Search

In this work there are studied the peculiarities of formation of the reserves of productive moisture in a meter--thick layer of chernozem in a long--term dimension using various methods of soil cultivation and agroclimatic indicators under the conditions of the left bank part of the central Forest--Steppe of Ukraine. In the work there used generally accepted research methods: the field, laboratory, mathematical statistics, comparative calculations. Based on the conducted research, the following results were obtained. In the period from 1977-1982 to 2020-2024 the amount of precipitation during the cold period of the year (November-February) increased by 71 mm, and for the period November-March -- by 64 mm. In the months of the cold period of the year the amount of precipitation increased most of all: in November (+15 mm), December (+28 mm), February (+38 mm) relative to the norm. The average monthly air temperature in the period November-February in 2020-2024 was above 0 °C, while according to the norm of observations the average monthly air temperature was -1.3 °C. In the period from 1977 to 2024 the increase in average daily air temperature occurred according to trustworthy trends. A direct correlation was established between the amount of precipitation during the cold period of the year (November-February) and the average monthly air temperature at the level of R = 0.73-0.75, and with precipitation for the period November-March the correlation weakened to an average level of R = 0.63-0.70. During the shallow non-moldboard cultivation in 2020-2024 the accumulated moisture was by 16 mm less, in contrast to the deep non--moldboard cultivation. A direct correlation was found between the moisture reserves in the 0--50 cm layer and the average daily air temperature for the periods November-February and November-March: R = 0.74-0.76 ± 0.02, R² = 0.54-0.58 (ploughing), R = 0.70-0.71 ± 0.02, R² = 0.49-0.50 (moldboardless tillage) and R = 0.49-0.52 ± 0.02, R² = 0.24-0.27 (small mouldboardless tillage). The relationship between the amount of atmospheric precipitation and the reserves of productive moisture in a meter--thick layer, regardless of the processing method, was at the level of direct correlation of the average level, and the formation of spring reserves of productive moisture in a meter-thick layer, regardless of the processing method, over 46 years of observations took place according a downward trend. For ploughing the intensity of the decrease in the moisture reserve was 2.1 times higher compared to the non--moldboard cultiation, which made it possible to form a higher moisture reserve by 8-10 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work there are studied the peculiarities of formation of the reserves of productive moisture in a meter–thick layer of chernozem in a long–term dimension using various methods of soil cultivation and agroclimatic indicators under the conditions of the left bank part of the central Forest–Steppe of Ukraine. In the work there used generally accepted research methods: the field, laboratory, mathematical statistics, comparative calculations. Based on the conducted research, the following results were obtained. In the period from 1977 – 1982 to 2020 – 2024 the amount of precipitation during the cold period of the year (November–February) increased by 71 mm, and for the period November–March – by 64 mm. In the months of the cold period of the year the amount of precipitation increased most of all: in November (+ 15 mm), December (+ 28 mm), February (+ 38 mm) relative to the norm. During the shallow non–moldboard cultivation in 2020 – 2024 the accumulated moisture was by 16 mm less, in contrast to the deep non–moldboard cultivation. A direct correlation was found between the moisture reserves in the 0 – 50 cm layer and the average daily air temperature for the periods November–February and November–March: R = 0.74 – 0.76 ± 0.02, R2 = 0.54 – 0.58 (ploughing), R = 0.70 – 0.71 ± 0.02, R2 = 0.49 – 0.50 (moldboardless tillage) and R = 0.49 – 0.52 ± 0.02, R2 = 0.24 – 0.27 (small mouldboardless tillage). The relationship between the amount of atmospheric precipitation and the reserves of productive moisture in a meter–thick layer, regardless of the processing method, was at the level of direct correlation of the average level, and the formation of spring reserves of productive moisture in a meter–thick layer, regardless of the processing method, over 46 years of observations took place according a downward trend. For ploughing the intensity of the decrease in the moisture reserve was 2.1 times higher compared to the non–moldboard cultiation, which made it possible to form a higher moisture reserve by 8 – 10 mm.

With the implementation of the GOELRO plan in the late 1920s and early 1930s, efforts were made to extend the use of electricity to agricultural fieldwork through the development of specialized machines and mechanisms. Numerous inventors, engineers, and scientists focused on finding ways to electrify energy-intensive agricultural operations. As a result, various designs of electric plows and electric tractors emerged. (Research purpose) The paper aims to analyze the development of electric tractors in the USSR during the period from 1930 to 1956. (Materials and methods) The study employs a chronological research method, examining scientific and technical publications, along with other sources, that address the manufacturing and testing of electric tractors. Conclusions were drawn through the analysis and synthesis of the reviewed materials. (Results and discussion) The initial phase of electrifying soil cultivation operations was marked by the development of plows powered by electric winches. In the early 1930s, tractors emerged with electric motors replacing traditional heat (internal combustion) engines. Advancements in electric tractor design led to the creation of tracked models such as the HTZ-15 (Kharkov) and ET-5-ENIN-VIESh (Moscow), which underwent extensive economic testing. The results indicated that the use of electric tractors in fi eld crop farming was unsuitable due to both technical and economic factors. (Conclusions) Between 1930 and 1956, at least 15 types of wheeled and tracked electric tractors were developed in the Soviet Union. Testing these models revealed both the advantages and drawbacks of electrified traction equipment. Despite their eff orts, mid-twentieth-century engineers were unable to resolve the technical challenges associated with the implementation of electric tractors, leading to the termination of the project in 1956.

The development and implementation of energy-saving technologies for growing sunflower hybrids is a relevant area of research to ensure sustainable development of the agricultural sector and environmental protection. The study aimed to analyse the impact of different tillage methods on sunflower yields in southern Ukraine. To achieve this goal, a field study was conducted in the fields of the Educational and Research Centre of Mykolaiv National Agrarian University in 2021-2023. The study determined that the method of soil cultivation has a significant impact on its density, moisture reserves and structural stability. Reducing the intensity of cultivation, especially when using no-till, preserves moisture in the soil more effectively, but increases its density. With no-till, before sowing sunflower, it was 1.11 g/cm³ at a depth of 0-10 cm and 1.21 g/cm³ before harvesting, while with conventional tillage, the soil density was 1.02 g/cm³ and 1.1 g/cm³, respectively. In addition, no-till tillage provided the best sunflower productivity indicators, including 1000-seed weight (47.3 g), basket diameter (20.2 cm) and yield (2.6 t/ha). No-till cultivation also improves the quality of the sunflower crop, increasing the content of oleic acid (86.5%) and crude fat in the seeds (48.3%). The obtained results contribute to the development of integrated approaches to the introduction of energy-saving technologies in the cultivation of sunflower hybrids in southern Ukraine, which will increase production efficiency and reduce production costs

