4.Land Preparation.pptx

Land Preparation

1. Land Preparation Crop Science 2 Alminda M. Fernandez, Ph.D. University of Southeastern Philippines Tagum – Mabini Campus

2. Land preparation is a combination of tillage practices that places the soil in the best physical condition for plant establishment and crop growth. covers a range of soil disturbances from zero-tillage, which minimizes soil disturbance through to a totally ‘ puddled ’ soil, which actually destroys soil structure.

3. Aims of Land preparation Loosen the soil to facilitate the penetration of plant roots Improve aeration (N, O) Increase infiltration of water Reduce evaporation Destroy or control weeds and soil pests Incorporate crop residues and manures into the soil

4. Aims of Land preparation Prepare the site for seeds and seedlings Repair soil compaction caused by previous activities Decrease ped or clod size Reduce wind and water erosion by leaving a rough surface Stimulate microbial activity

5. What is the appropriate tillage system, pattern and equipment for your field? Dry and level field   Wet and level field

6. Dry tillage – manual, animal, mechanical?

7. Wet tillage – manual, animal, mechanical?

8. Types of Tillage Operations Primary tillage Secondary tillage Seedbed preparation Inter tillage

9. Primary tillage the most aggressive tillage operation undertaken when the soil is wet enough to allow the field to be ploughed and strong enough to give reasonable levels of traction after the crop harvest or at the beginning of the next wet season includes the ploughing operation which is opening of the compacted soil with the help of different ploughs

10. Ploughing

11. objectives of primary tillage Open the hard soil Separate the top soil from lower layers Invert the soil whenever necessary Till the soil to attain a reasonable depth (10-15cm ) with varying clod sizes Kill weeds  by burying or  cutting  and exposing the roots Soil aeration and water accumulation Chop and incorporate crop residues                   

12. Primary Tillage Implements Moldboard plough one-way disc plough Tine disc plough Offset disc plough

13. Moldboard plough causes total inversion of the soil sod and relies on the digging point for penetration throws the soil in one direction least damage to soil structure works well in very hard soil conditions but no built stump or obstacle protection

14. One-way disc used with 4-wheel tractor causes total inversion of the soil sod and relies on the ploughs in built weight for penetration throws the soil in one direction works well in hard soil and heavy trash conditions and can ride over stumps or obstacle in the soil Power requirement is less than a moldboard

15. Offset disc for 4-wheel tractor capable of operating offset from the tractor throws the soil in different direction very versatile and can be operated in any ploughing pattern widely used in upland situations

16. Tine plough most versatile used in secondary tillage modified to be used as a seed drill dry working situations cut the soil rather than invert the soil kill weeds by cutting and lifting the weeds to the surface lower power requirements

17. Secondary Tillage any working completed after primary tillage shallower and less aggressive includes the operations performed after ploughing such as leveling, discing , harrowing etc.

18. Secondary Tillage Implements peg tooth harrow disc harrow tined cultivator rotary tiller inter row cultivator

19. Peg tooth harrow used in animal and 2-wheel tractor powered systems for second workings, soil puddling and land leveling

20. Disc cultivator used in dry fields and upland situations very aggressive action of the plough gives good weed control and cuts and buries crop residues

21. Tined cultivator used for secondary tillage and as a seed drill dry working situations cut the soil rather than invert the soil kill weeds by cutting and lifting the weeds to the surface

22. Rotovator for secondary workings and especially seedbed preparation Upland and flooded fields very aggressive action, which pulverizes the soil and buries weeds and crop residues

23. Upland Tillage aerobic soil conditions non- puddled soils no freestanding water in the fields too dry soils will not till easily, in clay soils large clods may be formed very wet, near soil saturation, smearing and soil sealing can become problems water erosion can be a problem and ploughing on the contour is recommended

24. Seedbed Preparation for germination of seeds & growth of crops, called as SEEDBED includes harrowing, leveling, compacting the soil, preparing irrigation layouts such as basins, borders, rides & furrows etc. carried out by using hand tools or implements like harrow, rollers plank, rider etc.

25. Inter tillage carried out in the standing crop after sowing or planting and prior to the harvesting of crop plants includes gap filling , thinning , weeding , mulching, top dressing of fertilizers, hoeing, earthling up etc.

26. Tillage Patterns reduces the time spent in non-productive work minimize the number of turns and maximize the length of the tillage runs circuitous, up and back or headland and working in lands

27. Circuitous pattern used with moldboards, discs and offset discs most animals are accustomed to working ends up with a large cut out furrow in the center – difficult to drain and get an even depth of cultivation

28. Up and back or headland pattern runs parallel to each other used for tined implements, rotovators , harrows and reversible ploughs most field efficient system and if equipment is correctly set up and operated should not leave furrows in the field.

