Search Results (621)

Introduced in the present study is a novel method for measuring soil density during standard tillage operations. The methodology involves the use of a strain gauge to measure the surface tensions of the plough body stem, reflecting the resistance force in the soil, through which the calculation of the density becomes feasible. The sensor is conveniently mounted above the contact area with the soil, allowing for easy replacement as required. Due to the small forces of surface deformation in the metal, a weight sensor with a capacity of 300 grams is used. The measurement process is continuous, and all plough bodies can be equipped with sensors. The results obtained demonstrate a high level of accuracy, with a Multiple R = 0.95 and R Square = 0.90 compared to tests conducted with a standard penetrometer, confirming the effectiveness and appropriateness of the proposed method. Full article

Field surface fluctuations and crop residues can induce significant random vibrations of no-tillage planters, which may negatively affect seed implantation stability and crop yield. At present, it is difficult to understand the extent to which the working components of a no-tillage planter affect its vibration, and how to reduce the influence of vibration on the quality of the no-tillage seeding is a critical problem. The main factors affecting the vibration of no-tillage planters were studied by tractor engine vibration source impact analysis experiments, no-tillage planter structural vibration source experiments, and light and heavy no-tillage configuration vibration source analysis experiments. The results show that the effects of the ground wheels, the fertilizing and stubble breaking and cleaning devices, the packer wheels, and the power output shaft gradually diminish. The resonant frequencies of the tractor–no-tillage planter system were 68.36 Hz and 67.38 Hz. Furthermore, this study provided a relative assessment of the correlation between planter downforce and its vibration intensity. To sum up, the multi-source vibration impact analysis method proposed an effective method for studying the contribution of individual components to the overall vibration behavior of no-tillage planters. It provides a theoretical basis for the optimization design of the vibration damping system. Full article

In order to help mitigate climate change, carbon farming methods must be urgently introduced. The research systematically reviewed peer-reviewed literature, national statistical reports, and policy documents published between 2000 and 2024, focusing on the impact of land management on soil organic carbon in Croatia. This paper provides an overview of current agricultural practices on croplands and grasslands in Croatia. It identifies the weak points of current soil management and suggests possible measures for carbon sequestration in cropland and grassland soils. About 89% of Croatian soils are tilled conventionally, along with other harmful practices such as uncontrolled grazing and improper fertilization, which contribute to increasing carbon losses and soil degradation. Different practices are presented and discussed as possible solutions, each adapted to the specific environmental and soil conditions of Croatia. For example, studies in Croatian Stagnosols report 5% lower CO₂ emissions under conservation tillage compared to conventional tillage, while long-term grass cover in perennial croplands has shown soil organic carbon increases of up to 51%. The recommendations are categorised according to the possibility of a change in carbon stocks over time and the associated carbon storage potential. Croatia needs to recognize any shortcomings in the existing system and create incentives and policies to transform management practices into site and environment-specific regional practices. Full article

Improving sowing quality is crucial for ensuring wheat emergence and healthy growth. To address issues of poor wheat sowing quality, such as uneven sowing depth and inadequate soil coverage, in the Yangtze River Delta region of China, this study systematically analyzed the effects of the implement’s structural and operational parameters on sowing quality. Based on this analysis, a double-shaft rotary tillage and double-press seeder was designed. Protrusions on the grooving press roller are used to form seed furrows, rotary tiller blades cover the seeds with soil, and the rear press roller compacts the soil. DEM-MBD (discrete element method–multibody dynamics) coupled simulations, combined with single-factor and central composite design (CCD) experiments, were conducted with seeding depth as the evaluation index and four experimental factors: the protrusion height on the press grooving roller, forward speed, seed mass in the seed box, and straw mulching amount. The optimal protrusion height was 29 mm. The effects of rotary tiller blade working depth, rotational speed, and forward speed on soil-covering mass and its coefficient of variation were evaluated through discrete element method (DEM) simulations. The optimal working depth and rotational speed were found to be 55 mm and 350 r·min⁻¹, respectively, based on single-factor and Box–Behnken Design experiments. Field experiments based on optimized parameters showed results consistent with the simulations. The qualified rate of seeding depth decreased as forward speed increased. The optimal forward speed was 4.5 km·h⁻¹, at which the average seeding depth was 25.7 mm, the qualified seeding depth rate was 90%, the soil-covering mass within a 50 cm² area was 143.2 g, and the coefficient of variation was 13.21%, meeting the requirements for wheat sowing operations. Full article

