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The field experiment was carried out with clay loam soil to monitor the dry soil bulk density (BD), moisture content (dry base) (MC), and cone index (CI) till the depth of 0-60 cm under two farming systems, namely the controlled traffic farming system (CTF) and the random traffic farming system (RTF) from 1/02 - 30/04/2023. During the trial period, the RTF system soil's BD increased from 1.45 g cm-3 to 1.48 g cm-3 with an increase of 2%, while the increase in the CTF system soil's BD was 0.7 % (from 1.36 g cm-3 to 1.37 g cm-3), the MC also increased from 27.7 % to 28.08 % (1.37 %) in the RTF soil and from 36.16 % to 37.64 % (4.09 %) in the CTF system soil. While the CI increased from 2438 kPa to 2499 kPa with an increase of 2.26 % for the RTF system soil, however, it became 2018 kPa after it was 2096 kPa for the CTF soil with a decrease of 3.72 %. The results showed that switching from the RTF to the CTF system reduced the soil' BD by 6.85 %, reduced the soil CI by 16.55 % and increased the soil MC by 32.31 %. Finally, the graphic curves reflected the stability and consistency of the CTF system soil's physical behavior with increasing depth compared to the RTF system soil's physical behavior which fluctuated and disturbed for the same studied depth and under the same climatic conditions and traditional farming practices.

The field experiment was carried out in clay loam soil to monitor the dry soil bulk density (BD), moisture content (dry base) (MC), and cone index (CI) till the depth of 0-60 cm under two farming systems, namely the controlled traffic farming system (CTF) and the random traffic farming system (RTF) from 1/02 - 30/04/2023. During the trial period, the RTF system soil's BD increased from 1.45 g cm-3 to 1.48 g cm-3 with an increase of 2 %, while the increase in the CTF system soil's BD was 0.7 % (from 1.36 g cm-3 to 1.37 g cm-3 ), the MC also increased from 27.7 % to 28.08 % (1.37 %) in the RTF soil and from 36.16 % to 37.64 % (4.09 %) in the CTF system soil. While the CI increased from 2438 kPa to 2499 kPa with an increase of 2.26 % for the RTF system soil, however, it became 2018 kPa after it was 2096 kPa for the CTF soil with a decrease of 3.72 %. The results showed that switching from the RTF system to the CTF system reduced the soil' BD by 6.85 %, reduced the soil CI by 16.55 % and increased the soil MC by 32.31 %. Finally, the graphic curves reflected the stability and consistency of the CTF system soil's physical behavior with increasing depth compared to the RTF system soil's physical behavior which fluctuated and disturbed for the same studied depth and under the same climatic conditions and traditional farming practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wide span machines represent sophisticated energy and technological tools for controlled traffic farming. The curvilinear movement (turning) of these machines are often decisive in the design of new or evaluation of existing models of equipment. The application of classical theory of turning in researching wide span machines faces certain challenges due to limitations imposed when describing the force or kinematic interaction of their movers with the supporting surface along a constant technological track. Additionally, non-traditional control schemes further complicate the use of the classical turning theory. The present research aims to study the curvilinear motion of wide span vehicles in a quasi-static turning mode, allowing for the modelling of their turns with combined or non-traditional movers under various control schemes. As a result of the conducted research, it was established that a promising non-traditional turning scheme for a wide span machine is one where one rear wheel is driving, and the other is braking, with controllable front wheels. In this case, the turning radius of the machine is 1.5 times smaller compared to traditional turning schemes. It was experimentally proven that the practical implementation of this new non-traditional turning scheme for the wide span machine is limited by the magnitude of the load on its front wheels relative to the rear ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research is devoted to the topical problem of the efficiency of turning wide-span bridge machines in the track farming system. The research aims to study the curvilinear movement along the soil traces of a constant technological track of an arbitrary multi-supported bridge machine, considering its design and method of turning, parameters, modes of movement and loading. Experimental studies were conducted, involving the use of a modern strain track and specially designed equipment for electrical measurements of non-electrical quantities. The processing of research data was carried out on a personal computer. A methodology for compiling private models of turning off the bridge vehicle moving along the soil trace of the constant technological track was developed. As a result of the joint solution problem of the bridge machine turning, it is possible to determine all output parameters of curvilinear motion: trajectory, tractive forces, turning radius, slipping, and actual speeds. The force interaction of the bridge machine’s undercarriage with the soil trace of a constant track is presented based on flat sliding with a variable anisotropic friction coefficient of adhesion φyd, depending on the properties of the track. As the radius