Search

Sustainable agriculture in the Huang–Huai–Hai Plain of China is threatened by subsoil compaction and the decline of winter wheat productivity induced by inappropriate tillage regimes. We investigated the effects of optimizing the tillage regime on grain filling and its relationship with flag leaf senescence post-anthesis in winter wheat. Four treatments were compared: rotary tillage, strip rotary tillage, strip rotary tillage with a 2-year subsoiling interval (STS), and conventional plowing tillage. STS produced higher chlorophyll content and leaf area indexes than other treatments, resulting in a greater photosynthetically active radiation capture ratio. The net photosynthesis rate of flag leaves from 14 to 28 days after anthesis and dry matter accumulation at maturity were higher in STS than in other treatments. Sucrose content and sucrose phosphate synthase activity of flag leaves first increased and then decreased during grain filling and were highest in STS. STS increased superoxide dismutase activity, increased soluble protein content, and reduced malondialdehyde concentrations in flag leaves after the middle grain-filling stages, resulting in reduced premature senescence. This consequence extended the active grain filling period and increased grain weight. The highest yields were observed in STS, reaching 10,451 kg ha−1 in 2014–2015 and 10,074 kg ha−1 in 2015–2016, owing to increased spike numbers and 1000-kernel weight. Overall, our study suggested that STS could substantially increase photosynthetic capacity and delay leaf senescence, thus promoting grain filling rate and increasing winter wheat yields. Keywords: Winter wheat, Tillage regime, Photosynthetic trait, Flag leaf senescence, Grain filling

To identify features in natural reforestation after abandonment of land, this paper considers the current state of 21 tracts of fallow lands of the Tunka depression (Republic of Buryatia). On the basis of a geobotanical analysis, the species composition of tree and ground covers was revealed during the overgrowing of arable land on the basis of the geobotanical analysis. The landscape specificity of the main agrarian regions of the Tunka depression was reviewed, and directions for progressive successions occurring in different conditions of the functioning of geosystems were identified. By studying the dependence of demutation features on the state of the biogeocenoses surrounding the fallow lands, it was possible to single out the pine, birch, mixed and meadow varieties of vegetation after the termination of plowing. The dependence of the intensity of spread of tree undergrowth on the degree of remoteness from the forests surrounding the abandoned lands was confirmed. A decrease in overgrowth of tree species with an increase in the distance from the periphery of the deposit to its center was observed. Grazing and hay-mowing are the main factors complicating the process of reforestation. For determining the formation characteristics of the flora in the process of progressive successions, monitoring studies are appropriate.

Conservation tillage systems and residue management as well as nitrogen application are the effective factors on soil properties and crop yield. This study investigated the influence of these factors on the soil properties and winter wheat yield in the warm, semi-arid region of Jahrom, in south of Iran. The variables were residue management, i.e. keeping (R1) and burning (R2) previous corn residue beside two tillage systems, i.e. chisel plowing (T1) and moldboard plowing (T2); and three levels of nitrogen application i.e., F1 = 0 kg/ha, F2 = 100 kg/ha and F3 = 150 kg/ha. The result revealed that the highest total organic carbon and nitrogen content were obtained when chisel applied in the retained crop residue. But, soil BD was lower with moldboard plowing. It was indicated that chisel plowing can lead to highest yield when combined with retained residue and 150 kg/ha nitrogen. Keywords: Harvest index, Grain per ear, Soil moisture content

The effect of basic tillage systems on fertility elements and arable land productivity in the cultivation of crops was studied. Research took place in 2017–2019 in a stationary experiment on the dark grey forest loamy soil of the Northern Trans-Urals. The observations were carried out during the seventh rotation of the grain-fallow crop rotation, namely bare fallow – winter rye – spring wheat – spring wheat – spring barley, spread in time and space. Moldboard, non-moldboard, combined, differentiated, minimum combined, stubble-mulch and surface soil tillage systems were studied. Various basic tillage systems did not affect significantly the agrophysical properties of soil during the research period with favorable precipitation conditions. At a very low N–NO 3 content, tillage did not have a large effect on the availability of the arable layer. Favorable conditions for phosphorus nutrition in the soil layer of 0–20 cm were formed by combined and surface soil tillage systems. The Р 2 О 5 content with these systems was higher than with moldboard tillage, in the spring by 20.6–24.4%, in the autumn by 6.6–14.3%. Non-moldboard and stubblemulch tillage systems reduced the content of Р 2 О 5 compared to the moldboard by 19.0–23.3%. The most stable positive results for grain yield from 1 ha of crop rotation area without fertilizers were obtained with moldboard (1.88 t/ha) and combined (1.84 t/ha) tillage systems. The yield of grain with the use of resource-saving tillage systems and with fertilizers was almost equal to moldboard system. The difference in productivity generally did not exceed 5%. Moreover, grain yield was 0.03–0.17 t/ ha higher when applying minimum combined tillage alternated with plowing and disk plowing, or when using stubble-mulch tillage than with moldboard system.

The sessile drop method was used to measure the contact angle of wetting (CA) of ordinary Chernozem from the fields of the Kamennaya Steppe agrolandscape used in various ways. The treatments differ in the intensity of tillage operations (protected mowed steppe, arable land after moldboard plowing), the use of mineral fertilizers and their aftereffect, as well as changes in soil properties under the influence of irrigation. At the same time, the total organic carbon content, C/N ratio, specific surface area, and rheological parameters were determined for the physical and chemical characteristics of soils. The results of the study showed that the hydrophilic-hydrophobic properties of the surface of the solid phase of soils, which largely determine the main structure-forming properties of soils, can be characterized by the value of the wetting edge angle. The CA of the studied soil samples varies from 32 degrees (highest wettability) to 45 degrees (lowest wettability). The lowest wettability is due to the increased content of hydrophobic compounds in the organic matter of soils and is characterized by the highest CA and is typical for native, untreated soil of the mowed steppe, which differs from other studied variants of the experiment in all explored physical and chemical parameters. Moldboard plowing as well as fallowing lead to changes in the physical and chemical properties of the soil and the qualitative composition of organic matter in the direction of their deterioration and a decrease in the CA. The use of mineral fertilizers contributes to the increase in the studied indicator mainly due to changes in plant productivity, in particular, the differences in CA are due to the impact of root secretions and plant residues on the soil properties. For the studied soils, the CA changes in the following series: mowed steppe > arable land with the mineral fertilizers application > arable land undergone the aftereffect of fertilizers. Correlation analysis revealed the relationship of CA with organic carbon content, specific surface area, and rheological characteristics of Chernozems. Thus, CA can serve as an integral indicator of changes in the physical and chemical properties of soils, their degradation changes under the conditions of different agricultural load. The method used in this research for determining CA requires a smaller amount of sample compared to rheological methods and is generally more informative than determining the content of organic matter.

Purpose. To give a substantiation of the effect of the long-term fertilization system and methods of tillage on the fertility of slightly-saline chernozem in short crop rotation and to define optimal physicochemical and agrochemical parameters of the soil.Methods. Field, laboratory, and statistical.Results. On the slightly-saline chernozem, with the application of 6.25 t/ha of manure + N33.7P33.7K33.7, humus content in the arable soil layer increased by 0.20 % and reached 4.57 %. In the treatment with combined tillage, the values were 0.09 and 4.46 %, respectively. Under the application of 6.25 t/ha of manure + N33.7P33.7K33.7, the content of alkaline hydrolysed nitrogen in the arable soil layer increased by 16.0 mg/kg with ploughing and by 8.0 mg/kg with combined tillage compared to the beginning of the rotation, when the values were 135 and 135 mg/kg, respectively. Ploughing harvest residues into the soil + N33.7P33.7K33.7 resulted in the increasing mineral nitrogen content in the soil. Specifically, with ploughing, the nitrogen content increased by 5.7 mg/kg; in the under-ploughed soil layer by 6.7 mg/kg compared to the beginning of the crop rotation with the values of 23.9 and 20.0 mg/kg, respectively. In the treatment with 6.25 t/ha of manure + N33.7P33.7K33.7, 42.0 mg/kg of mobile phosphorus was determined in the ploughed soil layer with ploughing and 43.0 mg/kg with combined tillage. The content of exchange potassium on the background of the 6.25 t/ha of manure+ N33.7P33.7K33.7with both ploughing and combined tillage stabilized at 125 and 115 mg/kg, respectively.Conclusions. Application of 6.25 t/ha of manure + N33.7P33.7K33.7 ensured an increase in the content of humus in the arable soil layer with ploughing and combined tillage from 0.20 to 0.09 % and its stabilisation at 4.57 and 4.46 %, respectively. When applying only harvest residues on the background of mineral fertilizers, a positive balance of humus was observed, 4.55 and 4.51 %, respectively. With the application of6.25 t/ha of manure+ N33.7P33.7K33.7, the content of mineral nitrogen in the arable soil layer increased compared to the beginning of crop rotation by 7.5 mg/kg of soil, with combined tillage by 8.3 mg/kg or 48.0 and 52.8 %, respectively. The content of mobile phosphorus with 6.25 t/ha of manure+ N33.7P33.7K33.7 and ploughing stabilized at 42.0 mg/kg, with combined tillage 43.0 mg/kg. The amount of exchange potassium made up 125.0 and 115 mg/kg, respectively.