Choosing the most sustainable and ecologically stable soil tillage techniques requires dependence on long-term field trials, which are essential for successful interventions and evidence-based decision-making. This research evaluated several factors, including soil biological activity (CO₂ emission), soil chemical properties (pH (KCl), soil organic matter (SOM)), plant growth physiological indicators (Leaf Area Index (LAI), Soil and Plant Analysis Development (SPAD)), crop yield, and grain quality (Zeleny index, protein %, oil %, and gluten % content), under six soil cultivation methods that represent varying degrees of soil disturbance in a long-term (23 years) tillage experiment. Conventional tillage (ploughing (P)) and conservational tillage techniques (loosening (L), deep cultivation (DC), shallow cultivation (SC), disking (D), and no-till (NT)) were examined for three years (2022, 2023, and 2024) in a winter barley–soybean–winter wheat cropping system. Results indicate that tillage intensity has a differential influence on soil biological parameters, with minor variations in SPAD values across treatments. The findings show significant variations in CO₂ emissions, LAI values, and grain quality in certain years, likely due to the influence of P and L tillage treatments. The novelty of this study lies in determining that, although the short-term effects of soil tillage on crop physiological parameters and grain yield may be minimal under fluctuating climatic conditions, long-term tillage practices significantly influence existing disparities, underscoring the necessity for site-specific and climate-resilient tillage strategies in sustainable crop production. Full article

Seeding depth is a critical factor influencing the uniformity and vigor of wheat seedlings. To address inconsistent seeding depth in wide-row uniform seeding agricultural practices, we performed parameter analysis and optimization experiments on the seeding depth device of a wheat wide-row uniform seeding machine. The structure and working principle of the device were described, soil movement during operation was analyzed, and the models of rotary tiller blades and soil retention plates were investigated, identifying three key factors affecting seeding quality. Using the discrete element method, a model of the seeding depth device was established, and experiments were conducted, yielding the following conclusions: 1. Single-factor experiments were conducted under different seeding rate conditions, and it was found that the effects of various factors on the two indicators, namely the seeding depth qualification rate and the coefficient of variation for seeding uniformity, were regular. 2. A quadratic orthogonal rotated combination experiment with three factors determined the optimal structural parameters: tillage device penetration depth of 120 mm, rotational speed of 310 rpm, and soil retention plate inclination angle of 27°. Under these parameters, the seed depth qualification rate exceeded 90%, and the coefficient of variation for seed distribution uniformity was below 25%. 3. Field validation tests under optimal parameters confirmed a seed depth qualification rate ≥90% and variation for seed distribution uniformity was below ≤20.69%. 4. The error between simulation and field tests was ≤5%, validating the reliability of the discrete element method-based optimization for the seeding depth device. Full article

Aiming at the problems of intensified soil compaction under the conditions of no-tillage operations and machine blockage caused by large-scale straw returning to the field, an operation mode of “straw strip collecting-strip subsoiling” was proposed, and a Monomer Profiling Strip Tillage Machine (MPSTM) with Straw-Strip-Collecting and Subsoiling Functions was designed to achieve anti-blocking operation and three-dimensional soil compaction reduction. The principle and mechanism parameters of monomer profiling in strip tillage are analyzed, and the effective profiling conditions are clarified. It is determined that the deflection angle, inclination angle, and installation spacing have a key influence on the straw clearance effect. The theory of soil failure and soil compaction reduction under the operation of the subsoiling and strip tillage mechanism is studied, and a combination of a medium-sized Subsoiler shovel handle and a 150 mm double-wing shovel is adopted. Using the EDEM discrete element method, taking the spatial parameters of the stubble clean disc (SCD) as the test factors and the straw removal rate (SRR) as the test indicator, a quadratic orthogonal rotation test is conducted to clarify the influence of each parameter on the straw clearance. The optimal SCD spatial parameters were determined as a deflection angle of 16.5°, an inclination angle of 25°, and an installation spacing of 100 mm, achieving a maximum SRR of 95.34%. Field test results demonstrated stable machine operation. Post-operation measurements yielded the following results: the width of the straw-cleaning band (WSCB) in the sowing strip is 193.7 mm; the overall straw removal rate (OSRR) is 84.82%, which is basically consistent with the simulation results; the subsoiling depth (SD) is 271.7 mm; the subsoiling depth stability (SDS) is 91.85%; the soil fragmentation rate (SFR) is 81.19%; and the reduction of soil compaction in the 0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm soil layer is 50.08%, 21.78%, and 40.83%, respectively. These results confirm that the machine effectively cleaned straw within the seeding band and reduced soil compaction, meeting the agronomic and technical requirements for strip tillage. Full article

