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In this study, new and traditional organic wastes (green waste compost, farmyard manure (FYM), anaerobic digestate or straw) were ploughed into an arable field experiment at a range of rates (1-3 t C ha-1) and under spring and winter cropping rotations for 5 years. The stability of the soil surface structure (<5 cm) was assessed in Years 3, 4 and 5 to guide the use of organic wastes in arable field management. Aggregate stability was determined by immersing each soil sample in water (fast-wetting test, relevance to summer storms) and measuring the size distribution of the aggregates (mean weight diameter, MWD). The MWD value was compared with the different classes of aggregate stability (very stable, stable, medium, unstable or very unstable) to classify each result. All the arable field samples were classified as unstable, and there were no significant differences (p > .05) in MWD after any treatment. Potentially, this approach is too imprecise to detect differences, so porescale analyses using CT scanning were used. There were no significant differences in porosity or pore shape (features associated with microbial activity) between the control and organic waste treatments. The results contradicted published data from the Broadbalk experiment (established in 1843), which was the basis for this study, so its soils were studied to understand this discrepancy. Broadbalk soils were classified as unstable, including soils treated with annual FYM applications. Instead, we found a significant relationship between MWD and clay content and previous interpretations had not taken this variable (23%-39% clay content) texture into consideration. In conclusion, to achieve a stable soil surface structure, a 150% improvement in aggregate stability would be needed here and ploughing in organic wastes was not a successful management approach on these arable field experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fuel predictive models were developed for 74 and 75 horsepower tractors during ploughing operation in a sandy loam soil. This study involved the use of three different tractor models of similar horsepower capacity namely, YTO-750, YTO-754 and TAK DI-75 which were used for carrying out ploughing operation at the experimental field of the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Ilorin, Nigeria. The ploughing implement mounted on the three tractors during ploughing operation was a 3-bottom disc plough. The test parameters measured during ploughing operation include travel reduction (wheel slippage), draught force, speed of operation, effective field capacity, theoretical field capacity, field efficiency, time of operation, drawbar power, tractive efficiency, soil moisture content, soil bulk density and soil cone index. The experimental field measuring 50 m by 100 m was laid in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and which was replicated three times. Data obtained were subjected to multiple linear regression by pairing each measured test parameter with speed of operation. Test results showed that the model involving speed of operation and average soil moisture content as independent variables performed better than the other models developed based on obtaining the highest R²-value of 0.972 and least residual standard error of 0.11650 l/ha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on a group of finds obtained recently in a metal detector survey in the area of Velem-Szent Vid. Most artefacts found in the late La Tène oppidum are agricultural tools. They are the most important archaeological evidence available to us for reconstructing the agricultural equipment used during the Late Iron Age and, based on them, food production techniques. Diverse tools were utilised in specific agricultural processes. The plough, the most important tool of soil cultivation, and its components are discussed in the study, and an attempt is made to draw conclusions about the ways of land use in the Late Iron Age based on plough part finds from Celtic contexts.

BACKGROUND: Tillage operations will change the distribution in soil for any pesticide residues still present from earlier applications. This redistributive effect of tillage has been neglected in the study of pesticide leaching behavior. This study reviews the literature to characterize this redistributive effect for different tillage operations and uses a pesticide leaching model to investigate the impact of redistribution on pesticide transport to subsurface drains which is a significant input route to surface water bodies. RESULTS: Inversion ploughing moves the majority of any residues of pesticide present at or near the soil surface into the bottom two-thirds of the plough layer, whereas non-inversion ploughing has only a limited redistributive effect. Incorporating this redistributive effect into model simulations resulted in large changes (typically 5–10-fold difference) in both the maximum concentration and total mass of pesticide transported to drains over the winter following cultivation. More intense cultivation decreased subsequent leaching for relatively mobile compounds (Koc ≤1000 mL g−1), but increased it for strongly sorbed pesticides (Koc ≥2000 mL g−1). CONCLUSION: The redistributive effect of soil tillage on pesticide residues can have a large effect on subsequent transport to subsurface drains. This effect has been neglected in the literature. Field research is required to validate the model simulations presented here, and consideration should be given as to whether the effect needs to be included within risk assessment procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on a group of finds obtained recently in a metal detector survey in the area of Velem-Szent Vid. Most artefacts found in the late La Tène oppidum are agricultural tools. They are the most important archaeological evidence available to us for reconstructing the agricultural equipment used during the Late Iron Age and, based on them, food production techniques. Diverse tools were utilised in specific agricultural processes. The plough, the most important tool of soil cultivation, and its components are discussed in the study, and an attempt is made to draw conclusions about the ways of land use in the Late Iron Age based on plough part finds from Celtic contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper the author deals aspects about the vertical motion (named bouncing) of a tractor with plough mounted on the rear frame, during displacement over the random excitation surface of the agricultural land. Final results of the simulation process, performed on the model of tractor-plough with 3 degree of freedoms, show the difference between digging depth function as velocity motion and longitudinal profile of the terrain. Thus, the deviation of the plough depth from the reference depth is evaluated.

