Tillage Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Advances in laboratory instrumentation and chemometrics provide alternatives to traditional methods of conducting soil chemical analysis. One of these is infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in the near-infrared spectral range... more

Advances in laboratory instrumentation and chemometrics provide alternatives to traditional methods of conducting soil chemical analysis. One of these is infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in the near-infrared spectral range (NIRS). Herein we report the results of a multinational study to develop useful calibrations associating NIRS spectra with laboratory-measured results for total soil carbon (C), total soil nitrogen (N), δ13C, and δ15N from a single soil site in Mexico subjected to zero- and conventional-tillage regimens with and without crop residues and crop rotations of maize and wheat across 16 years. Modified partial least squares regression (MPLS) was used to obtain useful NIR predictions for total soil C and N, with ratio performance deviation (RPD) values of 6.8 and 2.6, respectively. Corresponding multiple correlation coefficients (RSQs) for C and N were 0.98 and 0.85, with standard errors of prediction (SEPs) of ±0.45 g C kg–1 and ±0.09g Nkg–1, respectively. The generation of δ15N and δ13C models produced different NIR recordings in soils with and without crop residues. Application of discriminant partial least squares (DPLS) statistics to the NIR spectral data allowed us to discriminate soils with and without residues. The prediction confidence for stable isotopes was 90% (internal validation) and 94% (external validation). Modified partial least squares regression was used to estimate δ15N and δ13C. Ratio performance deviation, RSQ, and SEP values obtained for δ13C and δ15N were 2.44 and 3.57, 0.83 and 0.81, ±0.5‰ (parts per thousand) and ±0.45‰ in soils with residues and 2.5 and 3.8, 0.93 and 0.92, and ±0.2‰ and ±0.23‰ in soils without residues, respectively. Overall, results obtained with NIRS were comparable to those obtained using conventional analytical methods, a finding that has wide relevance to agricultural soils and environmental studies in tropical locations. However, further testing is necessary to confirm that the calibration models are neither site nor instrument specific.

A new triaxial dynamometer was designed, constructed and tested to measure and locate the position of all forces and moments on tillage implements, up to a maximum force of 10 kN and a maximum moment of 10 kN 9 m. The design concept of... more

A new triaxial dynamometer was designed, constructed and tested to measure and locate the position of all forces and moments on tillage implements, up to a maximum force of 10 kN and a maximum moment of 10 kN 9 m. The design concept of the facility was based on four frames attached to each other by load cells and tillage tool were attached on the inner frame. Calibration of the system showed the reliable and precise performance of the dynamometer in tracking the forces and moments. Additionally, the designed setup operated desirably under field conditions. Draft measurement was compared to those predicted by ASABE Standard D497.7 and was found to be in standard range. By using the new facility, it would be possible to study the relationship between forces and moments at the varying practical cases and design of tines, toolbars and tillage equipments in regard to the soil type and available tractor power will be facilitated.

The relation between crop growing and soil tillage treatment are play important role in agricultural production. Soils under conventional tillage (CT) generally have lower bulk density and associated higher total porosity within the... more

The relation between crop growing and soil tillage treatment are play important role in agricultural production. Soils under conventional tillage (CT) generally have lower bulk density and associated higher total porosity within the plough layer than under no tillage (NT). No-till farming can reduce soil erosion, conserve soil moisture and minimize labor and fuel consumption. The aim of this study were to investigate the effects of conventional, reduced and no- tillage methods on soil physical properties, sunfl ower yield and yield components, protein and oil content and fuel consumption in Southeastern of Turkey. Six tillage methods for the second crop sunfl ower were tested and compared each other within after lentil harvesting at 2003 and 2004 years in a clay loam soil. According to results, the fi rst year, the bulk density had decreased from 1.29 to 1.09 g cm-3, the second year the δb had decreased from 1.41 to 1.23 g cm-3. Differences between years and tillage methods in terms...

Grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] yield is often constrained by low soil water and nutrient availability in Ethiopia. The integration of tied-ridging for water conservation with fertilizer application in semi-arid sorghum... more

Grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] yield is often constrained by low soil water and nutrient availability in Ethiopia. The integration of tied-ridging for water conservation with fertilizer application in semi-arid sorghum production areas of northern and central Ethiopia was evaluated in five trials in 2005–2007. Three tillage practices and four fertilizer application treatments were evaluated in a complete factorial. The tillage practices included tied-ridging before (TRbr) and after (TRr) the on-set of rains, and shilshalo, a traditional ridging practice for preventing runoff and controlling weeds practiced with the traditional oxen-drawn plow. The fertilizer treatments (N–P) were 0-0, 10-10, 22-0, and 32-10 kg ha−1. Grain yield was increased over shilshalo with tied-ridging by 6–45%. Grain yield was increased by 26% with pre-plant application of N plus P and by 16% with side-dress N application in central Ethiopia, but yield was not increased in the northern Ethiopia trials. Tied-ridging did not increase the yield response to nutrient application. Tied-ridging before or after on-set of rains was found to be equally effective in increasing yields and should be considered for sorghum production in semi-arid areas of northern and central Ethiopia. Response to applied N and P was probably constrained by soil water deficits, even with tied-ridging and especially in the drier environments of northern Ethiopia. Application of N and P should be considered if mean yield levels are above 2.5 Mg ha−1.

a b s t r a c t Conservation agriculture (CA) changes soil properties and processes compared to conventional agriculture. These changes can, in turn, affect the delivery of ecosystem services, including climate regulation through carbon... more

a b s t r a c t Conservation agriculture (CA) changes soil properties and processes compared to conventional agriculture. These changes can, in turn, affect the delivery of ecosystem services, including climate regulation through carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions, and regulation and provision of water through soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Conservation agriculture can also affect the underlying biodiversity that supports many ecosystem services. In this overview, we summarize the current status of the science, the gaps in understanding, and highlight some research priorities for ecosystem services in conservational agriculture. The review is based on global literature but also addresses the potential and limitations of conservation agriculture for low productivity, smallholder farming systems, particularly in Sub Saharan Africa and South Asia. There is clear evidence that topsoil organic matter increases with conservation agriculture and with it o...

