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Mixed cropping with legumes may mitigate negative impacts of maize, Zea mays L. (Poaceae), production on arthropods by providing additional habitat structures and food resources. Still, knowledge about effects of less common legume partner crops for mixed cropping of maize is scarce. Activity density of epigeic predatory arthropods and proxies for ecosystem functions related to biological pest control were assessed on an experimental field. Plots of mixed cropping of maize and sainfoin, Onobrychis viciifolia Scop. (Fabaceae), and respective single plant species (plot size: 6 × 5 m; n = 48) differed in combination of the seed rate of each partner crop and tillage treatment. Using the "rapid ecosystem function assessment" approach in each plot on three occasions, we tested whether the activity density of generalist arthropod predators and their associated ecosystem functions can be promoted by mixed cropping of maize with sainfoin. Our data show that, compared with tilled maize as a pure culture, mixed cropping can increase activity density of generalist arthropod predators and insect predation potential but effects were limited to strip‐tilled cropping systems and partly depended on sampling date. Thus, from an ecological viewpoint, mixed cropping of sainfoin and maize in strip‐till systems offers the possibility to promote predatory insects and their potential for pest regulation. However, this system is inherently more prone to weed occurrence. Competition effects between cropping partners and weeds may reduce yields and hence lead to trade‐offs between enhancement of arthropods and economic viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is a crucial global oil crop. It is generally cultivated in rotation with rice in southern China's Yangtze River Basin, where the wet soil and residue retention after rice harvest significantly hinder its seedling establishment. Hence, this study developed a strip-tillage seeder for oilseed rape seeding following rice harvest. Additionally, seedling establishment, soil infiltration and evaporation post-seeding, soil moisture change, oilseed yield, and weed occurrence under strip tillage (ST) were compared with conventional shallow rotary-tillage (SR) and deep rotary-tillage (DR) seeding practices. Compared to SR and DR, the results demonstrated that ST had a higher seeding efficiency and 53.8% and 80.2% lower energy consumption, respectively. ST also enhanced seedling growth and oilseed yield formation more effectively than the competitor tillage treatments, with an oilseed yield increase exceeding 6%. Additionally, ST improved water infiltration and reduced soil water evaporation, resulting in higher topsoil (0–20 cm) moisture during the critical growth stages. Furthermore, ST reduced soil disturbance, significantly decreasing the density of the dominant weed, Polypogon fugax. Overall, ST seeding technology has the potential to improve the productivity of oilseed rape in rice–oilseed rape rotation systems, and its yield superiority is mainly due to seedling establishment improvement and soil moisture adjustment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strip tillage is an effective tillage technique, which included the strip seedbed tilled area (ST-IR) and the straw-covered area between the seedbeds (ST-BR). However, soil hydrothermal conditions and soil disturbance varies with strip tillage widths, which might affect crop growth and yields. Therefore, this study explored the effect of strip tillage width on the soil hydrothermal conditions and soil structure of ST-IR and ST-BR, to determine the optimal strip tillage width. A field experiment with three replicates was conducted to analyze soil moisture and soil temperature variation and to clarify the difference of soil structure in the IR and BR. Three strip tillage widths, 20 cm (ST20), 30 cm (ST30), and 40 cm (ST40), were examined in this study. Soil temperature in both the ST-IR and ST-BR increased as the strip tillage width increased, and the average soil temperature of ST30-IR and ST40-IR in the seedling stage was 2.11°C and 2.62°C higherthan that of ST20-IR, respectively. Moreover, the daily soil temperature range in both the IR and BR was greater for ST40 than for ST20 and ST30 in the seedling stage; soil temperature differences in other crop growth stages were small. No significant difference in soil temperature was observed between ST30-IR and ST40-IR. Conversely, soil moisture was greater in ST20-IR and ST30-IR than in ST40-IR; soil moisture was also greater in ST30-BR and ST40-BR than in ST20-BR during the monitoring period. Soil moisture in ST40-IR and ST20-BR increased and decreased more rapidly during rainfall events than in the other treatments. Moreover, soil temperature was higher in the ST-IR than in the ST-BR for all 3 strip tillage widths, and the opposite results were observed for soil moisture. In addition, strip tillage widths had no significant differences on soil structure. In conclusion, a 30 cm strip tillage width had higher soil temperature and remained more soil moisture than other strip tillage widths, so this strip tillage width is thus recommended for use by farmers in Northeast China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop sequence and tillage can affect the yield of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and other crops. Research was conducted from 2006 through 2022 to determine the response of peanut to previous crop sequences including corn (Zea mays L.) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) planted in continuous conventional tillage (e.g., disking, field cultivating, and bedding with in-row sub-soiling) or strip tillage (e.g., tilling a 45 cm section on rows spaced 91 cm apart using fluted coulters, rolling baskets, and in-row sub-soiling). In 2013, 2019, and 2022, the entire test area was planted with peanut. In 2019 and 2022, peanut was planted without or with fluopyram applied in the seed furrow at planting. Decreasing the number of years between peanut planting resulted in lower peanut yields compared with fewer years of peanut planting in the rotation sequence. Continuous conventional tillage and strip tillage resulted in similar peanut yields at one location, while the yield was lower at a second location when peanut was planted in continuous strip tillage. Fluopyram did not affect peanut yield regardless of previous crop rotation sequence, the number of years separating peanut plantings, or the tillage system. However, minor differences in the populations of plant-parasitic nematodes in soil were noted when comparing fluopyram treatment. The results from these experiments indicate that while fluopyram can reduce the populations of some plant-parasitic nematodes in soil, the magnitude of reduction does not translate into increases in peanut yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil pore structure is essential for storing and transporting water, and it can be affected by different tillage practices. Strip tillage (ST) is an innovative technology aimed at addressing the challenge of reduced crop yield caused by no‐tillage (NT) in the cool black soil region of Northeast China. Nevertheless, what remains unclear is the influence of ST on soil pore structure in the cool black soil region. After conducting a 14‐year long‐term positioning experiment, this study investigated the variations in spatial distribution patterns of soil macropores under ST practice using X‐ray computed microtomography (μCT). The research also examined, the response of soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil bulk density to ST compared to conventional tillage (CT). This finding revealed that ST significantly increased the macroporosity (>25 μm) at 0–20 cm depths in comparison with CT. The detailed analysis of soil pore size distribution revealed a significant increase in macroporosity of the >2000 μm pore sizes in 0–10 cm layer by 144.79% because of ST. Furthermore, ST significantly increased pore connectivity at the 0–10 cm depth by 3.37% and pore fractal dimension at the 10–20 cm depth by 13.42%. Meanwhile, there was a significant correlation among the changes in soil bulk density, SOC content, macroporosity, pore connectivity, and pore tortuosity, indicating soil bulk density and SOC have a substantial impact on the pore structure. Overall, the implementation of ST leads to a significant enhancement in soil pore structure, improving the understanding of the regulatory mechanism of ST in the cool black soil region of Northeast China. This research aids in advancing the conservation and sustainable utilization of black soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is a crucial global oil crop. It is generally cultivated in rotation with rice in southern China’s Yangtze River Basin, where the wet soil and residue retention after rice harvest significantly hinder its seedling establishment. Hence, this study developed a strip-tillage seeder for oilseed rape seeding following rice harvest. Additionally, seedling establishment, soil infiltration and evaporation post-seeding, soil moisture change, oilseed yield, and weed occurrence under strip tillage (ST) were compared with conventional shallow rotary-tillage (SR) and deep rotary-tillage (DR) seeding practices. Compared to SR and DR, the results demonstrated that ST had a higher seeding efficiency and 53.8% and 80.2% lower energy consumption, respectively. ST also enhanced seedling growth and oilseed yield formation more effectively than the competitor tillage treatments, with an oilseed yield increase exceeding 6%. Additionally, ST improved water infiltration and reduced soil water evaporation, resulting in higher topsoil (0–20 cm) moisture during the critical growth stages. Furthermore, ST reduced soil disturbance, significantly decreasing the density of the dominant weed, Polypogon fugax. Overall, ST seeding technology has the potential to improve the productivity of oilseed rape in rice–oilseed rape rotation systems, and its yield superiority is mainly due to seedling establishment improvement and soil moisture adjustment.