Fast regrowth from deep roots and rhizomes makes it difficult to mechanically control the perennials Cirsium arvense and Tussilago farfara respectively. It is, however, not clear whether new shoots originate mainly from fragments of roots/rhizomes in upper soil layers or from an intact system below depth of soil cultivation. Here we present results from three experiments with natural infestations of C. arvense, and two with both C. arvense and T. farfara. Plots of 1 m2 were excavated to different depths (13–25 cm), all below‐ground plant parts in the topsoil were collected and thereafter fragments were either returned to or removed from the plots. Regrowth from disturbed plots with removed or returned fragments was compared. The origin of regrown shoots, that is, whether they originated from seeds, intact below‐ground root/rhizome systems or returned fragments, was examined. More C. arvense shoots originated from the intact root system (48%–84%) than from root fragments (16%–52%). The final aboveground biomass was not affected by removal of the top‐soil fragments. For T. farfara, a small proportion (3%) of new shoots originated from the intact rhizome system, and the rest from fragments. We conclude that the intact root system of C. arvense contributes at least as much as root fragments to regrowth after soil cultivation, which might imply that time of treatment and depth of cultivation are crucial for the effect of mechanical control. For T. farfara, the results suggest that tillage equipment with high capacity to fragment the rhizome system will contribute to efficient control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development and implementation of energy-saving technologies for growing sunflower hybrids is a relevant area of research to ensure sustainable development of the agricultural sector and environmental protection. The study aimed to analyse the impact of different tillage methods on sunflower yields in southern Ukraine. To achieve this goal, a field study was conducted in the fields of the Educational and Research Centre of Mykolaiv National Agrarian University in 2021-2023. The study determined that the method of soil cultivation has a significant impact on its density, moisture reserves and structural stability. Reducing the intensity of cultivation, especially when using no-till, preserves moisture in the soil more effectively, but increases its density. With no-till, before sowing sunflower, it was 1.11 g/cm³ at a depth of 0-10 cm and 1.21 g/cm³ before harvesting, while with conventional tillage, the soil density was 1.02 g/cm³ and 1.1 g/cm³, respectively. In addition, no-till tillage provided the best sunflower productivity indicators, including 1000-seed weight (47.3 g), basket diameter (20.2 cm) and yield (2.6 t/ha). No-till cultivation also improves the quality of the sunflower crop, increasing the content of oleic acid (86.5%) and crude fat in the seeds (48.3%). The obtained results contribute to the development of integrated approaches to the introduction of energy-saving technologies in the cultivation of sunflower hybrids in southern Ukraine, which will increase production efficiency and reduce production costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of resource-efficient technology in contemporary agricultural production enhances the productivity and efficiency of sunflower farming while mitigating environmental harm. The research aimed to examine the impact of various tillage techniques on sunflower farming in southern Ukraine. A field study was undertaken from 2021 to 2023 at the Educational and Research Centre of Mykolaiv National Agrarian University to achieve this objective. The research established that traditional tillage yields the lowest density of the topsoil (0-10 cm), signifying good soil aeration. At the same time, no-till cultivation is characterised by the highest soil density, but it helps to increase the reserves of productive moisture at all depths. Before sunflower harvesting, the no-till moisture content was 134 mm in the 0-100 cm layer, which is 26 mm more than in conventional tillage. The study showed that plant height and vegetative mass growth of sunflowers were higher than no-till in all growth stages. In the phase of two pairs of true leaves, the height of the plants under no-till was 16.8 cm, and during flowering - 176.2 cm. The growth of vegetative mass in the phase of two pairs of true leaves under no-till reached 135 g/m2 and in the phase of seed formation - 1,380 g/m2. The leaf area index under no-till was the highest in all phases of sunflower growth, in the flowering phase it was 4.8 m2/m2, which is 10% higher than under conventional tillage (4.2). The chlorophyll content was also the highest under no-till and in the flowering phase at 46 (SPAD units). In addition, the sunflower yield under conventional tillage was 3.56 t/ha, under minimum tillage - 3.85 t/ha, and no-till was the highest at 3.95 t/ha. The practical value of the study is to provide scientifically based recommendations for agricultural enterprises on the choice of the optimal method of soil cultivation, which can increase the competitiveness of Ukrainian sunflowers on the world market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For economic, environmental, and climatic reasons, soil cultivation methods without the use of a plough have became increasingly popular in recent decades. As research has shown, their impact on the growth and yield of crops is not always positive, especially when direct sowing is used. Recently, a new solution in the field of tillage has appeared which involves loosening the soil only within the sowing zone, which is called strip till. In the research presented in this work, this method was used for various cultivars of winter wheat on uncultivated stubble, but also after cultivation of the stubble just after harvest of a forecrop. The aim of the paper was to define the impact of the aforementioned factors on the parameters of photosynthesis, leaf area index, and water use efficiency. The range of soil cultivation after the harvest of the forecrop and cultivars influenced significantly the measured photosynthesis parameters. The impact of the cultivation method and variety on water use efficiency was small, although it should be noted that limiting the intensity of cultivation after the forecrop harvest had a temporary positive impact on the flag leaf phase. The winter wheat cultivar had an impact on the yield obtained: Formacja (0.44 t ha-1) and Metronom (0.37 t ha-1) yielded higher than Desamo. In the case of plough tillage, the yield was higher than in the case of minimum tillage and no tillage. Given the economic and environmental benefits associated with reduced fuel consumption, no tillage with a relatively slightly lower yield may be an alternative to the use of plough tillage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In coal mining regions, soil organic carbon content is elevated by the deposition of coal dust through natural settling and transportation. However, the contribution of organic carbon content from coal dust of varying coalification degrees is inconsistent. Its active involvement in soil carbon transformation processes and its influence on soil bacterial communities remain to be elucidated. Methods: This study conducted a 120-day indoor constant-temperature soil incubation experiment, with sampling carried out at 5, 15, 30, 50, 80, and 120 days of incubation. The research aimed to investigate the impact mechanisms of three coalification degrees of coal dust, lignite, bituminous coal, and anthracite, along with a corresponding control group, on soil carbon dioxide (CO2-C) accumulation mineralization, soil active organic carbon, and soil bacterial community structure. Results: Lignite exhibited the highest promotion of soil CO2-C mineralization, showing a 9.74% increase compared to the control (CK). The impact of the three types of coal dust on soil readily oxidizable organic carbon (ROC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) content decreased to varying degrees with increasing incubation time. Furthermore, coal dust was found to enhance the prevalence of dominant bacterial taxa in the soil, with an increase in groups such as Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria, and the extent of the increase was correlated with the coalification degree. Conclusion: Coal dust with lower coalification degrees has a stronger impact on the soil compared to higher coalification degrees, and these effects tend to manifest in the short term. Therefore, further exploration of this aspect should focus on long-term effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a longstanding and contentious debate about the future of glyphosate use in the European Union (EU). In November 2023, the European Commission approved the renewal of the use registration for glyphosate for a further 10 years. Nevertheless, the EU Farm to Fork strategy calls for a 50% reduction in pesticide use by 2030. In November 2022, the European Weed Research Society organised a 2 day workshop to identify critical glyphosate uses in current EU cropping systems and to review the availability of glyphosate alternatives. Workshop participants identified four current, critical uses in EU cropping systems; control and management of perennial weeds, weed control in conservation agriculture, vegetation management in tree and vine crops and herbicide resistance management. There are few herbicide alternatives that provide effective, economic, broad‐spectrum control of weeds, particularly perennial weeds. Mechanical weed control, and in particular, soil cultivation is the most obvious glyphosate alternative. However, this is not possible in conservation agriculture systems and, in general, increased soil cultivation has negative impacts for soil health. Emerging technologies for precision weed control can enable more targeted use of glyphosate, greatly reducing use rates. These technologies also facilitate the use and development of alternative targeted physical weed control (e.g. tillage, lasers, electricity), reducing the energy and environmental costs of these approaches. In tree crops, the use of organic and inorganic mulches can reduce the need for glyphosate use. In general, reduced use of glyphosate will require an even greater focus on integrated weed management to reduce weed establishment in agroecosystems, increase weed management diversity and limit the use of alternative resistance‐prone herbicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of a vegetative experiment on the establishment of the joint effect of the biological preparation Rhizotorphin and N-fertilizer (doses N0.05, N0.10, N0.15, N0.20, N0.25) on the formation of vegetative mass and the yield of seed pea grain when cultivated on poorly and medium cultivated sod-podzolic soil are presented. With an increase in the dose of N-fertilizer from N0.05 to N0.25, an increase in the yield of green mass of peas was observed by 3.4–22.2 g/vessel (on poorly cultivated) and by 10.3–35.5 g/vessel (on medium cultivated soil). The increase in grain yield from the use of Rhizotorphin in the experiment was 1.31 and 1.66 g/vessel on poorly and medium cultivated soil, respectively, on average. The application of N-fertilizer in medium cultivated soil conditions increased the responsiveness of seeded peas to inoculation to 1.70‒1.87 g/vessel. When using Rhizotorphin and applying N-fertilizer, the accumulation of N in pea grain increased by 0.22 and 0.18% by the degree of cultivation of the soil. When using Rhizotorphin, N was accumulated in the roots, which positively affected the preservation of their activity and functioning at later stages of development and the intake and accumulation of N in the forming grain. The biological preparation of Rhizotorphin influenced the accumulation and distribution of consumed N between the main and by-products of pea plants. Due to this, in the budding phase–the beginning of flowering, the dose increased to 0.83‒0.88, and 38.0–65.5 mg N/vessel was additionally accumulated in the pea grain. With an increase in the dose of N-fertilizer over 0.05 g/kg on poorly and 0.20 g/kg on medium cultivated soil, the process of forming a symbiotic apparatus on the root system of peas was completely suppressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhizoctoniosis is one of the most common and harmful diseases of potatoes in the North-West of Russia. The degree of its manifestation depends on many factors, including the content of basic nutrients in the soil. In the Leningrad region the effect of prolonged application of organic and mineral fertilizers on the degree and nature of the manifestation of rhizoctoniosis was studied in potato variety Meteor in forage and field crop rotations. By the results of the detailed accounting carried out in 2022 including observation of all potato plantings (43406 in total) it was determined that rhizoctoniosis damage had random distribution character in field crop rotation and focal distribution in forage crop rotation. This conclusion was confirmed by respective coefficients of variation (79 and 87 %) and aggregation (1.0 and 1.5). Spatial heterogeneity of plants damaged by rhizoctoniosis was visualized on digital maps compiled with GIS AFI and Surfer 11 while grouping the data into elementary sections. There was sufficient influence of cultivation and fertilization of different levels on rhizoctoniosis spread. The influence of cultivation was weak and statistically significant only in forage crop rotation, where there was an increase of rhizoctoniosis damage of potato plants (by 1.7-2.5 times compared to low cultivated soil). Under mineral fertilizers application there was a decrease of rhizoctoniosis damage of potato plants both in field crop rotation (by 1.1-1.7 times compared to variant without fertilizers application), and in forage crop rotation (by 1.1-1.3 times). Complex influence of soil cultivation and fertilization of potato plantings caused a decrease of rhizoctoniosis damage of potato tubers by 1.9 and 2.0 times in field and forage crop rotations, respectively.