Purpose. Substantiation of the effect of fertilization system used for sugar beet and methods of tillage on the formation of the nutritional regime in short crop rotation.Methods. Field, analytical, and statistical.Results. The study was carried out as a long-term stationary experiment in the zone of insufficient soil moisture on the typical slightly-saline chernozem in short grain-hoed crop rotation with the share of grain crops of 75 % and hoed crops of 25 %. Sugar beets were grown in the unit with soybean and winter wheat. Soil tillage in crop rotation included ploughing and combined tillage. It was found that when applying 25 t/ha of manure + N90P90K90 to sugar beet during the period of sugar beet sprouting, the content of alkaline hydrolysed nitrogen in the arable soil layer for ploughing and combined tillage increases by 33.0 and 43.0 mg/kg, compared with the unfertilized treatment and stabilizes at 143.0 and 157.0 mg/kg. With straw ploughed into the soil + N140P90K90, it was 141.0 and 145.0 mg/kg of soil. The content of mineral nitrogen in the soil was the highest during the sugar beet sprouting period with straw + N140P90K90, both with ploughing and combined tillage up to 26.9 and 27.0 mg/kg of soil, which was not inferior to the use of 25 t/ha of manure + N90P90K90. Influenced by the use of 25 t/ha of manure + N140P90K90, the content of mobile phosphorus in typical slightly saline chernozem during the sugar beet sprouting period increased almost twice compared to the unfertilized background and stabilized at 59.0 mg/kg, while its stock was 22.1 kg/ha. The use of an organo-mineral fertilization system for sugar beets promotes the increase in exchange potassium content under different tillage systems in the period of sugar beet sprouting from 152.0 to 158.0 mg/kg.Conclusions. The use of 25 t/ha of manure + N90P90K90 and straw + N140P90K90 for sugar beet increases the content of mineral nitrogen, mobile phosphorus, and exchange potassium during the growing season. The practice of ploughing and combined tillage under sugar beet against the background of fertilizers does not affect the redistribution of the nutrients in both the ploughed soil and the subsoil during vegetation season.

Purpose. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of soil tillage method and fertilization system on the degree of weed infestation of sugar beet sowings in different crop rotation units under the conditions of the Left-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine.Methods. Field, statistical.Results. The study was carried out in the area of insufficient soil moisture of the Left Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine on the slightly saline chernozem in a long-term stationary experiment in the following short crop rotations: crop rotation system esparcet + Festuca pratensis and grain-hoed crop rotation. Fertilization for the experiment was organo-mineral, both in crop rotation and under sugar beet. The research results show that weed infestation was affected by all experimental factors, i.e. by tillage method, fertilization system, and crop rotation unit. Thus, in sugar beet sowings in the crop rotation unit with esparcet and fescue grass, at the time of leaf closure in rows, 33.4 plants/m2 of weeds were recordedin the unfertilized treatment, while in the fertilized treatment their number ranged between 16.7 and 24.0 plants/m2. In the grain − hoed crops rotation 56.0 plants/m2 of weeds were found in the treatment with ploughing and 69.6 plants/m2 in the treatment with combined tillage. The practice of the organic-mineral fertilization system in the crop rotation unit with bare fallow reduced the number of weeds to 16.7−23.6 plants/m2 with ploughing and to 37.0−49.0 plants/m2 with combined tillage.Conclusions. Weed infestation in the crop rotatory system on the background of organic-mineral fertilization was comparable with the grain − hoed crops rotation. In the grain − hoed crops rotation, segetal weeds were dominant in combined tillage. The use of fertilizers markedly reduces weed infestation. The most intensive weed infestation was observed in the treatment with straw + N140P90K90, 49.0 plants/m2 in combined tillage and 23.6 plants/m2 in ploughing. Monocotyledonous weeds were represented by Setaria glauca that was dominant in combined tillage, with 3.0−5.7 plants/m2 of weeds on the background of organo-mineral fertilization. In the treatments with organic-mineral fertilizers, of the dicotyledons, Amaranthus retroflexus was the dominant weed species, both in ploughing (7.0−16.6 plants/m2) and combined tillage treatments (19.6−23.6 plants/m2).

Relevance and methods. The article presents the results of research of various methods of basic soil preparation for melons planting for commercial purposes after a fish pond. The trial scheme covered the study of two variants: dumped tillage single-furrow plow (traditional), used to proceed in the farming unit, and sweep blade tillage with subsurface plow (proposed). In the course of scientific research there were determined agrophysical properties of soil, moisture content, contamination of crops (weediness), yielding capacity and profitability.Results. It was found that the lowest bulk density of soil of 1.12 and 1.15 t/m3 was in the layers of 0.0-0.1 and 0.1-0.2 m after carrying out of the dumped tillage. When carrying out sweep blade tillage, the bulk density of soil of 1.17 t/m3 was obtained only in the upper layer of 0.0-0.1 m, in subsequent layers the value of bulk density of soil significantly increased from 1.44 (0.1-0.2 m) to 1.56 t/m3 (0.3-0.4 m). On average the indicators of natural soil moisture were in 1.2-1.3 times higher, and the deposit of moisture was in 1.1-1.5 times higher in the variant with subsurface plow treatment of the soil. For the melon crops cultivated according to traditional technology, there was a significant decrease in 1.8 times of the number of weeds and in 1.7 -times of their raw weight, compared with the proposed technology. The yielding capacity of melon of Lada variety was 43.9 t/ha according to the traditional technology, and 48.4 t/ha according to the proposed technology, profitability was 161.3% and 185.8% respectively.

An increase in the area under soybean and other legume crops in Europe is one of the assumptions of the European Soya Declaration. A study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of cropping system and tillage system on yield, some quality characteristics of soybean seeds and economic evaluation. Therefore, this paper is of interdisciplinary nature. On average over a four-year study period, the soybean seed yield was significantly higher in monoculture compared to the yield obtained in crop rotation. A decreasing trend in yield of monocultured soybean was only observed in the 4th year of the experiment. Seeds grown in monoculture were characterized by a significantly higher percentage protein content and a lower fat content compared to obtained in crop rotation. Plough tillage affected more beneficially soybean yield. Under no-tillage conditions, soybean seeds were shown to have a higher percentage protein content and a lower fat content. The average income per ha of soybean grown under plough tillage system was higher by EUR 64.6 than that under no-tillage. In comparing production profitability depending on the cropping system, it can be noted that it was more beneficial to grow soybean in monoculture. In monoculture, both plough tillage and no-tillage generated a higher income per ha than in the case of soybean grown in crop rotation.

An electronic slip control and measuring device for two-wheel drive (2WD) agricultural tractors was developed for online measurement of wheel slip and to study its performance under varying field conditions. The field trials were conducted in the Central Farm of OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India during 2015-16. The measuring efficiency and maximum error of the developed slip meter were found above 99% and 0 02% respectively. As compared to the existing draft control system (DCS), the developed slip control system showed significant improvement in fuel economy i.e. in the range of 25-32% in ploughing, 15 - 32% in harrowing and 6 - 25% in tilling and the improvement in field capacity were also in the range of 15 - 20% in ploughing, 9 - 37% in harrowing and 10 - 24% in tilling as compared to DCS.