A two-year field experiment was conducted to elucidate the adaptive growth mechanism of maize under strip-till (ST) compared with conventional-till (CT). The biomass accumulation of ST plants was significantly lower than CT until V14 (14th leaf), but restored thereafter with one below-ear-node leaf reduced. At silking, the accumulation of nitrogen (N) was reduced by 8.3–10.7% compared to CT. During post-silking, vegetative-N remobilization was reduced by 20.4%, post-silking N uptake increased by 33.9% in ST compared to CT. Leaf senescence was delayed and more green leaf area at physiological maturity in ST. It is concluded that ST plants have the mechanism of 'Recovery Growth Adaptation' to get the similar yield as in CT plants: (1) facilitating growth rate at around V14 when the soil temperature was greatly improved to stabilize ear growth and grain number; (2) getting to silking the same time as in CT plants, so as to ensure the duration of grain filling; (3) increasing post-silking N uptake to fulfill the demand of grain development and reduce leaf N remobilization, so as to maintain leaf function and increase thousand-grain weight, which compensate for the loss of grain number per ear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climatic and soil conditions are changing in response to the increasing human impact. This requires the introduction of low-cost, low-emission, but effective technologies in the field cultivation of crops, in turn requiring and justifying research in this area. In laboratory tests and field studies, the production and environmental effects of strip-till and the application of microgranular fertilisers with a gelling component were determined (and, in particular, their use in combination as a plant cultivation technology). These effects were measured in terms of soil properties, the biomass production, and the yields of maize (Zea mays L.), spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and winter rape (Brassica napus L.). Fertiliser microgranules with a gelling agent absorbed water in the amount of 118.6–124.7% of fertiliser mass and increased the volumetric moisture content of the soil in the layer in which they were applied (0–7.5 cm) by 3.0–3.9 percentage points compared to the soil moisture without fertiliser. Strip tillage with the application of fertilisers with a gelling agent significantly increased the amount of water in the soil during the sowing period for winter and spring plants and reduced the CO2 emissions from the soil relative to the conventional tillage without microgranular fertiliser. The biomass of maize, spring barley, and winter rape before flowering, as well as the yields of these plants, were higher when cultivated using strip-till and fertilisers with gelling agents than when ploughed with a mouldboard plough without the use of microgranulated fertilisers. This technology also increased the number of microorganisms, including bacteria, actinobacteria, and filamentous fungi in the soil after harvesting compared to the unfertilised, ploughed soil. Strip tillage and microgranulated fertilisers containing a gelling agent can thus reduce the environmental pressure exerted by agriculture and reduce the risk of climate change, as well as being a way of adapting agriculture to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop sequence and tillage can affect the yield of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and other crops. Research was conducted from 2006 through 2022 to determine the response of peanut to previous crop sequences including corn (Zea mays L.) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) planted in continuous conventional tillage (e.g., disking, field cultivating, and bedding with in-row sub-soiling) or strip tillage (e.g., tilling a 45 cm section on rows spaced 91 cm apart using fluted coulters, rolling baskets, and in-row sub-soiling). In 2013, 2019, and 2022, the entire test area was planted with peanut. In 2019 and 2022, peanut was planted without or with fluopyram applied in the seed furrow at planting. Decreasing the number of years between peanut planting resulted in lower peanut yields compared with fewer years of peanut planting in the rotation sequence. Continuous conventional tillage and strip tillage resulted in similar peanut yields at one location, while the yield was lower at a second location when peanut was planted in continuous strip tillage. Fluopyram did not affect peanut yield regardless of previous crop rotation sequence, the number of years separating peanut plantings, or the tillage system. However, minor differences in the populations of plant-parasitic nematodes in soil were noted when comparing fluopyram treatment. The results from these experiments indicate that while fluopyram can reduce the populations of some plant-parasitic nematodes in soil, the magnitude of reduction does not translate into increases in peanut yield.

Herbicide-resistant Amaranthus palmeri poses a significant threat to cotton production in the US. Tillage, cover crops, crop rotations, and dicamba-based herbicide programs can individually provide effective control of A. palmeri, but there is a lack of research evaluating the above tactics in a system for its long-term management. Field trials were conducted near College Station and Thrall, TX (2019–2021) to evaluate the efficacy of dicamba-based herbicide programs under multiple cropping sequences and tillage types in a systems approach for A. palmeri control in dicamba-resistant cotton. The experimental design used was a split–split plot design. The main plots were no-till cover cropping, strip tillage, and conventional tillage. The subplots were cotton:cotton:cotton (CCC) and cotton:sorghum:cotton (CSC) sequences for 3 years within each tillage type, and sub-subplots were a weedy check (WC), a weed-free check (WF), a low-input program without residual herbicides (LI), and a high-input program with residual herbicides (HI). Using HI under the CSC sequence was the only system that provided >90% control of A. palmeri for 3 years across all tillage types and locations. By 2021, A. palmeri densities in the CSC sequence at College Station (4,156 plants ha−1) and Thrall (4,006 plants ha−1) are significantly low compared to the CCC sequence (31,364 and 9,867 plants ha−1, respectively) when averaged across other factors. Similarly, A. palmeri densities in HI at College Station (9,867 plants ha−1) and Thrall (1,016 plants ha−1) are significantly low compared to LI (25,653 and 13,365 plants ha−1, respectively) when averaged across other factors. We also observed that the CSC sequence reduced A. palmeri seed bank by at least 40% compared to the CCC sequence at both College Station and Thrall when averaged across other factors. Over 3 years, we did not observe significant differences between LI and HI for cotton yields at College Station (1,715–3,636 kg ha−1) and Thrall (1,569−1,989 kg ha−1). However, rotating cotton with sorghum during 2020 improved cotton yields by 39% under no-till cover cropping in 2021 at Thrall. These results indicate that using dicamba-based herbicide programs with residual herbicides and implementing crop rotations can effectively manage A. palmeri in terms of seasonal control, densities, and seed bank buildup across tillage types and environments.

