In order to save fuel and prevent erosion, it is advisable to introduce zero (saving) tillage. This method differs from traditional farming in that the land is not plowed, crop residues remain on the field and form mulch. During sowing, a small furrow is made into which fertilizers are applied and seeds are sown.
What is zero tillage
Wild plants produce seeds; they germinate without first wrapping the top layer of soil.A similar method can be applied to agricultural crops. A farming technology in which the land is not cultivated is called zero tillage or No-Till.
Rationales for introducing conservation land use:
- Plowing is not necessary for growing crops;
- in nature, plant residues remain on the surface of the earth and serve as feeding;
- the remaining mulch protects the soil from water evaporation, protects from direct sunlight, weathering, and prevents the development of erosion.
When implementing No-Till, the land remains undisturbed from seed sowing to harvesting and after harvesting until replanting. True, during sowing work, long slits are made in the soil with the coulters of the seeders. Saving technology eliminates any destruction of the soil structure.
When using No-Till, weeds must be killed at the initial stage using herbicides. In all subsequent seasons, weeds are controlled through crop rotation and green manure.
Who came up with it?
The idea of sowing seeds in uncultivated soil came to the minds of the first farmers. In the old days, they used a stick to make grooves on the surface, throw grains into them and cover them with earth. True, the main enemies of agricultural crops have always been weeds. As a means of combating weeds, they came up with a plow and deep plowing of the field.
No-till pioneers had to face a number of challenges.Due to the use of herbicides, chemicals that harm crops accumulated in the soil. The new method required the creation of special equipment (direct seeders).
The revival of No-Till was facilitated by the discovery of a new generation of herbicides that act on vegetative weeds and are instantly destroyed upon contact with the soil. In the 60s, the British created “Paraquat” and “Dukat”, thanks to which the cultivated field was immediately ready for sowing.
Currently, zero technology is widely used in the USA, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Paraguay, and India. Thanks to conservation soil treatment, fuels and lubricants are saved and erosion processes are prevented.
Advantages and disadvantages of No-Till
Advantages of saving technology:
- the number of soil treatment operations is reduced;
- per season, not 15, but 3-5 passes of equipment across the field are required;
- the pressure of machines on the ground is reduced;
- labor costs, finances, time are saved;
- there is no need for cultivators;
- costs for machine repairs and fuel are reduced;
- mulch prevents moisture evaporation and weed germination;
- soil structure improves;
- the population of beneficial insects (earthworms) is preserved;
- decomposing plant residues contribute to the accumulation of organic matter in the upper layers of the earth;
- erosion is prevented;
- rainfall infiltration improves;
- fertilizers are not washed away by surface runoff;
- productivity increases.
Disadvantages of No-Till:
- cannot be used in conditions of high humidity without creating drainage systems;
- used only on level terrain (surface leveling required);
- not applicable to all crops;
- herbicides are needed;
- pests gather under the mulch;
- requires special equipment;
- Crop rotation and planting of green manure are necessary.
Where to start the transition to new technology
The No-Till method consists of three main stages: herbicide spraying of the field, sowing seeds into untouched soil, and harvesting. Fertilizers are applied during sowing. To carry out such agricultural activities, you need to purchase special equipment (sprayer, tractor, direct seed stubble seeder, combine harvester).
First, the field is leveled. Leveling the surface before using zero technology is a prerequisite. The leveled ground is additionally treated with a subsoiler, with the help of which the plow “sole” is destroyed.
In the spring, after weed germination, herbicide spraying is carried out. After treatment, the mulched soil surface is destroyed using a seeder. The openers of this technique leave V-shaped or T-shaped grooves in the ground. At the same time, seeds are sown, fertilizers are applied under the roots using a belt method, and the seed bed is closed.
Use of agrochemicals in zero tillage
At the initial stage, you will have to use continuous herbicides. Before sowing, the field is cleared of weeds. In case of severe weed infestation during the growing season of agricultural crops, selective herbicides are used. In subsequent seasons, the amount of herbicides is reduced. Mulch scattered across the field prevents the growth of weeds.
In addition to herbicides and insecticides, fungicides and fertilizers are used (necessarily at the beginning of the growing season). The quantity and mode of their application depend on the condition of the crops. Self-propelled sprayers are used for processing and fertilizing.
Main mistakes in implementing No-Till
When using no-till, do not rush to sow seeds. With traditional technology, sowing begins early so that the crops get ahead of the growth of weeds and catch soil moisture. When using No-Till, on the contrary, it is recommended to wait until weeds germinate and treat with continuous herbicides.
It is advisable to apply fertilizers locally, that is, during sowing, on the side of the seeds or under them. To use this method, you need a special sowing unit. But the weeds will not have access to fertilizers.
When No-Till is introduced, the weed population may change. Weeds that are resistant to continuous herbicides may appear on the field. They need to be combated not by increasing the number of herbicide treatments, but by using competent crop rotation, in which the crop itself will suppress the growth of weeds.