Liquid mineral fertilizers (LMF) have a high sorption ability, can be metered precisely, and the intra-soil application of LMF is relevant. However, the agricultural equipment for this process that introduces the liquid fertilizer under processed soil layer in the form of a wide band has not yet been proposed. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the performance of a 102 mm wide rectangular discharge microchannel of the proposed soil tillage knife designed for deep tillage and intra-soil application of liquid fertilizers and to study the influence of the microchannel length (L) and slot height (h) on the uniformity of discharge. Solidworks Flow Simulation® was used during investigations, and simulation results were compared with experiment results. It has been determined that the effective slot height for water discharge at Vi = 3–4 m·s−1 is 0.1 (±0.01) mm, an effective microchannel length is 20 (±2) mm, and the influence of L depends on h. Sheet thickness will not change at a distance of 10–15 mm (b). Fall angle is 0–5°. In conclusion, the proposed discharge microchannel with asymmetrical feed is applicable for intra-soil application of LMF, and the surface tension effect has to be considered. A way to enhancing the sheet uniformity is the geometrical modification of feed channel shape.

The livestock wastewater after being digested anaerobically in the biogas tank still contains high concentrations of organic substances, nutrients, antibiotics and other pollutants which could affect seriously the surrounding environment. In this study, the swine wastewater, after being digested anaerobically in the biogas tank, was further treated in 3 different processes: biochar filtration, ozonation, and combination of both (filtration + ozonation). Biochar material made from biomass residue of mango leaves was analyzed for testing the adsorption capacity of the wastewater by the techniques such as scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), surface area and pore size (Barrett-Joyner-Halenda-BJH). The post-treated wastewater and adsorbed biochar were then applied for the soil cultivation by monitoring the growth of Lactuca sativa. The results showed that the simultaneous biochar filtration and ozonation processes performed the best removal of Chemical Oxigen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorous (TP), total potassium (TK), total organic carbon (TOC), and ammonium (N–NH4+) of 84.2%. 92.7%, 80.8%, 93.3%, 76.0%, 80.4%, 90% and 53.7%, respectively. The analysis of SEM, FTIR, and BJH images also indicated that the biochar had a high adsorption capacity of livestock wastewater after being digested anaerobically in the biogas tank. The use of adsorbed biochar as an organic fertilizer was proved to be useful for cultivation of Lactuca sativa. By the combination of local biomass residue and the reuse post-treated materials, the study has proved the benefit of the sustainable economy model for the low income families in the rural areas, particularly in Vietnam.