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Strip tillage is a widely used land preparation approach for effective straw management in conservation agriculture. Understanding the dynamic throwing process during the stubble-crushing operation has important implications for seedbed preparation. However, the airflow generated by the high-speed rotation of stubble-crushing blades has yet to be considered. We established a coupled DEM-CFD simulation model and explored the dynamic motion of soil particles varied with their initial depth (at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 mm depth) and surface straw under different blade rotary speeds (270, 540, 720, and 810 rpm) based on the model. The coupled model simulation results were proved to be well correlated with the field test results by the field high-speed camera test. The simulation results showed that airflow had a significant effect on the longitudinal displacement of straw (p < 0.05). An increase in rotary speed could increase the longitudinal and lateral throwing displacement of soil particles and straw and increase the blade–soil–straw interaction, while there was no directional effect on the vertical motion. The lateral movement of soil particles decreased with increasing soil particle depth. The stubble-crushing operation allowed the exchange of deep and shallow soil layers, as well as the burial of straw. Plain, straight stubble-crushing blades with a rotary speed of 540 rpm were able to form the optimal seeding row with a width of 80.86 mm. The simulation results were useful for assessing the design solutions of high-speed rotational tools and evaluating seedbed preparation practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to clarify the mechanism of tiller–soil interaction in the process of strip rotary tillage, this paper conducted a simulation and experimental research on four blade configurations composed of three rotary blades (bent C, straight and hoe) at three rotation speeds (280, 380 and 510 rpm). The study found that the soil throwing characteristics of the blades are the key factors affecting the quality of tillage. The increase in the rotation speed not only improved the soil breaking effect, but also enhanced the phenomenon of soil throwing and then led to a reduction in the soil backfill. In the BC configuration (combination of four bent C blades), the bent C blades showed the best soil throwing characteristics and created the best soil fragmentation. However, due to the obvious side throwing of the soil, the backfill effect of soil fragmentation was the worst. The backfill rate was only 8% when the rotation speed was 510 rpm and could not allow reaching the required seed–soil contact during sowing. The hoe blades in the HC configuration (combination of four hoe blades) could collect part of the soil fragments and throw them towards the direction of the machine during the cultivation process, which led to a good soil breaking effect and a low soil side throwing rate. When the rotation speed was 510 rpm, 36% of the soil was backfilled into the seedbed. In the SC configuration (combination of four straight blades), the straight blades could well control the scattering of the side-thrown soil fragments. At a super-high rotation speed (510 rpm), the side throwing rate was only 70%, and the backfill rate was as high as 60%. However, the soil fragments created by the blades were too large (average soil block diameter > 40 mm) and could not form a loose and finely broken seedbed environment. The MC configuration (combination of two straight blades and two hoe blades) benefited from the combination of straight blades and hoe blades, offering outstanding advantages for backfill and soil fragmentation. Therefore, under the condition of a centralized configuration of field surface straw, it is recommended to use the MC configuration of the wheat rotary strip–till planter for cohesive paddy soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climatic and soil conditions are changing in response to the increasing human impact. This requires the introduction of low-cost, low-emission, but effective technologies in the field cultivation of crops, in turn requiring and justifying research in this area. In laboratory tests and field studies, the production and environmental effects of strip-till and the application of microgranular fertilisers with a gelling component were determined (and, in particular, their use in combination as a plant cultivation technology). These effects were measured in terms of soil properties, the biomass production, and the yields of maize (Zea mays L.), spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and winter rape (Brassica napus L.). Fertiliser microgranules with a gelling agent absorbed water in the amount of 118.6–124.7% of fertiliser mass and increased the volumetric moisture content of the soil in the layer in which they were applied (0–7.5 cm) by 3.0–3.9 percentage points compared to the soil moisture without fertiliser. Strip tillage with the application of fertilisers with a gelling agent significantly increased the amount of water in the soil during the sowing period for winter and spring plants and reduced the CO2 emissions from the soil relative to the conventional tillage without microgranular fertiliser. The biomass of maize, spring barley, and winter rape before flowering, as well as the yields of these plants, were higher when cultivated using strip-till and fertilisers with gelling agents than when ploughed with a mouldboard plough without the use of microgranulated fertilisers. This technology also increased the number of microorganisms, including bacteria, actinobacteria, and filamentous fungi in the soil after harvesting compared to the unfertilised, ploughed soil. Strip tillage and microgranulated fertilisers containing a gelling agent can thus reduce the environmental pressure exerted by agriculture and reduce the risk of climate change, as well as being a way of adapting agriculture to climate change.

Transitioning toward minimum or no tillage is challenging for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), due to the possible yield penalties during the initial years of a transition. Understanding the early impacts of such transitions is crucial in a cash crop such as cotton, on which farmers rely for their income, and is necessary to inform agroecological strategies to cope with both these challenges. This study explores the combined impact of minimum or no tillage and fertilizer regimes on agronomic parameters of cotton–cereal rotations, as practiced by smallholder farmers in Benin. A multilocation experiment was set up in three different agroclimatic zones, namely, Savalou (7°55′41″, 1°58′32″), Okpara (2°48′15″, 7°72′07″), and Soaodou (10°28′33″, 1°98′33″). In each area, the experiment was laid out as a split-plot design with four replications (main plot = soil preparation; subplot = fertilizers regimes). The treatments consisted of three different forms of soil preparation, namely, tillage, strip tillage, and no tillage or direct seeding, and four fertilization regimes, namely, basal mineral fertilizers (BMF, 200 kg ha1 of N14P18K18S6B1 + 50 kg ha1 of urea), BMF + A (200 kg ha1 of calcium phosphate amendment, 22P2O5-43CaO−4S), BMF + C (400 kg ha1 of compost), and BMF + A + C. At all sites, direct seeding led to lower below-ground biomass growth and seed cotton yields compared with conventional tillage in an early transition to conservation agriculture starting from degraded soils (2% to 25%). Weak rooting under direct seeding resulted in lower cotton yields compared with that under tillage (−12%) and strip tillage (−15%). At 45 and 90 days after emergence, cotton plants were shorter under direct seeding compared with tillage (−9% and −13%, respectively) and strip tillage (−23% and −6%, respectively). Fertilizer regimes affected seed cotton yields differently across sites and treatments, with marginal responses within soil preparation methods, but they contributed to increase yield differences between conventional and no tillage. Considering the need for sustainable practices, in the context of degraded soils and poor productivity, such limited yield penalties under CA appear to be a reasonable trade-off in the first year of a transition. Alternatively, the results from the first year of this experiment, which is meant to continue for another 5 years, suggest that strip tillage could be a sensible way to initialize a transition, without initial yield penalties, toward more sustainable soil management.

