The Experts below are selected from a list of 309 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

David A. Lobb - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Tillage erosion within potato production systems in atlantic canada i measurement of Tillage translocation by Implements used in seedbed preparation
    Soil & Tillage Research, 2007
    Co-Authors: K H D Tiessen, David A. Lobb, G.r. Mehuys, H W Rees
    Abstract:

    Abstract In Canada, there is growing acceptance that Tillage erosion is a serious form of soil degradation and a threat to the sustainability of agriculture across the country. To date, the potential risk for Tillage erosion within potato production systems has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to generate Tillage translocation values for primary and secondary Tillage Implements common to seedbed preparation within conventionally and conservation tilled potato production systems in Atlantic Canada. Tillage translocation was measured for each implement by labelling a plot of soil with a tracer. The tracer redistribution along the path of Tillage was used to generate a summation curve to calculate mean soil movement in the direction of Tillage. The results show that each primary and secondary Tillage operation moved vast quantities of soil and is potentially erosive. Maximum displacement distances were considerably larger in this project than those reported in previous studies looking at Tillage erosion by primary and/or secondary Tillage Implements. All four Tillage Implements tested moved soil at least 3 m, with the greatest translocated distances (5.6 m) observed for the chisel plough (CP) and vibrashank (VS). The mass of translocated soil (TM) was greatest for the CP, followed by the mouldboard plough (MP), VS and offset disc (OD). In addition, compared to travelling downslope, the upslope speed of Tillage was reduced by 38%, 21%, 32% and 12% for the MP, CP, OD and VS, respectively, while the depth of Tillage was reduced by 6%, 5%, 35% and 2%, respectively. It is apparent that conservation Tillage Implements (the CP is generally promoted to reduce water erosion in Atlantic Canada) and secondary Tillage Implements (OD and VS) can move as much soil as conventional Tillage Implements such as the mouldboard plough, and must be considered when developing plans to reduce soil erosion within potato fields in Atlantic Canada.

  • Tillage translocation and Tillage erosion in cereal-based production in Manitoba, Canada
    Soil & Tillage Research, 2007
    Co-Authors: Sheng Li, David A. Lobb, M.j. Lindstrom
    Abstract:

    Tillage erosion is a potential contributor to the total soil erosion occurring within cultivated fields. No study has been carried out on Tillage erosion associated with cereal-based production systems, which are the predominant form of crop production in the Canadian Prairies. Previous Tillage translocation studies have focused on primary Tillage Implements (i.e. mouldboard and chisel ploughs), with slope gradient normally assumed to be the only factor that affects Tillage translocation. Currently, there is a lack of information available with regards to the effect of secondary Tillage and seeding Implements and of slope curvature toward total Tillage translocation and erosion. In this study, 77 plots were established within a field site in southern Manitoba, Canada to examine Tillage translocation caused by four Tillage Implements: air-seeder, spring-tooth-harrow, light-cultivator and deep-tiller. Together, these four Implements create a typical conventional Tillage sequence for cereal-based production in Canadian Prairies. We determined that secondary Tillage Implements could be as erosive as primary Tillage Implements. In addition, the erosivity of the air-seeder was comparable to that of the deep-tiller, the primary Tillage implement, when seeding was conducted shortly after the light-cultivator. In the majority of cases, Tillage translocation could be explained by slope gradient alone, confirming that slope gradient is the main factor driving Tillage translocation. However, slope curvature also significantly affected Tillage translocation and should be used for future modeling.

  • Tillage translocation and Tillage erosion in the complex upland landscapes of southwestern Ontario, Canada
    Soil & Tillage Research, 1999
    Co-Authors: David A. Lobb, R. Gary Kachanoski, Murray H Miller
    Abstract:

    Tillage translocation and Tillage erosion were measured throughout the topographically complex landscapes of two fields in the upland region of southwestern Ontario. Translocation of soil by Tillage was measured by labelling plots of soil with chloride and measuring the tracer's forward displacement in response to single passes by four Tillage Implements (mouldboard plough, chisel plough, tandem disc and field cultivator). The change in translocation within the landscape was used to measure Tillage erosion. All four Implements were erosive. A relationship between Tillage translocation and slope gradient was observed; however, the variability in translocation could not be explained by slope gradient alone. Slope curvature was responsible for some translocation through the planning action of Tillage Implements. Tillage depth and speed were subject to considerable discontinuous and inconsistent manipulation by the operator in response to changing topographic and soil conditions. Tillage speed decreased by as much as 60% during upslope Tillage and increased by as much as 30% during downslope Tillage, relative to that on level ground. Tillage depth decreased by as much as 20% and increased by as much as 30%, relative to that on level ground. This manipulation is typical for Tillage in complex landscapes and was presumed largely responsible for the variability in the results. The manipulation of Tillage depth and speed are affected by the tractor-implement match and the responsiveness of the Tillage operator.

A. A. Tagar - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • soil fragmentation and aggregate stability as affected by conventional Tillage Implements and relations with fractal dimensions
    Soil & Tillage Research, 2020
    Co-Authors: A. A. Tagar, Jan Adamowski, A. S. Soomro, Muhammad Sohail Memon, A.s. Mashori, W.a. Bhayo
    Abstract:

    Due to a lack of accurate information regarding soil aggregate size distribution and stability, farmers in Sindh, Pakistan often apply excessive Tillage, creating an overly fine seedbed that can lead to the depletion of soil organic matter (SOM) and make the soil more vulnerable to wind and water erosion. The current paper investigates the effects of conventional Tillage Implements on soil fragmentation and aggregate stability, along with how these factors relate to fractal dimensions. The study aims to: (i) achieve a better understanding of soil structure and establish which Tillage implement provides the best soil structure and (ii) determine the function that best describes the proportion of small aggregates in the soil. Six Tillage treatments were studied, including: moldboard plough + disk harrow two passes (MPDH₂), disk plough + cultivator two passes (DPC₂), cultivator two passes (C₂), cultivator four passes (C₄), cultivator six passes (C₆), and minimum Tillage (disk harrow one pass) (MT) for a clay loam soil. At each of two depths (0-0.15 m and 0.16-0.30 m), four soil samples from randomly selected locations in each plot were collected (3 blocks × 6 Tillage × 2 depths × 4 samples, n = 144) with the help of a soil auger. Aggregate size distribution was measured by a dry sieving method, and aggregate stability was determined by a wet sieving method. The correlations between mean weight diameter (MWD), mass fractal dimension (Dₘ), and soil aggregation were investigated. The greatest proportions of small aggregates and the lowest proportions of intermediate aggregates were found under DPC₂ followed by C₆, while a greater proportion of intermediate aggregates and a lower proportion of small aggregates was observed under MT. However large aggregates (>25 mm) were negligible across all treatments. The highest values of Dₘ were found after DPC₂, while the highest values of MWD were found after MT. The highest proportion of water stable aggregates (WSA) was found under DPC₂, while the lowest proportion was found under MPDH₂ followed by MT. Similarly, aggregate stability was greatest under DPC₂. Across all Tillage Implements, the highest fuel consumption was recorded under C₆ followed by MPDH₂, while the lowest occurred under MT. The Dₘ showed a negative correlation with intermediate aggregates (5.0–25.0 mm) and a positive correlation with small aggregates (<5.0 mm), while MWD had a positive correlation with intermediate aggregates (5.0–25.0 mm) and a negative correlation with small aggregates (<5.0 mm). Similarly, Dₘ was negatively correlated with MWD. This suggests that farmers should adopt the technique of using a disk plough followed by two passes of the cultivator to achieve the best possible seedbed conditions in a clay loam soil. Higher values of Dₘ and lower values of MWD may be used to quantify fine seedbeds, with the converse being preferable for quantifying coarse seedbeds.