This paper is dedicated to Tekrone composite material utilization in agricultural machinery. In terms of its technical properties, tekrone is very similar to steel 60 that is used for production of plough mouldboards and landsides. However, Tekrone shows more preferable characteristics, because its friction coefficient (kf ) is 2.6 times lower in contrast to steel 60. This fact indicates that the draft resistance can be decreased by replacing the plough mouldboards and landsides made of steel 60 with their counterparts made of Tekrone. This science hypothesis was confirmed by experimental investigation results. Analyses showed that utilization of plough with Tekrone mouldboards and landsides instead of steel ones significantly reduces their sticking to the wet soil. This results in a “soil moves over plough mouldboard surface” process instead of a “soil moves over soil” process. The plough draft resistance was decreased by 13.6% after replacement of the steel equipment with Tekrone one. Simultaneously, the performance of new tractor-plough aggregate was increased by 12.6%, the specific fuel consumption was reduced by 11.8%, and the preserving probability of the agrotechnological ploughing depth tolerance (±2 cm) was increased from 88% to 93%.

Changes in soil bulk density (BD), soil organic carbon (SOC) content, SOC stocks and soil labile organic C fractions (mineralizable C (Cmin), microbial biomass C (MBC), dissolved organic C (DOC), particulate organic C (POC), light fraction organic C (LFOC) and permanganate oxidizable C (KMnO4-C)) were explored over 3 years in a double-cropping rice system of southern China. Five organic and inorganic nitrogen (N) inputs were used: (1) 100% from chemical fertilizer (M0), (2) 30% from organic manure, 70% from chemical fertilizer (M30), (3) 50% from organic manure, 50% from chemical fertilizer (M50), (4) 100% from organic manure (M100) and (5) without N fertilizer input, as control (CK). All organic manure treatments decreased BD significantly in the 0–20 cm soil layer compared with CK. The SOC content and stocks with organic manure were significantly higher than in M0 or CK; also, the cumulative amount of SOC stocks in M30 and M50 increased at the plough layer, compared with CK. The non-labile C content increased significantly and the percentage of labile C were significantly higher with organic manure application than in M0 or CK. The soil carbon management index (CMI) also increased significantly under the application of organic manure. Therefore, application of organic manure can increase the pool of stable C in surface layers, and increase content and percentage of labile C. Based on soil carbon storage and CMI, the combined application of 30 or 50% N of organic manure with chemical fertilizer improves carbon cycling services and soil quality in southern China paddy soil.

Changes in management regime in recent decades have significantly contributed to threats to traditional European agricultural systems, but this has not been studied sufficiently. This paper examines these changes by considering the agroforestry system of traditional orchards in the Myjava-White Carpathian scattered settlement region (Slovakia) between 1955 and 2015. Data on orchard management was collected using structured interviews with 116 local residents in 2015 – 2016. Information was sought on management practices in the following years: 1955, when collectivisation was just beginning, and traditional practices were dominant; 1975, when collectivisation had finished; 1990, when the socialist period had ended; 2000, after the subsequent socio-political changes; and 2015, reflecting the current state of affairs. Traditional orchard management included mowing, grazing, ploughing, fertilising, and litter raking. Management had changed in 75.8 % of the studied orchards between 1955 and 2015. These changes included especially change in frequency of mowing, a drastic decline in grazing, and cessation of ploughing. Also, understorey mulching appeared as a new practice in 1990 and has been growing steadily more common since that time. Our study confirms an escalating risk of extinction of these valuable habitats, whose management is affected by socio-economic changes.

Mediterranean semi-arid region is sensitive to physical, chemical and biological soil disturbances related to intensive tillage. Presented field experiment was conducted at Razan district, Hamedan, located in central west zone, Iran during the 2017–2018 growing season. It dealt with the effects of different tillage methods and treatments on growth, yield and yield contributing characters of spring Kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under irrigated condition. Effects of two tillage methods – inversion tillage (mouldboard ploughing – T1) and non-inversion tillage (chisel ploughing – T2) – in combination with five different fertilization treatments (C: complete fertilizer; 20FYM: 20 Mg·ha−1 farmyard manure; 40FYM: 40 Mg·ha−1 farmyard manure; NPK: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium at 2-1-1 ratio; 0: no fertilizer for the control purposes) were studied. The experiment was carried out in split block design with three replications. Results showed that application of 40FYM under T1 condition significantly decreased the number of days to seedling emergence. The highest number of days to flowering was recorded for plants cultivated with inorganic fertilization and reduced tillage. Application of large amounts of FYM significantly increased the ground cover and canopy width for both tillage methods. The highest number of secondary branches was recorded for combination 40FYM – T1, which was followed by C – T2. The pod number per plant was considerably sensitive to different combination of treatments and the best results were recorded for combinations 40FYM – T2; 20FYM – T2; and 40FYM – T1. A similar trend was also recorded for the total dry matter. The heaviest seeds were observed in cases with the application of high levels of FYM. The highest seed yield was observed for plants cultivated using 40FYM – T2. Furthermore, the highest harvest index was recorded for 40FYM – T2, and C – T2. The results indicate that non-inversion tillage together with high-level FYM application can significantly affect the yield levels.

Goal. To study the change in redox potential (RP) in the profile of light-grey forest surface gleyed soil at different systems of fertilization and use. Methods. Field survey, physicochemical and comparative-analytical. Results. On the background of the calculated pHsalt and Clark index (rH2) the change was fixed in RP in the soil profile at long agrogenic impact. It was noted that durable plowing of the soil without fertilizers (control) for pHKCl 4,27 (average at 95% probability) led to the predominance in the profile of moderate- and low-acid mode. At entering N105P101K101 + 10 t/ha of manure + CaCO3 (1.0 Ng) on the background of changes in the reaction of the soil solution of pHKCl it was fixed sharp transition with depth of RP from intense oxidative (628 MB) to weakly recovered (363 mV) mode, and rH2 index amounted to 31,2–20,2. Conclusions. Use on acidic light-grey forest surface gleyed soil of organic-mineral fertilizer system in the dose of N105P101K101 + 10 t/ha of manure + CaCO3 (1.0 Ng) created the best conditions for the formation of intensive oxidation processes. Prolonged plowing of the soil without fertilization (control) caused the development in the profile of weakly oxidized processes. Systematic entering in the soil of some mineral fertilizers (N65P68K68) compared with the control and organic-mineral system of fertilizing contributes to a noticeable reduction of redox potential in the direction of the recovery processes. In order to study optimal doses of fertilizers and lime and to ensure balanced natural cycles of substances of acidic light-grey forest surface gleyed soils under different levels of agricultural loads, it is advisable to use RP as a highly sensitive performance indicator, which allows to quantitatively establish the deviation of the redox state of soil natural balance.

A field experiment in Yangtze River delta of China was conducted to investigate the effects of four treatments (conventional chemical fertilizers (CF), chemical fertilizers incorporated with wheat straw (CF-WS), slow-release urea fertilizer incorporated with wheat straw (SCF-WS), and no fertilizers (Non-F)) on methane emission, rice grain yield, and straw biomass in three (2013, 2014, and 2015) consecutive growing seasons. Similar air temperature and precipitation were recorded in 2014 and 2015 normal seasons; however, the 2013 season with a 2.1–2.3 °C higher mean air temperature and a 61–64% lower precipitation than the normal seasons was considered as a warm-and-dry season. No significant differences in seasonal total methane emissions across all treatments were observed in 2014 and 2015 seasons. Seasonal total methane emissions were 58–294% higher in 2013 season compared to 2014 and 2015 seasons, which suggests that higher ambient temperatures increase methane emissions from paddy fields. The enhanced methane emission was seen mainly during the mid-to-late growth stages after mid-season drainage. CF-WS and SCF-WS significantly increased methane emissions before mid-season drainage relative to CF, and thereby enhanced methane emissions in both normal and warm-and-dry seasons in a seasonal scale. While rice grain yield in each treatment in 2013 season was close to or lower than that in 2014 and 2015 seasons, straw biomass in CF, CF-WS, and SCF-WS in 2013 season were significantly higher than those in 2014 and 2015 seasons, by both 29%, 33–41%, and 15–16%, respectively. Enhancements in methane emissions at higher air temperatures were significantly correlated to its greater straw biomass. Furthermore, combination of slow-release urea fertilizer and straw by ploughing can significantly increase above-ground biomass yields and nitrogen use efficiency in both normal and warm-and-dry seasons.

