Special methods of primary soil tillage

Two-tier plowing

Two-tier plowing is a method of primary tillage to a depth of 35-40 cm with inversion of the upper part of the arable layer and simultaneous loosening of the lower part or vertical movement of the upper and lower layers. Two-tier plowing makes it possible to loosen the upper part of the arable layer with inversion of the lower part. It ensures deep incorporation of seeds and vegetative organs of weed reproduction, sod, and plant residues, slowing their decomposition. Deep incorporation of seeds of weed plants, pest larvae, and fungal spores reduces crop damage by 60-70%.

Two-tier plowing is used in the cultivation of sod-podzolic soils, in breaking up the alfalfa stand, and for pre-sowing soil preparation for sugar beet and other industrial crops. For it, two- and three-tier plows PD-3-35, PNYa-4-40, PNYa-6-40, and plows with cut-out bodies are used.

Three-tier plowing

Three-tier plowing is a method of primary tillage to a depth of 40-50 cm with complete or partial movement of three layers (horizons). In three-tier plowing, after inversion the arable layer remains on the surface, while the illuvial and podzolic horizons are interchanged.

It is carried out with three-tier mounted plows PTN-3-40, PTN-3-40A, PNYa-4-40, PNYa-6-40, etc. The bodies on such plows are arranged in three tiers for layer-by-layer treatment of the layers, due to which soil from the lower horizons is drawn into the arable layer.

Three-tier tillage ensures good loosening and crumbling of the soil when the furrow slice is divided into two parts. In addition, it allows deep incorporation of plant residues and seeds of weeds, which reduces weed infestation of crops by 2-3 times, and also improves the activity of soil biological processes and the water regime.

It is used for primary tillage for industrial crops and in the cultivation of sod-podzolic soils and solonetz soils.

Plantation plowing

Plantation plowing is a method of primary tillage performed with special plows to a depth of more than 40 cm. It is carried out in the cultivation of saline and sandy soils, for fruit plantations, and for forest plantings. Plantation plowing ensures loosening of the soil to a greater depth, thereby promoting improvement of physical properties, cultivation of deep layers, and deep penetration of roots. If necessary, a plantation plow allows layer-by-layer treatment, for which a skimmer, cut-out shares, a subsoiler, or two plantation bodies at different levels are mounted on it. At the same time, deep incorporation of the fertile humus layer, especially on soils with low natural fertility, leads to a decrease in yield, which is due to incomplete inversion of the furrow slice and the extraction of soil from the lower layers with worse properties to the surface. Therefore, during plantation plowing, high rates of organic and mineral fertilizers, lime, or gypsum are applied.

Double plowing of sandy and sandy loam soils at different depths makes it possible to create a layered profile through interlayers of sod, peat mixed with manure. The layered profile reduces soil water permeability, increases moisture capacity and the effectiveness of mineral fertilizers.

Plantation plowing is performed with special plows: PPN-40, PPN-50, PPU-50A.

Slotting

Slotting is a method of deeply cutting the soil using slot cutters ShchN-2-140, ShchN-3-70. Slotting increases water permeability, promotes water accumulation and improved aeration. It is an effective method of controlling water erosion on slopes by reducing water runoff and soil washout. When the implement moves across the slope, the slot cutter cuts slots 3-5 cm wide and 40-60 cm deep with a distance between them of 70-140 cm, and on gentle slopes up to 2 m. Specially equipped devices fill the slots with loose soil containing stubble, simultaneously forming water-retaining ridges above the slot, which makes it possible to preserve the slots until spring.

Slotting in crops of winter crops, perennial grasses, and pastures, carried out in late autumn on soil frozen to a depth of 5-7 cm, prevents plant death from waterlogging and promotes yield growth. Slotting can be carried out simultaneously with plowing using converted plows, flat-cut subsoilers, or other implements.

Mole drainage

Mole drainage is an agromeliorative technique consisting in creating mole drains in the subplow layers at a depth of 35-40 cm, with a diameter of 6-8 cm, at a distance of 0.7-1.4 m from each other.

Mole drains serve to remove water on waterlogged soils, promote better soil aeration, and on slope lands prevent water runoff and soil washout. Mole drainage is carried out simultaneously with plowing by special mole drainers mounted on the plow body, or by ripper-mole drainers. Mole drainage is effective on heavy waterlogged soils with shallow groundwater and on lands drained by drainage.

References

1. Bazdyrev G. I., Loshakov V. G., Puponin A. I. et al. (2000). Agriculture. Textbook for universities. Moscow: Kolos Publishing House.
2. Niklyaev V. S. (2000). Fundamentals of agricultural production technology. Agriculture and crop production. Moscow: Bylina.