Minimum Tillage Guide - Kuhn

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Agronomic i Changing from a plough based system will have an impact on organic matter distribution, the soil’s processes and the agronomic situation. “ SOIL BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY ” >> WORM ACTIVITY CAN INCREASE TWO-FOLD <strong>Minimum</strong> tillage is accompanied by changes to the soil’s biological activity. Where the mineralization of soil nutrients is reduced, there is increased humus production. This in turn benefits the worm population and ultimately the soil structure. The increase in permanent worm galleries is due to less soil disturbance. Figure 6 : Worm activity and how it is affected by soil cultivation. PLOUGHING MINIMUM TILLAGE DIRECT DRILLING PERMEABILITY : 1to 20 mm/hr PERMEABILITY : 50 to 80 mm/hr PERMEABILITY : 80 to 100 mm/hr Source : Bourguignon, 2000. >> INCREASE IN SURFACE MICRO FAUNA The majority of micro-organisms are aerobic (i.e. need oxygen) and saprophytes (i.e. feed on organic material). They increase in the presence of surface organic matter. Where minimum tillage is used it is estimated that the number of micro-fauna are two times greater in the top few centimetres of soil than deeper down. 16
plications “ PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL ” >> INCREASE IN SURFACE STABILITY The formation of surface mulch where minimum tillage is practised protects the soil from erosion and capping. This is particularly beneficial on sandy soils where surface capping can frequently impede crop establishment. The permeability of capped soils can be reduced to as little as 1mm/hr. Mulch helps to retain soil moisture through reduced evaporation. >> IMPROVEMENT IN SOIL STRUCTURE After a year without plough use, the porosity of a traditionally cultivated soil profile is reduced. It will then take between 2 and 5 years for the soil to reach a new equilibrium. This is largely dependent on soil texture, weather conditions, organic matter levels (i.e. structural element of the soil), biological activity (particularly earth worms) and the cultivation system used. A continuous structure, consisting of a network of galleries and cracks will eventually be obtained. “ SOIL FERTILITY ” >> ROOT DEVELOPMENT With the evolution of a soil higher in organic matter and with the absence of changes in the profile, root activity is increased. The root system has a tendency to develop deeper into the soil and colonise larger areas. This leads to greater exploration for nutrients and better use of soil moisture reserves. >> NUTRITION Organic matter levels are higher in the soil’s upper layers in a non-plough system than in a conventional system. On the ARVALIS plots at Boigneville, France, after thirty years of non-inversion tillage, 33% of the soil’s organic matter is now found in the top 5 cm of the soil profile where minimum tillage has been practised, and 85 % where direct drilling has been used. The increase in the amount of soil organic matter is less important than where the organic matter is positioned. Figure 7 : Agronomic benefits generated by non-plough systems. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES CHEMICAL PROPERTIES BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES Moisture retention under the mulch SLOW MINERALISATION Reduction in capping Micro fauna preserved (on soil surface) Cracking caused by weather conditions Interception by the roots Improved porosity due to earthworm activity 17
Page 1 and 2: MINIMUM TILLAGE GUIDE
Page 3 and 4: KUHN : A MINIMUM TILLAGE SPECIALIST
Page 5 and 6: es viewed by two specialists With s
Page 7 and 8: European Agriculture in Developemen
Page 9 and 10: Analysis of wheat production costs
Page 11 and 12: “ MANAGING THE INTER-CROP PERIOD,
Page 13 and 14: ational implications • FUEL “ E
Page 15: age on plant development “ GROWTH
Page 19 and 20: Success factors The type of minimum
Page 21 and 22: • PRESENCEP RESENCE OF COVER CROP
Page 23 and 24: Definition of the concepts Soil typ
Page 25 and 26: including tractor cost and labour a
Page 27 and 28: hoosing your implements • CHEMICA
Page 29 and 30: Choice of Non-PTO driven implements
Page 31 and 32: Seeding for success Soil structure
Page 33 and 34: Minimum tillage or direct drilling
Page 35 and 36: • TRACTORT RACTOR COST “ COST O
Page 37 and 38: “ ALTERNATIVE PTO DRIVEN SOLUTION
Page 39 and 40: “ BIBLIOGRAPHY AND ACKNOWLEDGEMEN

Minimum Tillage Guide - Kuhn

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