We have established the influence of four tillage systems on pest distribution and development of diseases in cultivated cereals during three-year research (2017-2019) in the field stationary of the Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University, Ukraine (chernozem grain sprouting with five-course rotation). The population of turnip moth in winter wheat, spring barley, and soya was the highest under application of disk tillage, the lowest – under moldboard tillage. The moldboard treatment limited while the beardless and disk treatments stimulate the development of beet webworm in the cereal crops. The number of pests in soya, winter wheat, spring barley, and maize was higher under combined soil treatment compared to moldboard. We recorded no significant difference in pests towards tillage systems in sunflower crops. In soya, winter wheat and maize crops, the number of wireworm was significantly higher in molded than in molded cultivation; the opposite pattern was observed in the sunflower field, while for spring barley these values were at the same level. The distribution and development of root rot in cereal crops was higher in comparison with control, but this difference was insignificant in spring barley. The development of powdery mildew in spring barley crops was almost the same for these tillage options. In cereal crops, septoriosis lesions were almost at the same level in case of moldboard and combined tillage. Significant deterioration of phytosanitary condition at beardless and disk tillage resulted in significant reduction of crop rotation productivity in comparison with control. In the fields with combined and disk treatments, the productivity value was almost the same. Keywords: Soil; Cultivation; Crop rotation; Agriculture lands; Diseases; Plant residues; Productivity References Alekhin, V.T. (2013) Problems of control of cereal flies. Plant protection and quarantine, 8, 26-28 (in Ukrainian). Borovskaya, I. Yu., Luchna I. S., Sokol T.V., Babushkina T.V., Nizka I.M. (2013) Cinderella on cereals. The Ukrainian Farmer, 11, 62-64 (in Ukrainian). Fedorenko, A.V., Tribel, S.O. (2016) Bread beetles. Reproduction outbreaks, malpractice, population restriction system. Quarantine and plant protection, 11, 5-8. (in Ukrainian). Gavrilov, S.O. (2015) Warnings about mini-bodies. Farmer, 5, 20 -23. Khilevsky, V.A. (2013), The bread beetle in the North Caucasus. Plant protection and quarantine, 8, 21-23. (in Russia). Klyuchevich, M.M. (2003) The Role of Anthropogenic Factors in Increasing the Resistance of Winter Wheat to Septoria in Agro-Environmental Polesie. GAU Bulletin, 1, 270-278 (in Ukrainian). Klyuchevich, M.M.(2014) Influence of soil cultivation and fertilizers on the development of mycosis of winter triticale in Polissya of Ukraine. Interagency thematic scientific collection. Protection and quarantine of plants. Kyiv, 60, 144-150 (in Ukrainian). Korniychuk, M.S., Vinichuk, T.S., Parminska, L.M. (2014) Protection of field crops from pests and diseases by technologies of organic production. Proceedings of the National Science Center "Institute of Agriculture of NAAS", 1-2, 98-110. (in Ukrainian). Koval, G.V. (2019) The level of intensity of soil tillage and phytosanitary condition of crops of short rotation crop rotation of Right-Bank Forest Steppe of Ukraine. Thesis of Doctoral Dissertation. Uman (in Ukrainian). Koval, G.V., Yeshenko, V.O., Kaliyevsky, M.V. Naklyoka, Y.I. (2018) Influence of the intensity of basic tillage on the Distrubution of pests in the crops of spring crops of five-field rotation. Taurian Scientific Bulletin, 103, 62-69. (in Ukrainian). Krasilovets, Y.G. (2010) Optimization of phytosanitary safety system of cereals. Handbook of the Ukrainian farmer (in Ukrainian) Markov, I.L. (2010) Rape diseases. Agribusiness today, 15, 4-6 (in Ukrainian). Markov, I.L. (2013). Agrotechnical techniques prevent disease. Agribusiness today, 9, 26-28 (in Ukrainian). Omeluta, V.P. (1986) Accounting for pests and diseases of crops. Kiev: Urozhay (in Ukrainian). Pisarenko, V.M., Pisarenko P.V., Pisarenko V.V. (2008) Agroecology. Poltava (in Ukrainian). Polishchuk, S.V. (2014) Features of manifestation of bacterial diseases on soya crops. Proceedings of the Scientific Research Center of the NAAS Institute of Agriculture Kyiv, 3, 108-115 (in Ukrainian). Primak, I.D., Panchenko, O.B., Panchenko, I.A. (2018) Weediness and productivity of short-rotation agrophytocenoses of Right-Bank Forest Steppe of Ukraine under different systems of basic tillage and fertilization of typical black soil. Taurian Scientific Bulletin, 100(2), 39-50. (in Ukrainian). Prymak, I.D. (2019), Mechanical tillage: history, theory, practice. Vinnytsia: TOV “Tvory” (in Ukrainian). Storchous, I.M. (2013) Wheat treatment. Agribusiness today, 9, 37-40 (in Ukrainian). Timofeev, V.P., Perfilyev, N.V., Vyushina, O.Ya. (2016) Phytosanitary state of spring wheat crops depending on the soil tillage system in the conditions of the Northern Trans-Urals. Agriculture, 2, 18-22 (in Ukrainian). Tribel, S.O., Sigaryova, D.D., Secun, M.P. (2001). Methods of testing and application of pesticides. Kiev: The World (in Ukrainian). Tsylyuryk, O.I., Gorobets, A.G., Gorbatenko, A.I., Chaban, V.I., Gasanova, I.I., Sudak, V.M. (2012) The effectiveness of the shallow tillage system against the background of post-harvest residues and mineral fertilizers in rotation. Bulletin of the Institute of Agriculture of the steppe zone of NAAS of Ukraine, 3, 23-28.

This study was aimed at assessing farmers’ perception and knowledge of soil quality (SQ) change, in light of scientifically measured SQ indicators in the Wanka watershed, northwestern highlands of Ethiopia. Household survey, participatory SQ status assessment, key informant interview and laboratory analysis of selected SQ indicators were used as data collection tools. Independent samples t test (two-tailed) was used to compare the mean difference of SQ indicators between perceived good and poor SQ status. Farmers recognized that there has been SQ decline in their farm lands over the years. Based on perceived SQ status, farmers categorized their farm plots into good, average and poor classes locally called wofram meret, boda and sis/chincha meret, respectively. The identified principal SQ status indicators used by farmers were yield, plow depth, appearance of undesired weedy plant species, fertilizer requirement of soil, topsoil color and soil workability. These farmers’ assessment of SQ has well-coincided with major scientific quantitative indicators. Accordingly, plots identified by farmers as good SQ status exhibited better soil nutrients than the perceived poor SQ. Available phosphorus (p < 0.01) and exchangeable potassium (K +) (p < 0.01) were significantly higher in the reported good SQ plots. Conversely, sand content (p < 0.01) and bulk density (p < 0.05) were significantly high in poor SQ category. The synergy between perceived SQ status and scientifically measured SQ indicators signifies the relevance of farmers’ soil knowledge in characterizing SQ status of farm plots and manage them accordingly. Thus, strategies that incorporate farmers’ soil knowledge in land evaluation and sustainable land management practices should be developed and promoted.

Plough working elements performing formation cutting are the most loaded important parts, on which quality and economic indicators of ploughing depend. In terms of wear capacity, the difference for certain types of soils in Russia can range from 5 to 15 times. Developed and carried out tests of lemechs with a new, unparalleled in the world practice overhead return bit. Determination of the optimal ratio of the thickness of the cutting edge on the blade part of the front and rear side when installing the blade bit. Bits were made in which the leading edge (initial at operation) had a constant value of 4±2 mm. The rear edge had an optimal value of 6 mm from the experiments. The results of the tests showed that on the most common loam soils in the central regions of Russia, the optimal thickness value is the rear cutting edge, which turns the front edge 1.5–1.7 times. It was found that the cutting edge of the blade on the rear side when ploughing loam soils should exceed the leading edge 1.5–1.7 times in the initial period of operation and be 6–7 mm.

