 t/ha (25 %) in comparison with mulching. In the area with canning treatment, the seed yield was the highest and amounted to 0,64 t/ha. The difference between this option and traditional and mulching tillage reaches 0,06 t/ha (10,3 %) and 0.10 t/ha (18.5 %), respectively. Conclusions. Preservation tillage, which is based on shelf-free tillage to a depth of 40 cm and disking to a depth of 15 cm has a positive effect on plant growth and development, yield and quality of flax.

QUANTIFY IMPACT OF WIND EROSION ON ORGANIC MATTER CONTENT UNDER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, WADI EL RAML, NWCZ, EGYPT

Wind soil erosion is one of the land degradation processes in North Western Coastal Zone (NWCZ) of Egypt. It was assessed under condition of wheat crop grown on a sandy loam soil in Wadi El Raml in 2018/2019. Three tillage treatments of no-tillage (NT), minimum tillage (MT) and conventional tillage (CT) were assessed with or without organic manuring (30 m3 ha-1) combined with or without mulching (with rice straw covering 60% of soil surface).The aim of the study was assessment the impact of wind erosion on wheat yield and soil organic matter content (SOM) under different tillage practices under rainfed agriculture at Wadi El Raml in NWCZ. The highest bulk density was associated with NT. Losses (kg m-2 y-1) of about 275, 221 and 173 were shown in the CT, MT and NT treatments, respectively.The erodibility average values andloss of OM and TN were highest in the bare soil. Soil loss materials for the bare soil was higher than for the cultivated soils, which gave their the highest loss of 275 kg m-2y-1with non-manured non-mulched CT and the lowest of 16 kg m-2y-1for the manured and mulched NT. The highest wheat yield was obtained with manured and mulched CT. The results of this study showed that the use of 30 m3ha-1of organic manure and 60% of the coverage with rice straw in each cultivation type led to improving the soil content of organic matter and reducing soil loss by erosion by wind. This study emphasized the benefits of conservation tillage, such as improving bulk density as a guide to soil quality, which keeps it from degradation, as happens with conventional tillage. The study also recommended the use of conservation tillage in cultivated cereal crops for more than one season under rainfed conditions in Egypt to increase the content of soil organic matter, thus increasing crop productivity compared to the traditional tillage system to achieve sustainable agricultural production inNWCZ of Egypt.

Deep Tillage Improves Degraded Soils in the (Sub) Humid Ethiopian Highlands

Intensification of rainfed agriculture in the Ethiopian highlands has resulted in soil degradation and hardpan formation, which has reduced rooting depth, decreased deep percolation, and increased direct runoff and sediment transport. The main objective of this study was to assess the potential impact of subsoiling on surface runoff, sediment loss, soil water content, infiltration rate, and maize yield. Three tillage treatments were replicated at five locations: (i) no tillage (zero tillage), (ii) conventional tillage (ox-driven Maresha plow, up to a depth of 15 cm), and (iii) manual deep ripping of the soil’s restrictive layers down to a depth of 60 cm (deep till). Results show that the posttreatment bulk density and penetration resistance of deep tillage was significantly less than in the traditional tillage and zero-tillage systems. In addition, the posttreatment infiltration rate for deep tillage was significantly greater, which resulted in significantly smaller runoff and sedimentation rates compared to conventional tillage and zero tillage. Maize yields were improved by 6% under deep tillage compared to conventional tillage and by 29% compared to no tillage. Overall, our findings show that deep tillage can be effective in overcoming some of the detrimental effects of hardpans in degraded soils.

The Energy Efficiency of the Production and Conversion of Spring Triticale Grain into Bioethanol

According to the assumptions of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD, the share of biofuels in the global transport sector is estimated to reach 15–23% by 2050. The triticale can be used to produce bioethanol. The appropriate production process should generate as much renewable energy as possible per production unit. Plant production can be carried out in various tillage systems and using appropriate doses of nitrogen fertilization. The objective of this study is to compare the effect of traditional tillage system (TRD) and reduced (RED) tillage technology and nitrogen fertilizer (0, 40, 80, 120 kg N ha−1) on grain and bioethanol yield of spring triticale. The field experiment was performed in the south east of Poland (50°42′ N, 23°15′ E) on medium dystrophic typical brown soil. Based on research and calculations, the TRD system and between 40 and 80 kg ha−1 of N fertilizer are recommended for use in the cultivation of triticale for bioethanol production purposes. Such a variant will ensure a sufficient yield of grain (5.190 and 5.803 t ha−1), starch (3.462 and 3.871 t ha−1) and bioethanol (2487.3 and 2780.7 L ha−1) and good agronomic efficiency of N fertilizer (16.96 and 12.15 L of bioethanol per 1 kg of nitrogen (N) applied). The best ratio of energy efficiency of bioethanol production (EROI—Energy Return on (Energy) Investment or “net energy”) was recorded for the TRD system (1.138:1) and for the N fertilizer at 40 kg N ha−1 (1.144:1).

The influence of light-gray forest soil tillage systems on biological activity of the soil and productivity of pea in the Nizhny Novgorod region

The research was conducted in 2017-2018 in the Nizhny Novgorod region on light-gray forest soil in the link of “spring wheat-pea” crop rotation. The article presents the results of study of the influence of soil tillage systems (traditional moldboard tillage with moldboard plow; non-moldboard “deep” tillage with boardless plow; non-moldboard “shallow” tillage with chisel cultivator Pottinger Synkro 5030 K; minimum tillage with disc harrow XM 44660 NOTHAD; zero tillage (No-till) with grain drill Sunflower 9421-20, mineral fertilizers (N60P60K60 kg of active ingredient) and straw destructors (ammonium nitrate in the dose of N10 kg of active ingredient per 1 t of straw and biological preparation Stimix®Niva 2 ltr/ha) on the change in the indicator of biological activity of the soil and the yield of pea variety Krasivy. In the conditions of insufficient precipitation of the growing season of 2018, No-till technology resulted in a decrease in the average biological activity of the soil by the tillage systems under study in pea plantings of Krasivy variety: by 6.3 % (from 18.6 to 12.3 %) compared to the traditional moldboard tillage system with moldboard plow; by 4.7 % (from 17.0 to 12.3 %) compared to the non-moldboard “deep” tillage with boardless plow; by 3.5 % (from 15.8 to 12.3 %) compared to the non-moldboard "shallow" tillage with a chisel cultivator; by 4.9 % (from 17.2 to 12.3 %) compared to the minimum processing with disk harrow. The use of the biological preparation Stimix®Niva as a straw destructor in arid conditions of 2018 was more effective than the use of ammonium nitrate in field test variants without application of mineral fertilizers (N60P60K60). The biological activity of the soil increased on fall plowing with moldboard plow by 3.8 % (20.8 and 17.0% respectively); on fall plowing with boardless plow by 5.3 % (18. 8 and 13.5 %); on minimum tillage with a disc harrow by 4.8 % (18.9 and 14.1 %). Under the weather conditions of 2018, the highest yield of Krasivy pea variety was obtained in the variant of field experiment where fall plowing with soil overturning to the depth of 20-22 cm with the use of ammonium nitrate as a straw destructor in a dose of 10 kg of active ingredient per 1 ton of straw was used as basic cultivation. The use of mineral fertilizers (N60P60K60) by this system of soil tillage in dry conditions did not affect the yield of Krasivy pea variety (2.70-of 2.76 t/ha). When using the No-till technology of pea production, the obtained yield in the conditions of the Nizhny Novgorod region in 2018 ranged from 0.74 to 2.24 t/ha.