Minimum tillage or direct drilling

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Success factors – continued“CROPPING SYSTEMS”>> DIFFERENCES IN PLANT DEVELOPMENTWinter sown crops have a longer period in which to develop and can compensate for low plant numbersthrough tillering in cereals and branching in the case of oilseed rape. Certain spring sown crops such asmaize and sugar beet do not have this ability to compensate. For this reason, they need to be plantedunder good conditions to ensure yields are not reduced.>> WEED MANAGEMENTCropping and rotations on a farm are often governed by weed species and population levels. By adoptingnon-inversion tillage, the weed seeds are confined to the upper soil layers, which favours certain speciesthat adapt to the new conditions (e.g. brome…). In short rotations, based on autumn sown crops, certainweed species will always dominate. The introduction of a spring crop in the rotation breaks their growthcycle and they are easier to control with a total herbicide than with a selective product. Mastering chemicalweed control and creating an efficient stale seed bed (as soon as possible after harvest to benefitfrom residual soil moisture) between crops is the secret to managing weed control. Particular attentionshould be paid to keeping fields clear of weeds in the first few years of non-inversion tillage.>> MANAGEMENT OF CROP RESIDUESCrop residues create a favourable environment for the development of crop pests and diseases. They canalso make producing an acceptable seedbed difficult.• STRASTRAW REMOVALRemoving crop residue after harvesting, especially that of cereals, creates an unfavourable environmentfor pest development such as slugs and ensures that seed placement is not effected by excess straw in theseedbed.• STRASTRAW INCORPORATIONWhen straw is left on the land (up to 10 tons/ha on fertile land), it should be broken down as quickly aspossible to reduce its effect on the establishment of the next crop. Trash should be finely chopped andevenly spread. The combine harvester should be fitted with a chaff spreader. Residues should then beincorporated into the upper layers of the soil. When the next crop is going to be direct drilled, it is betterto leave longer stubble, thus reducing the incidences of straw blocking the slot and affecting the seedto soil contact. Care should be taken when planting oilseed rape into straw mulch as it can often lead toextended shoots which can increase the incidences of disease and slug damage.• SPREADINGSPREADING WASTESpreading farmyard manure and slurry can compact the soil if it is done in wet conditions. Farmyardmanure containing large amounts of straw can obviously cause problems with seedbed production. In anon-plough system any material spread should be composted and well-rotted.20
• PRESENCEPRESENCE OF COVER CROPS OROR CATCHCROPSThe destruction of cover or catch crops is usually done by using chemicals such as glyphosate or bymechanical methods such as shredding or a combination of the two methods. The choice of methoddepends primarily on the cover crop planted. A light surface cultivation allows the soil to warm up andimprove the establishment of the next crop. This operation can be omitted and the next crop can be establishedinto the cover crop residue if the farmer has a suitable direct drill.“SPECIFICATIONS IN TERMS OF CROP QUALITY”Retaining crop residues on the soil surface creates a favorable environment for the development of certaindiseases such as fusarium, which can have an effect on final grain quality due to the presence ofmycotoxins. To minimise the risk to the crop, particular attention should be paid to crop rotation, plantingresistant varieties and applying the appropriate fungicides.Table 3 : Minimum tillage analysed as a function of soil type and crop to be grown.Type of CropRisk of compactionSpeed of drainageClaysClay-loamsChalky-claysChalk soilsSilty-claysSiltsSandy-siltsCereals, OSR,Pulse crops,Sunflower, SoyaLowGoodPossiblePossiblePossibleAverageGoodMaize grain,Maize silagePossiblePossibleMediumRiskyAverageRiskyRiskySugar Beet,Grass silage,PotatoesHighGood AverageRiskyNot RecommendedNot RecommendedSource : Arvalis-institut du végétalIn the situations highlighted as risky or notrecommended, precautions should be taken toavoid soil structure damage such as :• Harvesting in good conditions.• Using suitable tyres.• Using a subsoiler / soil loosener if necessary.21
Page 1 and 2: MINIMUMTILLAGE GUIDE
Page 3 and 4: KUHN : A MINIMUM TILLAGE SPECIALIST
Page 5 and 6: es viewed by two specialistsWith so
Page 7 and 8: European Agriculture in Developemen
Page 9 and 10: Analysis of wheat production costsW
Page 11 and 12: “ MANAGING THE INTER-CROP PERIOD,
Page 13 and 14: ational implications• FUEL“ ECO
Page 15 and 16: age on plant development“ GROWTH
Page 17 and 18: plications“ PHYSICAL PROPERTIES O
Page 19: Success factorsThe type of minimum
Page 23 and 24: Definition of the conceptsSoil type
Page 25 and 26: including tractor cost and labourat
Page 27 and 28: hoosing your implements• CHEMICAL
Page 29 and 30: Choice of Non-PTO driven implements
Page 31 and 32: Seeding for successSoil structure a
Page 33 and 34: Minimum tillage or direct drilling
Page 35 and 36: • TRACTORTRACTOR COST“ COST OF
Page 37 and 38: “ ALTERNATIVE PTO DRIVEN SOLUTION
Page 39 and 40: “ BIBLIOGRAPHY AND ACKNOWLEDGEMEN

Minimum tillage or direct drilling

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