Dritero Agolli was an Albanian writer who is mostly remembered in October due to his birthday. He was born on October 13th of 1931 and passed away on February 3rd of 2017 in Tirana. The critics have named Agolli as a poet of the land. The month of October was traditionally tagged as the "Month of Literature". We say it traditionally since this month is already considered as a festive period when all readers and writers are brought together by the ART OF THE WORD. Scholars and academicians celebrate this month. They pay honor to all ones who contributed to the history of Albanian literature: Padre Gjergj Fishta, born on October 23rd of 1871 and described as Albanian Homer; Migjeni, born on October 13th of 1911 whom famous Ismail Kadare considered as the hurricane of the Albanian literature. Through the work of the pen, producing a perfect, rich, accurate and pure language - with the words and terminologies deriving from random people - Dritero Agolli earned a destination in the pantheon of Albanian culture. We say often that a writer or another was a product of the setting and social-historical and cultural circumstances where they were born and grew up. But, could we say the same statement for writer Dritero Agolli? Certainly, yes! All his work was based on the Albanian tradition and on the magnificent Albanian word. The writer paid attention that all his products were enriched by a vocabulary that derives from the treasure of Albanian ethnic folklore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reliability consists of four components: failure-less operation, maintainability, durability, and preservation ability. For different machines and different conditions of operation, different combinations of these properties, and differences in how they are balanced and proportioned are essential. For tractors, the most important aspect of reliability is maintainability, while for agricultural machines, durability is most important. Using the example of a ploughshare, the issue of increasing the durability has been studied; a method for calculating the durability of a ploughshare for various types of soils has been described. The use of plasma hardening of the surface of a 65G-steel ploughshare has been proposed; the effectiveness of plasma hardening of soil-cutting parts and its economic feasibility have been proved. Due to hardening to a depth of 1–1.8 mm, the service life of parts increases by 2–3 times; moreover the downtime of expensive machine-tractor units for replacing worn-out parts is reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study used time studies and cost analysis to assess potential economic benefits from site preparation cost reductions resulting from producing coarse woody harvesting residue (CWHR) for bioenergy. In contrast, previous studies have predominantly used anecdotal estimates of site preparation costs.The study was performed in a recently clearfelled 15-year-old plantation of Eucalyptus globulus (Labill) in Tasmania, Australia. The study area consisted of the control area (0.51 ha), containing ~35 m3 ha-1 of CWHR and the CWHR harvest area (2.47 ha), containing ≤12 m3 ha-1 of CWHR. The control area had been harvested with a harvester – forwarder system, which left all harvesting residue (HR) onsite, where-as the CWHR harvest area had been harvested with a feller-buncher – skidder – processor system which removed most of the HR. The latter site was used to simulate an area where CWHR had been harvested. The study examined productivities and costs of machines performing site preparation in each area. The preparation of the control area site was performed with an excavator that windrowed CWHR, fol-lowed by a skidder-mounted plough constructing planting furrows. Residual CWHR post-windrowing was

