Search Results (46)

Legume cultivation offers a chance for agricultural development on lands that have been abandoned over the years. In this study, simple agronomic indicators on the growth and yield of faba bean (Vicia faba L.), pea (Pisum sativum L.), and white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) were assessed on the abandoned agricultural lands of Foloi Plateau in Western Greece. Field trials were conducted from October 2023 to July 2025, and the legumes were grown either according to the false seedbed concept or with conventional seedbed preparation practices (direct sowing). The false seedbed involves pre-sowing weed control following initial seedbed preparation, and in these trials, it suppressed weed density by 62–77%. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) of faba bean and pea increased by 13% on the false seedbed plots, while white lupin NDVI was not affected by treatments (p ≥ 0.05). Destructive crop biomass measurements were in accordance with NDVI assessments. Faba bean and pea seed yield demonstrated an increase of 17% and 23%, respectively, in the false seedbed plots compared to direct sowing plots. White lupin seed yield was not significantly affected by false seedbed (p ≥ 0.05). This study provides preliminary evidence supporting the use of legume crops as a component of sustainable agricultural revitalization in the Foloi region. However, further research is required to optimize legume cultivation on the abandoned lands of the wider region as a first step towards the agricultural revitalization in the Plateau. Full article

Efficient seedbed preparation under conservation-oriented tillage requires balanced aggregate fragmentation, surface microrelief and energy demand. This study investigated the influence of passive toothed roller parameters on soil fragmentation, surface roughness, draft force and fuel consumption during chisel tillage under medium-loam Calcisol conditions. Three configurations were compared: a chisel plow without a roller, with a slat roller and with a toothed roller. An analytical framework describing aggregate capture, tooth–soil contact frequency and resistance formation was combined with field experiments and regression-based response surface analysis. The toothed roller improved measured soil treatment indicators compared with the no-roller and slat-roller configurations due to discrete tooth–soil interaction, localized stress concentration and repeated loading of loosened aggregates. Rational parameter ranges were identified: a roller diameter of 0.45–0.46 m, 13–15 teeth, transverse spacing of 8.0–8.6 cm, a tooth height of 7.5–8.5 cm and specific load of 0.9–1.1 kN m⁻¹. Under the selected configuration, aggregates smaller than 50 mm increased from 76.1% to 88.0%, surface roughness decreased from 6.8 to 3.7 cm and residue retention remained above 60%. Fuel consumption increased to 28.4–28.5 L ha⁻¹, reflecting the additional energetic cost of fragmentation and levelling. The approach supports rational selection of passive toothed roller parameters under the tested conditions. Full article

Preparing seedbed operations in clay soils is quite difficult. As moisture content increases in these soils, the soil attains a plastic consistency, adheres to tillage implements, and, when it dries out, large clods form during tillage. Furthermore, problems with seed germination occur in clay soils with poor drainage. This study aimed to design and manufacture a sowing machine that prepares seedbeds on ridges in clay soils. This machine consists of a lister, a rotary cultivator, and a pneumatic sowing unit. A ridge was created using the lister to eliminate seed germination problems. Due to the clayey nature of the soil, only the ridge was tilled with a rotary cultivator to a width of 20 cm and a depth of 10 cm to facilitate soil fragmentation. Soybean (Glycine max.) cultivation was carried out. Field trials were conducted on plowed plots (plowed in autumn) and on unplowed plots, and the system was compared with the conventional sowing method (plowing + disc harrowing + sowing machine). The field emergence rate was 73.04% in the plots tilled in autumn with the prototype machine and 76.05% in the plots without tillage when tilled with the prototype machine. This value remained at 31.43% under conventional tillage. Fuel consumption in conventional sowing was 2.51 times higher than sowing with the prototype machine. In addition, the prototype machine saved 69.56% of compared to conventional tillage. Full article