of the wheel, the width of its tire and the air pressure in it, as well as the vertical load that acts on it, the coefficient of traction of the bridge machine φyd increases, which may cause higher slippage. The adequacy of the model of stationary turning of the overhead machine is confirmed by experimental estimation of the resistance coefficient of the power onboard turning. The convergence of the theoretical and experimental values of this coefficient is within the confidence interval ± σ in the whole investigated weight range of the bridge machine prototype. This allows us to assess the influence of design parameters and schemes on the turning characteristics as early as the design stage of a new bridge machine, thus optimizing the design process. The results of the research can be applied to the organization of the process of turning the existing models of bridge machines

Path planning for optimized field-work pattern is an important task within precision farming. The decision on a particular direction and path to cultivate and manage the field is complex and can significantly affect working time, energy consumption, soil compaction and yield. This study proposed a new method for automated detection of the current cultivation direction of several thousands of agricultural fields and compared the current cultivation direction with an optimized cultivation direction generated from a path planning algorithm. Airborne imagery from 2019 was analyzed using a modified Gabor filter. The identification takes place on a sub-plot level and can therefore detect small-scale differences in cultivation direction within fields. The method for identification of current cultivation direction had a high success rate of 87.5%. Fields with a high potential to save turning maneuvers and to reduce the area of headland were identified. From 3410 fields, a total of 58162 turning maneuvers and 507 ha headland were saved. This corresponds to 14.1% of all turning maneuvers and 7.6% of the total headland area for all analyzed fields in Brandenburg. A high optimization potential was demonstrated for field paths when efficient processing directions are taken into account. The method can be extended to the analysis of satellite imagery and thus offers the possibility of identifying current cultivation directions with a high spatial and temporal resolution. In future, this knowledge can be embedded within decision support systems for real-time optimization of field machinery path planning to support sustainable cropping practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlled traffic farming (CTF) prevents soil compaction through permanent traffic lines. It has the potential to restore the soil structure, increase energy efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Localized tillage aims to create a favorable environment for plant development by creating permanent lines for tillage and traffic. Field trials were conducted for localized seedbed equipment using the exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) for quality assessment in four different regions in Brazil. In the first field, bulk density was evaluated at depths of 200, 400, and 600 mm, showing 1.31, 1.31, and 1.56 g cm−3 to seedbed area and 1.77, 1.67, and 1.56 g cm−3 to traffic area; the water infiltration rate can be evaluated as 278 mm h−1 and 120 mm h−1 in the seedbed and traffic lines, respectively. In the second field, trenches were opened to evaluate the geometric characteristics and root depth 120 days after planting (DAP). The measurements showed that 500 mm of adequate working depth stems and 510 mm seedbed width were required; root depth reached 1,334 mm, indicating that both parameters satisfy the CTF concept. Operational quality differences in subsoiling vs. seedbed-preparation were assessed in the third field using trenches to evaluate 120 DAP. The working depth for seedbed-preparation (584 mm) was better than that for traffic lines (311 mm). In the last field, a comparison between subsoiling and seedbed-preparation was carried out to evaluate the depth of the root system, using trenches for each operation at 90 DAP; seedbed-preparation (1279 mm) showed better results than traffic lines (562 mm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research is devoted to the topical problem of the efficiency of turning wide-span bridge machines in the track farming system. The research aims to study the curvilinear movement along the soil traces of a constant technological track of an arbitrary multi-supported bridge machine, considering its design and method of turning, parameters, modes of movement and loading. Experimental studies were conducted, involving the use of a modern strain track and specially designed equipment for electrical measurements of non-electrical quantities. The processing of research data was carried out on a personal computer. A methodology for compiling private models of turning off the bridge vehicle moving along the soil trace of the constant technological track was developed. As a result of the joint solution problem of the bridge machine turning, it is possible to determine all output parameters of curvilinear motion: trajectory, tractive forces, turning radius, slipping, and actual speeds. The force interaction of the bridge machine's undercarriage with the soil trace of a constant track is presented based on flat sliding with a variable anisotropic friction coefficient of adhesion