Modern farming technologies are developing in several directions, among which approaches to soil cultivation methods are of considerable importance. Manufacturers of agricultural equipment produce increasingly advanced technical means of cultivation, and the chemical industry forms entire segments with fertilizers. However, complex methods of maintaining and cultivating agricultural land today compete with the opposite method, simplifying the concept of land use. This is a zero tillage system known as No-till technology. Depending on the conditions of implementation and use, it may completely exclude traditional plowing. This method has been known for a long time and developed throughout the past century, and today interest in it is growing again for a number of reasons.
Fundamental differences of know-till technology
Classical farming without fail provides for the use of machining technologies. This is a whole group of tools and methods that allows you to optimize the characteristics of the land cover, properly managing its structure. Ultimately, such operations create a seed bed with a loose uniform layer of soil, which is suitable for the use of standard seeders. The most common event of this kind is plowing the land, thanks to which the soil also gets rid of weeds.
In turn, the No-till system excludes such operations and, accordingly, all the negative factors with which they are accompanied. First of all, machining requires a lot of physical effort, time and money, which are spent on the maintenance and operation of special equipment. It cannot be said that the Know-Till technology is completely dispensed with technical means, but their function is not so significant. In addition, traditional methods of cultivation provoke erosion processes. This is one of the key points that determines the desire of many farmers to switch to alternative systems. Refusal from plowing allows you to maintain the soil structure without disturbing the moisture balance - thus eliminating the risk of weathering of the fertile layer. But there is a flip side, which is compaction of the soil. Without cultivation, such phenomena are possible in the natural order, which is unfavorable for the development of the future crop.
Soil preparation
Preparatory measures for the implementation of this technology are carried out in the form of mulching. But for the transition to this method, you should complete the initial training once. The fact is that the ground for the zero system must meet certain requirements, the main of which is a flat surface. Of course, in the case of agricultural land, we can talk about this parameter only conditionally. The area should not have sharp elevation changes, so that a special seeder can cope with its task. The fact is that the sowing process is carried out evenly, while the technique covers vast strips of earth. As a result, unevenness on one side of the processing tool can violate the immersion parameters of the knife, respectively, the seeds will be planted with deviations from the norm.
Perhaps this is the only part of the implementation of the zero system, in which it is necessary to use traditional cultivators and related equipment. Again, in subsequent years, the Know-Till technology does not imply additional alignment, but only if crop rotation is properly organized. At the same stage of preparation, soil restoration measures should be performed that will be impossible in the future. Typically, deep cultivation is interspersed with procedures for introducing elements that regulate the agrotechnical properties of the land. Next, go to one of the main stages of the technology - mulching.
Mulching beds
Of course, this procedure is not a stage exclusively belonging to the No-till technique, but this system has its own performance features. After the harvest, the stubble is left on the working area - it will perform the function of mulch, contributing to the retention of additional moisture. This scheme will minimize the costs of physical forces, fuel for equipment during the sowing process. That is, in comparison with conventional farming, the zero method involves mulching with straw, which is not removed from the field, but remains. However, there are different approaches. Some farmers recommend leaving it straight in its entirety, which saves both time and, again, the efforts of the farmer. An alternative point of view involves harvesting straw, but then chopping it and laying it in its original place.
A coating forms on the surface that protects the soil from the same erosion, both water and wind. In general, the spectrum of functions in mulch in this case is very diverse. This coating prevents the growth of weeds, does not allow moisture to escape, and also contributes to the activation of soil microflora and acts as the basis for the reproduction of fertile soil layers, which increases productivity. At the same time, it is not at all necessary to be limited to straw and biomass, which remains on the field after harvesting. Other materials are quite suitable. For example, pine mulch, the remnants of corn, all kinds of husks with bark and sawdust, as well as other environmentally friendly waste from economic point of view, are successfully used. The need for high-quality mulch is due to the need to compensate for the protective properties that the earth loses due to the minimization of processing operations.