Excessive tillage operations under inadequate conditions can raise the cost of agricultural production and lead to soil degradation without adequate crop response. The objective of this study was to evaluate the onion crop response to soil water contents and tillage systems. Three tillage systems were evaluated: P1 (plowing + two harrowings + two seedbed raising operations), P2 (two harrowings + one seedbed raising operation), P3 (one harrowing + one seedbed raising operation); and four soil water contents: 12, 15, 23 and 26%. The experiment was conducted in the irrigated perimeter of Tourão, Juazeiro, BA, Brazil (9° 24’ 7.3” S; 40° 26’ 8.7” W and altitude of 368 m), in 2017, and was installed in split plots, in a randomized block design, with four repetitions. Water contents were arranged in the plots and tillage systems in the subplots. Crop response to the applied treatments was evaluated through the determination of the emergence speed index of the seedlings, regularity of the longitudinal distribution of seedlings, final stand, total and marketable yields of the crop and yield per bulb transverse diameter class. The variation of soil water content had a quadratic effect on the variables emergence speed index, final stand and total onion yield. The treatments did not significantly affect the longitudinal distribution of plants and marketable yield. The tillage system composed of one harrowing and one seedbed raising operation showed to be the most appropriate for onion cultivation by direct seeding.

The mouldboard plough has a complex shape and its development has mainly relied on resource intensive and time consuming empirical or semi empirical methods. However, if the mouldboard plough to soil interaction can be simulated, improved and more energy efficient mouldboard ploughs can be designed without performing field tests which may only be undertaken at certain times of the year. In this study the interaction between the soil and a mouldboard plough was simulated using discrete element method (DEM) and results were compared to experimental test and analytical draught force results and furrow profile measurement. It was found that draught and vertical tillage forces can be predicted within 1.9-16.6% and 0.3-21.5% of the total cutting forces, respectively. This shows that DEM can predict draught forces better than analytical method which predicted draught forces within 3.6-44.4% of the total cutting forces. The comparison of the furrow profile area results also showed that DEM can predict the furrow profile area within 0.8-16.5% of the measured furrow profile area. Results of the study proved that DEM has the potential to predict soil-mouldboard plough interaction with a reasonable accuracy. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

The community structure of methanogenic archaea is relatively stable, i.e., it is sustained at a high abundance with minimal changes in composition, in paddy field soils irrespective of submergence and drainage. In contrast, the abundance in non-methanogenic oxic soils is much lower than that in paddy field soils. This study aimed to describe methanogenic archaeal community development following the long-term submergence of non-methanogenic oxic upland field soils in pot and field experiments. In the pot experiment, a soil sample obtained from an upland field was incubated under submerged conditions for 275 d. Soil samples periodically collected were subjected to culture-dependent most probable number (MPN) enumeration, polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) analysis of archaeal 16S rRNA gene, and quantitative PCR analysis of the methyl-coenzyme M reductase alpha subunit gene (mcrA) of methanogenic archaea. The abundance of methanogenic archaea increased from 102 to 103 cells g−1 dry soil and 104 to 107 copies of mcrA gene g−1 dry soil after submergence. Although no methanogenic archaeon was detected prior to incubation by the DGGE analysis, members from Methanocellales, Methanosarcinaceae, and Methanosaetaceae proliferated in the soils, and the community structure was relatively stable once established. In the field experiment, the number of viable methanogenic archaea in a rice paddy field converted from meadow (reclaimed paddy field) was monitored by MPN enumeration over five annual cycles of field operations. Viability was also determined simultaneously in a paddy field where the plow layer soil from a farmer's paddy field was dressed onto the meadow (dressed paddy field) and an upland crop field converted from the meadow (reclaimed upland field). The number of viable methanogenic archaea in the reclaimed paddy field was below the detection limit before the first cultivation of rice and in the reclaimed upland field. Then, the number gradually increased over five years and finally reached 103–104 cells g−1 dry soil, which was comparable to that in the dressed paddy field. These findings showed that the low abundance of autochthonous methanogenic archaea in the non-methanogenic oxic upland field soils steadily proliferated, and the community structure was developed following repeated and long-term submergence. These results suggest that habitats suitable for methanogenic archaea were established in soil following repeated and long-term submergence.

Sloping farmlands are the major sources of soil, water and nutrient losses in arid and semi-arid regions. Information about the impacts of different tillage practices on soil erosion, nutrient loss and crop nutrient uptake on the sloping farmland of semi- arid soil is, however, limited. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of tillage direction on soil, water, nitrogen and phosphorous losses and their uptake by plant in a rainfed wheat land. Field experiments were conducted in two tillage directions: downslope tillage and contour line tillage with four fertilization treatments: control, urea, triple superphosphate, and urea + triple superphosphate at the field plots with 1.75 m ´ 8 m in dimensions by using the randomized completely block design at three replications in Zanjan Township during 2014-2015. According to the results, Significant differences were found between the two tillage practices in soil loss (P < 0.001), water loss (P < 0.001), nitrogen loss soil loss (P < 0.001), and nitrogen uptake by wheat grain (P < 0.001), while phosphorous loss and its uptake did not show any statistically significant difference. Soil and water loss in the downslope tilled plots was 1.65 and 2.50 times higher than the contour line tillage, respectively. Nitrogen loss in the downslope tilled plots was 1.29 times more than that in the contour line tilled plots. Nitrogen loss in the plots was attributed to soil and water loss, so significant relationships were observed between nitrogen loss and soil loss (R2 = 0.59) and water loss (R2 = 0.55). This study, therefore, revealed that the tillage direction is an important factor controlling runoff, soil loss, and nitrogen loss and its uptake by wheat in the rainfed lands of semi-arid regions. Application of the contour tillage is, therefore, the first step to conserve soil and water and to improve soil productivity in these regions.

In order to estimate the soil water content of the plough layer using the surface soil spectrum, based on the water content data and hyperspectral data of 85 surface layers and ploughed soil samples in Jiyang County, Shandong Province, 10 transformation methods such as square root are used. The spectral reflectance of the topsoil is transformed, and the estimation factor is selected according to the principle of maximal correlation. Then, according to the correlation between the water content of the surface layer and the plough layer, two indirect estimation models are constructed.Six kinds of modeling methods such as multiple linear regression, partial least squares regression and support vector machine were used to estimate the soil water content of the cultivated layer, and the effectiveness of the two indirect estimation models was compared and analyzed. The results show that the decision coefficient R2 of the first mode is 0.8138, the average relative error is 9.6061% and the decision coefficient R2 of the second mode is 0.8115, the average relative error is 12.1403%. The researches show that it is feasible and effective to estimate the soil water content of the plough layer by using the surface soil spectrum. It provides a new idea for the rapid diagnosis of soil moisture and nutrients by using optical satellite remote sensing technology.

Peculiarities of changes in soil moisture at various methods of main tillage before sunflower sowing and in the phase of “beginning of flowering” are considered. As a result of two-year observations, it was established that, in the arid conditions of the Saratov Trans-Volga region, before the sunflower sowing, the maximum soil moisture of a layer of 50–100 cm was after non-mold deep cultivation, which exceeded the plowing by 0.2–0.7%, and the minimum one by 0.7– 2.0% of the mass of absolutely dry soil. In the phenological phase of the “beginning of flowering", the best water regime was in 2018 after treatment with SSD-4 by 30–32 cm, and in 2019 in the control 1. Minimization of the main tillage reduces the yield of sunflower oilseeds in comparison with the dump cultivation by 32.8–46.2%. Deep subsurface cultivation increases the productivity of sunflower by 3.1–7.5%. The most productive sunflower hybrids for the Saratov Trans-Volga region are from the group of early ripening crops - Svetoch (1.56 t / ha), mid-early - the EU Savana (1.63 t/ha), mid-ripening EU Generalis SL (1.47 t/ha).

