Presowing tillage: rules and sequence of techniques that affect

To ensure friendly seedlings of cultivated plants, farmers are engaged in pre-sowing tillage. Such agrotechnical measures, which begin after the snow melts, make it possible to destroy the main part of weeds, retain moisture in the soil and prepare the soil for sowing seeds. Thanks to the preparation, the sprouts sprout strong and he althy, and the farmer or gardener reaps a rich harvest.

What is it and what is it for?

Preparing the soil for sowing seed depends on the area served by the gardener.On small household plots, this agrotechnical event is carried out with the help of hand tools, but farmers will need special equipment in order to have time to complete all the work by the beginning of the sowing season.

Tilling the soil before sowing seeds allows you to solve the following tasks:

• level the surface of the crop area;
• loosen the soil to the depth of sowing seeds or planting tubers;
• ensure the top layer of soil is small-cloddy;
• destroy the shoots of weeds that begin to appear in the spring;
• create a compacted bed at seeding depth;
• patch the mineral and organic fertilizers needed for a rich harvest;
• improve soil microbiological activity and nutrient uptake by plants;
• keep enough moisture in the topsoil;
• create favorable conditions for friendly seedlings and, as a result, a rich harvest;
• ensure the productive work of agricultural machinery used for sowing, care and harvesting.

Properly and timely pre-planting work directly affects the quantity and quality of harvested fruits, as well as the susceptibility of cultivated plants to diseases and pests.

The technology of soil treatment before sowing seeds depends on the soil and climatic conditions of the growing region and the crop that is planned to be cultivated.

Carry out pre-planting work using the following methods:

1. Middleless. This method protects the soil from wind erosion, it produces deep loosening, but without turning the layer.
2. Dump.This method is used in those areas where the soil is sufficiently moist, it allows you to get rid of weeds, the roots of previous crops and microorganisms that cause the development of diseases. Deep plowing is carried out, and at the same time the land layer is completely turned over.
3. Strip. This method is effective on infertile and excessively moist soils, however, to use this method, you will need powerful special equipment. The field is cultivated in strips, into which the material will subsequently be sown.
4. Zero. Seeding of seed material of cultures is carried out by direct sowing seeders directly into the uncultivated soil. In this case, herbicides are subsequently used to destroy pathogens, and plant residues are used as a mulch layer.

The pre-sowing soil preparation includes the following procedures:

1. Plowing the soil. This procedure is especially relevant in those regions where there is excessive moisture. Contributes to the successful cultivation of row crops and is often combined with loosening and incorporation of mineral complex fertilizer.
2. Harrowing. They begin to carry out such work when the snow completely melts from the fields. In this case, disc harrows are used, reaching a depth of 6 to 10 cm. If the harrowing is carried out to a greater depth, there is a risk of an increase in weediness in the field due to the fact that weed seeds rise to the top.
3. Cultivation. This soil preparation procedure is carried out 3 days after harrowing. Thanks to the cultivator's paw, it is possible to form a bed for seeds, loosen the top fertile soil layer and destroy weeds.
4. Packing. For these works, a special skating rink is used, with the help of which large clods of earth are broken, and the surface of the field is leveled. This procedure also contributes to the preservation of moisture in the soil, which is necessary for the friendly germination of seeds.
5. Filling up mineral fertilizers. Complex preparations are applied directly during the sowing of the field, the sowing depth depends on the type of crop - for direct sowing grains, the recommended depth is about 12 cm, for tilled crops - at least 20 cm.
6. Use of pesticides. Chemicals with soil action are introduced along with the cultivation procedure. In this case, it is possible to reduce the number of weeds that drown out young seedlings of cultivated plants.

What technique is used

In order to qualitatively carry out pre-sowing cultivation of the soil, it is necessary to have special agricultural equipment. Typically, a farmer will need the following:

• harrows - disc, tooth, needle, knife;
• flat-cut and steam cultivators;
• cutters and rollers;
• combined technique that performs several functions at the same time;
• Direct seed drills that can simultaneously prepare a bed for seeds, sow material and apply mineral fertilizers;
• longline plows and seedbed cultivators.

When to hold?

The timing of the start of preparatory work depends on the crops grown:

1. Early crops such as cereals, flax and legumes are among the first to be sown, so tillage begins as soon as the snow has melted. These crops need a moist bed for fast and friendly germination and an optimal density of the arable horizon. In the event that the surface remains uneven after cultivation, it is necessary to use a combined technique.
2. Late spring crops (corn, buckwheat, millet) need re-cultivation to help eliminate most of the weeds. After that, it is imperative to carry out rolling to prevent moisture loss.
3. Winter cereals. The sowing of these crops takes place one and a half months before the end of the growing season, in which case the plants will have time to form several true leaves and get stronger before the onset of cold weather. It is important to remove the previous crops as early as possible so that the plowed layer has time to settle. If this was not possible, you will have to roll the soil with a special roller. Experienced farmers claim that the earlier the previous crops are harvested, the more favorable the conditions for the development of winter crops.

Optimal working depth

The depth of seedbed preparation does not affect the sequence of methods and depends on the following criteria:

• time for sowing seeds;
• degree of contamination of the field;
• granulometric composition of the soil;
• crop varieties.

Processing depth ranges from 5 to 20 cm.

Mulching the earth

Such a technique as soil mulching allows you to solve several problems at the same time. First, the layer prevents the germination of weeds that drown out the cultivated plants. Secondly, mulch protects the soil from overheating, moreover, even in the absence of rain, moisture remains in the fertile soil layer and contributes to the full development of plants.

For the mulching layer use any available material, both organic and artificial nature. It can be fallen leaves, sawdust, ash, synthetic materials such as polyethylene.

Earth rolling

Soil rolling is a procedure in which the soil is compacted in order to level the surface of the field and crush large pieces of earth.This agrotechnical measure is carried out simultaneously with plowing with the help of one unit. In no case should you roll the soil in which a large amount of wheatgrass grows, as well as downed and waterlogged soil.

Requirements for treated area

The area for subsequent sowing of seeds should be flat, without holes and hills. Using special equipment, it is necessary to create a loose layer, which will ensure uniform and friendly shoots. In addition, in arid areas, it is not recommended to use reservoir rotation, so as not to lose moisture.

Possible errors

Mistakes made by inexperienced farmers are not respecting the timing of pre-planting, choosing the wrong method and using the wrong technique.

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