Conventional and Conservation Seedbed Preparation Systems for Wheat Planting in Silty-Clay Soil

Abstract

Conventional seedbed preparation is based on deep ploughing followed by lighter and finer secondary tillage of the superficial layer, normally performed by machines powered by the tractor’s Power Take-Off (PTO), which prepares the seedbed in a single pass. Conservation methods are based on a wide range of interventions, such as minimum or no-tillage, by means of machines with passive action working tools which require two or more passes The aim of this study was to assess both the power-energy requirements of conventional (power harrows and rotary tillers with different working width) and conservation implements (disks harrow and combined cultivator) and the soil tillage quality parameters, with reference to the capability of preparing an optimal seedbed for wheat planting. Field tests were carried out on flat, silty-clay soil, using instrumented tractors. The test results showed significant differences among the operative performances of the two typologies of machines powered by the tractor’s PTO: the fuel consumption, the power and the energy requirements of the rotary tillers are strongly higher than power harrows. However, the results also showed a decrease of these parameters proceeding from conventional to more conservation tillage implements. The better quality of seedbed was provided by the rotary tillers.

Assessment of Energy, Dynamic and Economic Balance of Chipping Operation in Poplar Medium Rotation Coppice (MRC) Plantations

“…T30FN, full scale: torque 2 kNm; speed 3000 min −1 ) installed onto the tractor (Figure 1). The PTO speed and torque were used to calculate the power (kW) required by the operation [41].…”

Assessment of the Performance of Agricultural Tires Using a Mobile Test Bench

“…The test was carried out using a pair of new tires on three surfaces: asphalt track, headland with grass cover, and seedbed (surface prepared for the sowing). The latter was achieved through interventions of primary and secondary soil tillage, according to normal farm practices [40,41]. As for the braking action exerted by the MTB, this resulted from the combination of hydraulic braking and the resistance to rotation exerted by the engagement of a given gear.…”

Research on the Interdependence Linkages between Soil Tillage Systems and Climate Factors on Maize Crop

“…The prevention of soil erosion and organic content loss relies on selecting appropriate strategies for soil conservation, a suitable tillage system, and the application of efficient fertilization and implementation of sustainable crop rotations [6]. Conventional tillage systems (annual ploughing, repeated treatments for seedbed preparation with disk-harrows) have negative consequences on some soil physical characteristics [7], mechanical and water stability of aggregates [8,9], porosity, infiltration capacity, hydraulic conductivity [10], water holding capacity [11], stratification of organic matter and nutrients [12], activity and diversity of flora and fauna [13], carbon biomass [14], soil water, and temperature regime [15,16]. This practice is the most expensive, and is slow, with high demands for fuel and labor [17].…”