The management of high-quality timber plantations prioritizes obtaining high productions with short rotation cycles, which results in high economic and environmental costs, similar to intensive agricultural systems. The suppression of the herbaceous understorey by ploughing, and the use of fertilizers to boost tree growth potentially pose high environmental risks. Managing these plantations as silvopastoral systems (e.g. by introducing livestock and sowing legume-rich pastures) could reduce environmental risks. However, this management shift can only be effective if it is accompanied by an increased complementarity in the use of soil resources to maintain production. We evaluated rooting systems, tree water status and growth, pasture production, soil moisture and nitrate content in the soil solution in a 13-year-old hybrid walnut (Juglans major × regia) plantation under alternative management schemes. The management aimed at reducing herbaceous understorey cover (grazing, ploughing and mowing) and fertilizer usage (no fertilization, inorganic fertilization and legume sowing). Grazed and mowed plots had higher root surface density than ploughed plots. Ploughed plots also showed lower values of soil water (in summer) and tree leaf water potential than grazed and mowed plots. Tree growth and nitrate content in the soil solution was higher in ploughed than grazed or mowed plots. Fertilized and sown plots had higher understorey biomass and lower soil water (in summer) than unfertilized plots. Tree growth was higher in fertilized than unfertilized plots, with intermediate values in sown plots. Managing high-quality timber plantations under silvopastoral schemes with improved legume-rich forages might be a feasible way to reduce the high ecological maintenance costs of these plantations, without compromising their productivity.

Establishing reasonable plough layer construction is regarded as one of important methods for solving some rainfed farmland problems, which is of great significance in the dryland of northern China. The experiment was conducted with four tillage treatment, including furrow loose and ridge compaction plough layer (FLRC), all loose plough layer (AL), all compaction plough layer (AC), up loose and down compaction plough layer (ULDC, CK), at Fuxin National Agricultural Environmental Science Observation Experimental Station, at which the long-term plough layer construction position fixed experiment began in 2009. The data in 2015 and 2016 showed that the FLRC treatment optimized ( P 0−10 cm soil layer was optimized by AC treatment before spring corn sowing, while in 10−30 cm soil layer was optimized by FLRC and AL treatments. After the spring corn was harvested, the soil three phase’s rate in 20−30 cm soil layer in FLRC and AL treatments was better than that in ULDC and AC treatments. Compared with the ULDC treatment, FLRC treatment increased ( P P P P

In inversion tillage systems, the mouldboard plough is fundamental for producing a desirable seedbed. The desired ploughing quality is achieved when the plough layer is inverted homogeneously. This is, however, difficult to obtain in the main-headland intersection zone where the plough is lowered and elevated, as ploughed and unploughed triangles are formed. This results in zones where the soil is inverted twice, which may result in poor residue and weed incorporation and a poor seedbed quality. The design of the three-point linkage-attached mouldboard plough has not changed since the 1950s, but the number of furrows has increased, which has increased the size of the aforementioned triangles. A novel ploughing system was introduced to meet these headland challenges, where each plough section can be lowered and elevated independently. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of using a section-controlled mouldboard plough. Two similarly designed, randomized, field plot experiments were conducted on two different soil types (sandy loam and loamy sand) on a stubble field and grass field. The study showed that the section-controlled plough reduced the main-headland overlap area by ~98%. The results of a range of soil physical properties measurements and seedbed quality analyses showed that the section-controlled plough created a homogeneous loosened seedbed quality, improving the incorporation of crop residues and leaving fewer residues on the soil surface. Furthermore, the section-controlled plough showed additional benefits, for example wedge operations and visual line marking.

Chernozems involvement in agriculture influence some natural transformation processes in the soil profile leading to corresponding changes in the morphological features of genetic horizons and their properties. The aim of our research was to identify the morphological changes of typical chernozem and isohumusol under the long-term tillage influence. In the article were compared similar Mollisols, which were formed due to chernozemic process, Forest-Steppe region and loess, but under influence of different facial conditions. The study was conducted at a research station in Velyka Snitynka village, Fastiv district of Kyiv region (50°5′N, 30°2′E) and at the National Agroecosystem Research Station in Hailun, China (47°126′N, 126°38′E). There was used comparative geographical, morphological and statistical research methods during studying. Our findings have defined, that H and H + Hp horizons were deeper by 0.7-5.8 and 9.8-22.4 cm at isohumusol, H + Hp + Phk + P (h) k horizons - by 27.3-53,1 cm - at typical chernozem due to additional 38.4-42.3 cm horizon made of mole influenced loess enriched with humus incrustations. The upper H horizon was the deepest under plowing: 54.3 – at typical chernozem and 55.0 cm – at isohumusol and shortened under minimum till - 48.2 cm – at typical chernozem. Humus horizons had more brown colors: 10YR 3/2, 10YR5/2 - 10YR5/3 - at isohumusol and gray colors: 2,5Y 3/1 - 2,5Y 5/3, 10YR 4/2 - 10YR 5/2 - at typical chernozem. Conservation tillage effects on closer, to the soil surface, humus horizons placement, better aggregation of granular peds, the profile has higher amount of up and down oriented pores between aggregates, carbonates boil in the lower part of the upper transition horizon. Chernozem profile acquires some characteristics of their virgin analogues under conservation technologies use.

Using the method of inoculation on elective nutrient media, the abundance and activity of taxonomic (bacteria, actinomycetes, micromycetes) and functional (nitrogen fixers, ammonifiers, denitrifiers of amylolytic, cellulolytic) groups of microorganisms in agrochernozems of the Stavropol region under the influence of various tillage systems – direct seeding (no-till) and moldboard plowing with the turnover of soil horizon (traditional treatment). Analyzes were carried out for such crops as winter wheat, corn, sunflower and soybean with/without application of mineral fertilizers. Traditional tillage for the majority of crops leads to increased activity of aerobic ammonifiers, cellulolytics, denitrifiers, actinomycetes and micromycetes. No-till technology, in its turn, increases the intensity of anaerobic cellulolytics and nitrogen fixers, aerobic diazotrophs and amylolytics activity. The most responsive crop, under which the biological activity of almost all groups of microorganisms increased in the no-till variant, was corn, while winter wheat contributed to the increase in the number of microorganisms in the moldboard plowing variant. The use of mineral fertilizers provoked the growth of soil biological activity under sunflower sown directly in the soil, while conventional tillage resulted in higher soil biological activity without application of mineral fertilizers.

We investigated the effects of tillage on growth, grain yield and root lodging of maize hybrids in upland fields converted from paddy fields in Andosol of northern Tohoku. Six hybrids were grown with rotary tilling or plowing (chisel plowing plus power harrow) in 2016 and 2017. Soil penetration resistance was higher in plowing than in rotary tilling under a soil depth of 5 cm. There were no significant interactions between hybrid and tillage method in plant height, SPAD value, grain yield, and yield components, indicating that growth and grain yield of the six hybrids were unaffected by tillage method. Maize hybrids had similar culm length and ear height, while horizontal pulling resistance was higher in plowing than in rotary tilling. In addition, root lodged plants caused by typhoons were fewer in plowing than in rotary tilling in 2017. There was a negative correlation between horizontal pulling resistance and the number of root lodged plants. The highest horizontal pulling resistance and the least number of root lodged plants were found in a maize hybrid KD641 grown by plowing. The results suggest that root lodging can be alleviated by growing root-lodging-resistant maize hybrids such as KD641 with plowing.

The important hydrological and hydro-ecological role of slope runoff, especially in spring (SSR), is shown. The data of 28 water balance stations on the SSR value on the territory of the Russian Plain in the years of different water flow are summarized. The hydrological role of autumn ploughing in the forest-steppe and steppe zones is shown. It leads to SSR decrease on the fields of autumn ploughing in comparison with the SSR on the fields not plowed in autumn, and most significantly in high-water and average years. The exception is the driest years, when there is no surface slope runoff on all lands. Two periods are considered – from the 1920s to 1980 and from 1981 to the present time. They are characterized by different climate features and anthropogenic impact. It is revealed that the SSR in the second period has reduced dramatically (by several times), mainly as a result of climate change, which has both positive and negative consequences.