We show that the descendants of ancient farmers may have an interest in marrying among themselves, and thus maintaining the gendered division of labour originally justified on comparative-advantage grounds by the advent of the plough, even after they emigrate to a modern industrial economy where individual productivity depends on education rather than physical characteristics. The result rests on the argument that, if efficiency requires the more productive spouse to specialize in raising income, and the less productive one in raising children, irrespective of gender, an efficient domestic equilibrium will be implemented by a costlessly enforceable pre-marital contract stipulating that the husband should do the former and the wife the latter. A contract may not be needed, however, if time spent with children gives direct utility, because an efficient equilibrium may then be characterized by little or no division of labour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a brief analysis of the literature related to complex plowing implements (ploughs), which had a considerable impact on agriculture, economy and, in general, on ancient human societies. The attempts to classify and analyze these types of agricultural tools are the research results of specialists from related scientific fields (archaeology, history, art history, ethnography, linguistics, geography, etc.). Taking all these contributions regarding the systematization of all informative material into account, the research presents a series of risks, which reside precisely in the subjective nature of such a scientific approach and, mainly, in the lack of documentary and material sources. For these reasons, the functional and formal classification is established as the most flexible, the criteria used in the present study being based mainly on written sources, the archaeological finds of some iron components of plowing implements (ploughshares and coulters), the iconographic representations in religious and secular art, as well as the study of ethnographic material. Obviously, our systematization was also based on the effective and useful classification systems created for the entire European space by scholars such as P. Leser, L. Niederle, B. Brentjes, A. G. Haudricourt and M. J.-B. Delamarre, A. Steensberg A. V. Černetsov, Z. Podwińska, N. A. Demčenko, Ch. Vakarelski, I. Balassa, Ju. A. Krasnov, G. A. Guliev, M. Stará, J. Henning or J. Myrdal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper the author deals aspects about the vertical motion (named bouncing) of a tractor with plough mounted on the rear frame, during displacement over the random excitation surface of the agricultural land. Final results of the simulation process, performed on the model of tractor-plough with 3 degree of freedoms, show the difference between digging depth function as velocity motion and longitudinal profile of the terrain. Thus, the deviation of the plough depth from the reference depth is evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Die pfluglose Bodenbearbeitung ist in Deutschland weit verbreitet, dies trifft für ungefähr 40 % der Ackerflächen zu. Die Vorteile einer pfluglosen Bodenbearbeitung sind z. B. Förderung des Bodenlebens, Energie- und Kosteneinsparung sowie Erosionsschutz. Zu den Nachteilen zählen Probleme mit Schnecken und Mäusen, oftmals höherer Pflanzenschutzmitteleinsatz und eine Zunahme der Verunkrautung. Zur Betrachtung der langfristigen Auswirkungen der pfluglosen Bodenbearbeitung sind Dauerfeldversuche unverzichtbar. Gerade im Bereich der Unkrautflora stellen sich Effekte erst nach einigen Jahren ein. Seit Herbst 2007 widmet sich ein Dauerfeldversuch des Julius Kühn-Instituts in Dahnsdorf der Frage der Auswirkungen von pflugloser Bodenbearbeitung. Das Versuchsfeld liegt im Bundesland Brandenburg, in der Naturregion Hoher Fläming. Vorsommertrockenheit ist häufig in dieser Region anzutreffen. In zwei unterschiedlichen Pflanzenschutzstrategien wurden die wendende und nicht-wendende Bodenbearbeitung vergleichend geprüft. Als Ergebnis der Auflaufzahlen beim Windhalm (Apera spica-venti) zeigt sich, dass in beiden Strategien die Auflaufzahlen des Windhalms in den nicht-wendenden Varianten stets höher waren als in den wendenden Varianten. Bei den dikotylen Unkräutern stellen sich diese Verhältnisse, je nach Pflanzenschutzstrategie, erst nach einem längeren Zeitraum ein.