Conventional tillage, a soil preparation practice used to produce a fine seedbed, can disturb the soil profile by promoting soil compaction and soil organic matter (SOM) degradation. In contrast, conservation tillage, such as no-till, has the potential to sustain or increase SOM. This study aimed to (1) quantify soil organic carbon (SOC) content under conservation tillage and conventional tillage practices, (2) describe the degree of aromaticity of bioavailable SOC using fluorescence spectroscopy, and (3) correlate SOC quantity with nitrogen and phosphorus retention in soils. Fluorescence spectroscopy is a sensitive and non-destructive tool that allows for the assessment of bioavailable SOC quality related to the molecular structure, degree of aromaticity (cyclic molecules with carbon double bonds), and recalcitrance (difficulty of decomposition) of organic compounds. This study employed fluorescence excitation–emission matrices combined with parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC) to identify humic-like, fulvic-like, and protein-like substances. Data on agricultural management practices were collected from spring 2014 until fall 2017. We obtained soil samples (fall 2017) from farms in the Western Lake Erie Basin, Ohio, and performed geochemical characterization in the bulk soil and aqueous extraction. Our results showed that no-till and minimal tillage fields consistently had greater SOC and fluorescence intensity in the humic-like acids region when compared to conventional tilled fields (no-till: 34,000 mg TOC kg⁻¹; tilled six times: 16,000 mg TOC kg⁻¹). No-till enhanced SOC stabilization. In addition, conservation tillage practices retained the largest total nitrogen (no-till: 2800 mg TN kg⁻¹; tilled six times: 1350 mg TN kg⁻¹) and total phosphorus (no-till: 470 mg TP kg⁻¹; tilled six times: 250 mg TP kg⁻¹) concentrations at all studied depths (0–30 cm) when compared to conventional tilled fields. Conservation tillage promotes the accumulation of highly aromatic organic compounds favoring high cation exchange capacity, and NO₃⁻ and PO₄³⁻ retention and plant bioavailability. Full article

Despite various technical measures, the soil is negatively affected by the passage of agricultural machinery. This study presents soil resistance measured by a horizontal on-the-go soil resistance force sensor and a vertical penetrologger on a medium-plasticity clay loam (41% particles < 0.01 mm, organic matter 5.43%) in Krakovany village (Western Slovakia). The field has been managed using a no-till system since 2013, with no seedbed preparation performed since 2017. In-track data after multiple passes of a tractor were compared with out-track data. The results indicate that the most significant increase in horizontal soil resistance force occurred after the first pass, with each subsequent increase being smaller than the previous one. The no-till field showed the smallest percentage increase in soil resistance force after one tractor pass compared to conventionally tilled fields previously studied using the same methodology in the same soil region. Out-track SRF reached values similar to those of the conventionally tilled field after harvest. Vertical penetration resistance showed the lowest increase at depths of 9 to 25 cm in the no-till field compared to tilled fields. The highest values were observed at a depth of 9 cm, whereas at 25 cm, the values approached their minimum in comparison with tilled fields. These findings suggest that long-term no-till management may contribute to reducing machinery-induced soil compaction compared to conventional tillage. Full article

In this study, a survey was conducted in 14 fields (6 in Thessaloniki and 8 in Serres) before barley harvest during three growing seasons (2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22) to map the occurrence of ACCase and ALS multi-resistant populations and evaluate the influence of agronomic practices and environmental conditions on their dynamics. Specifically, weed cover and tiller number/plant were assessed in each field using a W pattern, while questionnaires were used to collect information from farmers on agronomic practices applied, such as seedbed preparation, the rate of fertilization at sowing, the time of sowing, the time and rate of top-dressing nitrogen fertilizer, the time of application of the herbicide pinoxaden, and the harvest time. Soil properties and climatic conditions were also recorded. These results indicated that regardless of the different agricultural practices applied in the fields of the studied regions, no significant association was found with L. rigidum’s ground cover or number of tillers/plant. Additionally, no association was identified between weed ground cover and climatic characteristics. Therefore, the findings of this study strongly support the dependence of the dispersal of the resistant strain L. rigidum on the interactions between genetic, biological, and soil factors; fertilizer or herbicide use; sowing or other agronomic practices; and climatic factors that drive resistance dynamics, rather than any individual practice alone. Full article