φyd, depending on the properties of the track. As the radius of the wheel, the width of its tire and the air pressure in it, as well as the vertical load that acts on it, the coefficient of traction of the bridge machine φyd increases, which may cause higher slippage. The adequacy of the model of stationary turning of the overhead machine is confirmed by experimental estimation of the resistance coefficient of the power onboard turning. The convergence of the theoretical and experimental values of this coefficient is within the confidence interval ± σ in the whole investigated weight range of the bridge machine prototype. This allows us to assess the influence of design parameters and schemes on the turning characteristics as early as the design stage of a new bridge machine, thus optimizing the design process. The results of the research can be applied to the organization of the process of turning the existing models of bridge machines [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the ways to improve the manoeuvrability of wheeled axle machines when they move along the tracks of a constant technological track is the use of onboard turning. This simplifies the layout, increases the useful volume of the machine due to the release of niches in the machine body, necessary for placing the steering wheels when turning. However, the question of the efficiency of onboard turning of axle machines by the criterion of power input remains insufficiently studied. The aim of the research is to substantiate the criterion of the power required to implement on-board turns of an overhead machine. Theoretical research, synthesis of design schemes, parameters and modes of operation of bridge machines have been carried out by simulating on a personal computer the conditions of their functioning. The basics of theoretical mechanics and tractor theory were the basis of the research methods. As a result of the research, it has been established that power (onboard) turning is widely used for wheeled machines and has a prospect of application on bridge machines used in the track farming system. Approbation of the developed methodology of determining power inputs for power (onboard) turning of wheeled axle machines has shown that under the accepted conditions of turning the power required for turning of the axle machine is 28% of the engine power at a speed of 5 km-hr1. As the gauge of the bridge machine increases, the total power required for the power (onboard) turn increases exponentially. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the article is to investigate the traction, energy, and coupling properties of Wide Span Vehicles (WSV) during their operation in Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) conditions. Based on the analysis, systematization, and synthesis of theoretical data, the advantages of using WSVs in CTF conditions have been identified, along with the absence of mechanical and technological foundations for their functioning and utilization. The conducted research has determined that the necessary specific power of WSVs should be 23.5 W·kg‒1 at 1 km·h‒1, Their movement on CTF tracks is accompanied by a lower slip value (at the level of 0.15…0.17) compared to their movement on agricultural background, where the wheel realizes the maximum traction contact force, allowing it to develop pulling forces at the level of 6.37 kN per ton of its operational mass. In future studies, we plan to explore the technological properties of WSVs, characterizing their compliance with technological requirements across the entire range of agricultural operations for which they are intended as part of the equipment.

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The aim of research is to analyse the process of the wide span vehicle motion on the treads of the permanent process track with the use of the traction method of turn. The completed studies have proved that the plane-parallel motion of a wide span vehicle solely with the use of the traction method of turn on the treads of the permanent process track requires a significantly smaller difference between the moments applied to the wheels on the right side and on the left side of the vehicle, as compared to that of a crawler tractor. This difference is in proportion to the width of its wheel base that has a relatively smaller length. It has been established that the use of solely tractionbased turn does not provide for the adjustment of the motion trajectory through the lateral (planeparallel) displacement of the fore-and-aft axis of the agricultural wide span vehicle. The oscillations in the lateral displacement of the agricultural wide span vehicle in the process of its motion are low-frequency ones. The main variance spectrum of these oscillations is concentrated within the range of frequencies of 0-2 s-1. At the same time, the maximum transverse displacement of the agricultural wide span vehicle equal to 1.3 10-5 m N-1, occurs also at low frequencies. In view of the fact that the main variance spectrum of the oscillations of the tangential forces applied to the wheels on the left and right sides of the agricultural wide span vehicle is concentrated exactly within a low frequency range, only the high accuracy of the system using a laser beam can ensure its satisfactory steerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the basic requirements for controlled traffic farming (CTF) is the precise motion of all agricultural