Hydroponics or Soilless Culture is one of the latest techniques in agriculture. It was introduced to Yemen in March 2013 by installing the first hydroponic unit at the Northern Highlands Research Station- Agricultural Research and Extension Authority (AREA); to evaluating hydroponics system and adapting this system to suit the competences of the Yemeni farmer. In addition to evaluating the comparison of soilless culture with soil farming. The technology was applied at Al Sudan Farm, Dhibin Area - Amran Governorate. We will present the results of the assessment of the 2018 spring season for the cultivation of the Banan F1 cucumber crop on February 10, and the growth of the crop was followed up until the last stages of picking in the beginning of August. The same area of the house and the same cultivated variety of cucumber Banan F1. Through the results obtained, the amount of irrigation water added to the hydroponics unit amounted to about 62 m3, which is approximately 28% of the amount of water added in soil agriculture under the integrated management system (IPPM), where the amount of water added reached 218 m3 for the house during the season, and the productivity of the unit reached Hydroponics of the cucumber crop was about 8,424 kg during the summer season, while in cultivation with soil the productivity reached 5,835 kg, meaning that the productivity of the unit area increased from 15 kg/m2 in soil cultivation to 22 kg/m2 in the hydroponics system, an increase of 47% over cultivation with soil. This is an indicator of the superiority of hydroponics in productivity than the traditional cultivation in the soil, and this is reflected in the increase in the economic return, which reached the rate of return of the cucumber crop under the hydroponic system of 196%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is devoted to the studying the effect of soil cultivation and mineral fertilizers on the technological indicators of cotton fiber. As a result of the conducted research, it was determined that soil cultivation and mineral fertilizer norms had a significant impact on the technological indicators of cotton fiber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of agricultural tillage technologies on the accumulation and distribution of trace elements in the soil is poorly studied. At the same time, intensive agriculture requires large amounts of fertilizers, growth stimulators, pesticides, and other substances, which can effect the ecological safety of the plant products and soil. This paper represents studying the effect of various agricultural techniques (including resource-saving technologies) on the mobility and profile distribution of Pb, Zn, and Cu in Haplic Chernozem. No significant influence of resource-saving tillage technologies was found on the total Pb content. Contrary, the resource-saving tillage technologies was observed to promote the growth of the total Zn and Cu content depending on the cultivation method (by 26% Zn, 34% Cu at minimal tillage, and 28% for both elements using No-till in Ap horizon). Amongst different applied agrotechnologies, there was no influence found on the profile distribution of total elements content. Only two horizons showed the total Pb content accumulation: biogenic (Ap-A) and carbonate (BC-C) horizon. In contrast, the only biogenic accumulation for Zn was determined. Copper characterizes by even distribution over the soil profile. The use of resource-saving agricultural technologies increases exchangeable fraction of Zn, Pb and Cu in soil almost by 1.5–2.0 times in the Ap horizon compared to moldboard ploughing. Despite the increase in the exchangeable fraction of Zn and Cu, this amount of micronutrients is not enough for adequate plant nutrition. The use of various agricultural technologies at Haplic Chernozem led to changes in the distribution of studied elements' exchangeable fraction over the soil profile. The study results suggested a need to increase the amount of Cu and Zn fertilizers applied to the soil with resource-saving cultivation technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil fauna drives crucial processes of energy and nutrient cycling in agricultural systems, and influences the quality of crops and pest incidence. Soil tillage is the most influential agricultural manipulation of soil structure, and has a profound influence on soil biology and its provision of ecosystem services. The objective of this study was to quantify through meta‐analyses the effects of reducing tillage intensity on density and diversity of soil micro‐ and mesofaunal communities, and how these effects vary among different pedoclimatic conditions and interact with concurrent management practices. We present the results of a global meta‐analysis of available literature data on the effects of different tillage intensities on taxonomic and functional groups of soil micro‐ and mesofauna. We collected paired observations (conventional vs. reduced forms of tillage/no‐tillage) from 133 studies across 33 countries. Our results show that reduced tillage intensity or no‐tillage increases the total density of springtails (+35%), mites (+23%), and enchytraeids (+37%) compared to more intense tillage methods. The meta‐analyses for different nematode feeding groups, life‐forms of springtails, and taxonomic mite groups showed higher densities under reduced forms of tillage compared to conventional tillage on omnivorous nematodes (+53%), epedaphic (+81%) and hemiedaphic (+84%) springtails, oribatid (+43%) and mesostigmatid (+57%) mites. Furthermore, the effects of reduced forms of tillage on soil micro‐ and mesofauna varied with depth, climate and soil texture, as well as with tillage method, tillage frequency, concurrent fertilisation, and herbicide application. Our findings suggest that reducing tillage intensity can have positive effects on the density of micro‐ and mesofaunal communities in areas subjected to long‐term intensive cultivation practices. Our results will be useful to support decision making on the management of soil faunal communities and will facilitate modelling efforts of soil biology in global agroecosystems. HIGHLIGHTS: Global meta‐analysis to estimate the effect of reducing tillage intensity on micro‐ and mesofaunaReduced tillage or no‐tillage has positive effects on springtail, mite and enchytraeid densityEffects vary among nematode feeding groups, springtail life forms and mite subordersEffects vary with texture, climate and depth and depend on the tillage method and frequency [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The successful production of maize is fundamentally determined by a good choice of tillage type. Options include conventional tillage based on soil rotation, as well as a more recent conservation approach. Our aims were to determine the stress physiological effects of the plant remains left behind by different tillage procedures on the juvenile maize plants, combined with the effects of fungicide treatment on the seeds. These effects were followed and investigated by means of biophoton emission measurement, an in vivo and non-invasive imaging technique, along with chlorophyll content estimation, as well as microbial- and polymerase chain reaction-based identification of fungi presence. Our results confirmed the response reactions of maize triggered by a soil covering plant remains on the initial development and physiological involvement of maize. The positive effects of seed treatment on initial development are manifested only at the final stage of the experiment. The fungal microbiological analysis confirmed the dominant presence of necrotrophic parasites on plant residues, the stress-inducing properties of which were possible to monitor by biophoton emission. Furthermore, the presence of Fusarium spp. was confirmed by PCR analysis from samples treated with plant residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potato is one of the most important food crops in the world, which is of great significance for sustainable agricultural development. Mechanized planting is the essential technical link in mechanized production, which has an essential component in the potato growing industry. The mechanization of potato planting technology is an effective method of increasing potato yields. A variety of potato planting technologies and machines have been developed around the world. This review presents the research progress and application status of potato planters and planting technology worldwide. It classifies the planting technology into four types: research of materials characteristics for potatoes, soil cultivation, seed potato separation, and zero-speed seeding. The most critical seed potato separation technology was divided into six types according to the structure of the seed metering device. Detailed features have been provided for some typical potato planters and soil cultivation machines. Finally, the developing trend of intelligent planting technology was analyzed, and some suggestions were proposed to promote the development of potato planters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the paper we study of the effect of soil cultivation and mineral fertilizers on protein yield in repeated summer sowing of soybeans in irrigated gray-brown (chestnut colour) soils under the conditions of Samukh region (Azerbaijan). It was determined that due to the effect of soil cultivation and mineral fertilizers, the yield of soybean protein in the field cultivated at the depth of 8-10 cm was 52.4-303.7 kg/ha; in the field cultivated with a disk trowel at the depth of 13-15 cm was 91.6-372, 1 kg/ha; in the 20-22 cm deep plowed area, protein yield increased between 71.0-480.4 kg/ha, compared to the control (without fertilizer) variant. The highest protein yield was obtained in the N60P90K60 norm of mineral fertilizers in all three soils cultivations and in the plowed field at a depth of 20-22 cm among the soil cultivations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis is the property of Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this review paper strip-till has been characterized from the point of view of the latest scientific research and practical justification of the advisability of using and popularizing this cultivation method in Poland for various crop species. Analysis of scientific literature has shown that strip-till has a beneficial effect on crops and soil properties. It reduces the number of tillage operations, and thus labour costs and fuel consumption. Further improvement of strip-till cultivation should be related to the improvement of seeding units designed for this cultivation technology, as well as to the implementation of precision farming solutions related to the application of fertilizers and their effective use by plants. In connection with the implementation of cultivation technologies improving soil quality and reducing the negative impact of agriculture on the environment, strip-till technology has a chance to be much more widely used in Poland and may replace traditional plough tillage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research was conducted to assess the effects of vermicompost (VC) treatments under different soil moisture contents on consistency limits of sandy-clay-loam (SCL) soils in which lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) was cultivated in a greenhouse. Liquid limit (LL), plastic limit (PL), plasticity index (PI), consistency index (Ic) and clay activity (A) values were investigated. Three different VC doses (0, 2.5 and 5% w/w) were applied at 3 different soil moisture contents (100% FC-field capacity, 50% FC and 25% FC). Experiments were conducted in 3 replications over 27 experimental plots (3×3x3). Increasing LL and PL values were observed with increasing VC doses. The greatest LL (46.6%) and PL (37.7%) values were obtained from the 5% VC treatment under high soil moisture content (100%FC) and the lowest LL (35.0%) and PL (23.0%) were obtained from the control treatment under low soil moisture content (25%FC). LL had significant correlations with VC (0.848**), PL (0.904**), PI (0.565**), Ic (0.668**) and A (0.548**). Ic had significant correlations with VC (0.815**), PL (0.417*) and PI (0.740**). As compared to the control treatments, Ic values increased by 13.0% and 21.9% respectively with 2.5% and 5% VC treatments. Ic values were greater than 0.75. Therefore, it was observed that the sandy-clay-loam soils could be cultivated without any structural deformations at FC or higher moisture contents with vermicompost application. Moisture content upper limits for optimal tillage without any structural destructions were suggested as 26.8%, 34.9% and 36.9% for 0%VC, 2.5%VC and 5%VC treatments, respectively. Present findings indicated that VC treatments extended the range of moisture for workability.