This study, which began in the 2013/2014 agricultural year, aimed to assess the suitability of two soil tillage systems for wheat cultivation: conventional soil tillage (CS), which involved moldboard plowing to a depth of 28 cm followed by a single pass with a rotary harrow to prepare the seedbed, and no-tillage (NT). It also sought to analyze the impacts of these systems on weed infestation levels and, consequently, on yield. A moderate level of fertilization was applied. The experimental field was established with a three-year crop rotation system: soybean–winter wheat–maize. The total number of weed species was 30 in CS, the representative species being Xanthium strumarium, and in NT there were 29 species, with Xanthium strumarium, Cirsium arvense, Bromus tectorum, and Agropyron repens predominating. There was an increase in the number of perennials (dicots and monocots). The total dry matter of weeds was 35.4 t ha⁻¹ in CS and 38.8 t ha⁻¹ in NT. After 11 agricultural years, it was found that there were no significant differences between the two soil tillage systems in terms of wheat yield (6.55 t ha⁻¹ in CS and 6.46 t ha⁻¹ in NT). The uneven rainfall negatively affected wheat growth and favored the spread of weeds, especially dicotyledonous ones. Full article

Wheat production can be reduced due to competition from weeds, with farmers relying almost exclusively on chemical solutions. However, there are alternative farming practices available. Therefore, in a field trial in Greece, we assessed the efficacy of false and stale seedbed against important broadleaf weed species and their impact on grain yield parameters. Our study determined that false seedbed resulted in a decrease in the density and biomass of broadleaf weed species like catchweed bedstraw (Galium aparine L.) up to 75% and 69% compared with the untreated control (normal seedbed preparation), respectively. The efficacy of false seedbed was higher when combined with post-emergence chemical control. Stale seedbed also resulted in adequate weed control, with a biomass reduction of up to 81%, and grain yield increased by 30% compared with the normal seedbed preparation without any herbicide use. Our results highlight the differences in the response between the weed species and also emphasize the potential of adding an alternative farming practice (like false and stale seedbed) as part of an integrated farming strategy for a sustainable and agroecological crop and weed management. In order to validate the trends observed in this case study, further field-to-field or year-to-year replication is required. Full article

As the focus of the development of mechanized tillage and sowing, combined tillage and sowing machines have a variety of functions, such as seedbed preparation, fertilizer sowing, and pressing. Compared with the traditional single-function planter, these machines effectively shorten the operation cycle, reduce production costs, and promote increased production and income. This paper categorizes the machines into these combined rotary tillage and sowing machine, the combined disk harrow and sowing machine, and the combined multi-link tillage and sowing machine according to the form of the tillage and operation. It also systematically elaborates on the technical characteristics, application scenarios, and operational requirements of different types of combined tillage and sowing machines. Additionally, this paper outlines key technologies, such as seedbed preparation and precision sowing. Considering the current state of scientific and technological advancements and the practical needs of agricultural production, it also suggests future research directions and trends, offering valuable insights for subsequent studies in this field. Full article