Based on the test results, a section of working bodies was selected for strip tillage, theheight, the length of the soil disks were determined experimentally. As well as the test result acceptable for strip tillage is a combination of working bodies, consisting of a one cutting paws with a soilproviding high rates of soil crumbling quality well as cleansing them of stubble and roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rice-maize (R-M) system is rapidly expanding in Bangladesh due to its greater suitability for diverse soil types and environments. The present conventional method of cultivating puddled transplanted rice and maize is input-intensive, decreases soil health through intense ploughing, and ultimately reduces farm profitability. There is a need to investigate alternatives. Accordingly, we conducted a replicated 2-year (2020–2021) field study to investigate the effects of conservation agriculture (CA) based tillage and crop establishment (TCE) techniques and residue management practices on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil along with crop productivity and the profitability of rice-maize systems in the sandy loam soil of Northwest Bangladesh. Two TCE techniques Puddled transplanted rice (PTR) followed by Conventional tillage maize (CTM) and strip tillage direct-seeded rice (STDSR) followed by strip-tilled maize (STM) were assigned to the main plots and different percentages of crop residue retention (0, 25, and 50% by height) were allocated to the subplots. Results showed that a reduction in bulk density (BD), soil penetration resistance (SPR), and increased soil porosity were associated with STDSR/STM-based scenarios (strip tillage coupled with 25 and 50% residue retention). The soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions, such as dissolved organic C (DOC), light and heavy particulate organic matter C (POM-C), MAOM, and microbial biomass C (MBC) levels in the 0–10 cm layer under ST based treatments were 95, 8, 6, 2 and 45% greater, respectively, compared to CT with no residue treatment. When compared to the CT treatment, the DOC, light POM-C, heavy POM-C, and MAOM in the 10–20 cm layer with ST treatment were 8, 34, 25, 4 and 37% higher, respectively. Residue retention in ST increased average rice, maize, and system yields by 9.2, 14.0, and 14.12%, respectively, when compared to CT. The system gross margin and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) were $1,515 ha−1 and 1.90 under conventional tillage to $1,696 ha−1 and 2.15 under strip-tillage practices. Thus, our study suggests that CA could be an appropriate practice for sustaining soil fertility and crop yield under R-M systems in light-textured soils or other similar soils in Bangladesh.

Much effort has been spent on promoting conservation agriculture (CA) in Northern Benin to sustain the transition of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cropping systems toward agroecology. However, its limited adoption by farmers is often ascribed to initial yield penalties during the transition to CA and to trade-offs around crop biomass use. Here, we assess the effect of different CA-based cropping systems promoted in the region on water productivity and cotton yield in a three-year cotton/maize (Zea mays L.) crop rotation during the initial transition phase to CA. Three CA options were assessed combining different levels of soil disturbance and cover, and introducing cover crops to alleviate the biomass trade-offs. Direct seeding (DS), strip tillage (ST), and direct seeding mulched-based cropping systems (DMC) were compared with conventional tillage (CT) from 2017 to 2019 under a dominant soil type in the region, Haplic Lixisols. Two legume species, Stylosanthes guianensis (Aubl.) Sw. and Crotalaria retusa L. were grown as cover crops with maize under ST and DMC. The experiment followed a randomized block design comprising six replicates. After 2–3 years of DMC, the cotton yield advantage with respect to CT increased from 5 % to 7 %. Cotton yield penalties of respectively 11 % in 2018 and 26 % in 2019 were found for DS. ST treatment went from a yield advantage of 8 % in 2017 to a yield penalty of 20 % in 2019. The DMC and CT treatments gave similar and highest boll weights compared to the ST and DS treatments. The treatments had no significant difference regarding the number of bolls per plant. Soil water storage in the upper 30 cm depth and water use efficiency (WUE) were the highest in the plots with the DMC treatment compared to CT, ST, and DS. At 28 days of active vegetative stage (between 34 and 62 days after sowing), the WUE of seed cotton was 0.11 kg ha−1 mm−1 under DMC, while it was 0.08, 0.07, and 0.04 kg ha−1 mm−1 under DS, CT, and ST, respectively. The performance of DMC at increasing water productivity could be an argument to improve adoptability by farmers in northern Benin who are facing increased weather variability, given that the yield penalties often associated with early transitions to CA were not observed here with full DMC. • After 3 years of DMC, the cotton yield increases of 5–7 % compared to CT. • DMC exhibited no yield penalties in a transition to conservation agriculture. • Soil water storage use efficiency were the highest in the DMC treatment. • For maize yields, no significant differences were observed between treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the coastal plain region of the United States, conservation agriculture practices are being implemented to improve soil health, minimize environmental impacts, and improve farm profitability. Common practices include cover cropping and conservation tillage using strip tillage, minimal tillage, or no tillage. However, the soil response to specific combinations of conservation tillage and cover crop rotations remains poorly quantified. The objective of this research was to evaluate changes in soil properties from different combinations of conservation management. Four tillage systems – conventional, strip, minimal, and no tillage – and three winter cover rotations – fallow, winter cash crop, and high-biomass cover crop – were tested in a split-plot design. Bulk density, depth to a root-restrictive layer, soil carbon concentration, soil carbon stock, field-saturated hydraulic conductivity, and yield were measured over a seven-year period. Bulk density and field-saturated hydraulic conductivity showed greater temporal variation in the strip tillage and conventional tillage practices. Depth to root-restrictive layer was consistently highest in the strip and minimal tillage treatments, which both included implements designed to alleviate subsoil compaction. Treatments that combined conservation tillage with a winter cover (i.e., cash crops or high-biomass cover crops) had greater increases in soil carbon concentrations and carbon stock. Summer cash crop yield was significantly increased following the high-biomass cover crop treatment in 2 out of the 7 years. Altogether, soil carbon showed a more consistent response to conservation management than the other soil properties, which tended to show greater variability based on the time since disturbance (e.g., tillage). Conservation management practices therefore need to be consistently applied for multiple years in order to improve soil properties such as bulk density and saturated hydraulic conductivity. • Conservation agricultural practices contribute to greater accumulation of soil carbon compared to conventional practices. • Soils in the U.S. Coastal Plain have the potential to act as a carbon sink when using conservation practices. • Tillage practices improved soil physical properties temporarily. • Out of the four tillage systems, strip tillage provided the most benefits in tested parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional soil management — based on intensive tillage and low input of organic material – negatively impacts soil