Tillage: methods and types, basic techniques and technologies, tools

Tillage is understood as a set of measures that involve the impact on it with special tools or technical devices. Thanks to this, it is possible to significantly improve the structure of the soil. The procedure is aimed at normalizing the physical and mechanical properties of the earth, preventing damage to areas by pests, and reducing the weediness of crops. At the same time, the impact has different forms, which helps to achieve the goals.

What is this

Tillage is a set of methods of mechanical action on the surface layer of the soil to increase its fertility.With the help of this procedure, it is possible to optimize the conditions for the development of crops. Shredding the arable layer increases the permeability of the earth to water and air, protects the fields from weeds, and activates the activity of beneficial microorganisms.

Many factors influence the choice of processing system. The main criteria include the climate of the region and the biological properties of the crops grown. All methods of tillage differ in the degree of impact on it, the depth, the level of grinding, the type of equipment that is used.

Agricultural requirements

The main agrotechnical requirements for field processing include the following:

• cleanliness or absence of weeds;
• suitable soil density parameters;
• optimal depth of exposure;
• structure of the arable layer - during processing it is desirable to obtain a fine lumpiness.

These features are considered the basis for performing subsequent positive actions on earth and obtaining the desired results. These include the normalization of the water-air regime, the formation of favorable conditions for improving the access of nutrients to plants, the normalization of the functions of microorganisms in the structure of the earth.

Types of processing

Today there are many varieties of soil treatment methods. Each of them has certain features.

In order

On this basis, the following types of processing are distinguished:

1. Basic - also called primary or post-sowing. To carry out this type of processing, a plow or subsoiler is used. Usually such plowing is carried out in autumn to a depth of 25-27 centimeters.
2. Surface - this is pre-sowing work, in which the top layer of the earth is loosened, harrowed and cultivated. Plant care also requires weed control and soil compaction.
3. Special - carried out depending on the condition of the soil. In this case, milling or deep loosening can be performed.

By impact method

The main part of the soil cultivation process is considered to be deep tillage. Most often, this type of impact is understood as plowing. Its depth is influenced by the requirements of specific plants that are planned to be cultivated on the site.

For individual plants, the splitting method is used. In this case, in the fall, cracks are made on the site with a cultivator. The distance between them depends on the crops that are planned to be grown.

Also included in this classification is the minimum tillage method, which does not involve plowing the soil. In this case, a number of actions are combined in one workflow - loosening, sowing, fertilizing. This procedure helps to minimize processing costs, but it can only be used for clean cultivated soils.

Processing methods

Today, agriculture uses a number of methods of soil treatment. Each of them is aimed at solving specific problems.

Peeling

This technology is used immediately after harvesting previous crops. Thanks to this procedure, it is possible to cut the roots of weeds, mix the fertile layers of the soil, loosen the earth and saturate it with oxygen. For this, disc cultivators are most often used. They are made in the form of concave sharp discs.

When peeling, the impact is carried out to a depth of 6-8 centimeters. In the presence of weed rhizomes, a repeated procedure is carried out. In this case, the depth should be 8-10 centimeters.

Mulching

This procedure consists in covering the soil between the rows of plants, foliage, chopped straw.Peat, sand, manure, humus and other materials are also used for this. In this case, the mulching layer should have a thickness of at least 2-5 centimeters. It is required to be laid on the processed flat ground.

The procedure is necessary to maintain moisture in the structure of the earth. It suppresses the growth of weeds and helps maintain a stable temperature regime. Thanks to mulching, the soil cools less, gas exchange in it improves. This contributes to the saturation of the earth with useful elements.

Cultivation

This procedure involves plowing a layer of soil without wrapping. At the same time, the wet bottom layer does not fall on the surface, and therefore does not erode. Cultivation can be done in 2 ways - inter-row and continuous. Thanks to its implementation, it is possible to loosen and crumble the soil. Also, the manipulation mixes the upper layers a little.

Harrowing

This is a special procedure that is usually applied to fields intended for planting cereals. These include spring and winter wheat, rye, oats, and barley. This technique is also great for potato fields.

Thanks to this procedure, it is possible to cope with weeds, maintain maximum soil moisture, destroy the crust on the surface of the earth, and increase yield parameters.

Other

Other common soil preparation procedures include:

1. Sanding - this effect helps to level the plane of the field. It also partially loosens the upper layers of the earth.
2. Disk - thanks to this, it is possible to distribute perennial weeds as organic fertilizer and retain soil moisture.
3. Packing - this technique is aimed at compacting and leveling the surface of the field. It also helps break up lumpy soil fragments.
4. Chizeling - this procedure is aimed at continuous deep loosening up to 40 centimeters. Therefore, it can be used to influence podzolic and saline soil. Carrying out the procedure increases the yield by 15-20%.

What to do?

The choice of tools and equipment for tillage depends on the size of the area. Small areas are recommended to be processed with hand tools. However, large fields will require special equipment.

Hand tools

For plowing dachas and vegetable gardens, different types of shovels, glanders, rakes, pitchforks are used. There is also a small flat-cutting technique. The tools used depend on the type of soil treatment.For plowing a small area, use a pitchfork or a shovel, and loosen the beds with a glander or a rake.

Machine applications

Machining allows you to achieve more noticeable results in the cultivation of the earth. Today, there are more and more complex tools that are aimed at solving certain problems.

Agricultural machines can be universal or combined. With the help of such devices, it is possible to apply different methods of soil cultivation.

Possible errors

When tilling the soil, farmers make the following mistakes:

1. No embedding straw into the ground. This leads to a nitrogen deficiency in the soil structure.
2. Summer plowing. This leads to increased dryness of the earth. It is especially dangerous to carry out this procedure in the summer.
3. Deep disking with heavy tools. This leads to the eversion of large blocks of earth. As a result, its surface layer dries up.
4. Using implements with small working widths. This increases time and fuel costs.
5. Violation of the timing of the main processing. To determine the readiness of the soil for exposure, you need to take a lump in your hand and throw it from the level of your belt. If it has disintegrated, then the humidity is optimal.
6. Lack of quality control for processing. To achieve the desired results, it is worth following the technology of the procedure.

Tillage is considered an important procedure that affects plant development and yield parameters. Today, many methods of influencing the soil are known, which helps to choose the best option, taking into account the goals and objectives.

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