Economical Evaluation of Reduced Intensity Tillage Systems, Straw and Green Manure Combinations

Abstract

Since 1999, a long-term field experiment has been done at the Experimental Station of Vytautas Magnus University (former Aleksandras Stulginskis University) at 54º52′50 N latitude and 23º49′41 E longitude. The soil of the experiment site is Epieutric Endocalcaric Endogleyic Planosol (Endoclayic, Aric, Drainic, Humic, Episiltic) according to WRB (2014). The objective of our investigations was to assess the long-term impact of reduced intensity tillage systems, straw and green manure combinations on productivity and economical evaluation. In a coherent farming system, soil tillage should be reduced by minimizing mechanical tillage and maximizing the use of biological soil fertility maintenance measures combined with a soil quality improvement system. Long-term use of plant residues and green manure in combination with a complex application of reduced soil tillage and direct drilling has a positive impact on the sustainability of agroecosystems and help maintain crop rotation productivity. Performed analysis allows expecting the positive cash flows in catch cropping for green manure and rotovating (GMR) and no-tillage (NT) tillage systems more often comparing with other more intensive tillage systems. These systems ensure more stable yields and positive cash flows, because of lower operation cost of machinery notillage (NT).