Contact/s:
Karme Petrutis
karme.petrutis@metk.agri.ee
Impact of Minimized Tillage on Soil Properties, Biota, and Environmental Conditions
Estonia
Mixed Forest Sub-region of the Atlantic Continental region of the Temperate zone
- Lower carbon footprint
- More profitable production
- Longer/optimized sawing time
- Higher organic carbon in upper soil layers
- Increased microbiological activity
- More individuals and species of earthworms
Thematic Areas
Production System/s
Summary for Practicioners on the Main Finding(s)/Innovative solution(s)
The organic carbon content is vertically stratified in direct cropping fields. In the upper 0-5 cm soil layers, its content is increased, in the lower layers decreased. In traditionally ploughed soils the crop content is more uniform. Soluble phosphorus and potassium are also vertically stratified in direct cropped fields. Such fields may acidify more rapidly and require liming. There were no major problems with excessive trampling of soils. Soil microbiological activity was higher in direct seeding fields. Earthworm abundance tended to be higher in ploughed fields, but the number of earthworm species tended to be higher in direct-sown fields. The use of plant protection products of direct-sowed fields was significantly higher compared to the ploughed fields. More pesticide residues were detected in the soil and mulch of direct broadcast fields than in plough-based fields.
The aim of direct sowing is to maximize soil protection, reduce emissions and create a larger window for optimal sowing at minimum cost to the producer. Direct sowing has been tested for example in winter wheat, peas, beans, barley, winter oilseed rape, catch crops and grasslands in Estonia. With direct sowing, the tractor hours and labour costs can be reduced. We can also save soil, increase soil carbon and significantly reduce CO2 emissions. Indeed, ploughing should only be used when it is absolutely necessary (e.g. after extensive land preparation).
Summary for Practicioners in Native Language
Orgaanilise süsiniku sisaldus on otsekülvipõldudel vertikaalselt kihistunud. Ülemises 0-5 cm mullakihis on selle sisaldus suurenenud, alumistes vähenenud. Traditsiooniliselt kündes on aga Crog sisaldus mullaprofiilis ühtlane. Liikuva fosfori ja kaaliumi sisaldus on samuti otsekülvipõldudel vertikaalselt kihistunud. Otsekülvi põllud võivad hapestuda kiiremini ning vajada lupjamist. Muldade liigse tallamisega suuri probleeme ei esinenud. Mulla mikrobioloogiline aktiivsus olid kõrgemad otsekülviga põldudel. Vihmausside arvukus oli pigem suurem künnipõhistel põldudel, kuid vihmausside liikide arv oli suurem pigem otsekülviga põldudel. Taimekaitsevahendeid kasutavad otsekülvi rakendajad oluliselt rohkem kui künnipõhise tehnoloogia kasutajad. Otsekülvi põldude mullas ja multšis tuvastati rohkem taimekaitsevahendite jääke kui künnipõhistel põldudel. Otsekülvi praktiseerimisel on tootja eesmärk kaitsta minimaalsete kuludega maksimaalselt mulda, vähendada heitmeid ja tekitada suurem ajaaken optimaalseks külviajaks. Otsekülvi on katsetatud talinisu, herne, oa, odra, talirapsi, vahekultuuride, aga ka rohumaade rajamisel. Otsekülviga saab ta vähendada traktorite töötunde ja tööjõukulu, säästa mulda, kasvatada süsiniku hulka mullas ja vähendada oluliselt CO2 heidet. Künda tuleks tõesti ainult siis, kui see on hädavajalik (nt peale ulatuslikke maaparandustöid).
Longer Description
The organic carbon content is vertically stratified in direct cropping fields. In the upper 0-5 cm soil layers, its content is increased, in the lower layers decreased. In traditionally ploughed soils the crop content is more uniform. Soluble phosphorus and potassium are also vertically stratified in direct cropped fields. Such fields may acidify more rapidly and require liming. There were no major problems with excessive trampling of soils. Soil microbiological activity was higher in direct seeding fields. Earthworm abundance tended to be higher in ploughed fields, but the number of earthworm species tended to be higher in direct-sown fields. The use of plant protection products of direct-sowed fields was significantly higher compared to the ploughed fields. More pesticide residues were detected in the soil and mulch of direct broadcast fields than in plough-based fields.
The aim of direct sowing is to maximize soil protection, reduce emissions and create a larger window for optimal sowing at minimum cost to the producer. Direct sowing has been tested for example in winter wheat, peas, beans, barley, winter oilseed rape, catch crops and grasslands in Estonia. With direct sowing, the tractor hours and labour costs can be reduced. We can also save soil, increase soil carbon and significantly reduce CO2 emissions. Indeed, ploughing should only be used when it is absolutely necessary (e.g. after extensive land preparation).