Organic farming systems, which prohibit synthetic fertilizers, often rely on legumes for their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen (N). In orchards, legumes can be established as cover crops between tree rows to enhance nutrient cycling. This study evaluated the effects of two legume cover crops, white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), compared to a Control treatment with conventional tillage, which is the most commonly used method of soil management in the region, in an organically managed almond [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb] orchard compliant with European Union standards, in an experiment arranged as a completely randomized design. In the first year, kernel yield was highest in the Control treatment (404 kg ha⁻¹), while significantly lower yields were recorded for white lupin (246 kg ha⁻¹) and hairy vetch (283 kg ha⁻¹), likely due to competition for resources between cover crops and trees. In the second year, however, the trend reversed, with cover crop treatments yielding significantly more (Lupin: 313 kg ha⁻¹; Vetch: 296 kg ha⁻¹) than the Control (199 kg ha⁻¹). The cover crops accumulated over 150 kg ha⁻¹ of N in their tissues, enhancing soil N availability and increasing N concentrations in almond leaves. In addition to N, cover crops influenced the cycling of other nutrients, increasing potassium (K) and boron (B) concentrations while reducing calcium (Ca) and manganese (Mn) in plant tissues. Despite being derived from a two-year study, these results highlight the complexity of interpreting cover crop effects, underscoring the need for further long-term research to provide more comprehensive guidance to growers. Full article

Mycotoxin contamination in wheat, a staple food critical to human nutrition, poses significant public health concerns. This study investigated the natural occurrence of 17 mycotoxins in Tunisian durum wheat, assessed the influence of soil tillage practices on mycotoxin contamination, and performed an associated exposure risk assessment. A total of 167 wheat samples were randomly collected over two years (2021 and 2022) from fields managed under conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT) systems during both pre- and post-harvest periods. Mycotoxins were extracted using the QuEChERS method and quantified via UHPLC-MS/MS. The results demonstrated contamination by ZEN, DON, OTA, ENA1, ENB, and ENB1. Among regulated mycotoxins, OTA was the most prevalent, detected in 68 out of 167 samples with a mean concentration of 1.85 µg/kg. ZEN was the most abundant, detected in 65 samples with a mean concentration of 26.85 µg/kg, while DON was less frequently detected in 62 samples with a mean concentration of 0.68 µg/kg. Regarding emerging mycotoxins, ENB was the most prevalent and abundant, found in 51 samples with a mean concentration of 10.13 µg/kg; ENB1 and ENA1 were detected in 20 and 10 samples, with mean concentrations of 3.38 µg/kg and 1.69 µg/kg, respectively. Furthermore, mycotoxin concentrations varied according to agricultural practices. DON, ZEN, ENA1, ENB, and ENB1 showed higher frequencies and concentrations (ranging from 0.08 to 210.11 µg/kg) in samples collected during the 2021 pre-harvest period from NT fields. In contrast, OTA exhibited greater prevalence and higher concentrations (ranging from 2.33 to 9.78 µ/kg) in samples collected during the 2022 post-harvest period from CT fields. The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) of mycotoxins by Tunisian adults was calculated based on contamination levels in raw durum wheat from fields under NT and CT practices, resulting in the following values (ng/kg bw/day), with the first value corresponding to NT samples and the second to CT samples: OTA (17.3; 20.8), ZEN (466.3; 194.0), DON (8.0; 7.56), ENA1 (4.30; 18.85), ENB (105.17; 121.08), and ENB1 (49.91; 40.91). Both the Margin of Exposure (MOE) values for OTA and the Hazard Quotients (HQ) for ZEN and DON exceeded established safety thresholds, indicating potential health risks for Tunisian adults. These findings highlight the urgent need to implement stricter mycotoxin regulations in Tunisia and enhance surveillance systems. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms by which soil tillage practices influence mycotoxin contamination and to develop targeted mitigation strategies to ensure food safety. Full article