equipment on permanent traffic lanes (PTL). Tractors of machine-tractor units are then equipped with a GNSS (global navigation satellite) RTK (real-time kinematic) system, even though in many parts of the world, and Europe as well, satellite navigation is not yet used. In this case, for implementation of the CTF system, it needs to lay such PTL tracks that would be sufficiently visible, especially when using the CTF system in multi-year agricultural crop cultivation. The PTL track depth is influenced by both tractor and soil parameters and, in this paper, this influence is studied considering the dimensionless π-terms of the similarity theory. To obtain a greater depth of PTL tracks (h), the soil cone index must be low. The low density of the soil is important, even if its effect on the parameter h is less than that of the soil cone index. A greater depth of PTL tracks is also obtained by increasing the inflation pressure in the tractor tires. Ballasted wheels are the least effective for increasing the value of the parameter h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the impact of soil compaction owing to cotton picker traffic, and the impact of this compaction on cotton yield on a row-by-row basis across the field under both random traffic farming (RTF) and controlled traffic farming (CTF) systems. Measurements of soil water content, dry bulk density and soil penetration resistance were taken and compared with a depth of 80 cm both before and after traffic. It was found that the traffic of JD7760 round-bale cotton picker caused significant compaction in cotton rows and furrows located between, adjacent to, and in wheel tracks under both RTF and CTF systems, particularly for the top 30-cm depth. Because of the soil compaction, the yield was more significantly reduced (7~10% by the machine-pick method) in the rows between the dual-wheel than in those adjacent to the wheel track. Adopting CTF reduces the area of soil compaction and ensures the maintenance of soil characteristics of the cultivated portions of the farm, hence enhancing cotton yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the basic requirements for controlled traffic farming (CTF) is the precise motion of all agricultural equipment on permanent traffic lanes (PTL). Tractors of machine-tractor units are then equipped with a GNSS (global navigation satellite) RTK (real-time kinematic) system, even though in many parts of the world, and Europe as well, satellite navigation is not yet used. In this case, for implementation of the CTF system, it needs to lay such PTL tracks that would be sufficiently visible, especially when using the CTF system in multi-year agricultural crop cultivation. The PTL track depth is influenced by both tractor and soil parameters and, in this paper, this influence is studied considering the dimensionless π-terms of the similarity theory. To obtain a greater depth of PTL tracks (h), the soil cone index must be low. The low density of the soil is important, even if its effect on the parameter h is less than that of the soil cone index. A greater depth of PTL tracks is also obtained by increasing the inflation pressure in the tractor tires. Ballasted wheels are the least effective for increasing the value of the parameter h.

Recently, rapid development of controlled traffic farming convincingly demonstrates the broad prospects of using the wide span tractor-based field machines throughout the world. The issue at hand lies in the fact that having a wide span tractor-based machine with steering-wheel system moving along the tracks of a constant technological track is not a rational option. According to the concept of bridge and rutting agriculture, it is advisable to subordinate the automated means of mechanization to the principles of the functioning of the coordinate transport system in which machines can move only in two mutually perpendicular directions and for implementation of which the field must have strictly defined dimensions. Therefore, a method of power steering similar to a crawler tractor (track-type tractor) can be more efficient in the automatic driving of bridge means of mechanization within the coordinate-transport system than a kinematic control. Furthermore, methodology utilized for selection of design schemes, parameters and operating modes of machine-tractor aggregates can not be used for study of dynamics of the wide span tractor-based field machine. Theoretical study is based on theoretical mechanics, theory of mobile energy facilities, statistical dynamics and theory of automatic control of linear dynamical systems with reproduction of statistically random control and disturbing input effects. Purpose of the research lies in development of a dynamic model of plane parallel motion in the horizontal plane of a wide span tractor-based field machine unit using a power (onboard) method of control, which would allow investigation of impacts of the control parameters and disturbing influences on the controllability and stability of its motion. Mathematical models have been developed and new regularities of the straightforward parallel movement of the wide span tractor-based field machine unit for controlled traffic farming have been obtained. The results obtained allow the validation of new schemes, design parameters and modes of operation with acceptable controllability and stability of movement in the horizontal plane with a power control method of the chassis.

