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The objective of the present work was to find the relationship between uniformity of irrigation flow and agro-climatic factors with the yield, during pepper growing in greenhouse. The study was carried out in brown soil with carbonates, in a module of three greenhouses, Granma-1 Model, placed at "Valle del Yabú" Agricultural Company, in Villa Clara Province. In each greenhouse, six soil beds were formed with three irrigation branches with non-compensating Twin Drip drippers. For the study, 27 sampling points were taken, evenly distributed in the three greenhouses. The wind speed, temperature and relative humidity were measured with the Kestrel 5000 micro weather station. For the sampling of dripper flow, rain gauges were located at each experimental point and the irrigation coefficient of uniformity was determined. As a result, wind speed, relative humidity and temperature, inside the greenhouse, showed spatial variability values that satisfy the crop requirements. The coefficient of uniformity of irrigation rate was considered as acceptable with value of 71.2%, as a consequence of the obstruction of drippers, denoting a wide variability of irrigation rate without the presence of water flood or dry soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work is focused on the effects on the soil due to the traffic of sugarcane harvesting machines. The investigation took place in areas of three different units of sugarcane production in the UEB "Héctor Rodríguez", located on the north coast of Villa Clara. The CASE IH 8 800 harvesting machine and self-dumping car pulled by the Maxxum CASE 150 tractor were used for the study. The main characteristics of the predominant soils were determined, as well as the variations of soil micro relief, the bulk density and the soil moisture. The results showed soil modifications due to the traffic of the equipment during the harvest, highlighting the effect of the tractor and self-balancing aggregate. The machines introduce considerably modifications in field profile, by moving over and through the furrow, affecting the root zone. Dry bulk density values characteristic of heavy clay soils, were found, increasing this value after the harvesting machinery passing. On the other hand, soil moisture of 64.0% became in serious traffic problems for tractor self-balancing aggregates and causing traffic jam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present work, was to determine the main effects on the soil and in the sugar cane stumps, of mechanized activities in the plantations. It was carried out in the Basic Unit of Cooperative Production (UBPC) Máximo Gómez, belonging to the municipality of Camajuaní, Villa Clara. To carry out the research, a characterization of the study area was made; the variations of the furrow profile were determined; resistance to penetration and soil moisture in the root zone and in the street, also damage to the cane strain was identified. The main results showed agglomerations of residues from the previous harvest and clean spaces without stumps and new sprout. The resistance to soil penetration showed values of 0.8 and 1.2 kPa on surface of the street and the area of the stumps respectively, increasing with the depth of the soil up to 30 cm. Soil moisture in the stumps was higher than in the street up to 25 cm deep, with values of 28.6 and 30% respectively on the surface. For its part, the profile of the furrows showed a considerable variability in regarding the geometry and height of the ridges. Limitations were found in terms of the depth of the main roots, their vitality and quantity, the secondary or capillary roots showed low development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the present work was to determine the main properties of a compost made from bagasse, slowness and ash, obtained from the sugar factory process. To elaborate the mixture a characterization of the raw material was carried out in function of the properties related to the composting process. During the process of anaerobic biodigestion, the control of the main monitoring parameters was carried out, until reaching the maturation state. In the raw material used a bulk density of 0.12 to 0.48 g cm-3 was found, the pH oscillated between 5.2 and 8.7, while the electrical conductivity was in the range of 0,4 to 0,9 S m-1. On the other hand, the contents of P, K, Ca and Mg showed values between 0.3 and 2.8 %. Finally, a bulk density of 0.5 g cm-3 was obtained in the compost. The carbon-nitrogen (C/N) ratio, showed a linear relation with respect to the time of composting, showing a suitable maturation of the mixture. The presence of N, P, K, Ca and Mg with values of 1; 1.3; 1.1; 2 and 1.1 % were also verified. After evaluating the results it is concluded that compost shows a suitable composition to be used as organic fertilizer in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]