  • Soil fragmentation and aggregate stability as affected by conventional Tillage Implements and relations with fractal dimensions
    Soil and Tillage Research, 2020
    Co-Authors: A. A. Tagar, Jan Adamowski, Muhammad Sohail Memon, Minh Cuong, A.s. Mashori, Ashifa Soomro, W.a. Bhayo
    Abstract:

    Due to a lack of accurate information regarding soil aggregate size distribution and stability, farmers in Sindh, Pakistan often apply excessive Tillage, creating an overly fine seedbed that can lead to the depletion of soil organic matter (SOM) and make the soil more vulnerable to wind and water erosion. The current paper investigates the effects of conventional Tillage Implements on soil fragmentation and aggregate stability, along with how these factors relate to fractal dimensions. The study aims to: (i) achieve a better understanding of soil structure and establish which Tillage implement provides the best soil structure and (ii) determine the function that best describes the proportion of small aggregates in the soil. Six Tillage treatments were studied, including: moldboard plough + disk harrow two passes (MPDH₂), disk plough + cultivator two passes (DPC₂), cultivator two passes (C₂), cultivator four passes (C₄), cultivator six passes (C₆), and minimum Tillage (disk harrow one pass) (MT) for a clay loam soil. At each of two depths (0-0.15 m and 0.16-0.30 m), four soil samples from randomly selected locations in each plot were collected (3 blocks × 6 Tillage × 2 depths × 4 samples, n = 144) with the help of a soil auger. Aggregate size distribution was measured by a dry sieving method, and aggregate stability was determined by a wet sieving method. The correlations between mean weight diameter (MWD), mass fractal dimension (Dₘ), and soil aggregation were investigated. The greatest proportions of small aggregates and the lowest proportions of intermediate aggregates were found under DPC₂ followed by C₆, while a greater proportion of intermediate aggregates and a lower proportion of small aggregates was observed under MT. However large aggregates (>25 mm) were negligible across all treatments. The highest values of Dₘ were found after DPC₂, while the highest values of MWD were found after MT. The highest proportion of water stable aggregates (WSA) was found under DPC₂, while the lowest proportion was found under MPDH₂ followed by MT. Similarly, aggregate stability was greatest under DPC₂. Across all Tillage Implements, the highest fuel consumption was recorded under C₆ followed by MPDH₂, while the lowest occurred under MT. The Dₘ showed a negative correlation with intermediate aggregates (5.0–25.0 mm) and a positive correlation with small aggregates (

  • Assessment of implement efficiency and soil structure under different conventional Tillage Implements and soil moisture contents in a silty loam soil
    CATENA, 2017
    Co-Authors: A. A. Tagar, M.a. Gujjar, Jan Adamowski, Naimatullah Leghari, A. S. Soomro
    Abstract:

    Abstract Farmers' use of Tillage Implements under extremely dry soil conditions, ignoring optimum soil moisture conditions, results in low field efficiency, high fuel consumption and ultimately poor soil structure. Accordingly, the effect of Tillage, applied under a range of near-plastic-limit soil moisture contents, on the efficiency of conventional Tillage Implements and subsequent soil structure, was investigated. Two conventional Tillage systems: (i) moldboard plough followed by two cultivator passes and (ii) disk plough followed by two cultivator passes, were factorially combined with four soil moisture contents ( θ ) at Tillage: dry soil, θ  = 5.0% w/w, and at 70, 80 and 90% of the moisture content at the soil's plastic limit (0.7 θ pl , 0.8 θ pl and 0.9 θ pl , respectively). The lowest field efficiency was observed under dry conditions, with a significant increase in efficiency at 0.7 θ pl , a further increase at 0.8 θ pl , and a subsequent decrease, compared to 0.7 θ pl and 0.8 θ pl , at 0.9 θ pl . Similarly, fuel consumption was greatest under dry conditions, decreasing at 0.7 θ pl and 0.8 θ pl , only to increase again at 0.9 θ pl . Overall, the lowest fuel consumption occurred at 0.8 θ pl . Under dry soil conditions the proportion of large aggregates (> 8 mm) was the lowest and that of small aggregates ( θ pl the converse was the case. At 0.7 θ pl and 0.8 θ pl , the proportions of large and small aggregates were low, while the proportion of desirable aggregates was greatest. At 0.8 θ pl the proportion of medium aggregates was greater than that at 0.7 θ pl . Therefore, in terms of post-Tillage soil structure 0.8 θ pl was deemed the optimum θ for Tillage of a silty loam soil. The aggregate stability of soil was higher under dry conditions and 0.7 θ pl , and lower at 0.8 θ pl and 0.9 θ pl under both moldboard and disk ploughing. A somewhat similar trend was observed under both conventional Tillage Implements; however, the disk plough followed by two cultivator passes offered a better performance in terms of field efficiency and soil properties than did the moldboard plough followed by two cultivator passes.