For the manufacture of working parts of agricultural tools operating in soil, various structural materials are used: alloy and low-alloy steels, weld materials for hardfacing, and plates made from cemented-carbide. Manufacturers design new construction solutions to obtain components that are resistant to abrasive wear and impact. These components are subject to wear during soil cultivation, due to which wear products remain in the soil. In this work, the mass of chemical elements remaining in soil from materials used in selected working parts of agricultural tools intended for soil cultivation was estimated. During the operation of the tested parts, it was found that the following elements were introduced into the soil: Al, B, C, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mo, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, S, Si, Ti, V, W and Zr. Iron was introduced into the soil in the highest amount (15.907–222.004 g∙ha-1). Among the chemical elements reaching the soil, there were also elements that may pose a toxicological threat. It was found that the mass of chemical elements introduced into the soil depends on their content in the used structural materials and also on the conditions of cultivation, which determine the wear intensity of the parts.

The study reported here concerns the geochemical distributions of macro- and trace elements (including potentially toxic elements, PTEs) in the vineyard soils of Alcubillas, which is one of the oldest, albeit not world-renowned, wine-growing areas in La Mancha (Central Spain). Soil and leaf samples were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry to ascertain the levels of various elements in the soil and the plant. The potential toxicity of the elements was assessed with regard to the development of the vineyard. Despite the fact that fertilizers and pesticides are employed in the vineyards in this area, the results showed that the levels of trace elements in the soil samples did not exceed the reference values according the pedogeochemical values for the region and Spain. This finding suggests that the study area is not polluted, and therefore, there are hardly any traces of anthropogenic contamination. The Biological Absorption Coefficient (BAC) was calculated to assess the assimilation of various elements from the soil to the leaves, and differences were found in the element absorption capacity of the vines. Some elements were not taken up by Vitis vinifera despite elements like Zr and Rb being present in relatively high concentrations in the soil. The production in these soils does not represent a threat to human health or the ecosystem, because the farmers in this area are extremely careful to preserve the environment and they only farm to achieve moderate yields of grapes per hectare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When planting, most planters coulters enter the ground from the top. They meet hard clods of soil, jump, changing the depth of planting seeds. Some seeds are thrown to the surface. As a result, the sowing germination, as well as yield, decreases. (Research purpose) To develop an innovative soil-cultivating pointed paw, eliminating the rejection of soil and the formation of unevenness of the surface, as well as increasing the productivity of the cultivator. (Materials and methods) The authors determined the setting parameters of the developed deflector pointed paw with the involvement of mathematical device and taking into account the requirements for the working bodies of soil-cultivating units. (Results and discussion) The authors developed an innovative deflector pointed paw. A triangular deflector was placed over the ploughshare. They determined the optimal angle of deflector inclination in the horizontal plane-15-25 degrees, and the height of the installation of the pointed paw over the blade- in 1.5 times above the depth of soil cultivation. It was found that the rear part of the deflector, which has a serrated shape and curved down, allows to grind the soil, forming a small-lumpy structure. It was shown that the soil, moving along the deflector, in collision with the curved part returns to the surface, closing and leveling the formed furrow. The triangular shape of the rack between the ploughshare and the deflector significantly reduces the clogging of coulters with plant residues. (Conclusions) The authors proved that the leveled soil surface with a finely lumpy structure of the top layer can be obtained using a deflector pointed paw, which eliminates the use of rollers. This reduces the material consumption of the cultivator, fuel consumption, and productivity increases by 50 percent as a result of increasing the speed of soil cultivation to 18 kilometers per hour.