quality via carbon (C) losses as carbon dioxide emissions (CO 2), exacerbating the effect of climate change on agriculture. Carbon farming practices (CFPs), such as minimum tillage (MT) and strip tillage (ST), offer promising solutions to maintain soil fertility, sustain crop yields, and mitigate environmental impacts. However, applying CFPs in processing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cropping presents unique challenges due to specific crop and tillage characteristics. Our two-year field study investigated the effects of conservation tillage practices (i.e., MT and ST), both combined with cover crops and digestate application, on soil quality parameters and processing tomato yield. The field studies were conducted in fields with varying soil textures (i.e., clay and silty clay loam), and aimed to evaluate responses in terms of soil C sequestration, nutrient concentrations, soil structure, and abundance of earthworms. We hypothesized that both MT and ST would enhance soil quality parameters also in tomato cropping systems, with ST potentially outperforming MT in C sequestration. Results revealed that CFPs significantly increased soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and available phosphorous compared with conventional tillage. Both MT and ST increased soil C sequestration (up to 1.06 Mg C ha−1 y−1 and 1.21 Mg C ha−1 y−1, respectively) compared with conventional tillage (CT), which lost around 0.88 Mg C ha−1 y−1 under silty-clay loam soil, and had negligible C sequestration (+0.02 Mg C ha−1 y−1) under clay soil. We found no significant difference between MT and ST when using the equivalent soil mass method for calculating C sequestration. Noteworthy, CFPs enhanced fertility parameters without a negative impact on yields, underscoring their potential for enhancing soil C sequestration, improving nutrient availability, and supporting processing tomato yield under adaptation scenarios to climate change. • Carbon farming practices enhance chemical, physical, and biological soil quality. • Combining digestate and cover crops with minimum tillage or strip tillage sequestered 0.83–1.63 Mg C ha−1 y−1. • ST outperforms MT for C sequestration potential with FD method, while not with ESM method. • Processing tomato yield was never negatively affected by carbon farming practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crisis of agricultural laborers in South Asia’s rural zones is pushing to pursue a labor-saving conservation agriculture strategy for crop production and weed control. Non-puddled transplanting and mulching residues of the previous crop are being developed for rice-based cropping systems in Bangladesh to address this issue. Hence, the present study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of strip tillage vs. conventional tillage combined with previous rice residues relative to herbicides and hand weeding on weed control and grain yield of winter rice during January-May in 2015 and 2016. Rice cv. BRRI dhan28 was transplanted with a combination of six treatments: puddled conventional tillage (CT)+3 hand weeding (HW) (Control); Preplant (PRE) herbicide (glyphosate)+non-puddled strip tillage (ST)+1HW; PRE+ST+pre-emergence (PE) herbicide (pendimethalin); PRE+ST+post-emergence (PO) herbicide (ethoxysulfuron-ethyl); PRE+ST+PE+PO; PRE+ST+weed-free (WF); and two levels of rice residues: no-residue (R0) vs. 50% standing residue (R50). The CT had done using a two-wheel tractor (2WT) by four ploughings and cross ploughings followed by levelling. A Versatile Multi-Crop Planter (VMP) was used for ST in a single pass operation. Over the two years, PRE+ST+PE+PO reduced weed density by 40% in the first year and 50% in the second year and weed biomass by 70% than CT+3HW in both years. Retention of 50% residue reduced weed density by 20% and biomass by 34%. The highest grain yield (12% higher than CT+3HW without residue) was obtained from PRE+ST+WF with 50% residue, while the highest BCR (47% higher over CT+3HW without residue) was obtained from PRE+ST+PE+PO with 50% residue.

Strip tillage is a widely used land preparation approach for effective straw management in conservation agriculture. Understanding the dynamic throwing process during the stubble-crushing operation has important implications for seedbed preparation. However, the airflow generated by the high-speed rotation of stubble-crushing blades has yet to be considered. We established a coupled DEM-CFD simulation model and explored the dynamic motion of soil particles varied with their initial depth (at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 mm depth) and surface straw under different blade rotary speeds (270, 540, 720, and 810 rpm) based on the model. The coupled model simulation results were proved to be well correlated with the field test results by the field high-speed camera test. The simulation results showed that airflow had a significant effect on the longitudinal displacement of straw (p < 0.05). An increase in rotary speed could increase the longitudinal and lateral throwing displacement of soil particles and straw and increase the blade–soil–straw interaction, while there was no directional effect on the vertical motion. The lateral movement of soil particles decreased with increasing soil particle depth. The stubble-crushing operation allowed the exchange of deep and shallow soil layers, as well as the burial of straw. Plain, straight stubble-crushing blades with a rotary speed of 540 rpm were able to form the optimal seeding row with a width of 80.86 mm. The simulation results were useful for assessing the design solutions of high-speed rotational tools and evaluating seedbed preparation practices.

In order to clarify the mechanism of tiller–soil interaction in the process of strip rotary tillage, this paper conducted a simulation and experimental research on four blade configurations composed of three rotary blades (bent C, straight and hoe) at three rotation speeds (280, 380 and 510 rpm). The study found that the soil throwing characteristics of the blades are the key factors affecting the quality of tillage. The increase in the rotation speed not only improved the soil breaking effect, but also enhanced the phenomenon of soil throwing and then led to a reduction in the soil backfill. In the BC configuration (combination of four bent C blades), the bent C blades showed the best soil throwing characteristics and created the best soil fragmentation. However, due to the obvious side throwing of the soil, the backfill effect of soil fragmentation was the worst. The backfill rate was only 8% when the rotation speed was 510 rpm and could not allow reaching the required seed–soil contact during sowing. The hoe blades in the HC configuration (combination of four hoe blades) could collect part of the soil fragments and throw them towards the direction of the machine during the cultivation process, which led to a good soil breaking effect and a low soil side throwing rate. When the rotation speed was 510 rpm, 36% of the soil was backfilled into the seedbed. In the SC configuration (combination of four straight blades), the straight blades could well control the scattering of the side-thrown soil fragments. At a super-high rotation speed (510 rpm), the side throwing rate was only 70%, and the backfill rate was as high as 60%. However, the soil fragments created by the blades were too large (average soil block diameter > 40 mm) and could not form a loose and finely broken seedbed environment. The MC configuration (combination of two straight blades and two hoe blades) benefited from the combination of straight blades and hoe blades, offering outstanding advantages for backfill and soil fragmentation. Therefore, under the condition of a centralized configuration of field surface straw, it is recommended to use the MC configuration of the wheat rotary strip–till planter for cohesive paddy soil.