Soil aggregation plays a crucial role in soil physicochemical and biological processes, thus influencing soil nutrient retention. It is possible to improve soil aggregation by choosing appropriate agricultural practices. The objective of... more

Soil aggregation plays a crucial role in soil physicochemical and biological processes, thus influencing soil nutrient retention. It is possible to improve soil aggregation by choosing appropriate agricultural practices. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of tillage, crops and fertilizer sources on size distribution of water-stable aggregates (WSA) and nutrient concentrations in aggregate fractions. Soil samples

A feld experiment was conducted at Instructional Farm, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, West Bengal during rabi 2008-09 and 2009-10 to asses the performance of wheat under different tillage conditions( conventional tillage,... more

A feld experiment was conducted at Instructional Farm, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, West Bengal during rabi 2008-09 and 2009-10 to asses the performance of wheat under different tillage conditions( conventional tillage, reduced tillage and zero tillage) and nitrogen levels( 100, 125 and 150 kg/ha). It was revealed that zero tillage led to improvement in growth and yield attributing characters, viz., plant height, number of tillers/running meter, number of panicles/ plant, number of flled grains/spike, spike length and test weight. There was a signifcant increase in crop yield (14.29%) of wheat under zero tillage over conventional tillage. Nitrogen uptake in grain and straw were not infuenced signifcantly under various tillage operations, though maximum uptake was recorded with zero tillage due to higher grain yield. Effective tillers per running meter increased by 18.9% with 150 kg/ha of nitrogen over 100 kg/ha. Yield increment was recorded to be 11.86 and 24.40% wi...

Micropores are important to soil moisture retention and plant growth. Microporosity and pore size distribution were evaluated using mercury intrusion porosimetery on aggregates from 35-year-old experiments started in 1962 at Wooster... more

Micropores are important to soil moisture retention and plant growth. Microporosity and pore size distribution were evaluated using mercury intrusion porosimetery on aggregates from 35-year-old experiments started in 1962 at Wooster (40.5 °N, 82 °W) and South Charleston (39.8 °N, 84 °W) in Ohio, USA and from three land use practices on Kolombangara (8 °S, 157 °E) in Solomon Islands. Tillage treatments in Ohio included: moldboard plowing (MP), chisel plowing (CP), and no-till (NT) with continuous corn. The land use treatments in Kolombangara included: natural forest (NF), traditional farming (TF) and topsoil removal (TR). Pore size measured in aggregates ranged from 0.2 to 100 μm in diameter. Median pore radius was significantly (P < 0.05) larger for NT than for MP and CP treatments at Wooster, but not at South Charleston. Tillage treatments had significant effect on the volume of both storage and residual pores for both sites in Ohio. Volume of storage and residual pores were higher for Wooster than South Charleston soil. At Kolombangara, the NF treatment had significantly larger median and peak pore radii, and microporosity than TF and TR treatments. There was, however, no significant difference among treatments in the volume of pore size distribution. These data support a recommendation for adoption of no-till or conservation tillage in soils of the temperate region, and of minimal disturbance and effective erosion control in soils of the tropics.

Research on the yields obtained under different tillage systems are contradictory. Whilst some have found that conservation tillage provides higher yield compared with conventional tillage, others contradict this statement. Field... more

Research on the yields obtained under different tillage systems are contradictory. Whilst some have found that conservation tillage provides higher yield compared with conventional tillage, others contradict this statement. Field experiments have been carried out since 2005 at the Experimental Research Station of the Agricultural University, in Iasi, somewhere in the northeastern part of Romania (47°07'36 " N latitude, 27°30'45 " E longitude), at 125 m elevation, on a clay-loamy textured cambic chernozem (haplic chernozems), 6.8 pH, with a 2.7% humus content and a medium level of fertilization, without irrigation. The present study mainly focuses on the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 agricultural years with a particular research on winter wheat growing seasons. The experimental soil tillage systems were the following: V 1 disc harrow (2x), V 2 paraplow, V 3 chisel plow + rotary harrow (for seedbed), V 4 plough at 20 cm (control variant) and V 5-plough at 30 cm. Plots covered an area of 60 m 2 with a rotation of soybean-winter wheat-maize, with the current experiment in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum). Results indicated that winter wheat yield was affected by tillage methods and fertilization rate. In 2011 and 2012, the grain yield corresponding to conventional and minimum tillage ranged from 2645-6847 kg ha-1 and 1534-3879 kg ha-1 , respectively. The highest percentage of water stable aggregates was recorded on chisel treatment (79.3%) meanwhile the poorest aggregate stability was measured on disc harrow treatment, 3.3% lower than the highest value. According to the average data of two years investigation, the lowest bulk density in 0-10 cm soil layer was recorded by the conservation tillage treatment chisel (1.29 g cm-3) whereas the highest value was recorded by the disc harrow treatment, 8.5% higher.

... Serap Gorucu Graduate Student Ahmad Khalilian Professor Young J. Han Professor ... Deep tillage treatments (conventional and variable depth) increased percent S in plant ... Beltwide Cotton Production Research Conferences, PP.465-466,... more

... Serap Gorucu Graduate Student Ahmad Khalilian Professor Young J. Han Professor ... Deep tillage treatments (conventional and variable depth) increased percent S in plant ... Beltwide Cotton Production Research Conferences, PP.465-466, January 4-9, 1986, Las Vegas, Nevada. ...