Farming involves several methods of soil cultivation. The choice of method is influenced by the following factors: soil type, type of crops grown, use of technology. A popular method is shallow tillage, when the top fertile layer is lightly loosened. When deep plowing, the top arable layer is thrown into the furrow, and the bottom layer is turned out onto the surface.
What does deep plowing affect?
For in-depth cultivation of land, several technologies are used: classical (moldboard), non-moldboard, combined. When moldboard tillage, a special moldboard plow is used.Deep digging is used to change the location of genetic soil horizons in the vertical direction.
Thanks to technology, different depths of soil cultivation are practiced. The minimum is considered to be wrapping a layer with a thickness of 20-40 cm. Deep includes wrapping an arable layer with a thickness of at least 40-70 cm. When digging up the soil, the thickness of the arable horizon is taken into account. During the processing process, the above-ground parts of plants are also trimmed and sealed, and mineral and organic fertilizers are added.
Advantages and disadvantages
Any method of cultivating the land has both negative and positive qualities. Advantages of deep plowing of the soil:
- An effective way to kill perennial weeds. Due to the fact that weed seeds fall into the lower layers of the soil, their germination is difficult;
- weeds germinate much later than in the case of surface loosening;
- the soil is protected from infectious pathogens that accumulate in plant residues. Since during deep digging, infectious microorganisms move deep into the ground, infection of plant crops is excluded;
- thanks to the autumn dump digging, most of the colony of wireworms and other pests freezes out during the winter months;
- soil moisture increases;
- organic and mineral additives are evenly distributed in the soil;
- compactions in the soil that contribute to stagnation of water are destroyed.
The disadvantage of the method is the need to use equipment equipped with special devices (multi-leaf springs, disc blades, moldboard plow). You also need to keep in mind the significant costs of fuel and lubricants.With frequent use, the risk of soil erosion increases.
How to carry it out?
Traditionally, deep plowing is carried out with a moldboard plow. Moreover, the land is cultivated twice: in spring (March-April) and in autumn (October-November). To cultivate large areas, wheeled and tracked tractors are used. If the area of the site is small, you can dig up the soil manually, to the depth of two spade bayonets.
When choosing the depth of soil cultivation, the type of soil and the type of crop being grown are taken into account. Cultivating a layer of soil 20-30 cm thick increases the yield of sugar beets and potatoes. Farmers note an increase in the yield of potatoes by 20-22% and cereals (winter rye) by 25-28% with deep digging of sandy soils with the simultaneous application of organic additives.
Deep plowing is an effective but energy-intensive method of land cultivation. Therefore, it is advisable to alternate it with the usual method of soil treatment and carry out it once every 2-3 years. Or, as an option, combine regular digging with subsequent deep loosening of strips of earth.