29. Land system ploughing to begin in the center of the field and works out to the edges Requires measurement of the field to establish the center point used with all types of ploughs

30. The use of animals The advantages of using animals include: cheap to maintain multi-purpose use for meat and milk, self-replacement and manure production

31. The use of animals Disadvantage of using animals include: have limited daily working hours need feeding need protection against pests and disease. slow high person to power ratio limited range of working conditions require training

32. The use of human power Tasks undertaken include: land preparation including ploughing , soil leveling and constructing levees and drains plant establishment pest control crop harvesting and transporting grain processing

33. Human Power

34. The use of Machines The advantages multi-purpose vehicle operate in harder conditions than animals or humans operate in both wet and dry conditions fairly simple mechanical design The disadvantages cost of owning and operating operator fatigue, although ride-on versions are now available.

35. Use of Machines

36. CONSERVATION VERSUS CONVENTIONAL TILLAGE Conventional tillage : Mechanized systems Traditional tillage Conservation tillage : no-tillage (slot planting), mulch tillage, strip or zonal tillage, ridge till (including no-till on ridges) reduced or minimum tillage.

37. Conventional tillage system Mechanized system mechanical soil manipulation of an entire field, by ploughing followed by one or more harrowings Traditional tillage manual labour , using native tools (cutlass and hoe ) clearing is non-exhaustive, leaving cover on the soil and the root system

38. No tillage one-pass planting and fertilizer operation soil and the surface residues are minimally disturbed (Parr  et al . 1990) eliminate all preplanting mechanical seedbed preparation only opening of a narrow (2-3 cm wide) strip or small hole in the ground for seed placement to ensure adequate seed/soil contact

39. No tillage Weed control thru herbicides and crop rotation soil surface is covered by crop residue mulch or killed sod appropriate for Luvisols in the humid tropics Wheat, coffee, others in some parts of USA Slow adoption

40. No tillage Advantage more effective control of soil erosion increased water storage lower energy costs per unit of production higher grain yields Disadvantage chemical fallow heavy use of herbicides for weed control

41. Mulch tillage causing least soil disturbance leaving the maximum of crop residue on the soil surface obtaining a quick germination, adequate stand and a satisfactory yield ( Lal 1975, 1986) chisel plough can be used in the previously shredded crop residue to break open any hard crust or hard pan in the soil Coffee, banana, wheat, barley in USA

42. Strip or zonal tillage seedbed is divided into a seedling zone and a soil management zone ( Lal , 1973, 1983) the seedling zone (5 to 10 cm wide) is mechanically tilled to optimize the soil for germination and seedling establishment interrow zone is left undisturbed and protected by mulch also achieved by chiselling in the row zone to assist water infiltration and root proliferation.

43. Ridge till soil is left undisturbed prior to planting one-third of the soil surface is tilled at planting with sweeps or row cleaners planting of row crops is done on preformed cultivated ridges weeds are controlled by herbicides maize and soybean production in the USA (Parr  et al . 1990)

44. Reduced or minimum tillage tillage and cultivation systems not covered above but meets the 30% residue requirement ( Laryea   et al . 1991) Africa

45. Till or not to Till? Tillage Improves aeration Incorporates crop residues Facilitates root penetration Suppresses weeds Zero-tillage Improves soil structure Maintains soil organic matter Supports soil organism Prevents soil erosion

46. Lesson to be learnt Soil cultivation can have positive or negative impact on soil fertility Frequent tillage can lead to decrease of soil organic matter, nutrient losses, and soil erosion Soil cultivation should aim on a minimum disturbance on soil life…….

47. How to control Soil Erosion? COVER methods Mulching Green manure Mixed cropping and intercropping Early planting Crop residues Agroforestry Minimum cultivation

48. How to control Soil Erosion? 2. BARRIER methods Man-made terraces Contour ploughing Contour barriers Natural terraces Medias lunas

49. Medias lunas This is a helpful system for reclaiming badly eroded land which has been used successfully in Bolivia.  Medias lunas  or crescent shaped depressions are built on sloping land. The crescent shapes are built at the end of the rainy season so the ridges made can be compacted well.

50. Medias lunas The crescent collects the rainwater and soil. Trees - usually legumes - are planted when the next rainy season begins and protected by thorn branches from grazing animals. After 3 or 4 years each media luna will be covered with vegetation. Later, as the soil continues to improve, crops may be grown in the medias lunas .