W.a. Bhayo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • soil fragmentation and aggregate stability as affected by conventional Tillage Implements and relations with fractal dimensions
    Soil & Tillage Research, 2020
    Co-Authors: A. A. Tagar, Jan Adamowski, A. S. Soomro, Muhammad Sohail Memon, A.s. Mashori, W.a. Bhayo
    Abstract:

    Due to a lack of accurate information regarding soil aggregate size distribution and stability, farmers in Sindh, Pakistan often apply excessive Tillage, creating an overly fine seedbed that can lead to the depletion of soil organic matter (SOM) and make the soil more vulnerable to wind and water erosion. The current paper investigates the effects of conventional Tillage Implements on soil fragmentation and aggregate stability, along with how these factors relate to fractal dimensions. The study aims to: (i) achieve a better understanding of soil structure and establish which Tillage implement provides the best soil structure and (ii) determine the function that best describes the proportion of small aggregates in the soil. Six Tillage treatments were studied, including: moldboard plough + disk harrow two passes (MPDH₂), disk plough + cultivator two passes (DPC₂), cultivator two passes (C₂), cultivator four passes (C₄), cultivator six passes (C₆), and minimum Tillage (disk harrow one pass) (MT) for a clay loam soil. At each of two depths (0-0.15 m and 0.16-0.30 m), four soil samples from randomly selected locations in each plot were collected (3 blocks × 6 Tillage × 2 depths × 4 samples, n = 144) with the help of a soil auger. Aggregate size distribution was measured by a dry sieving method, and aggregate stability was determined by a wet sieving method. The correlations between mean weight diameter (MWD), mass fractal dimension (Dₘ), and soil aggregation were investigated. The greatest proportions of small aggregates and the lowest proportions of intermediate aggregates were found under DPC₂ followed by C₆, while a greater proportion of intermediate aggregates and a lower proportion of small aggregates was observed under MT. However large aggregates (>25 mm) were negligible across all treatments. The highest values of Dₘ were found after DPC₂, while the highest values of MWD were found after MT. The highest proportion of water stable aggregates (WSA) was found under DPC₂, while the lowest proportion was found under MPDH₂ followed by MT. Similarly, aggregate stability was greatest under DPC₂. Across all Tillage Implements, the highest fuel consumption was recorded under C₆ followed by MPDH₂, while the lowest occurred under MT. The Dₘ showed a negative correlation with intermediate aggregates (5.0–25.0 mm) and a positive correlation with small aggregates (<5.0 mm), while MWD had a positive correlation with intermediate aggregates (5.0–25.0 mm) and a negative correlation with small aggregates (<5.0 mm). Similarly, Dₘ was negatively correlated with MWD. This suggests that farmers should adopt the technique of using a disk plough followed by two passes of the cultivator to achieve the best possible seedbed conditions in a clay loam soil. Higher values of Dₘ and lower values of MWD may be used to quantify fine seedbeds, with the converse being preferable for quantifying coarse seedbeds.

  • Soil fragmentation and aggregate stability as affected by conventional Tillage Implements and relations with fractal dimensions
    Soil and Tillage Research, 2020
    Co-Authors: A. A. Tagar, Jan Adamowski, Muhammad Sohail Memon, Minh Cuong, A.s. Mashori, Ashifa Soomro, W.a. Bhayo
    Abstract:

    Due to a lack of accurate information regarding soil aggregate size distribution and stability, farmers in Sindh, Pakistan often apply excessive Tillage, creating an overly fine seedbed that can lead to the depletion of soil organic matter (SOM) and make the soil more vulnerable to wind and water erosion. The current paper investigates the effects of conventional Tillage Implements on soil fragmentation and aggregate stability, along with how these factors relate to fractal dimensions. The study aims to: (i) achieve a better understanding of soil structure and establish which Tillage implement provides the best soil structure and (ii) determine the function that best describes the proportion of small aggregates in the soil. Six Tillage treatments were studied, including: moldboard plough + disk harrow two passes (MPDH₂), disk plough + cultivator two passes (DPC₂), cultivator two passes (C₂), cultivator four passes (C₄), cultivator six passes (C₆), and minimum Tillage (disk harrow one pass) (MT) for a clay loam soil. At each of two depths (0-0.15 m and 0.16-0.30 m), four soil samples from randomly selected locations in each plot were collected (3 blocks × 6 Tillage × 2 depths × 4 samples, n = 144) with the help of a soil auger. Aggregate size distribution was measured by a dry sieving method, and aggregate stability was determined by a wet sieving method. The correlations between mean weight diameter (MWD), mass fractal dimension (Dₘ), and soil aggregation were investigated. The greatest proportions of small aggregates and the lowest proportions of intermediate aggregates were found under DPC₂ followed by C₆, while a greater proportion of intermediate aggregates and a lower proportion of small aggregates was observed under MT. However large aggregates (>25 mm) were negligible across all treatments. The highest values of Dₘ were found after DPC₂, while the highest values of MWD were found after MT. The highest proportion of water stable aggregates (WSA) was found under DPC₂, while the lowest proportion was found under MPDH₂ followed by MT. Similarly, aggregate stability was greatest under DPC₂. Across all Tillage Implements, the highest fuel consumption was recorded under C₆ followed by MPDH₂, while the lowest occurred under MT. The Dₘ showed a negative correlation with intermediate aggregates (5.0–25.0 mm) and a positive correlation with small aggregates (

B. Berre - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Soil fragmentation and the efficiency of Tillage Implements
    Soil & Tillage Research, 2001
    Co-Authors: R. Berntsen, B. Berre
    Abstract:

    Abstract In field experiments conducted over a period of 6 years, seedbed preparation was carried out on four different sites with clay contents of 45, 27, 24 and 15%. Over the years soil conditions varied considerably. Seedbed preparation was conducted in the spring with Implements of different designs such as drags and harrows, twin rotor, gyro- and rotaspikes. In analysing the fragmentation due to Tillage, the soils could be grouped according to moisture contents and soil compaction. Soil with a moisture content greater than 0.20 kg kg −1 was classified as wet soil irrespective of the state of compactness. Soil with a lower moisture content was classified as moist soil and divided into the following compactness states: loosened, workable and compacted. Loosened soil was ploughed or chiselled just before seedbed preparation, workable soil was autumn ploughed and compacted soil was unploughed. A normalisation procedure transforming the fragmentation effect and the specific energy supply to dimensionless quantities eliminated the difference between all the unloosened soil states, i.e. states where the soil was a continuous compact material. This normalisation procedure related the increase in aggregate surface area to the initial surface area. The specific energy supply was related to the specific energy needed to fracture a clod or to fracture the soil in the ground with a bevameter. With this normalisation procedure the fragmentation effect of the three compact states—workable, compacted and wet soils—was described by the same function. Loosened soil was, however, still different and had a much lower effective fragmentation than the other states. In general, the strength of the clods determined the fragmentation in this soil state. The normalisation procedure provided a basis for an investigation of the energy efficiency of fragmentation of various Tillage Implements and tools. For the compact soil states, drags were superior in fragmentation compared to harrows and rotary Implements ( ∗∗ P . There was no difference in fragmentation between harrows and rotary fragmentation Implements. For the loosened soil state, there was no significant difference between the three implement groups. Rotary Implements seemed, however, to be more effective in the conversion of energy to fragmentation.