The paper presents theoretical research conducted for the optimization of the working process of variable width ploughs. Thus, were determined multivariable regression functions for the traction force of the plough with variable working function of the control parameters: working depth, working width and working speed. The use of these theoretical considerations of the optimal points sought lead to the opportunity of making assessments on the possibilities to conduct their experimental validation. Conditions for an experimental plan were formulated to highlight such optimal points and the theoretical results were validated through experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] In order to improve the riding comfort and driving safety of the tractor, it's essential to develop a vibration model of wheeled tractor/implement system under plough operation condition to analyze its corresponding vibration characteristics. [Methods] Based on the ABAQUS software, the finite element model of plough-soil cutting system was developed in this work and validity was proved through experiment, which was used to study the influence of factors, such as tillage speed, depth and so on, on the resistance of plough. On this basis, with the wheeled tractor of Changfa CF700 taken as the research object, the vibration model of the wheeled tractor/implement system was constructed. Then, its vibration differential equations were deduced and the vibration characteristics of the tractor system under road transportation, farmland transportation and plough operation conditions were obtained. [Results] Compared with the experimental results, the simulated acceleration agreed well with the measured data and the validity of the proposed vibration model was proved. The simulation results showed that the natural frequency of the tractor system almost remained constant under the three working conditions above. The natural frequencies of vertical vibration for front axle, cabin, driver seat and plough were 2.55, 2.63, 2.31 and 2.31 Hz, respectively. Compared to the vibration responses under road transportation condition, those under farmland transportation condition could be reduced significantly. With the increase of tillage speed and depth, the vibration acceleration of each part of tractor system also increased significantly. When the tillage depth or speed was constant, the vertical vibration acceleration of front axle was the largest. [Conclusions] The research results of this work can provide a theoretical basis for the design of the suspension structure of the wheeled tractor/implement system under plough operation condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies were conducted on the operation of a plow with a disk disintegrator in a unit with an MTZ-82 tractor on black soil with a flat relief on soybean stubble with the amount of plant residues from 300 to 400 g/m2. During the research, the following parameters were changed: the disk approach angle, the disk section installation height, and the tractor speed. As a result of the study, it was found that at the speed of a plow with a disk disintegrator from 4 to 5 km/h, the depth of plant residues embedding is maximum and ranges from 15 to 19 cm, while fuel consumption becomes minimal in the range from 18 to 30 kg/ha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the crushing process and its influencing factors of the coal rock ploughing and planing by the plough cutters,the planing process is analyzed by numerical simulation, in view of the fact that coal and rock are heterogeneous media, coal rock images are identified, the three-dimensional model of coal rock is established by image reconstruction method, the accuracy of simulation is increased, it provides a new theory and method for three-dimensional finite element modeling of heterogeneous materials, and obtains more accurate simulation data. Through the simulation of coal crushing process under different conditions of plow bit,get contact force plow bit and simulation of coal wall. The results show that:with the increase of planing depth, plow bit stress force increase, the stress gradually stabilized,but because of the change of the coal quality, the forces fluctuate up and down near a steady value;planing speed has little effect on the plane load;coal rock firmness coefficient is larger,the greater the load simulation tool.

Reliability consists of four components: failure-less operation, maintainability, durability, and preservation ability. For different machines and different conditions of operation, different combinations of these properties, and differences in how they are balanced and proportioned are essential. For tractors, the most important aspect of reliability is maintainability, while for agricultural machines, durability is most important. Using the example of a ploughshare, the issue of increasing the durability has been studied; a method for calculating the durability of a ploughshare for various types of soils has been described. The use of plasma hardening of the surface of a 65G-steel ploughshare has been proposed; the effectiveness of plasma hardening of soil-cutting parts and its economic feasibility have been proved. Due to hardening to a depth of 1–1.8 mm, the service life of parts increases by 2–3 times; moreover the downtime of expensive machine-tractor units for replacing worn-out parts is reduced.