Fertilizer land
The change in approaches to preparing the land for sowing and, in general, the cultivation technique could not but affect the nutrient base of the soil layer. Reducing the processing intensity and preserving the crop residue of the biomass from the grown culture helps to reduce the differences in the soil temperature. In turn, the microclimate on the soil surface is not so favorable for the production of plant debris than the lower layers. As a result, the remains of biomass decompose more slowly, and the process of formation of nutrients is also proceeding slowly. First of all, this applies to nitrogen-containing elements, the formation of which depends on external conditions. Moreover, the lack of stimulation of soil microorganisms, which in traditional systems provides plowing of the earth, leads to increased mineralization of nitrogen and carbon. Accordingly, there is a need for additional supply of the land with useful elements.
Failure to cultivate first of all deprives the land cover of proper protection. If the internal structure maintains optimal qualities to ensure the development of crops, then the external layers need to use herbicides. In order to increase productivity, the addition of nitrogen fertilizers is also practiced. But it is important to consider that the surface-spread application of such components should be performed in large volumes in order to compensate for possible losses. Once again, it should be remembered that the zero technology even at the stage of primary processing makes it possible to introduce fertilizers in-depth during cultivation. In this case, the doses may comply with traditional standards, since the risk of nitrogen escaping is eliminated. In the future, similar problems with weathering of fertilizers on the surface can be eliminated using a shallow cultivation technique. Actually, the main factor in the quality of making nutrients is not even the method of application, but the balance of substances. Today, specialized dressings are being developed, designed for land with direct sowing.
General principles of sowing
Since the technology excludes plowing, it is also called direct sowing. This means that planting is carried out directly on the remnants of former plants, preserved on the field as mulch. But, to obtain the expected effect of crop rotation, you must initially calculate its density. This parameter is determined by many factors under the influence of which crops will grow according to the zero system. In particular, climatic conditions, soil type, land area, etc. are distinguished among them. Having achieved the optimal distribution density of seeds, one can also count on the fast emergence of future plants.
In professional farms, seedling density is calculated by the number of seedlings per unit area, taking into account the maximum use of water resources, light and the correct selection of nutrients. Much of the choice of layout and overall landing configuration depends on the type of equipment used. Unlike conventional methods of cultivating the land, the Know-Till technology involves the use of special tools designed specifically for direct sowing. The specifics of such equipment is due to several factors, including the surface treatment principle itself.
The use of technical means
Typically, the sowing process is carried out using a turbo knife, which provides micro-plowing with high-quality cutting of the soil formation. In this way, accurate and accurate seed placement is carried out. However, there are different types of this equipment designed for specific crops. A typical solution is a turbo knife that cuts and harrows the earth at a depth of about 10 centimeters. And here it should be noted another important quality of agricultural machinery for direct sowing. It should most accurately repeat all the roughness of the relief, ensuring the formation of furrows of the required depth. For this reason, at the stage of preparing the field for the Know-Till system, it is important to carry out high-quality alignment. Fulfillment of this condition eliminates inaccuracies in the laying of seeds.
To smooth out surface defects, the turbo knife is fixed on rotary racks with a spring mechanism, which allows the tool to ensure uniformity when cutting the soil. There are modifications in which the knife is fixed to the opener. From the point of view of working on uneven surfaces, this is the most unfortunate option, because in places with tubercles and depressions the equipment does not transmit the load to the frame, but to the entire coulter design, because of which the stable movement of the disc along the set cutting depth is disrupted. In general, the choice of agricultural equipment for such tasks should be based on such properties as confident cutting of crop residues, ensuring an even cut of the soil and seeding of seeds strictly at a given depth. Of course, not a single design will provide ideal indicators, but you can get closer to them if you evaluate in advance the features of a particular site where the unit will be used.
Technology benefits
We cannot say about this technology that it saves the farmer a lot of troubles and expenses, making it possible to rely on the same yield as when performing the labor-intensive classical cultivation technique. She has a lot of her nuances, but also many attractive qualities. Actually, as an implementation of this system, the profession of an agronomist is best manifested, which, first of all, provides for the implementation of rational calculations in the operation of the land. As for the advantages, the most attractive aspects of the technology are to minimize the cost of equipment, fuel for it, as well as to save time.