Regenerative agriculture has emerged as a new organic farming movement, initially difficult to distinguish from similar approaches. Its core concerns, such as ecosystem degradation caused by intensive farming, align with those of many other organic systems. However, regenerative agriculture prioritizes soil health, biodiversity, and social equity, setting itself apart through its scalability and flexibility. Unlike other ecological farming methods, often limited to smaller scales, regenerative agriculture aims to be implemented on large farms, typically major contributors to pollution due to reliance on external inputs like fertilizers and pesticides. Notably, regenerative certification standards are more flexible, allowing the use of industrially synthesized inputs under specific conditions, provided that regenerative principles are upheld. This review systematically examines seven core regenerative practices: no-tillage farming, crop rotation, cover cropping, green manures, intercropping, perennial cover systems, and integrated crop-livestock systems. It outlines the practical advantages and ecological benefits of each, while identifying key adoption challenges, including costs, farm size, and institutional barriers. The paper argues that addressing these issues, particularly concerning scale and socio-economic constraints, is essential for broader adoption. By synthesizing recent evidence, this review clarifies the distinctiveness of regenerative agriculture and highlights pathways for its scalable implementation. Full article

The discrete element method (DEM), based on particle dynamics, is used to simulate the technological process of soil tillage using agricultural machinery. A key aspect of the DEM for obtaining accurate agrotechnical and energy indicators of soil cultivation is the formulation of particle contact rules, determined by normal and tangential interactions as well as cohesion forces. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of discrete element method (DEM) contact models used to simulate soil cultivation processes. This study addresses a key issue—the absence of a systematic approach to selecting adequate contact models, which limits the accuracy of predicting soil behavior during interaction with agricultural machinery. A detailed classification of 17 combinations of contact models implemented in the commercial software Rocky DEM was performed, grouped into three categories: normal force models (Linear Spring [LSP], Hysteresis [HLS], Hertzian [HSD]), tangential force models (Coulomb, linear spring limit [linear], Mindlin–Deresiewicz), and cohesive force models (linear cohesion [linear], constant force [constant], Johnson–Kendall–Roberts [JKR]). Experimental validation was conducted by analyzing the angle of repose for various soil types (sandy loam, light loam, medium loam, and heavy clay) with moisture contents ranging from 11 to 31%. This analysis identified the nine most effective combinations of contact models to describe normal, tangential, and cohesive forces (LSP–Coulomb–linear, HLS–linear–linear, HLS–Coulomb–linear, HSD–linear–linear, HSD–linear–JKR, HSD–Coulomb–linear, HSD–Coulomb–JKR, HSD–Mindlin–Deresiewicz–linear, HSD–Mindlin–Deresiewicz–JKR), which showed reliable agreement with experimental angle of repose measurements at approximately 85% accuracy. This study significantly contributes to advancing computer modeling methods in agriculture by providing a scientifically grounded approach for selecting DEM contact models. Full article

Water deficiency and low water use efficiency severely constrain wheat yield in dryland regions. This study aimed to identify suitable tillage methods and straw management to improve dry matter production, grain yield, and water use efficiency of wheat in the dryland winter wheat–summer bean (hereafter referred to as wheat-soybean) double-cropping system. A long-term located field experiment (onset in October 2009) with two tillage methods—plowing (PT) and rotary tillage (RT)—and two straw management—no straw mulching (NS) and straw mulching (SM)—was conducted at a typical dryland in China. The wheat yield and yield component, dry matter accumulation and translocation characteristics, and water use efficiency were investigated from 2014 to 2018. Straw management significantly affected wheat yield and yield components, while tillage methods had no significant effect. Furthermore, the interaction of tillage methods and straw management significantly affected yield and yield components except for the spike number. RTSM significantly increased the spike number, grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, harvest index, and grain yield by 12.5%, 8.4%, 6.0%, 3.4%, and 13.4%, respectively, compared to PTNS. Likewise, RTSM significantly increased the aforementioned indicators by 14.8%, 10.1%, 7.5%, 3.6%, and 20.5%, compared to RTNS. Mechanistic analysis revealed that, compared to NS, SM not only significantly enhanced pre-anthesis and post-anthesis dry matter accumulation, and pre-anthesis dry matter tanslocation to grain, but also significantly improved pre-sowing water storage, water consumption during wheat growth, water use efficiency, and water-saving for produced per kg grain yield, with the greatest improvements obtained under RT than PT. Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) analysis confirmed RTSM’s yield superiority was mainly ascribed to straw-induced improvements in dry matter and water productivity. In a word, rotary tillage with straw mulching could be recommended as a suitable practice for high-yield wheat production in a dryland wheat-soybean double-cropping system. Full article