The article describes the analysis of results from field tests on ploughing units based on a modular draft device (MDD). This device is named MDD-100 and consists of an energy module and a technological module. The energy module is a universal tractor with a rated draft resistance of 16 kN. The technological module is an additional axle, equipped with an active wheel drive, a threepoint hitch linkage, and a saddle-type semi-trailer. During the working process, the draft resistance of the energy and the technological modules of the MDD-100 add up. As a result, the draft resistance of the latter may reach 26 kN, and more. This allows the MDD-100 to be classified as a draft device in traction class 3 and be used with agricultural machines with a large working width. The MDD-100 was tested with a five-bottom mounted plough with a working width of 1.75 m and a draft resistance of 24-28 kN. The best option for driving the MDD-100 with a plough was its movement with the right-side wheels in the furrow. The draft resistance of the plough would decrease by 12.0%, if the option of the MDD-100 outside the furrow is used. This ensured a 12.8% reduction in the skidding of the MDD-100 wheels and a 13.1% decrease of fuel consumption for the ploughing unit. Compared to a 4WD tractor, the use of a modular draft device with a 6WD wheel arrangement offered a greater stability of the ploughing depth.

While the tillage machines are plowing, the processing parts and the particles such as quartz or corundum in the soil rub off, and this causes abrasion in the tillage agricultural equipment. In our country, the hardening heat treatment processes applied in order to improve the mechanical properties of these equipment and increase their resistance to wear are changing with the developing techniques. In the study, the effects of tempering processes applied at different temperatures (250 ° C and 270 ° C) to the microstructure and mechanical properties of 60SiMn5 alloy, which is known to have high ductility and toughness values and is frequently used in certain parts of agricultural tools, were investigated. For this purpose, after austenitizing at 970 °C and subsequent cooling in oil, tempering at different temperatures was performed. The effect of tempering processes on the microstructure was carried out by optical microscope and SEM-EDX analysis. The hardness, impact and dry sand rubber abrasion tests of the samples were carried out. As a result of the study, an increase in the toughness value of the material was observed due to the more homogeneous distribution of the lower bainite structure in the sample with the tempering process performed at 270 ° C. In addition, it has been observed that the applied tempering processes increase the yield, tensile and abrasion resistance and positively affect the mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the analysis of results from field tests on ploughing units based on a modular draft device (MDD). This device is named MDD-100 and consists of an energy module and a technological module. The energy module is a universal tractor with a rated draft resistance of 16 kN. The technological module is an additional axle, equipped with an active wheel drive, a threepoint hitch linkage, and a saddle-type semi-trailer. During the working process, the draft resistance of the energy and the technological modules of the MDD-100 add up. As a result, the draft resistance of the latter may reach 26 kN, and more. This allows the MDD-100 to be classified as a draft device in traction class 3 and be used with agricultural machines with a large working width. The MDD-100 was tested with a five-bottom mounted plough with a working width of 1.75 m and a draft resistance of 24-28 kN. The best option for driving the MDD-100 with a plough was its movement with the right-side wheels in the furrow. The draft resistance of the plough would decrease by 12.0%, if the option of the MDD-100 outside the furrow is used. This ensured a 12.8% reduction in the skidding of the MDD-100 wheels and a 13.1% decrease of fuel consumption for the ploughing unit. Compared to a 4WD tractor, the use of a modular draft device with a 6WD wheel arrangement offered a greater stability of the ploughing depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large scale exmeriment was established in one growing season (2018/2019) in Hungary, Szeged-Öthalom. Experimental field were 3-3 ha. Applications has the same general agrotechnical control and plant protection, but differed from each other the method of tillage. Our aim was to observe that field cultivator against conventional ploughing, and disc-whether has an effect to the soil physical parameters (soil moisture, mechanical resistance, soil structure),potential yield of oil seed rape and profitability of production. If we ploghed the