An important factor is the preservation of the fertile qualities of the earth. Mentioned erosion is dangerous not only by seasonal decline in productivity, but also by systematic depletion, which forces landowners to refuse to cultivate their plots. In this case, such risks are eliminated, allowing farmers to rely on long-term land use. Separately, experts note the accumulation of moisture in the soil layer. If the traditional cultivation of the land improves its structure, then the preservation of the fertile layer contributes to the normalization of the humidity regime. This advantage is especially significant for steppe and arid regions, where the yield directly depends on weather conditions.
Technology disadvantages
To begin with, it is worth noting a number of restrictions that do not allow the use of this system in a number of situations. This applies, for example, to regions with a predominance of wetlands and wetlands. This nuance can be circumvented if the soil is provided with a high-quality drainage system. Immediately, it is worth noting the restrictions on the operation of uneven fields, which are impractical to correct for such purposes. However, these same conditions are optimally suited just for traditional tillage, leveling the main advantages that the Know-Till technology has in its standard design. For example, this concerns the moisture balance, the problems with which in the case of wetlands are in a different plane. Therefore, the use of direct sowing on such lands is simply impractical.
Also, despite the advantages in the form of maintaining fertile qualities, the zero-treatment system is quite ineffective in terms of ensuring the protective properties of the soil. Often, under such conditions, pathogens and pests are spread, which only active chemical protective agents help get rid of. Among the disadvantages of No-till, its relative complexity in execution is also noted. She spared the need to perform the usual mechanical operations, but increases the requirements for compliance with the standards of cultivation. Even the profession of an agronomist does not always guarantee that its carrier will be able to successfully implement the technology, having received a decent harvest. From the farmer, in particular, the correct support of crop rotation is required, as well as knowledge of the types and specifics of the use of various pesticides. And this is not to mention the consideration of local characteristics of the soil, climate, information about pests, etc.
Features of the application of technology in Russia
The forefront in technology development are agronomists from Canada, Australia and Brazil. In turn, Russia shows rather modest indicators in terms of the area occupied by direct crops. And this despite the fact that most of the domestic arable land is not just optimally suited for the implementation of the No-till method, but they need it. Such lands are rarely irrigated, which increases the relevance of questions about the preservation of moisture in the soil structure. At present, classical agrotechnical methods for preserving moisture indicators prevail in Russia, among which artificial irrigation methods are noted. But the effectiveness of this method of maintaining the optimal soil condition is of concern to agronomists. Reviews note that irrigation means are in effect until there is a shortage of water resources in the industry, but this problem may arise in the coming decades and then the transition to the new system will be much more painful.
Nevertheless, Russian farmers have some practice in using zero land cultivation technology. They also apply the stubble method of preserving moisture in the soil and use a special technique for sowing. In particular, the agrotechnical complex provides the consumer with dumps, deep-rippers and plane cutters, which in essence give the same effect as turbine blades. It motivates the use of a zero tillage technique and economic feasibility. This is especially true for owners of large areas, which for traditional cultivation require huge investments in equipment and its maintenance.
Conclusion
Of course, the main criterion for choosing one or another farming system is the final result. In this case, this is the yield and its quality characteristics. Practice shows that the modern farming system in the form of No-till technology is inferior to the usual cultivation scheme. Still, the usual cultivation with wide possibilities of fertilizer is bearing fruit, which so far few farmers are willing to give up. But in the long run, a more rational and profitable way of exploiting land is still the zero system. This is confirmed by many years of experience in its application in Canada, Australia and other countries, which occupy first positions in the ratings of agricultural production. On the other hand, to evaluate the effectiveness of the method, the soil composition should be analyzed initially. Few people risk experimenting with the transition to a new technology, and professional research using specialized equipment is also not cheap, although it is performed once.