  • Fracturing of soil clods and the soil crumbling effectiveness of draught Tillage Implements
    Soil and Tillage Research, 1993
    Co-Authors: R. Berntsen, B. Berre
    Abstract:

    Abstract An effectiveness criterion relating the mechanical work done by an implement on a soil and the aggregate size reduction obtained, is formulated. It relies on a drop test of soil clods giving a linear relation between the drop energy and the new aggregate surface created when the clod fractures. The aggregate size reduction effectiveness of six draught Tillage Implements is investigated and one version is found to be the best. The aggregate size distribution after Tillage work was mainly independent of the implement used, and largely determined by the soil state and the soil's ability to store strain-energy before fracture.

Jan Adamowski - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • soil fragmentation and aggregate stability as affected by conventional Tillage Implements and relations with fractal dimensions
    Soil & Tillage Research, 2020
    Co-Authors: A. A. Tagar, Jan Adamowski, A. S. Soomro, Muhammad Sohail Memon, A.s. Mashori, W.a. Bhayo
    Abstract:

    Due to a lack of accurate information regarding soil aggregate size distribution and stability, farmers in Sindh, Pakistan often apply excessive Tillage, creating an overly fine seedbed that can lead to the depletion of soil organic matter (SOM) and make the soil more vulnerable to wind and water erosion. The current paper investigates the effects of conventional Tillage Implements on soil fragmentation and aggregate stability, along with how these factors relate to fractal dimensions. The study aims to: (i) achieve a better understanding of soil structure and establish which Tillage implement provides the best soil structure and (ii) determine the function that best describes the proportion of small aggregates in the soil. Six Tillage treatments were studied, including: moldboard plough + disk harrow two passes (MPDH₂), disk plough + cultivator two passes (DPC₂), cultivator two passes (C₂), cultivator four passes (C₄), cultivator six passes (C₆), and minimum Tillage (disk harrow one pass) (MT) for a clay loam soil. At each of two depths (0-0.15 m and 0.16-0.30 m), four soil samples from randomly selected locations in each plot were collected (3 blocks × 6 Tillage × 2 depths × 4 samples, n = 144) with the help of a soil auger. Aggregate size distribution was measured by a dry sieving method, and aggregate stability was determined by a wet sieving method. The correlations between mean weight diameter (MWD), mass fractal dimension (Dₘ), and soil aggregation were investigated. The greatest proportions of small aggregates and the lowest proportions of intermediate aggregates were found under DPC₂ followed by C₆, while a greater proportion of intermediate aggregates and a lower proportion of small aggregates was observed under MT. However large aggregates (>25 mm) were negligible across all treatments. The highest values of Dₘ were found after DPC₂, while the highest values of MWD were found after MT. The highest proportion of water stable aggregates (WSA) was found under DPC₂, while the lowest proportion was found under MPDH₂ followed by MT. Similarly, aggregate stability was greatest under DPC₂. Across all Tillage Implements, the highest fuel consumption was recorded under C₆ followed by MPDH₂, while the lowest occurred under MT. The Dₘ showed a negative correlation with intermediate aggregates (5.0–25.0 mm) and a positive correlation with small aggregates (<5.0 mm), while MWD had a positive correlation with intermediate aggregates (5.0–25.0 mm) and a negative correlation with small aggregates (<5.0 mm). Similarly, Dₘ was negatively correlated with MWD. This suggests that farmers should adopt the technique of using a disk plough followed by two passes of the cultivator to achieve the best possible seedbed conditions in a clay loam soil. Higher values of Dₘ and lower values of MWD may be used to quantify fine seedbeds, with the converse being preferable for quantifying coarse seedbeds.

  • Soil fragmentation and aggregate stability as affected by conventional Tillage Implements and relations with fractal dimensions
    Soil and Tillage Research, 2020
    Co-Authors: A. A. Tagar, Jan Adamowski, Muhammad Sohail Memon, Minh Cuong, A.s. Mashori, Ashifa Soomro, W.a. Bhayo
    Abstract:

    Due to a lack of accurate information regarding soil aggregate size distribution and stability, farmers in Sindh, Pakistan often apply excessive Tillage, creating an overly fine seedbed that can lead to the depletion of soil organic matter (SOM) and make the soil more vulnerable to wind and water erosion. The current paper investigates the effects of conventional Tillage Implements on soil fragmentation and aggregate stability, along with how these factors relate to fractal dimensions. The study aims to: (i) achieve a better understanding of soil structure and establish which Tillage implement provides the best soil structure and (ii) determine the function that best describes the proportion of small aggregates in the soil. Six Tillage treatments were studied, including: moldboard plough + disk harrow two passes (MPDH₂), disk plough + cultivator two passes (DPC₂), cultivator two passes (C₂), cultivator four passes (C₄), cultivator six passes (C₆), and minimum Tillage (disk harrow one pass) (MT) for a clay loam soil. At each of two depths (0-0.15 m and 0.16-0.30 m), four soil samples from randomly selected locations in each plot were collected (3 blocks × 6 Tillage × 2 depths × 4 samples, n = 144) with the help of a soil auger. Aggregate size distribution was measured by a dry sieving method, and aggregate stability was determined by a wet sieving method. The correlations between mean weight diameter (MWD), mass fractal dimension (Dₘ), and soil aggregation were investigated. The greatest proportions of small aggregates and the lowest proportions of intermediate aggregates were found under DPC₂ followed by C₆, while a greater proportion of intermediate aggregates and a lower proportion of small aggregates was observed under MT. However large aggregates (>25 mm) were negligible across all treatments. The highest values of Dₘ were found after DPC₂, while the highest values of MWD were found after MT. The highest proportion of water stable aggregates (WSA) was found under DPC₂, while the lowest proportion was found under MPDH₂ followed by MT. Similarly, aggregate stability was greatest under DPC₂. Across all Tillage Implements, the highest fuel consumption was recorded under C₆ followed by MPDH₂, while the lowest occurred under MT. The Dₘ showed a negative correlation with intermediate aggregates (5.0–25.0 mm) and a positive correlation with small aggregates (

  • Assessment of implement efficiency and soil structure under different conventional Tillage Implements and soil moisture contents in a silty loam soil
    CATENA, 2017
    Co-Authors: A. A. Tagar, M.a. Gujjar, Jan Adamowski, Naimatullah Leghari, A. S. Soomro
    Abstract:

    Abstract Farmers' use of Tillage Implements under extremely dry soil conditions, ignoring optimum soil moisture conditions, results in low field efficiency, high fuel consumption and ultimately poor soil structure. Accordingly, the effect of Tillage, applied under a range of near-plastic-limit soil moisture contents, on the efficiency of conventional Tillage Implements and subsequent soil structure, was investigated. Two conventional Tillage systems: (i) moldboard plough followed by two cultivator passes and (ii) disk plough followed by two cultivator passes, were factorially combined with four soil moisture contents ( θ ) at Tillage: dry soil, θ  = 5.0% w/w, and at 70, 80 and 90% of the moisture content at the soil's plastic limit (0.7 θ pl , 0.8 θ pl and 0.9 θ pl , respectively). The lowest field efficiency was observed under dry conditions, with a significant increase in efficiency at 0.7 θ pl , a further increase at 0.8 θ pl , and a subsequent decrease, compared to 0.7 θ pl and 0.8 θ pl , at 0.9 θ pl . Similarly, fuel consumption was greatest under dry conditions, decreasing at 0.7 θ pl and 0.8 θ pl , only to increase again at 0.9 θ pl . Overall, the lowest fuel consumption occurred at 0.8 θ pl . Under dry soil conditions the proportion of large aggregates (> 8 mm) was the lowest and that of small aggregates ( θ pl the converse was the case. At 0.7 θ pl and 0.8 θ pl , the proportions of large and small aggregates were low, while the proportion of desirable aggregates was greatest. At 0.8 θ pl the proportion of medium aggregates was greater than that at 0.7 θ pl . Therefore, in terms of post-Tillage soil structure 0.8 θ pl was deemed the optimum θ for Tillage of a silty loam soil. The aggregate stability of soil was higher under dry conditions and 0.7 θ pl , and lower at 0.8 θ pl and 0.9 θ pl under both moldboard and disk ploughing. A somewhat similar trend was observed under both conventional Tillage Implements; however, the disk plough followed by two cultivator passes offered a better performance in terms of field efficiency and soil properties than did the moldboard plough followed by two cultivator passes.