experimental filed, mechanical resistance was much bigger under the cultivated layer, but it was not created critical soil compaction or plough pan. Because of the mechanical resistance, soil moisture content in the subsoil (30-40 cm deep) was low. Clod forming effect is also determined. For oil seed rape is essential to aggregate soil stuction in the fertile layer, which can be achieve with combinator just before sowing. Unfavorable soil condition influenced development, crop formation, and yield of oil seed rape, furthermore the profitability of production. We have got the lowest yield and profit with conventional ploughing. Primary tillage with disk to 20 cm deep in surface soil evolved enough loose soil structure. In this layer water leaked and soil moisture has better condition. Even deeper layer became harder and drier, which delayed the root development of oil seed rape. Root development has an effect on nutrient and water uptake, thus tillage with disk has a medium yield and profit. Field cultivator with clod breaking roller can be able to change cultivation depth and suitable for stubble stripping, primary tillage, and seedbed preparation too. In this time we have got the best values of physical parameters, and profit from all soil tillage process [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study used time studies and cost analysis to assess potential economic benefits from site preparation cost reductions resulting from producing coarse woody harvesting residue (CWHR) for bioenergy. In contrast, previous studies have predominantly used anecdotal estimates of site preparation costs. The study was performed in a recently clearfelled 15-year-old plantation of Eucalyptus globulus (Labill) in Tasmania, Australia. The study area consisted of the control area (0.51 ha), containing ~35 m3 ha-1 of CWHR and the CWHR harvest area (2.47 ha), containing =12 m3 ha-1 of CWHR. The control area had been harvested with a harvester - forwarder system, which left all harvesting residue (HR) onsite, whereas the CWHR harvest area had been harvested with a feller-buncher - skidder - processor system which removed most of the HR. The latter site was used to simulate an area where CWHR had been harvested. The study examined productivities and costs of machines performing site preparation in each area. The preparation of the control area site was performed with an excavator that windrowed CWHR, followed by a skidder-mounted plough constructing planting furrows. Residual CWHR post-windrowing was <1 m3 ha-1. Productivities and costs were 0.53 ha PMH0 -1 and AUD$319 ha-1 for the excavator and 1.1 ha PMH0 -1 and AUD$139 PMH0 -1 for the skidder-mounted plough. The excavator was not required in the CWHR harvest area. In this area, skidder-mounted plough productivity and cost were 1.16 ha PMH0 -1 and AUD$109 ha-1 suggesting CWHR reduction to =12 m3 ha-1 could reduce site preparation costs by AUD$319 ha-1. Further studies on costs and revenues associated with CWHR removal and sale are required to determine net economic benefits and determine excavator cost and productivity for a range of CWHR quantities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Harivaṃśa chapter 83, Kṛṣṇa's brother Baladeva changes the course of the river Yamunā, using his plough. This article reviews previous interpretations of Baladeva's deed by André Couture and Lavanya Vemsani and develops in detail an interpretation briefly proposed by A. Whitney Sanford, whereby the deed is viewed, among many superimposed views, as at some level a sexual assault. This angle is explored in the article in various ways, with close reference to the Sanskrit text. The article includes discussion of the dialogue between Baladeva and the personified Yamunā, Baladeva's connection to plough agriculture, the dynamic between Baladeva and Kṛṣṇa, and Vaiśaṃpāyana's commentary on the events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to working features of plough system,three sections of visco-elastic dynamic model were established based on wave theory. The boundary conditions,joining conditions and initial condition of wave equation under stable running were determined. Dynamic model of plough system including three partial differential equations were solved with separation variables method. The dynamic displacement, velocity, and tension of plough system under stable running were obtained. The tension change of plow systems at different locations were analyzed. The results show that the tension change of plow systems at different locations increase with cutting depth,and the cutting speed has little influence on tension. Compared with the experimental results,the distribution law of characteristics is uniform, and deviation meets accuracy requirements,Feasibility and correctness of the suggested method is verified.

