In modern agriculture, there are several main tillage systems:
- traditional with formation turnover,
- minimum (Mini-till),
- strip-till
- zero (No-till).
Let's take a closer look at each of them.
Traditional system
It involves shelf plowing with a layer turnover, which creates a clean arable surface, plant residues are buried to a depth of 20-30 cm.
Advantages of the Traditional system
Creating comfortable conditions for friendly germination of seeds by pre-sowing treatment. Provides good drainage and distribution of minerals in the topsoil. Relatively low pressure on the soil by field machines, the possibility of applying high rates of organic and mineral fertilizers, and optimization of chemical plant protection.
Disadvantages of the traditional system
Creating a dense “plow sole” that prevents water from penetrating into the lower layers and impedes the development of the root system at depth. Conventional tillage is not recommended on soils prone to drying out, wind and water erosion. Periodic deep loosening is required (once every 3-4 years).
Minimum (Mini-till)
Involves surface tillage mainly with disk tools and uniform mixing of plant residues with the soil layer up to 15-18 cm.
Advantages of Mini-till
High structural structure of the topsoil, accumulation of organic matter and humus, high water and air permeability, and rapid mineralization of organic residues. It is possible to apply high rates of mineral and organic fertilizers and mechanical tillage during the growing season. It requires less energy and financial resources.
Disadvantages of Mini-till
Soil compaction after heavy machinery passage, limited use of traditional seeders with low coulter pressure and “shuttle” type. Requires pre-sowing soil leveling and post-sowing rolling. Vertical cultivation - as with traditional technology.
Strip-till system
It involves vertical cultivation in strips to a depth of 15-17 cm after harvesting the predecessor. Sowing is carried out in the fall or spring in the treated strips.
Advantages of Strip-till
Destruction of compacted layers, the same conditions for all plants in a row, the possibility of sowing in waterlogged soils and on fields with a large amount of plant residues, preservation of moisture in the row spacing, the possibility of applying mineral fertilizers, including anhydrous ammonia, by belt. It is especially relevant on low-fertile soils and with a limited topsoil. This is the “northern” version of the No-till system.
Disadvantages of Strip-till
Short optimal fertilizer application time in the fall, limited use of old traditional seeders, removal of plant residues from the cultivation area to the row spacing, limited application of ameliorants (lime and gypsum) in one pass. Requires higher costs for the purchase of specialized powerful machinery and equipment, high energy consumption. A prerequisite for implementing the Strip-till system is to level the area in terms of microrelief and acidity. It is necessary to ensure that the soil is compacted along the tractor tracks, especially on wet heavy soils.
No-till
It involves sowing into untreated soil with special seeders and no other mechanical impact on the field.
Advantages of No-till
The minimum number of passes of heavy machines across the field means lower energy and financial costs per unit area during cultivation. Under the layer of plant residues, the winter moisture supply is preserved for a long time and evaporation is limited during droughts. Prevents all types of soil erosion and excessive overheating of the top layer during periods of high temperatures.
Disadvantages of No-till
Limitations in the control of harmful vegetation without mechanical intervention, increased risk of epiphytoties of fungal diseases (especially saprophytic fungi) and pests that overwinter in plant residues. Early sowing in the spring is limited, as the warming and drying of the topsoil is slow due to the presence of a layer of plant residues, so the optimal sowing time is very short. The application of high rates of mineral fertilizers is limited, requiring the use of additional special equipment. The phosphorus, potassium and acidity content must be leveled before the technology is implemented. Requires the use of special sowing equipment with high coulter pressure on the soil, which involves additional financial costs. The use of vertical tillage (deep loosening) is required after 5-6 years, as the soil is significantly compacted along the tracks of heavy machinery. In arid steppe areas, dry plant residues on the soil surface can be a fire hazard both before and after sowing.
When choosing a soil cultivation system, consider the natural and climatic conditions, soil diversity on the farm's fields, and the owner's financial capacity to implement new technologies
Restrictions on the use of soil herbicides for weed control in strip-till and no-till systems require the use of continuously active substances before sowing or after sowing - before the main crop germinates. The increased level of chemical and biological control of diseases and pests in these systems is compensated by high yields due to the retained moisture in the upper soil layers, especially in the dry steppe zone.
VNIS sunflower and corn hybrids have been tested for cultivation in all soil and climatic zones of Ukraine using traditional and resource-saving technologies (Mini tillage, Strip tillage and No-till). High yields with minimal energy inputs are known in Dnipropetrovska, Zaporizka, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Donetsk and Kharkiv regions (irrigated and rain-fed).
In 2018, the farm “Niva” in Nikopol district of Dnipropetrovska oblast applied the No-till tillage system on a demonstration field. Here were presented the sunflower hybrids of VNIS selection of IMI technology - Armagedon, Carlos 105, Carlos 115 and SU technology - Sunny mood, Dragon and Matador.
The Armagedon, Carlos 105 and Carlos 115 hybrids have high yield potential, are resistant to 5-6 races of broomrape, and in combination with tolerance to imidazolinone herbicides can provide a decent economic effect of cultivation in the difficult soil and climatic and arid conditions of the steppe zone of Ukraine. The yield in this farm when applying the No-till tillage system was 3.3 t/ha of Armageddon hybrid, 2.9 t/ha of Carlos 105 and 2.7 t/ha of Carlos 115.
SU hybrids of sunflower - Sunny Mood, Matador, Dragon - are early maturing, have high drought and heat resistance, and are resistant to 5-6 races of sunflower broomrape. When grown under the No-till system in the arid conditions of the steppe zone of Ukraine, the yields of the hybrids Solnechnyy Napriyat, Matador, and Dragon were 2.45 t/ha, 2.4 t/ha, and 2.65 t/ha, respectively.
In addition to the above hybrids, in 2019, farmers will be able to purchase new VNIS breeding products - Shannon and Folk. These hybrids are resistant to herbicides with a tribenuron-methyl content of up to 50 g/ha.
Shannon is an intensive hybrid with genetic resistance to seven new races (A - G) of sunflower broomrape (Orobanche cumana), high drought tolerance and stable yields.
Folk is an intensive hybrid characterized by excellent resistance to downy mildew and, with proper technology and favorable climatic conditions, provides a yield of 3.5-4 t/ha, with a potential of 5.6 t/ha.
VNIS also has hybrids in its lineup that are designed to be grown using classical technology - Atilla, Zagrava, Ukrainian F1 and Ukrainian Sunshine.
According to traditional technology, hybrids are grown mainly in the central, western and northern regions of Ukraine. In areas of sufficient moisture and high agricultural backgrounds, sunflower hybrids produce 3.2-4.8 t/ha, and corn - 8.5-14.5 t/ha of grain.
Choose a country