Due to the increasing demand for agricultural water, the water availability for winter and spring irrigation of cotton fields has decreased. Consequently, dry seeding followed by irrigation (DSSI) has become a widespread cotton cultivation technique in Xinjiang. This study focused on the interaction between soil particles and cotton seeding equipment under DSSI in Xinjiang. The discrete element method (DEM) simulation framework was employed to compare the performance of the Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) model and Bonding model in simulating contact between soil particles. The models’ ability to simulate the angle of repose was investigated, and shear tests were conducted. The simulation results showed that both models had comparable repose angles, with relative errors of 0.59% for the JKR model and 0.36% for the contact model. However, the contact model demonstrated superior predictive accuracy in simulating direct shear test results, predicting an internal friction angle of 35.8°, with a relative error of 5.8% compared to experimental measurements. In contrast, the JKR model exhibited a larger error. The Bonding model provides a more accurate description of soil particle contact. Subsoiler penetration tests showed that the maximum penetration force was 467.2 N, closely matching the simulation result of 485.3 N, which validates the reliability of the model parameters. The proposed soil simulation framework and calibrated parameters accurately represented soil mechanical properties, providing a robust basis for discrete element modeling and structural optimization of soil-tool interactions in cotton field tillage machinery. Full article

Studying the impact of different tillage practices on crop water consumption can help us identify optimal tillage practice choices. The traditional tillage (TT) and conservation tillage (CT) methods are the dominant practices in Jilin Province, China. Few studies have explored the differences in crop water consumption between TT and CT. To address this knowledge gap, this study utilized maize as its research object and employed the water footprint (WF) as the indicator to assess crop water consumption under TT and CT. This study aimed to investigate when differences in water consumption between TT and CT appear and whether the differences are significant. The results of this study demonstrated that the total WF under CT (339.65 m³ t⁻¹) was less than that under TT (378.19 m³ t⁻¹), and the spatial difference was distinct. The total WF exhibited a clear change under different CT durations. At the initial stage of CT implementation, the total WF decreased slightly compared to that under TT. With an increase in CT duration, the total WF was significantly reduced. The findings of this study demonstrate that CT is an effective measure to ensure sustainable crop production and that it could lead policymakers to choose CT to reduce water consumption. Full article

Enhancing the nutritional content of crops is crucial for safeguarding human health and mitigating global hunger. A viable method for attaining this goal is the planned implementation of various agronomic practices, including tillage and nutrient provision. A field experiment was executed at the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences in Gödöllő in the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons. The study aimed to assess the effects of foliar nutrient supply and soil tillage methods on the grain nutritional composition and mineral content of winter barley. Employing a split-plot design with three replications, the experiment included four nutrient treatments (control, bio-cereal, bio-algae, and MgSMnZn blend) and two soil tillage types (i.e., plowing and cultivator). The results indicated that while protein content was not influenced by the main effects of nutrients and tillage, the levels of β-glucan, starch, crude ash, and moisture content were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the nutrient treatments and by growing year, treated as a random factor. Notably, bio-algae and bio-cereal nutrients, combined with cultivator tillage, enhanced β-glucan content. All applied nutrient treatments increased the level of starch compared to the control. With regard to grain mineral content, the iron and zinc content responded to the nutrient supply, tillage, and growing year. However, applying a multiple-nutrient composition-based treatment did not increase iron and zinc levels, suggesting that individual applications may be more effective for increasing the content of these minerals in grains. Cultivator tillage improved iron and zinc levels. Moreover, manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu) were predominantly affected by nutrient availability and by growing seasons as a random factor. Therefore, to improve grain quality, this study emphasizes the significance of proper nutrient and tillage methods by focusing on the intricate relationships between agronomic techniques and environmental factors that shape barley’s nutritional profile. Full article