Abstract Background The loss of carbon (C) from agricultural soils has been, in part, attributed to tillage, a common practice providing a number of benefits to farmers. The promotion of less intensive tillage practices and no tillage (NT) (the absence of mechanical soil disturbance) aims to mitigate negative impacts on soil quality and to preserve soil organic carbon (SOC). Several reviews and meta-analyses have shown both beneficial and null effects on SOC due to no tillage relative to conventional tillage, hence there is a need for a comprehensive systematic review to answer the question: what is the impact of reduced tillage intensity on SOC? Methods We systematically reviewed relevant research in boreo-temperate regions using, as a basis, evidence identified within a recently completed systematic map on the impacts of farming on SOC. We performed an update of the original searches to include studies published since the map search. We screened all evidence for relevance according to predetermined inclusion criteria. Studies were appraised and subject to data extraction. Meta-analyses were performed to investigate the impact of reducing tillage [from high (HT) to intermediate intensity (IT), HT to NT, and from IT to NT] for SOC concentration and SOC stock in the upper soil and at lower depths. Results A total of 351 studies were included in the systematic review: 18% from an update of research published in the 2 years since the systematic map. SOC concentration was significantly higher in NT relative to both IT [1.18 g/kg ± 0.34 (SE)] and HT [2.09 g/kg ± 0.34 (SE)] in the upper soil layer (0–15 cm). IT was also found to be significant higher [1.30 g/kg ± 0.22 (SE)] in SOC concentration than HT for the upper soil layer (0–15 cm). At lower depths, only IT SOC compared with HT at 15–30 cm showed a significant difference; being 0.89 g/kg [± 0.20 (SE)] lower in intermediate intensity tillage. For stock data NT had significantly higher SOC stocks down to 30 cm than either HT [4.61 Mg/ha ± 1.95 (SE)] or IT [3.85 Mg/ha ± 1.64 (SE)]. No other comparisons were significant. Conclusions The transition of tilled croplands to NT and conservation tillage has been credited with substantial potential to mitigate climate change via C storage. Based on our results, C stock increase under NT compared to HT was in the upper soil (0–30 cm) around 4.6 Mg/ha (0.78–8.43 Mg/ha, 95% CI) over ≥ 10 years, while no effect was detected in the full soil profile. The results support those from several previous studies and reviews that NT and IT increase SOC in the topsoil. Higher SOC stocks or concentrations in the upper soil not only promote a more productive soil with higher biological activity but also provide resilience to extreme weather conditions. The effect of tillage practices on total SOC stocks will be further evaluated in a forthcoming project accounting for soil bulk densities and crop yields. Our findings can hopefully be used to guide policies for sustainable management of agricultural soils.

To research the dynamic character of plough under oblique cut conditions,the cutting coal wall depth of planing tool and the condition of participate in cutting were derived. The dynamic model of plough was established by finite elem ent method. The numerical simulation analysis of dynamic character of plough was executed. velocity and tension fluctuation curve of plow head and chains were obtained. Take feeding velocity and middle trough swing angle as design variables,and take minimal unit energy consumption and minimal load fluctuation rate as objective function. The Optimal design was executed by the method of multi-population genetic algorithm. The results are obtained that the optimal feeding velocity is 1. 2m/s,and middle trough optimal swing angle are 1°,1°,0. 7°. The results provide theoretical basis for coal plough in engineering.

Farm machinery selection, operation and management directly impact crop cultivation processes and outputs. A priori quantification of technical and financial needs allows definition of proportionate distribution and management of available resources and simplification of selection process. Appropriate planning, association and adjustment of the power unit and implement are required for soil cultivation. Consideration of functional parameters of the implement, their proper estimation and operation directly impact the soil structure, productivity and return on investment. Thus, a modelling approach was implemented for the definition of possible parameter-price relations for tillage equipment. The performed analysis allowed us to investigate the main relevant parameters, quantify their impact, and elaborate forecasting models for price, power, mass and working width. The significant relevance of the technical parameters and adjustment issues were outlined for each tillage implement group. For harrows and cultivators, the dependencies between studied parameters expressed better predictive qualities, especially for price-mass relation (R² > 0.8). While for ploughs power and mass relation had a primary output (R² = 0.7). The prediction features of the models provided reliable results for the estimation of the indicative values of the price and parameters of the implements.