This net-house experiment was conducted at the Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh, during January-December 2016. Soil samplings were done at 0-15 cm soil depth from four locations viz., Mymensingh, Durgapur, Godagari, and Baliakandi areas of Bangladesh after the end of conservation agriculture (CA) trials in each site. At Mymensingh, CA, tests were conducted at the soil science field laboratory during 2012-2015. Here T. aman (summer) rice, wheat, and mungbean were grown using conventional tillage (CT), and strip tillage (ST) retained with 20 and 40% residues of the previous crop. At Durgapur and Godagari, on-farm CT and ST were practiced kept 20 and 50% residues of the earlier crop during 2010-2015. At Durgapur, the cropping pattern was T. aman rice-mustard-boro (winter) rice and jute-lentil-mungbean while at Godagari, the cropping pattern was T. aman rice-wheat-mungbean and jute-chickpea-mungbean. At Baliakandi, T. aman rice, wheat, and jute were grown on-farm during 2012-2015 following CT, ST, bed planting (BP), and Zero tillage (ZT) retained 20 and 50% residues. Collected five soil samples from each plot of each site that is a total of 290 soil samples from four trial sites were bulked and placed in individual trays following a completely randomized design with four replications. The headcount of weed was continued during the entire time of experimentation. The experimental data revealed that, in terms of weed species composition and weed density, the smallest size weed seed bank was found in long-term ST, followed by CT, BP, and ZT. On the other hand, smaller sized weed seed bank composition was found in 40 or 50% crop residues than 20% residues. The higher number of perennials weeds than annual weeds was recorded in ST, BP, and ZT, but the reverse was in CT. Based on the results, it could be concluded that ST with the retention of 40-50% residues of previous crops facilitate lesser weeds but favors perennial weeds compared to conventional tillage. Weed reduction in strip tillage is even higher than BP and ZT. [Fundam Appl Agric 2020; 5(4.000): 555-567]

Transplanting rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings into non-puddled soils with minimum soil disturbance (by mechanized strip tillage) is an opportunity to expand Conservation Agriculture (CA) adoption in rice-based cropping systems. However, the farmer acceptance and on-farm profitability of this technology has not been assessed. Here, we analysed farmer-managed non-puddled transplanting (NT) of rice seedlings in paired comparisons with rice seedlings transplanted in puddled (PT) soil. Sixty-six rainfed monsoon (aman) and 84 dry-season irrigated (boro) rice crops were established by NT and compared with paired PT crops during 2013–2015 in north and north-west Bangladesh. Non-puddled fields were prepared by firstly making 40–60-mm-wide tilled strips with a Versatile Multi-crop Planter, then by 18–24-h inundation with water to soften soils in the strip, followed by transplanting seedlings into strips. The NT crops produced similar or significantly greater grain (boro season of 2015) and straw yields than paired PT crops. The minimum soil disturbance NT did not hinder seedling transplanting of rice or increase the total labour costs for transplanting and weeding compared to PT, rather it reduced the cost of production, and increased net benefit for rice in both seasons relative to PT. Under farmer management on a range of soils and in the two main rice-growing seasons, NT performed as well or better than PT suggesting that this is a feasible option for farmers planning to adopt CA in rice-based cropping systems. Over 3 years, farmers’ perception of NT performance shifted from scepticism to mostly favourable.

The analysis of soil cultivation technologies for sowing melon crops was carried out. The design of a combined soil tillage tool capable of plowing, pre-sowing treatment and formation of irrigation furrows in one pass was substantiated. The main tillage is recommended to be done by front plow tools for smooth plowing. Plow bodies of two bottom plows should be mounted along the symmetry axis of the implement according to the lister scheme, which allows not to carry out a full rotation of soil layers and provides automatic formation of irrigation furrow. A loosening and leveling device for strip pre-sowing soil tillage in the sowing zone has been developed. The use of a combined soil tillage tool can reduce labor costs up to 25%, energy consumption for soil preparation up to 50%, reduce the duration of work, reduce soil compaction and retain moisture in the soil layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Transplanting of rice seedlings in non-puddled soil under conservation agriculture systems is a new promising technology for which effective and economic weed control strategies have to develop. Therefore, a study was conducted in wet season rice during 2013 and 2014 with some commonly used pre- and post-emergence rice herbicides (pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, butachlor, orthosulfamuron, acetochlor + bensulfuron methyl, butachlor + propanil and 2,4-D amine) in strip tilled non-puddled field condition at Mymensingh, Bangladesh to evaluate their weed control efficacy singly or in sequences, their cost-effectiveness and residual effect on the succeeding crops like wheat and lentil. Sole application of herbicide was less effective to control all types of weed species than sequentially applied herbicides. Sequential application of pre- and late post-emergence, early post- and late post-emergence or pre-, early and late post-emergence herbicides controlled weeds by 46-98% and 43-95%, respectively in terms of weed density and biomass. Sequential application of pyrazosulfuron-ethyl followed by orthosulfamuron and butachlor + propanil provided the most effective and economic weed control under this new rice establishment practice. Moreover, the study suggested a range of effective herbicides for strip-tilled non-puddled wet season rice, but possible rotation of those herbicides in a sequential application is needed. Additionally, residue of those herbicides did not show any adverse effect on the succeeding crops of rice like wheat and lentil. However, further research is needed with various new molecules of herbicide and their residual effect on the subsequent crop as well as soil environment.

Conservation Agriculture (CA) has been a promising technique for better crop production. Manual seeding with conventional tillage practice is laborious and time consuming. However, strip tillage (ST) method incorporating seeding machines minimizes human drudgery and optimizes the crop yield. Many problems associated with ST have been rectified e.g. tiny furrow backfill, inaccuracy of seed and fertilizer placement, leading to poor germination and curtailed outcomes. This article focused on the effects of residue retention for the rotary blades design on a versatile multi-crop planter (VMP). Four types of modified rotary blades of VMP differed by 15o increment of tip angles were fabricated, and experimented with a linear speed of 2.625 m s-1 (350 rpm) for ST operation targeting wheat and maize cultivation. Technical aspects related to the quality of strip i.e. width of furrow, depth of seed placement etc. were observed. Furthermore, the percentage of straw cut and seed emergence were visualized. From the observation, straw wrapping was almost disappeared due to rotating action with the sharp edge of the new modified blades in front of the furrow openers. Soil cutting depth of strips and seed placement depth was consistent all over the field by the modified blades during wheat and maize sowing. The set of 15° tip angle blades at 15 cm anchored rice residue (RH15) shown the improved seed germination rate of 95.89% for wheat and 78.65% for maize. The investigation enables scope for adopting modified blade for better performance into CA practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was conducted at the University of Debrecen Látókép Research Station and is part of an ongoing long-term polyfactorial experiment. The impact of three tillage systems (Mouldboard plowing-MT, Strip tillage-ST, Ripper tillage-RT) and two levels of fertilizer treatments (N80 kg ha-1, N160 kg ha-1) along with a control (N0 kg ha-1) on the yield of maize hybrids (Armagnac- FAO 490 & Loupiac-FAO 380) cultivated in rotation with winter wheat was evaluated during a two-year period (2017-2018). Amongst the three tillage treatments evaluated, ripper tillage (RT) had the highest average yield (10.14 t ha-1) followed by mouldboard tillage (MT) and strip tillage (ST) with 