Tillage tools for seedbed soil management are often subjected to low stress abrasion wear, which could negatively affect seedbed quality and crop productivity. Limited studies exist that quantify the effects of worn tillage tools on seedbed quality and crop yield. This research investigated the influence of tillage tool wear on seedbed preparation by evaluating the effect of cultivator sweep wear on soil tilth utilizing a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor. The framework consists of a seedbed tillage field experiment using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) experiment in six replicates of two-tillage treatments (new and worn cultivator sweeps). After seedbed tillage, loosely tilled soil aggregates were removed to expose the seedbed soil profile, and then seedbed roughness statistical measures were estimated from LiDAR-scanned seedbed soil surface. Three statistical analyses (Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS), and Earth Mover’s Distance (EMD)) were compared to quantitatively evaluate the soil roughness estimated from the LiDAR seedbed surface data. Seedbed prepared by new and worn cultivator sweeps showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in soil roughness variables of standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and kurtosis. Data analysis from the ANOVA and KS methods revealed that LiDAR-extracted soil roughness patterns were statistically influenced by tillage treatment. EMD analysis detected noticeable disparities between the tillage treatments and new versus worn cultivator sweeps. This study concludes that tillage tool wear substantively affects seedbed quality, as evidenced by LiDAR soil profile estimated attributes of soil roughness and three statistical methods (ANOVA, KS, and EMD). Our study supports the adoption of LiDAR technology for seedbed management, highlighting its applicability to evaluate seedbed quality that accounts for the wear life cycle of cultivator sweeps. Full article

For the mechanized technical mode of total wheat straw returning to field, there are problems such as large vibration during the operation of the straw returning machine that, in turn, affect the effect of stubble breaking. This study took the Tongtian 1-JHY-220 straw returning machine as the research object to conduct field experiments, with wheat stubble height, forward velocity, and PTO speed as experimental parameters. And the vibration characteristics at different positions of the machine and the final stubble breaking rate were used as evaluation indicators. Combined with the orthogonal experiment and response surface analysis method, this article analyzes and discusses the influence of various parameters on vibration characteristics and operational effectiveness. The results show that PTO speed and wheat stubble height were the main factors affecting the vibration and operation quality of the straw returning machine. Low PTO speed and high stubble height can improve the stubble breaking rate of the straw returning machine and reduce its operation vibration. Furthermore, the multi-objective optimization results show that when the forward velocity in the range of 8.5–9 km/h, the PTO speed is 540 r/min, and the stubble height is in the range of 200–250 mm, the stubble breaking rate of the straw returning machine is greater than 86%. At this time, the total vibration of the straw returning machine and tractor rear axle is relatively small. This study can lay a foundation for further studying the impact of the vibration of the straw returning machine on the stubble breaking effect and provide a reference for the preparation of high-quality seedbed under conservation tillage. Full article

A rotary tiller is a common tillage tool for straw incorporation in an intensive tillage system. However, rotary tillage for seedbed preparation in dense-straw mulching conditions experiences high torque and poor performance of straw incorporation. Nowadays, a great deal of studies have been focused on mimicking the morphological features of low-resistance animals to improve the performance of soil-engaging tools. Accordingly, the present study investigated the performance of three C-type rotary blades (i.e., conventional, serrated, and biomimetic) under three straw lengths (50, 100, and 150 mm) for incorporation of straw into the field using an in situ field tillage testing bench. Compared to the conventional and serrated blades, the biomimetic blade had lower straw displacement (decreased by an average of 50 mm and 7 mm, respectively), higher straw burying rate (increased by an average of 5.2% and 7.8%, respectively), better straw distribution (decreased by an average of 9.1% and 10.4% on the coefficient of variation, respectively), as well as lower torque and power (decreased by an average of 3.3 N·m and 4.4 N·m, respectively) under all straw lengths. The improved performance of the biomimetic blade could be attributed to the fact that its typical teeth configuration was designed by mimicking the smooth arc of the mole-rat’s claw. These results demonstrated that the biomimetic-designed blade could be a better option for incorporating dense straw into the field conditions. Full article