A research was conducted to develop some empirical regression equations that could be used to predict the performances of disc plough and harrow on clay - loam soil in South - East agro - ecological region of Nigeria, and then to enable farmers, and users of these farm machinery assess and select appropriate implements based on soil type and conditions for their agricultural operations. It will be used to avoid unnecessary breakdown/failures, energy wastage and to optimize production at reduced cost. Performance indicators studied include field efficiency, effective field capacity, theoretical field capacity and material capacity of the implements. Results showed that, for plough operated in clay - loam soil, the regression equations could be used to predict its various performance indicators, including: Y = 0.067.χ² - 0.7733. + 89.283, respectively for field efficiency; Y = 0.0864.² - 1.4406. + 6.8173 for effective field capacity; Y = 0.0026. ² - 0.0877.x +1.7641 for theoretical field capacity and Y = 0.0888.χ² - 1.6513. + 49.11 for material efficiency. While for harrow operated on the same soil, the regression equations were Y = -0.3745.χ² + 7.4659.x + 50.757; Y = -0.0056.χ² + 0.1486. + 0.3631; Y = 0.0041.χ² + 0.0885. + 0.9156, Y = 0.1952. χ² - 0.6095. + 84.343 for field efficiency, effective field capacity, theoretical field capacity, and material capacity. The coefficient of determination, R2 obtained for the regression equations ranged from 0.71 to 0.9838. This showed that the performance indicators and the operational speeds were highly correlated and that the developed equations and the predicted values were adequate. Furthermore, the error root mean square (ERMS) obtained in the comparison of the experimental result and the developed regression equation results ranged from 4.30% to 6.80% for plough operation and 2.80% to 4.10% for harrow operation. The comparison revealed that the equations broadly did not over or under- predict the experimental results, thus, the prediction errors (i.e. ERMS) were within allowable range of ±5%. However, the little deviation in the prediction of some performance indicators in ploughing operation was attributed to variations in soil conditions/characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice-wheat rotation is the main farming system in the Yangtze River regions, and plays a critical role in maintaining food safety in China. However, some serious issues are emerging during agricultural production. One is that long-term conservation tillage leads to shallow and stringent ploughing layers. The other is that large quantity of straws is difficult to effectively manage in the limited rotation gaps between both crops. Our group designed a novel soil tillage practice, ditch-buried straw return (DB-SR), to overcome such problems. In this chapter, we summarized our current advances from 10-year's research for DB-SR in the rice-wheat rotation systems. DB-SR showed excellent straw incorporation capability, improvements in soil ecological processes as well as positive effects on pest control, crop growth and final yield performance. Our results suggested that DB-DR is effective in sustaining crop production and has a great potential for extension in the rice-wheat rotation farming regions. However, we also need more agricultural engineering scientists to join us for developing an all-in-one machine which supports this novel soil tillage practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a long-term tillage experiment in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania high penetration resistances up to 3,5 MPa were found in 30-45 cm soil depth as a result of continuous ploughing. A no-till-system showed a gradual increase over 0-60 cm soil depth. Tillage with plough, cultivator or rotational tillage (changing of plough and cultivator) caused different effects on dry density, porosity, water and air content in the upper soil (0-30 cm). Under the existing site conditions, yields were not compromised by a reduction of the tillage intensity. The data suggest that rotational tillage may have beneficial effects on physical soil properties, similar to the effects observed with continuous no-till regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research was focused on operational measurements of tractor plough tools and their subsequent utilisation and simulation under laboratory conditions by a hydrostatic simulator. In this field, theoretical and experimental works were focused on tractors, whereby the proposal of laboratory test arose out of the loading characteristics of the three-point linkage of the tractor. These characteristics were obtained from the agricultural tractor's operation in plough aggregation. Measurements were performed with the following tools: tractor with carrier-mounted four-mouldboard plough PH1-435 and tractor with Kuhn plough manufactured by. The subject of these measurements was to obtain the time courses of forces and pressures in the hydraulic system of the three-point linkage during ploughing with carrier-mounted and semi-mounted ploughs. For objective comparison of the obtained results during experimental measurements, we determined the characteristics of measurement conditions focused on physical and mechanical properties of the soil - bulk density, moisture, penetrometer resistance and slide strength of the soil.