The studies have been carried out on low-humus ultra heavy clay fused leached chernozems of the Republic of Adygea in 2015-2018 in the link of crop rotation: winter wheat, corn for green fodder, clover. The influence of tillage methods and levels of mineral nutrition on crop yields and economic efficiency of cultivation have been studied. It has been established that annual disking led to a decrease in the yield of corn and clover in the rotation link, in comparison with plowing.Accounting for yield with the annual use of surface cultivation indicates its decrease: for corn for green fodder by 1.7 t / ha (14.8 %) compared with the annual plowing; for clover, 3.0 t / ha (10.7 %) in comparison with the annual plowing; for winter wheat, the yield level for both processing methods is the same 4.9; 4.9 t / ha.Cultivation techniques and processing methods have had a positive effect on increasing the output per unit area. Analysis of the cost-effectiveness of winter wheat cultivation in the crop rotation link has shown that the most profitable option is the background (the use of recommended doses of fertilizers on average for both methods of tillage) with a yield of 5.95 t / ha; profit from sales of 32,108 thousand rubles / ha - profitability of 150.0 %.The best option when cultivating clover in the crop rotation link by the aftereffect of green manure fertilizers for plowing at a yield of 33.7 t / ha profit from sales is 17,336 thousand rubles / ha, profitability is 106.0 %. For corn for green fodder the best option is sowing rapeseed on green manure and planting it, the yield is 15.9 t / ha, profit is 2675 thousand rubles / ha, profitability is 20.0 %.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of sewage sludge and basic tillage techniques on the moisture reserve dynamics and productivity and quality of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) seeds. The works were performed in 2016–2018 in Volgograd oblast; the Alexandrit variety of safflower was cultivated in a light chestnut solonetzic heavy loamy soil with a humus content of 1.7–1.8%. Sludge produced in the course of biological wastewater treatment features a high content of organic matter and nutrients. The two-factor field experiment involved the moldboard, disk, and chisel cultivation techniques in combination with sewage sludge application at doses of 0, 5, and 10 t/ha. The use of sewage sludge as an organic fertilizer at a dose of 5 t/ha in combination with chisel plowing increases the productive moisture reserves to 82.1 mm and to 88.5 mm at a dose of 10 t/ha. Chisel plowing ensures the highest yields of the studied crop: 142 t/ha at a sewage sludge dose of 5 and 1.51 t/ha at a sewage sludge dose of 10 t/ha. The highest fat content (25.2%) was registered in safflower seeds at a sludge dose of 10 t/ha. The zinc content in safflower seeds was 21.78 mg/kg at a sewage sludge dose of 5 t/ha and 25.08 mg/kg at a sewage sludge dose of 10 t/ha, the copper content was 11.32 and 12.12 mg/kg, and the cadmium content was 0.09 and 0.1 mg/kg, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potato is one of the most important food crops in the world, which is of great significance for sustainable agricultural development. Mechanized planting is the essential technical link in mechanized production, which has an essential component in the potato growing industry. The mechanization of potato planting technology is an effective method of increasing potato yields. A variety of potato planting technologies and machines have been developed around the world. This review presents the research progress and application status of potato planters and planting technology worldwide. It classifies the planting technology into four types: research of materials characteristics for potatoes, soil cultivation, seed potato separation, and zero-speed seeding. The most critical seed potato separation technology was divided into six types according to the structure of the seed metering device. Detailed features have been provided for some typical potato planters and soil cultivation machines. Finally, the developing trend of intelligent planting technology was analyzed, and some suggestions were proposed to promote the development of potato planters.

The successful production of maize is fundamentally determined by a good choice of tillage type. Options include conventional tillage based on soil rotation, as well as a more recent conservation approach. Our aims were to determine the stress physiological effects of the plant remains left behind by different tillage procedures on the juvenile maize plants, combined with the effects of fungicide treatment on the seeds. These effects were followed and investigated by means of biophoton emission measurement, an in vivo and non-invasive imaging technique, along with chlorophyll content estimation, as well as microbial- and polymerase chain reaction-based identification of fungi presence. Our results confirmed the response reactions of maize triggered by a soil covering plant remains on the initial development and physiological involvement of maize. The positive effects of seed treatment on initial development are manifested only at the final stage of the experiment. The fungal microbiological analysis confirmed the dominant presence of necrotrophic parasites on plant residues, the stress-inducing properties of which were possible to monitor by biophoton emission. Furthermore, the presence of Fusarium spp. was confirmed by PCR analysis from samples treated with plant residues.

The present research was conducted to assess the effects of vermicompost (VC) treatments under different soil moisture contents on consistency limits of sandy-clay-loam (SCL) soils in which lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) was cultivated in a greenhouse. Liquid limit (LL), plastic limit (PL), plasticity index (PI), consistency index (Ic) and clay activity (A) values were investigated. Three different VC doses (0, 2.5 and 5% w/w) were applied at 3 different soil moisture contents (100% FC-field capacity, 50% FC and 25% FC). Experiments were conducted in 3 replications over 27 experimental plots (3×3x3). Increasing LL and PL values were observed with increasing VC doses. The greatest LL (46.6%) and PL (37.7%) values were obtained from the 5% VC treatment under high soil moisture content (100%FC) and the lowest LL (35.0%) and PL (23.0%) were obtained from the control treatment under low soil moisture content (25%FC). LL had significant correlations with VC (0.848**), PL (0.904**), PI (0.565**), Ic (0.668**) and A (0.548**). Ic had significant correlations with VC (0.815**), PL (0.417*) and PI (0.740**). As compared to the control treatments, Ic values increased by 13.0% and 21.9% respectively with 2.5% and 5% VC treatments. Ic values were greater than 0.75. Therefore, it was observed that the sandy-clay-loam soils could be cultivated without any structural deformations at FC or higher moisture contents with vermicompost application. Moisture content upper limits for optimal tillage without any structural destructions were suggested as 26.8%, 34.9% and 36.9% for 0%VC, 2.5%VC and 5%VC treatments, respectively. Present findings indicated that VC treatments extended the range of moisture for workability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To promote soil cultivation, we at NTT DATA are using information and communication technology to collect soil-diagnosis data and information on farming operations throughout Japan and compile a database of that information. This database will enable data-driven initiatives in the domain that has relied on past experience and intuition of farmers. The data in the database are normalized by conducting soil analysis using a nationally standardized method that makes it possible to understand not only the characteristics of individual fields but also regional characteristics. We have also developed and are testing a technology for measuring soil composition from satellite images as a means of reducing the time and labor required to collect soil samples for soil diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of equipment for basic boardless plowing and surface tillage revealed the absence in the market of agricultural machinery of multifunctional units capable of reliable and efficient performing both types of tillage by means of one machine. The constructive-technological scheme is offered and the basic model of the unit with replaceable working bodies is developed: flat hoes for performance of the basic processing of soil at 14-25 сm with the creation of a mulch layer and cultivator hoes for carrying out the surface and shallow tillage at 5-14 cm. To assess the effectiveness of the basic model of the unit in 2018 in field conditions a research was carried out, during which the main agrotechnical indicators of the quality of soil treatment were determined. Studies have shown that the degree of crumbling of the soil at the basic boardless plowing of sod-podzolic medium loamy soil at a speed of more than 6.5 km/h exceeded 80 %. For shallow tillage to a depth of 12 cm in the range of operating speeds above 7.0 km/h the amount of a soil fraction up to 25 mm was not less than 70 %. The unit stably sustains the working coverage width and the installation depth of tillage. The variant of the unit with a set of working bodies for the basic boardless plowing in the entire range of operating speeds provides an average tillage depth of 19.5-21.0 cm at an installation depth of 20 cm, with working bodies for shallow tillage - of 11.5-12.0 cm at an installation depth of 12 cm. The height of roughness of the field surface after the basic boardless plowing was 20.7-23.0 mm, for shallow tillage – 12.5-17.0 mm. The results of the research showed that the basic model of the multifunctional unit can perform the basic boardless plowing and shallow tillage in compliance with the basic agrotechnical requirements without the use of replaceable adapters for additional tillage of the top layer of soil. The use of additional working bodies will make it possible to form more highly specialized versions of the machine based on the basic model of the unit.