The tillage method determines several soil physical parameters that affect the emergence of post-rice chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in the Indo-Gangetic Plain of South Asia. Mechanised row-sowing with minimum soil disturbance and crop residue retention in medium-to-heavy-textured soils will alter the seedbed when compared to that prepared after traditional full tillage and broadcast sowing. Whilst minimum soil disturbance and timely sowing may alleviate the soil water constraint to crop establishment, other soil physical properties such as soil strength, bulk density, and aggregate size may still inhibit seedling emergence and root elongation. This study’s objective was to determine the limitations to chickpea crop establishment with increasing bulk density and soil strength, and different aggregate sizes below and above the seed. In two growth cabinet studies, chickpea seed was sown in clay soil with (i) a bulk density range of 1.3–1.9 Mg m⁻³ (Experiment 1) and (ii) the combination of bulk densities (1.3 and 1.8 Mg m⁻³) and aggregate sizes (<2 mm and >4 mm) above and below the seed (Experiment 2). Root length was significantly reduced with increasing bulk density (>1.4 Mg m⁻³), and soil strength impeded early root growth at >1 MPa. Where main root growth was impeded due to high bulk density and soil strength, a greater proportion of total root growth was associated with the elongation of lateral roots. The present study suggests that the soil above the seed needs to be loosely compacted (<1.3 Mg m⁻³) for seedling emergence to occur. Further research is needed to determine the size of the soil aggregates, which optimise germination and emergence. We conclude that soil strength values typical of field conditions in the Indo-Gangetic Plain at sowing will impede the root growth of chickpea seedlings. This effect can be minimised by changing tillage operations to produce seedbed conditions that are within the limiting thresholds of bulk density and soil strength. Full article

Micronutrient deficiencies are widespread and growing global concerns. Nanoscale nutrients present higher absorption rates and improved nutrient availability and nutrient use efficiency. Co-application of nanofertilizers (NFs) with biological agents or organic compounds increases NF biocompatibility, stability, and efficacy. This study aimed to develop and evaluate zinc and iron bio-nanofertilizers formulated with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and microalgae. Nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized with the co-precipitation method and functionalized with Pseudomonas species and Spirulina platensis preparation. NPs were characterized and evaluated on seed germination, soil microbial growth, and early plant response under seedbed conditions. NPs corresponded to zinc oxide (ZnO; 77 nm) and maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃; 68 nm). Functionalized nanoparticles showed larger sizes, around 145–233 nm. The seedling vigor index of tomato and maize was significantly increased (32.9–46.1%) by bacteria-functionalized ZnO- and γ-Fe₂O₃-NPs at 75 ppm. NFs at 250 and 75 ppm significantly increased bacterial growth. NFs also improved early plant growth by increasing plant height (14–44%), leaf diameter (22–47%), and fresh weight (46–119%) in broccoli and radish, which were mainly influenced by bacteria capped ZnO- and γ-Fe₂O₃-NPs at 250 ppm. Beneficial effects on plant growth can be attributed to the synergistic interaction of the biological components and the zinc and iron NPs in the bio-nanofertilizers. Full article

There is a severe need to develop a sustainable, affordable, and nutritious food supply system. Broccoli microgreens have attracted attention due to their rich nutritional content and abundant bioactive compounds, constituting an important opportunity to feed the ever-increasing population and fight global health problems. This study aimed to measure the impact of the combined application of biofertilizers and zinc and iron nanofertilizers on plant growth and the biofortification of glucosinolates (GLSs) and micronutrients in broccoli microgreens. Biofertilizers were based on plant growth-promoting (PGP) bacterial consortia previously isolated and characterized for multiple PGP traits. Nanofertilizers consisted of ZnO (77 nm) and γ-Fe₂O₃ (68 nm) nanoparticles synthesized with the coprecipitation method and functionalized with a Pseudomonas species preparation. Treatments were evaluated under seedbed conditions. Plant growth parameters of plant height (37.0–59.8%), leaf diameter (57.6–81.1%) and fresh weight (112.1–178.0%), as well as zinc (122.19–363.41%) and iron contents (55.19–161.57%), were mainly increased by nanoparticles subjected to the functionalization process with Pseudomonas species and uncapped NPs applied together with the biofertilizer treatment. Regarding GLSs, eight compounds were detected as being most positively influenced by these treatments. This work demonstrated the synergistic interactions of applying ZnO and γ-Fe₂O₃ nanofertilizers combined with biofertilizers to enhance plant growth and biofortify micronutrients and glucosinolates in broccoli microgreens. Full article