9.84 and 9.21 t ha-1 respectively. Yield difference between RT and MT was not significant (P>0.05), as compared to ST (P<0.05). Soil moisture content varied significantly with tillage practices and was highest in ST, followed by RT and MT (ST>RT>MT). Yield of RT was 7-9% higher than MT in monoculture plots, while MT reign superior in biculture plots (monoculture: RT>MT>ST; biculture: MT>RT>ST). A positive interaction between tillage and fertilization was observed, with higher yield variation (CV=40.70) in the non-fertilized (N0) plots, compared to those which received the N80 (CV=19.50) and N160 kg ha-1 (CV=11.59) treatments. Incremental yield gain from increase fertilizer dosages was significantly higher in monoculture, compared to biculture. There was no significant difference in yield between N160 and N80 in the biculture plots (12.29 vs 12.02 t ha-1). However, in monoculture plots, N160 yield was 23% higher than the N80 kg ha-1 (N160=11.74 vs N80=9.56 t ha-1). Mean yield of maize in rotation with winter wheat was 28% (2.47 tons) higher than monoculture maize. The greatest benefit of crop rotation was observed in the control plots (N0) with an incremental yield gain of 4.39 tons ha-1 over monculture maize (9.92 vs 5.43 t ha-1). Yield increased with higher fertilizer dosages in irrigated plots. Fertilizer application greatly increased the yield of maize and accounted for 48.9% of yield variances. The highest yield (11.92 t ha-1) was obtained with N160 kg ha-1 treatment, followed by N80 kg ha-1 (10.38 t ha-1) and N0 kg ha-1 (6.89 t ha-1) respectively. Overall mean yield difference between the two hybrids was not statistically significant, however, yield of FAO 380 was 3.9% higher (9.06 vs. 8.72 t ha-1) than FAO 490 in monoculture plots, while in biculture plots, FAO 490 was 4.1% higher than FAO 380. Average yield in 2018 was 13.6% (1.24 t ha-1) higher than 2017 for the same set of agrotechnical inputs, thus, highlighting the significant effect of cropyear. Armagnac (FAO 490) cultivated in rotation with winter wheat, under ripper tillage and N80 kg ha-1 is the best combination of treatments for optimum yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article reviews the scientific literature on the influence of organic and conventional farming as well as organic fertilizer source (plant-based vs. animal-based) on soil health. Additionally, the role of tillage practices (conservational vs. conventional) in soil performance is studied. Research shows that organic farming systems potentially enhanced soil health through improved soil respiration-CO2 (soil health indicator), soil organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, soil water content as well as soil microorganism's (fungi, bacteria and nematodes) activity and abundance. Conversely, organic systems had lower yield compared to conventional. Organic farming sources also significantly affected soil health. Plant-based fertilizers (e.g. corn and alfalfa meal) also improved soil health (respiration-CO2), organic matter %, nutrient availability and fruit quality. But, animal-based fertilizers (e.g. fish meal, chicken manure and blood meal) significantly increased marketable yield compared to plant-based ones, especially, in short-run projects. Tillage practices have also an impact on soil quality variables (physical, chemical and biological properties). Conservation tillage (no-till and strip) practices improve soil penetration resistance, organic carbon, and biota biomass, density, activity and diversity. In fact, conservation tillage practices increased soil microorganism (bacteria, fungi and nematode) activity and abundance and also available nutrients in comparison to conventional tillage. However, conservational tillage practices lead to higher soil compaction and greater number of rootfeeding nematodes (harmful to plant roots). Overall, organic farming systems can successfully improve soil health but may not be the best choice for farmers whose essential short-term objective is a higher yield. Also, organic growers with a primary focus on yield should not use plant-based fertilizers (e.g. alfalfa). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Established and calibrated a Soil-Straw composite model. • A vertical active rotation straw cleaning method has been proposed. • Designed a vertical stubble cleaning and soil crushing device. • Structural parameters were optimized through DEM-MFBD. Strip tillage is a necessary technical means to solve blockage problems during the no-tillage sowing process under the condition of total straw return to the field. However, the large amount of straw on the surface, thick stems, and slow decomposition make it difficult for the traditional straw wheel structure to effectively clean the straw out of the operating area. Based on the distribution of straw and soil characteristics on the no-tillage surface, a Soil-Straw composite model is established using the discrete element method (DEM) for undisturbed soil under straw coverage conditions. The relative error of its bonding parameters is 7.9 %, which can accurately predict the mechanical behavior of soil contact components. A vertical rotation-based straw strip cleaning and soil tillage method is proposed, and three vertical straw strip cleaning and soil tillage devices combining spring teeth (ST) and rake teeth (RT) were designed. The reasonable operating parameters are determined through trajectory analysis, with a forward velocity of 1.67 m/s and a rotational velocity of 300 r/min. Based on the Soil-Straw composite model, the combination of three ST and RT types is studied using DEM-MFBD coupled simulation technology. Regarding the straw cleaning rate, the straw cleaning rates of ST b -RT b and ST c -RT c are 96.66 % and 96.99 %, respectively, meeting the operational requirements. The field test results showed that the straw cleaning and soil fragmentation rates of the ST c -RT c combination were 97.7 % and 96.4 %. The bench test and field test verification show that the DEM-MFBD coupled simulation technology based on the Soil-Straw model can predict the operating quality and deformation stress of the machine. This study provides a new solution for a wide range of straw cleaning in straw-covered areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Traction force, diesel consumption, and CO 2 emissions in strip tillage were analysed. • The greatest effect on traction force, diesel, and CO 2 emissions had working depth and speed. • Increase of penetration depth of coulter from 0 to 200 mm increases diesel use by 2.0–2.5 l h−1. • Increase of speed from 1.3 to 2.5 m s−1 increases diesel use approximately by 2.0 l h−1. Strip tillage has become increasingly more popular owing to the reduced direct impact of the soil tillage machines. Depending on the crops cultivated and strip widths, only a part of the soil is disturbed therefore the impact on soil is reduced. Strip tillage has a positive impact on soil protection and recycle of energy. Furthermore, the use of energy is influenced by the design and the operation of the strip tillage equipment. Through field investigations and empirical analyses this study allowed determining the influence of the parameters of the row cleaners and the hoe coulters – two elements of strip tillage equipment – on traction force and diesel consumption. Field experiments were carried out on soil after the harvest of spring wheat. By changing rake angle (10°, 15°, and 22.5°), depth of hoe coulter penetration (0, 100, and 200 mm), and working speed (1.3, 1.9, and 2.5 m s−1), traction force and diesel consumption were determined. Results of the field experiments and empirical analyses showed that an increase in rake angle between the row cleaner discs had no significant effect on CO 2 emissions and diesel consumption while increase of driving speed and penetration depth of hoe coulter significantly influenced diesel consumption and tractor's CO 2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Maize root penetration was greater following white mustard below 30 cm depth. • Maize root distribution was restricted at out-row positions under strip tillage. • Strip tillage could sufficiently loosen top soil for maize production. • Maize biomass was marginally higher under strip tillage with white mustard combination. Soil compaction is a serious threat to agricultural production because of an expanding agricultural mechanization. Conservation tillage and use of pioneer plants can be an environmentally solution to alleviate the adverse effects of soil compaction. Root penetration into compacted soil of two winter cover crops with different rooting patterns, i.e. tap-rooted white mustard (Sinapis alba L.), and fibrous-rooted winter rye (Secale cereal L.), and of maize (Zea mays L.) in the consecutive growing season was assessed. Additionally, the effects of two spring tillage methods were evaluated, i.e. strip tillage and intensive tillage (by mouldboard ploughing). Winter rye showed significantly higher root penetration than white mustard in the top 15 cm, while an opposite trend was observed at 20–45 cm depth. After one season, maize root penetration was significantly greater following white mustard than winter rye at 30–40 cm depth. Strip tillage, like intensive tillage, could sufficiently loosen soil for adequate maize growth even though maize root distribution was restricted to tilled rows in contrast with intensive tillage. In conclusion, white mustard already showed positive short-term effects on maize growth, whereas strip tillage did not negatively affect it. Combining both is a viable option to reduce the negative impact of soil compaction on maize growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmers' conventional tillage (CT) and residue removal practices in rice (Oryza sativa L.)