The article focuses on the research results concerning the effect of long-term application of basic tillage systems and fertilizing on the productivity of mustard white. The research was being conducted in four-field crop rotation of the stationary experiment under conditions of Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine during 2009–2016. It was established that in the background of mineral fertilization in the dose N30Р30К30, the highest yield of white mustard seeds (2,06 t/ha) was obtained for the main system of soil tillage. The use of non-polar soil treatments led to a decrease in the yield of white mustard seeds by 1–17 % compared to plowing. The lowest yield of white mustard seeds (1,7 t/ha) was obtained for the discovery at a depth of 6–8 cm. The use of field cultivation of soil on the background of organo-mineral fertilization, which involves leaving the precursor straw in the straw field and introducing N30Р30К30, provides the yield of white mustard seeds – 2,05 t/ha. For conducting without field operations of soil yields are reduced by 2–20 % compared to plowing. The best indicators of the structure of the white mustard yield were obtained for the main system of soil cultivation and the mineral fertilizer system. By organo-mineral system fertilizer is reduced by 7 % height of plants, by 5 and 12 %, the number and weight of seeds from one plant. On the basis of the conducted researches, the economic efficiency of the cultivation of white mustard is determined depending on the influence of the investigated factors under conditions of Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. It was established that the highest contingent net profit was obtained for the use of the system of basic soil cultivation on the mineral and organo-mineral fertilizer backgrounds. Organo-mineral fertilizers increase by 93–123 % the profitability of growing white mustard depending on the system of basic cultivation of soil in comparison with the mineral system.

BACKGROUND: The prolonged use of traditional moldboard ploughing often results in soil degradation and, ultimately, has an impact on national food security. Therefore, the implementation of resource‐saving technologies (minimal and No‐till) is a promising approach in the development of agriculture, especially in drought regions. The present study reports the results of long‐term research on the effect of various tillage methods (moldboard ploughing, minimal tillage and No‐till technique) on the nitrogen content of Haplic Chernozem of the European part of Southern Russia. The revealed regularities can be used as a theoretical basis for the effective use of resource‐saving technologies, including No‐till, in the zone of insufficient moisture. RESULTS: Long‐term (59 years) cultivation of winter wheat using traditional moldboard ploughing has decreased the soil organic material (SOM) by 35% and total nitrogen by 32% in the soil. Minimization of tillage, in contrast, recovers the nitrogen potential of the soil in winter wheat agrocenoses. There is a statistically confirmed dependence of the content of SOM and total nitrogen on the tillage method of the upper soil horizon, with no significant effect of the tillage methods on intensity ammonification and nitrification. However, the content of nitrate‐nitrogen during resource‐saving tillage methods (22.8–24.4 mg kg−1) was higher than that after ploughing (20.3 mg kg−1) during all the years of the study, indicating the higher content of easily mineralizable nitrogen‐containing compounds in the soil after minimal tillage. CONCLUSION: The use of resource‐saving tillage technologies under conditions of insufficient moisture stabilizes the nitrogen content in soil and can improve nitrogen nutrition of plants. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating the effects of crop successions in no-tillage system (NTS) is essential for the correct recommendation of agronomic practices, such as top-dressing nitrogen fertilization. The aim was to evaluate the effect of the crop succession and the splitting of top-dressing N fertilization on the agronomic performance and economic viability of common bean crop. The experiment was conducted in southeastern Brazil for two agricultural seasons in an area under NTS, using a split-plot in randomized complete block design. The plots represented three cropping successions (maize in sole crop, maize intercropped with Urochloa ruziziensis and U. ruziziensis in sole crop) and the subplots composed of ten combinations of splitting of top-dressing N, at the stages V3, V4 and R5 of the common bean crop. In relation to the single application of the N dose of 90 kg ha−1, the common bean had higher response as a function of the N splitting schemes adopted, regardless of the previous cropping succession. The cropping successions evaluated did not interfere with the seed yield of common bean as subsequent crop, even at the beginning of the establishment of NTS. To obtain higher seed yield and economic viability, the N dose of 90 kg ha−1 indicated for the crop must be split and applied among the phenological stages V3, V4 and R5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial communities play an important role in maintaining stable functioning of soil ecosystems, participating in decomposition of plant residues, accumulation of organic matter, formation of soil aggregates and in the cycle of nutrients. For agroecosystems, maintaining the diversity of microbiocenosis is especially critical because they are essentially less stable and are dependent on external control. The agricultural practices used today (plowing, application of synthetic fertilizers) can negatively affect the richness and diversity of the soil bacterial communities. The solution to this problem may be the application of alternative farming methods to preserve the structural and functional richness of soil (reduced tillage, conservation tillage, no tillage, organic farming). Data on composition and diversity of soil microbiocenosis are important for further forecasting the impact of agriculture and development of effective methods on preserving and increasing soil fertility. This review presents the results of recent studies on the impact of agriculture on the soil bacterial communities. Attention is mainly paid to the effects of applying inorganic and organic fertilizers on the structure and diversity of soil microbiocenosis; the influence of the farming system (different methods of soil cultivation, organic and traditional systems); the influence of cover crops and crop rotation on the microbial community of agricultural soils.