In the current climate change, affecting the growth of crops, it is relevant to evaluate various agrotechnical measures for their impact on soil fertility. Soil tillage systems play an important role in technologies of growing crops . The purpose of our research was to determine the impact of tillage systems in the Northern Steppe of Ukraine on fertility parameters of chernozem ordinary . In the experiment, three tillage systems were studied: plowing by 23-25 s m, minimum tillage by 4-5 s m and no- tillage (direct seeding) . In soil samples we determined the total humus content by the Tyurin method in the Simakov modification, the structural aggregate composition by the method of Savinov, the moisture content of the soil by the weight method. The use of no-tillage and reduced tillage provided the formation of a deflation-resistant surface of 0-10 cm soil layer: the content of aggregates larger than 1 mm was 62 and 60%, in the plowing variant - 49%. The humus content in the 0-30 cm layer was 4.58% in No-tillage variant, 4.57 – in reduced tillage and 4.52% for the plowing. Reducing tillage is also higher reserves of productive moisture in a meter layer of comparative with traditional plowing.

Ploughbreast is the crucial soil-engaging component of horizontally reversible plough (HRP). Its biggest merit, compared to conventional ploughs, is to enable the ploughbody to perform alternative and shifting tillage operations with high speeds. A major technical challenge in the aforementioned operation is violent flowing interaction between soil and ploughbreast. This flowing interaction may result in severe wear rate on the ploughbreast, particularly along its cutting edge, i.e. ploughshank, thereby reducing the tool life. The objective of the present paper is to evaluate influences of the flowing interaction on the ploughshank by studying interaction force, wear rate and their correlation. The interaction forces were predicted using a numerical calculation with finite volume approach in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software. The wear rates were measured using scanning electron microscope (SEM). There were very good qualitative agreements between numerical and experimental results that either the maximum force or the most severe wear rate appears at the same section and has a direct relationship with the Tillage speed and tilling depth. Closer examination of the calculated and measured confirms that the more violent sliding & rubbing, the greater stress gradient and the larger abrupt stress cause the more severe wear rate along the ploughshank.

The wear of plough points of different structures and materials in soils with different moistures, hardnesses, and levels of stoniness was studied. It was found that hardening of the cutting edge (the working face) by hard alloy plates based on tungsten carbide effectively reduces the wear on the length and width of plough points. In addition, the surfacing of the front surface of plough points effectively decreases the wear according to their mass and thickness. However, these hardening methods are only effective on sandy and loamy soils. These methods are not effective on a stony soil. After damage of the surfacing of the hard alloy plates, accelerated wear of plough points according to their mass, length, and width occur and their operation does not meet agrotechnical requirements.

The evolution of agricultural technologies in the development of human civilization is considered. Based on this example, it is shown that a new stage in soil cultivation technology began in the 20th century. It is associated with the transition from extensive “gray” technologies for the management of natural resources, which are strictly oriented only by momentary economic feasibility, to nontraditional (“nature-based”) “green” farming technologies. A natural transition has taken place from the strategy of its development based on Ziegler’s principle of maximum entropy production to Prigogine’s strategy of minimum entropy production, which is based on the rationalization of the use of available resources for a dissipative structure on the planet, such as the human population. The foundation for the rationalization is nature-based technology for human use of natural resources. The theoretical justification of the inevitability of “green farming” is confirmed by the example of a long-term biosphere experiment on the development of agricultural technologies. This type of farming is characterized by a more economical method of tillage: partial or complete rejection of soil-turn plowing, the absence of vertical mixing of the arable layer, minimal disturbance of the soil cover by agricultural machines, and mandatory soil mulching (“no-till” or “mulch tillage”) in order to preserve the soil moisture and reduce soil erosion. The no-till soil processing system, i.e., the absence of interference in the natural processes of soil formation, is a modern farming system in which the soil is not processed and its surface is covered with specially crushed plant residues (mulch). It is illustrated that the no-till technology of direct sowing and mulching is currently being introduced in various regions of the planet with shallow, surface loosening or even complete rejecting tillage. It is shown that the application of the green farming technologies leads to rationalization of the use of not only energy and soil resources but also water resources, for which the situation is becoming increasingly tense for human civilization.

The study was conducted in the year 2015 all field work was completed from July, 2015 to November, 2015 for collecting information on mechanization level in Mungeli block of Chhattisgarh. For this purpose, eight village (Charbhatha, Amlidihi, Suretha, Baraidahara, Bhaghamudha, Jhulnakhurd, Ghuthera, Birgaon) of Mungeli block were selected randomly. For the survey Panchayat Pradhan and Farmers were contacted and a pre designed proforma was used for documentation and analysis. Field survey was done for verification. The whole information was subsequently compiled and presented. It is found that majority of the respondents had using the tractor for Ploughing, Feeding, Planting, Cultivation, fertilizer application etc. Perusal of data reveals that maximum numbers responds were falling in the category of low and middle land holding category while minimum number of respondents (23.33%) having big land holding category and reveals that average 26.67% respondents are using the modern implement, 50% respondents are using the modern implement by hiring and on an average 23.33% are depend on traditional system of farming.

Saline water irrigation has been widely used for crop production where agriculture is short of freshwater. To reveal the responses of soil environment and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) growth to long-term irrigation with saline water, a 10-year (2006 to 2015) experiment was carried out to study the effects of saline water irrigation on soil physico-chemical properties, as well as the yield and fiber quality of cotton in the low plain around the Bohai Sea (BHLP), China. Five salinity levels of irrigation water were tested (3.4 [T1], 7.1 [T2], 10.6 [T3], 14.1 [T4], and 17.7 dS m−1 [T5]), and freshwater (1.3 dS m−1) was used as control (CK). The results showed that from 2006 to 2015, the electrical conductivity of a saturated soil extract (ECe) in 0 to 100 cm soil depth did not accumulate linearly with years for all treatments but positively correlated with the ratio of irrigation to precipitation. Cotton yield decreased significantly when salinity of irrigation water exceeded 10.6 dS m−1. Fiber quality tended to get worse when salinity of irrigation water reached 17.7 dS m−1. In the tenth year, ECe, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), the content of silt and clay equivalent size particles, and bulk density of soil plow layer increased with increasing salinity of irrigation water, while soil porosity and the content of macroaggregate in plow layer decreased. Compared with the initial chemical properties of soil plow layer in 2006, pH and SAR for saline water treatments increased at the late stage of cotton growth in 2015. The assessment results of soil quality index (SQI) showed that, in comparison with CK treatment, SQI decreased by 3.7%, 11.1%, 16.9%, 21.0%, and 21.7% in T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5, respectively. Therefore, from the aspect of the soil quality of plow layer in the BHLP, long-term use of irrigation with saline water above 3.4 dS m−1 will decrease soil quality, and this agricultural management should be paid more attention.

Purpose. To find out the dependence of sugar beet and barley productivity in short crop rotations on organo-mineral fertilizer system and soil tillage with the use of manure and harvest residues (straw of cereals and sugar beet tops).Methods. Field, laboratory, and statistical.Results. The study was carried out in the area of insufficient soil moisture of the Left Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine on the slightly saline chernozem in a long-term stationary experiment in the following short crop rotations: crop rotation system esparcet + Festuca pratensis and grain-hoed crop rotation in the link with bare fallow with the 25 % share of sugar beet. Fertilization for the experiment was organo-mineral, both in crop rotation and under sugar beet. Barley was grown after sugar beet against the background of the aftereffect of fertilizers applied to sugar beet. The ploughing of harvest residues of all the crops of the rotation into the soil against the background of mineral fertilization was not inferior to the use of manure and mineral fertilization system by the effect on the sugar beet and barley yields.Conclusions. Under the application of 25 t/ha of manure + N90P90K90, in the crop rotatory system, root yield and sugar yields were 37.6 and 6.56 t/ha, respectively. To compare, in grain-hoed crop rotation, these values were 38.3 and 6.62 t/ha, respectively. When ploughing the crop residues of all crops in the rotation into the soil + N90P90K90, root yield in both crop rotation systems was at the level of the treatment 25 t/ha of manure + N90P90K90. Sugar beet productivity under the combined tillage in the grain-hoed crop rotation and all fertilization systems was not inferior to ploughing. Under the application of 25 t/ha of manure + straw in both crop rotation systems, root yield was 36.4 and 34.2 t/ha, respectively, and sugar yield was 6.13 and 5.81 t/ha, respectively. Barley yield in both crop rotation systems under the aftereffect of fertilizers applied to sugar beet + straw + N90P90K90 had advantages in the link with bare fallow compared to the link esparcet + Festuca pratensis. Barley yield under the combined soil tillage was not inferior to ploughing.