From the point of view of energy saving, research into agricultural gantry units equipped with new implements specially adapted for operation in such systems and capable of efficiently functioning in controlled traffic (permanent lane) and wide span (gantry) systems is an important and topical issue in soil tillage science. The range of wide span systems includes harrowing units for fallow land tillage. This paper describes the experimental determination of the operating characteristics of the harrowing unit, in which a gantry implement carrier propels harrows for fallow land tillage, for the purpose of establishing the compliance of their parameters with the fundamental principles of the effective implementation of the controlled traffic and wide span soil management. The experimental investigations were done using strain-gauge and control-and-measuring equipment with analogue-to-digital conversion of the signals received from the sensing elements. An agricultural wide span unit with a track width of 3.5 m and harrows for fallow land tillage were investigated. The results show the harrowing unit is well adapted to operation in controlled traffic and wide span soil tillage systems and delivers high quality performance of the harrowing process. The latter effect is also due to the fact that the gantry travels on the compacted tracks which have a few surface irregularities compared to cultivated soil. The coefficient of variation of the draught force applied to the hook of the gantry during harrowing operations did not exceed 10%. This is evidence of the high stability (low variability) of the harrowing process, which has a positive effect on the motion stability of the harrowing unit based on the gantry tractor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanized farming for vegetable production has evolved as an integral part of commercial agriculture during the past few decades. As a first step towards mechanized farming the use of tractors in Indian agriculture has increased by 528% during the period 1990-91 to 2018-19 from 0.15 to 0.8 million/year. Undoubtedly, use of such technologies has made vegetable as well as foodgrain production a profitable venture by easing land preparation, weed management and other intercultural operations, crop harvesting, etc. However, their continuous use in production fields has resulted in the substantial compaction of soil along the wheel lines of tractors and similar heavy machinery. Reports indicate a significant yield loss (13-73%) owing to soil compaction because it restricts root penetrance into the soil, limiting nutrient and water uptake by the plants, and also potential water stagnation, which can limit the normal activities of respiring roots leading to retarded plant growth and root diseases. In this context, control traffic farming (CTF), which aims to reduce the area affected by the operation of heavy machinery that otherwise lead to soil compaction, brings a substantial value to the current global focus of sustainable and precision farming. CTF attempts to restrict the spatial movement of machinery wheels to fewer operation lanes during and across production cycles for a long time and allows specifically the undisturbed areas of soil for crop production. Research confirms a significant improvement in crop yield in different crop production systems worldwide and reduction in methane emission due to soil absorption (372-2100%) compared to random traffic farming. In this article, we discuss the advantages of CTF in terms of root growth, nutrient mobilization and energy efficiency of the vegetable production system, and also argue on its scope in the Indian context, given the situation that no or only a few studies have been reported from the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts related to minimizing the environmental burden caused by agricultural activities and increasing economic efficiency are key contemporary drivers in the precision agriculture domain. Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) techniques are being applied against soil compaction creation, using the on-line optimization of trajectory planning for soil-sensitive field operations. The research presented in this paper aims at a proof-of-concept solution with respect to optimizing farm machinery trajectories in order to minimize the environmental burden and increase economic efficiency. As such, it further advances existing CTF solutions by including (1) efficient plot divisions in 3D, (2) the optimization of entry and exit points of both plot and plot segments, (3) the employment of more machines in parallel and (4) obstacles in a farm machinery trajectory. The developed algorithm is expressed in terms of unified modeling language (UML) activity diagrams as well as pseudo-code. Results were visualized in 2D and 3D to demonstrate terrain impact. Verifications were conducted at a fully operational commercial farm (Rostěnice, the Czech Republic) against second-by-second sensor measurements of real farm machinery trajectories.

Controlled traffic farming is a machinery management system that confines all field vehicles to the least possible area of permanent traffic lanes. It has developed in response to research evidence of widespread soil damage from compaction due to field traffic. The history of research on soil compaction is explored and found to be a relatively new phenomenon. Controlled traffic farming as a topic for research did not appear until the 1980s although its principles and benefits were well established before then. Research expanded over the next decades but changed subtly to more reviews on the topic as well as emphasis on environmental deliverables and some economics studies. Few if any researchers attempted to develop on-farm systems using existing machinery until the mid 1990s when a small and dedicated team in Australia encouraged farmers to experiment. This quickly led to rapid expansion across the continent to its present day c. 13% of the cropped area. Despite changes to extension services in northern Europe at around the turn of the century and a move to subsidiarity, this did not alter the model of controlled traffic adoption. This followed a similar pattern to that in Australia involving individuals rather than organizations.

The paper deals with basic soil physical properties as affected by wheel traffic. Agricultural land is, in varying degrees, exposed to the pressures exerted by running parts of tractors, harvesting machinery and transport equipment. Damaging the soil by compaction increases the energy efficiency, deteriorates the quality of tillage, may reduce crop yields and is associated with environmental risks that accompany water erosion. The selection of results from field trials demonstrates the positive effect of the reduction of level crossings on the results of physical and mechanical properties of the soil.

This paper reviews the results of recent traffic systems research and concludes that the evidence shows that with sufficient ingenuity by farmers and their equipment suppliers to match operating and wheel track widths, the traffic management systems that reduce soil compaction should improve crop yield, reduce energy consumption and improve infiltration rates (which will reduce runoff, erosion and flooding). These together will improve agronomic, economic and environmental sustainability of agriculture. Low ground pressure alternatives may well be the option that best suits some farming enterprises and should not be discounted as viable traffic management methods. The paper also considers the implications for further work to improve the robustness of the experimental data.