-maize (Zea mays L.) systems in South Asia's Eastern Gangetic Plains (EGP) are input-intensive, costly, and soil degradative. We conducted a rice-maize-mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) (R-M-MB) system experiment with six tillage and three residue-management treatments in Bangladesh, representing the EGP. Maize yields were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher under permanent (PB) and fresh (FB) beds under strip tillage (ST) than under CT, but there were no differences in mungbean yield. Rice yields under PB, FB, and CT were similar but significantly higher than those under zero or minimum tillage and ST. Yields of all crops increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with residue retention compared with no residue retention. Total system productivity was highest under PB, followed by FB and ST. Compared with CT, gross margins under PB, FB, and ST increased, respectively, by 18%, 13% and 11%, and soil organic matter (SOM) and total soil N content across tillage treatments increased by 11–16% and 12–24%, respectively. After 3 years, SOM, total N, and available P and S contents increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) under residue retention. Results demonstrate the potential of PB, FB, and ST with residue retention in improving the productivity, profitability and soil health in the R-M-MB system of Bangladesh and on similar soils and climates in the EGP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transplanting rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings into non-puddled soils with minimum soil disturbance (by mechanized strip tillage) is an opportunity to expand Conservation Agriculture (CA) adoption in rice-based cropping systems. However, the farmer acceptance and on-farm profitability of this technology has not been assessed. Here, we analysed farmer-managed non-puddled transplanting (NT) of rice seedlings in paired comparisons with rice seedlings transplanted in puddled (PT) soil. Sixty-six rainfed monsoon (aman) and 84 dry-season irrigated (boro) rice crops were established by NT and compared with paired PT crops during 2013-2015 in north and north-west Bangladesh. Non-puddled fields were prepared by firstly making 40-60-mm-wide tilled strips with a Versatile Multi-crop Planter, then by 18-24-h inundation with water to soften soils in the strip, followed by transplanting seedlings into strips. The NT crops produced similar or significantly greater grain (boro season of 2015) and straw yields than paired PT crops. The minimum soil disturbance NT did not hinder seedling transplanting of rice or increase the total labour costs for transplanting and weeding compared to PT, rather it reduced the cost of production, and increased net benefit for rice in both seasons relative to PT. Under farmer management on a range of soils and in the two main rice-growing seasons, NT performed as well or better than PT suggesting that this is a feasible option for farmers planning to adopt CA in rice-based cropping systems. Over 3 years, farmers' perception of NT performance shifted from scepticism to mostly favourable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strip tillage might offer an option to produce high silage maize yields at lower costs and improved erosion control compared to full width tillage practices. However, the strip tillage is not included in the agricultural production practice of the farmers in our country. In this study, three different strips tillage application have been used as a alternative to traditional practices (CT). While the machine made by the Maschio Gaspardo (OST) is used in one of the applications of the strip tillage, the other two machines (horizontal (MHST) and vertical shaft rotary tillers (MVST) have been modified and used in strip tillage. The width of the strips of applications varied between 25-28cm. As a depending on strip tillage applications, 35-40 % of soil surface was tilled. While the penetration resistance of the strip tillage applications ranged from 0.45-1.91 MPa, the surface roughness of the strips was found to be about 11 %. Results of fuel consumption were 4.92, 1.82, 1.3 and 0.73 l da-1 for the full width tillage, OST, MVST and MHST respectively. Seedling emergence degree was approximately 6 % higher for MVST and OST compared to CT. An average increasing of 12 % plant emergence rate index (ERI) under MVST compared with other applications was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern agriculture promotes non-inversion, ploughless tillage systems, and simplified plant cultivation methods. Environmentally friendly plant production technologies must nevertheless guarantee high yields of good quality. In the years 2017/18–2019/20, studies were carried out in which it was assumed that these conditions could be met by strip soil tillage with simultaneous application of fertilisers and paired-row sowing (strip-till one-pass (ST-OP). Two field experiments were conducted to compare two cereal cultivation technologies: ploughless, non-inversion tillage, seedbed preparation, entire-surface fertilisation, and narrowly spaced row sowing (PL-ES); and ST-OP, with two narrow spaced rows (12 cm apart) in a strip of tilled (paired-row sowing), fertilised soil, and a 24.4-cm-wide inter-row of untilled soil. Fields of winter wheat and spring barley were investigated, assessing plant density and spatial variation, plant height, yield components, and yield. The morphological and physiological indices of the plants and canopies determined were leaf area index (LAI), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), leaf stomatal conductance, and relative chlorophyll content in leaves. The ST-OP technology provides uniform planting in the canopy, especially under conditions of insufficient rainfall. Fields of winter wheat and spring barley cultivated by this method featured shorter plants with more stalks with spikes, and spikes with greater weight and number of grains, than in the fields of cereals grown under PL-ES. The LAI and PAR indices in the narrow inter-rows were similar to the PL-ES technology and higher than in the wide, untilled inter-rows. Leaves of cereals grown under ST-OP contained more chlorophyll and had a higher leaf stomatal conductance. This technology, which provides higher winter wheat and spring barley yields, is an alternative to ploughless tillage with row sowing.

An on-farm research was conducted at Gouripur upazila under Mymensingh district of Bangladesh during aman and boro season in 2013-14 to evaluate the performance of unpuddled rice cultivation. The rice var. Hybrid Krishan2 in aman and BRRI dhan28 in boro season were transplanted by two tillage practices viz., conventional tillage (CT) and strip tillage (ST) and two levels of crop residue i.e, no residue (R0) and 50% residue (R50). The experiment was designed in a randomized complete block design with four replications. ST yielded higher grains in aman season (5.67 t ha-1) and also in boro season (4.70 t ha-1) which were 9 and 13% higher compared to CT. Higher grain yield in ST leading to 26% higher BCR in aman and 23% higher in boro compared to CT. Retention of 50% residue increased by 5% yield in aman and by 4% yield in boro compared to no residue which contributed to 9% higher BCR in both aman and boro. ST combine with 50% residue retention yielded the highest grain yield in both of aman (5.97 t ha-1) and boro season (4.81t ha-1) which attributed to obtain the highest BCR in aman (3.08) and boro (2.78).