It is shown that excessive plowing of land caused an intensive erosion processes and, as a result, degradation of soil cover in Ukraine. The most effective way of slowing down and preventing soil degradation is to optimize the ratio of arable land to ecologically stabilizing lands. It’s achieved by transforming degraded and unproductive lands from using, followed by their conservation and transformation into forest and forage lands. According to various estimations, subject to seizure from 6.5 to 10 million hectares of arable land, mainly in the Steppe, which territory is most plowed. Some of these lands have already been transferred for afforestation. It has been established that the largest areas of afforestation in recent decades coincide with the implementation of the State Target Program “Forests of Ukraine” for 2010-2015. During this period, about 210 thousand hectares of unproductive lands, mostly (90%) by state forestry enterprises of the steppe zone, were taken under afforestation. As of January 1, 2009, the total area of land designated for afforestation but not covered by forest decreased to 44777 ha, and most of them (96.9%) are located in the steppe zone. The indicators of taking root and safety of forest crops created during afforestation in the steppe which have been presented are significantly lower than the normative ones. So over the past three years (2016-2018), the average value of actual survival of 1-3-year-old forest crops during afforestation is 60.9%, while the normative indicator is 70.1%. The maximum areas of crops lost during afforestation are also located in the Steppe zone, in particular at state enterprises of the Donetsk, Mykolaiv and Kherson Regional Forestry and Hunting Departments (RFHD), and in 2018 in Kherson RFHD 100% of the crops lost, and a whole, their share is 61%. Characterized soddys podzolized soils of clay–sandy composition on ancient alluvium sandy, which, due to extremely unfavorable properties for crops (the structure less, low – moisture capacity, humus content, trophicity) are largely transmitted under afforestation. In the southeastern part of Ukraine, in particular, in the arenas of the Nizhnedneprovsky (Oleshkovsky) sands, primitive soils are widespread, along with sod podzolized ones. Oleshkovsky sands is one of the largest sand massifs in Ukraine and is considered the second largest desert in Europe. Due to a number of climatic conditions, this part of Ukraine is a province of active deflation. It covers Donetsk, Lugansk and southern parts of Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson regions. On the territory of these regions also the largest area of non-afforested land is concentrated. It is substantiated that in the steppe conditions, determining the degree of deflation of sandy soils by the transformation of the humus horizon is rather problematic, due, first of all, to its very insignificant thickness, and sometimes its complete absence, and because of the complex relief of dry arenas. It was shown that fertility level of these soils is completely dependent on the content of clay particles, therefore this indicator is the most informative both in determining the degree of deflation soils and in general their typological assessment. The markers proposed for assessing their deflation and, in general, forest growth potential.

Thіs study aimed to investigate the effect of aplying post-harvest green manure on weediness of sugar beet crop rotation. Post-harvest green manure were grown under the conditions of the Scientific Research and Production Complex (NNVK) of Sumy National Agrarian University (Ukraine, Sumy oblast, Sumy region) after harvesting winter wheat from August to October 2000‒2004. After the plowing of it in the following 2001‒2006, a hybrid of sugar beet Umansky FM-97 was grown according to the technologies recommended for the local area. Potential weediness was determined by washing seeds from the soil on sieves at the beginning of the growing season and before harvesting sugar beets, and the actual weediness ‒ by quantitative-weight method before plowing the green manure and into the main stages of growth and development of sugar beets. The experimental plot had the least weediness under oilseed radish and the largest weediness under buckwheat as green manure. During growing seasons the radish oilseed formed good biomass and the number of weeds under its cover was noticeably reduced to 4.8 pieces/m2 and their mass ‒ to 21.8 g/m2. The findings obtained from statistic program showed the strongest correlation between the above-ground mass of radish and the number of weeds ‒ r = -0.55 and their weight ‒ r = -0.56. In the spring the amount of weed seeds under radish cover in the 0‒30 cm soil layer was reduced to 11.4 %, to 101 million units/ha, compared to the control without green manure. The impact factor of the effect of the radish biomass on the potential weediness was highest in all soil layers - within 70‒90 %. The biomass of radish decreased significantly the number of weeds in the sugar beet crops – by 39 to 19.2 pc/m2, and their weight ‒ by 23 % to 354 g/m2, compared to the control without green manure. Green radish oilseed mass had the greatest impact on reducing quantity of weeds – 67 % and their mass – 80 %. Radish cover provided the most significant reduction the potential weediness before harvesting sugar beets ‒ by 12 % in the 0-30 cm soil layer, compared to the control without green manure, where the amount of weed seeds was at 112 million units/ha. The inverse correlation of the radish biomass and the potential weediness at the time of sugar beet harvest was the closest ‒ r = -0.9.

The use of agroforestry systems (AFS) for the recovery of degraded lands allows the diversification of biomass production and can increase the ecological, economic and social resilience of the restored areas. We evaluated a degraded soil 5 years after the establishment of three AFS with different managements using the carbon stored in the soil and tree biomass as quality indicators. In the AFS we used 33 species. Thirty were native trees interspersed with three cropped species: Hevea brasiliensis, Malpighia glabra L. and Bixa orellana. The AFS treatments were: AFS1 (Mower, trees planted in hollows, spacing 3 m × 2 m, 300 g hollow−1 of limestone + 36 g hollow−1 of P2O5, no plantation between rows); AFS2 (Herbicide, trees in hollows, 3.5 × 2 m, maize (Zea mays) between lines, 2 Mg ha−1 of limestone + 2 Mg ha−1 of filter cake + 300 kg ha−1 of NPK 8-28-16); AFS3 (Plough, harrow, scarifier, trees in furrows, 3.5 × 2 m, maize between lines, fertilization similar to the AFS2). As reference, we used a soil under a forest fragment nearby the main experiment. In 5 years, there was an increase of 10 Mg ha−1 of the soil C stocks under the AFS, which represents an average accumulation rate of 2 Mg ha−1 year−1. The carbon stocks in the biomass in AFS were lower than in the forest. The different management practices used in the implementation of the AFS do not directly affect the total carbon stocks in the 0–100 cm soil layer.

From 2001 to 2018 in Mari El Republic six-field fodder crop rotations including 1-3 fields of legume-cereal grasses were studied. The amount of plowed root-crop residues and nutrients entering the soil was assessed at different levels of minerals application (N60P60K60 and N90P90K90 in the 1st and 2 nd rotations, N60P60K60 и P60K60 in the 3rd rotation). During the research the total nitrogen content in sod-podzolic soil increased from 0.15% to 0.28%, the humus content raised from 1.82% to 2.53%. The largest amount of root-crop residues nutrients was plowed into 0 -20 cm soil layer during the fodder crop rotation at the 1-year use of the perennial grasses. On the average, it received 35.2 t/ha of dry matter, 560 kg/ha of nitrogen, 231 kg/ha of phosphorus and 338 kg/ha of potassium over 3 rotations. An increase in supply of soils with nitrogen and humus in the 3rd rotation raised the plant residues and nutrients accumulation to 49.9 t/ha, 821 kg/ha, 321 kg and 496 kg/ha, respectively. No significant differences were found between the fertilization backgrounds. In the structure of studied crop rotations cloveralfalfa-timothy grass mixture has made the greatest contribution to in the replenishment of nutrient elements by plowing up the root-crop residues: 10.1 tons of dry matter, 199 kg of nitrogen, 89 kg of phosphorus and 115 kg/ha of potassium. Using postcut mustard after winter rye provided almost the same amount of plowed root-crop residues as clover-alfalfa-timothy grass mixture.Conflict of interest: the authors stated that there was no conflict of interest.