Highlights • Heavy machinery significantly impacts compaction at 100% of sites to 0.8 m. • Safe traffic demonstrated as only likely at the lower limit (soil suction 1.5 MPa). • An equation predicting optimum moisture content from clay content is presented. Abstract The agricultural industry has a strong and continuing trend for the incorporation of heavy machinery into the farming system, in order to create operational efficiencies. It is therefore important to understand the soil structural cost of such machinery, which was the objective of this work. Using the John Deere 7760 (JD7760) cotton picker (soil surface stress at the rear wheel ≈0.5 MPa), as a case study, seven randomly allocated experimental sites within the Australian cotton industry were investigated for changes in soil bulk density after traffic with the JD7760. The modified Proctor test optimum moisture content (OMC) for compaction was measured, based upon the JD7760 imposed surface stress, and compared to the field results for compaction. Soil water deficits, calculated for the modified Proctor test OMC, were determined and used to discuss the soil structural implications of heavy machinery, as well as threshold soil water content for safe traffic. All sites underwent significant soil compaction within the 0.3 m depth. More than 50% of sites exhibited compaction to the limit of investigation (0.8 m depth), with the remaining sites having significant reduction in spatial heterogeneity of Vertisol cracks and macropores for the same depth. General equations for OMC and plastic limit, based on clay content and OMC, respectively, were developed. These were used to facilitate extrapolation of experimental data to an open-database of 116 Vertisol sites. For these data, it was determined that safe traffic thresholds did not exist above to the lower limit (soil matric potential −1.5 MPa). Implications for soil structural relations and soil-water movement are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given that water is the principal limiting factor in rain-fed cereal production in Victoria, practices that improve water capture, storage and use are required. Improvements in soil condition in agriculture, through the adoption of innovative practices has the potential to increase production, water use efficiency and environmental sustainability, while also addressing the growing challenges of climate variability. The response of subsoil manuring (SSM) and controlled traffic farming (CTF) on improving severe subsoil constraints, including compaction, sodicity and high soil strength, was investigated in cropping enterprises in the low to medium rainfall zones of Victoria. Despite experiencing below average rainfall conditions in both years of the project (2014 and 2015) there were encouraging responses of increased crop yield and reduced soil compaction across some sites and innovations. Partnerships and engagement with farmers is important for driving practice change, by demonstrating innovative practices locally and having leading farmers mentoring other farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precision Farming (PF) and Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) are well known concepts within agriculture, but the adoption rate of these practices by farmers is still very low, because farmers lack the needed skills or fail to see the benefits of using these practices. If farmers want to reap the full benefits, operational planning must be carried out in advance for the entire crop cycle, before the crop season begins. However, operational planning across the entire crop cycle is a non-trivial task, since the efficiency of each operation is determined by a range of selected operational features (e.g., wayline direction, operational speed, vehicle capacity, wayline sequence, and turn type). To that end, we present, in this paper, an application that can support farmers with operational planning of field operations with CTF, by automating the process. It provides the farmer with an overview of all his field operations, and acts as a decision support tool during the operational planning process. The application allows farmers to store and manage field and equipment information, which is used as input, when setting up CTF and generating way lines and route plans for the individual fields. One of the key benefits of the application is the provided comparison feature, where farmers can compare alternative solutions, based on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Results from an example field, for operations with different machine setups, are presented to illustrate how KPIs and visualisations can support farmers during the decision process.

Wide span tractors have a wide transversal bar, on which different implements can be mounted, while the supporting wheels follow the set traffic-lanes. The stability of wide span tractor movement is influenced by unbroken small angular deviations and transversal displacements of the machine due to several factors. These deflections from the set trajectories affect the working implements, especially the peripheral ones, which can cut the plants if wide span tractors are used to manage row crops. In this context, it needs to consider a safeguard zone that allows to reduce the probability of contact between working implements and plants. The aim of this paper was to determine the quantitative effect of transverse displacements of the working implements and the suitable size of the aforesaid safeguard zone. The magnitude of the inner and outer displacements of the working implements depends significantly on their location in relation to the center of the wide span tractor. For working implements located outside the center of the tractor, the outer safeguard zone should be larger than the inner zone. The probability of crop damage by working implements can be reduced by automated control of wide span tractor movement.