Nutzarthropoden und deren Förderung sind Teil des Konzeptes des integrierten Pflanzenschutzes. Sie sind von einer Vielzahl pflanzenbaulicher Verfahren betroffen, auch von denen, die eine vorbeugende Wirkung gegenüber Schadorganismen haben. Die Möglichkeiten der Förderung von Arthropoden in Fruchtfolgen, durch Zwischenfrüchte und Untersaaten, Bodenbearbeitungsverfahren, Stickstoffdüngung, Aussaatzeitpunkte sowie Aussaatdichten in den Hauptkulturen des Ackerbaus (Getreide, Winterraps und Mais), wurden anhand einer Literaturrecherche untersucht. Das Vorhandensein von struktureller Diversität auf der Bodenoberfläche sowie eine kleinräumige Verteilung der Anbauflächen und die Störungsintensität durch die Bodenbearbeitung sind wichtige Elemente für die Förderung von Nutzarthropoden. Je höher die Strukturvielfalt auf dem Feld durch Ernterückstände oder Mulch, desto mehr Lebensräume entstehen. Eine kleinräumige Verteilung der Fruchtfolge in der Landschaft ermöglicht es Arthropoden bei Störungen auf benachbarte Flächen auszuweichen. Eine wichtige Ergänzung bilden nützlingsfördernde Maßnahmen. Damit Arthropodengesellschaften in der Agrarlandschaft überleben und die Ökosystemleistung von Nutzarthropoden auch abgerufen werden können, müssen die Bedingungen auf dem Feld entsprechend angepasst werden. Beneficial arthropods and their promotion are part of the concept of integrated pest management (IPM). Numerous agricultural practices effect beneficial arthropods, also those which are applied as preventive plant protection measures. In a literature review we searched for effects of measures, such as crop rotation, cover crops and under sowing, soil cultivation, Nitrogen fertilization, adapted sowing dates and crop densities on the promotion of arthropods or their conservation. Structural diversity as well as the intensity of disturbance by soil cultivation are important elements for the enhancement of beneficial arthropods. Increased structural diversity through management provide hiding places and habitats for arthropods. A small-scale diversified crop rotation in the landscape allows arthropods to migrate to adjacent fields in case of disturbance by cultural measures. In-field measures for biodiversity offer food and hiding places. The conditions in the field need to be adapted to ensure that arthropods can survive in the agricultural landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disk-type spherical working tools are widely used in soil-cultivating machines, where they serve as an element base for combined units and disk harrows, including the multi-row ones with disks on individual racks. The tools are used in the implementation of traditional technologies based on reversible plowing, with surface tillage after late-harvested predecessors, for example, corn, sunflower, and also in NO-TIL technologies. (Research purpose) To determine the arrangement of working tools on the disk harrow frame, which reduces the required number of disks and improves the quality of soil cultivation. (Materials and methods) The authors have analyzed the arrangement of disk harrow working tools and determined their rational arrangement and mutual positions in the rows, which increases the tillage width between adjacent soil strips, thus improving the completeness of soil shearing and loosening over the entire operating width with simultaneous decreasing of the required number of disks. (Results and discussion) The authors have determined the interrelated arrangement of disks in their rows, aimed at improving soil shearing, so that the number of strips tilled into a ridge by adjacent disks increases. It has been shown that the arrangement of working tools of the consecutive row determined by the orientation of the adjacent disks of the previous row, allows to economize one working tool for every 400 mm of its operating width when shearing the soil all the way across the entire width of the disk harrow. (Conclusions) It has been established that when soil is tilled with a disk and moved toward the already processed adjacent strip, the technological width of the disk coverage increases due to the deformation of soil tearing and shearing. The authors have proposed the arrangement order of spherical disks and their mutual orientation, which improves the quality of soil cultivation, the completeness of soil shearing along the entire operating width, and leads to a reduction in the number of disks.

Cultivators for fallow and intertilled crops cultivation have several tipes of chisel. The key design data of a chisel are a tip overhang, radius of curvature of the front surface, an angle between a tangent to the tip and the furrow bottom. The radius of curvature of the front surface consists of two parts. The first one is in the form of a logarithmic spiral, the another is as a straight line. The angle between the tangent to the top and the furrow bottom depends on the angle of internal friction. It is in an interval of 35-40 degrees. The curvature radius and a lateral form of chisel generally depend on the size of an internal angle of friction of the deformable soil. (Purpose of research) To obtain an analytical dependence o of the front surface profile of the chisel working body, which allows to work on soils with different granulometric composition and angle of internal friction. (Materials and methods)The authors assumed that the condition of steady sliding of soil layer with various aggregate-size distribution on the chisel surface is feasible if the product of the projections of the tangential reactions of the elemental area of the surface and projections of the movement trajectory is less than zero. The projection of the tangential reactions of the elemental area of the surface depends on the concordance of the rotation angle to the size of digging-in, also on the deepening of the elementary area, the coefficient of external friction of the soil, and the first derivative of the function curve of the surface. The curve coefficient of a quadratic parabola outlining the surface of a chisel was estimated considering its smoothness and continuity. (Results and discussion) At the same time the current value of vertical coordinate of chisel lateral surface changed when the fixed values of tip overhang and running depth. The lateral profile of the as-designed chisel does not depend on soil characteristics. The size of the initial angle corresponds to the requirement that the deformation does not extend below the tip, and elementary reactions cross the surface of the field. (Summary) The angle of grade of the lateral profile surface of the chisel makes 26 degrees and 50 minutes. The curved surface of the wedge-shaped mouldboard is described by the function square parabola. The coefficient of the curve parabola describing a profile of a chisel surface, being negative, is equal to ratio of chisel overhang to the doubled parameter of the running depth.

A number of factors are affecting soil's carbon dioxide gas emission which is one of the greenhouse gases. Those factors are soil temperature, soil moisture, soil organic matter contents and soil cultivation practices. In this study, soil carbon dioxide emissions were determined by creating a soil environment with three different moisture rates in a certain volume of soil in the laboratory condition. Soil carbon dioxide emission determined using mobile PP system. Simultaneously the each carbon dioxide record, soil temperature and evaporation from soil as well as gravimetric soil moisture contents were determined. According to the results, the average soil moisture of the soil for A, B and C applications was found to be 27.5%, 22% and 19.7%, respectively. The differences between those values were found to be statistically significant (p≤ 0.01). The soil carbon dioxide emissions determined on the A, B and C applications were 0.328, 0.317 and 0.304 g m-2 h-1, respectively, and the difference between the applications was found to be insignificant (p>0.05). The obtained mean evaporation values for A, B and C applications were 5.78, 7.14, and 7.50 g m-2 h-1, respectively. The differences between them were found to be insignificant (p>0.05). Soil temperatures values were 23.06, 22.04 and 21.75 °C, respectively, for A, B and C applications. While the temperature value in A application was significantly (p≤0.01) higher than the other two, the difference between the B and C applications was not significant (p>0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]