Soil erosion in arable fields is intensified on irregular surfaces. Although machine and crop-row patterns following terrain contours reduce runoff and increase water infiltration, these contours are almost never parallel while machine operations always are. In this work, a method is presented to generate patterns of machine paths on sloping land and assess their susceptibility to water erosion. The approach comprises three main process-steps: (1) assembling a comprehensive set of reference tracks and introducing hybrid contour lines; (2) adjust these curved tracks into steerable parallel tracks for agricultural machines; and (3) assess water flow accumulation and susceptibility to soil loss of the corresponding pattern. The methods were implemented in open source software and applied on three case studies concerning sugarcane production in the São Paulo region in Brazil. Our results suggest that soil loss could be reduced fivefold by inserting one single change in the cropping pattern while estimated reductions up to 75% could be obtained by the model when compared to a human-suggested coverage pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Central Valley (CV) of California is a remarkably productive agricultural region. Much of the productive capacity of the CV stems from the reliable tillage management systems that were developed beginning in the 1930s and that changed very little until the 1990s and even more dramatically in the 2000s. A variety of technologies, people and social networks have contributed to the major transformations in tillage management that have rapidly occurred during this recent time. Factors that influenced the prior slow evolution of tillage systems in the region include the need to find ways to farm with irrigation, cope with a broad range of soils, achieve high crop quality and yields to compete on world markets, expand farming operations to greater acreage, and find ways to farm with ever-increasing costs. The cost increases, recognition of the emerging concepts of conservation agriculture (CA), and the development and broader adoption of advanced irrigation systems are now spurring farmers and research organizations in the CV to overcome problems experienced with conventional tillage practices and to develop new cropping systems in the region including no-tillage and strip-tillage. Ultimately, broader adoption of conservation agriculture principles and practices in this region will stem from a diverse and complex set of motivating factors. The role of global farmer-to-farmer communication has had a major impact on this process. Ongoing targeted problem-solving efforts addressing weed, water and fertility management in conservation agriculture systems will be needed to make them more reliable and widely used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic and environmental impacts of ethanol biorefineries with different sugarcane ( Saccharum spp.) production technologies are evaluated with a focus on harvesting systems, reduced tillage, controlled traffic farming to reduce soil compaction, and alternatives of sugarcane rotation. Results showed that scenarios with sunn hemp ( Crotolaria juncea) as a rotation crop in the sugarcane cycle present great potential to decrease environmental impacts of sugarcane biorefineries. Although reduced tillage promotes a reduction in sugarcane production costs in comparison to conventional tillage, it only cause a slightly decrease (less than 5%) on ethanol environmental impacts. Use of soybean ( Glycine max) as a rotation crop yields an extra source of income, increasing the net agricultural revenues by 15% compared to scenario with sunn hemp. However, better economic and environmental impacts for sugarcane biorefinery are obtained with use of sunn hemp in the crop rotation and controlled traffic farming. Sugarcane production using controlled traffic farming allows an increased number of harvesters, with consequent reduction of 43% in greenhouse gases emissions, 24% in fossil depletion, and 44% in acidification potential when compared to burned cane scenario. These results reinforce that better agricultural management practices should be used to maximize number of cuts in the sugarcane cycle. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although controlled traffic farming (CTF) is an environmentally friendly soil management system, no quantitative evaluation of environmental benefits is available. This paper aims at establishing a framework for quantitative evaluation of the environmental benefits of CTF, considering a list of environmental benefits, namely, reducing soil compaction, runoff/erosion, energy requirement and greenhouse gas emission (GHG), conserving organic matter, enhancing soil biodiversity and fertiliser use efficiency. Based on a comprehensive literature review and the European Commission Soil Framework Directive, the choice of and the weighting of the impact of each of the environmental benefits were made. The framework was validated using data from three selected farms. For Colworth farm (Unilever, UK), the framework predicted the largest overall environmental benefit of 59.3% of the theoretically maximum achievable benefits (100%), as compared to the other two farms in Scotland (52%) and Australia (47.3%). This overall benefit could be broken down into: reducing soil compaction (24%), tillage energy requirement (10%) and GHG emissions (3%), enhancing soil biodiversity (7%) and erosion control (6%), conserving organic matter (6%), and improving fertiliser use efficiency (3%). Similar evaluation can be performed for any farm worldwide, providing that data on soil properties, topography, machinery, and weather are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]