In a material experiment of application of resource-saving technologies in Canada is shown. For the best understanding tables with comparative data on the minimum and traditional processing of the earth are provided.
We continue a subject
We continue a subject
(Continuation. The beginning in No. 44, 46, 47, 48 – 2007 of of No. 3, 4)
Experience of application in Canada
Farmers of the Western Canada in regions with its low fertility started to use the minimum processing of the soil. It appeared that the traditional way of processing of the earth cultivators, plows and disk units during preparation for sowing became the main reason for loss by the soil of organic substances. Excessive processing destroyed the superficial vegetative remains protecting the soil. Researches showed that preservation of these remains reduced influence of a wind and water erosion.
The quantity of the superficial vegetative remains on the soil, necessary for protection against an erosion, depends on its structure and a field tilt angle. Soils of rough structure (sandy) demand rather large number of the remains, the smaller quantity for protection against a wind erosion is necessary for soils of average structure. Data on quantity of the vegetative remains necessary for protection against an erosion below are provided.
Table 1
Level of the vegetative remains necessary for protection against a wind erosion
Table 2
Level of the vegetative remains necessary for protection against a water erosion
The minimum processing was defined as the most effective and practical way of protection of the soil from an erosion. Limiting processing and leaving more vegetative remains, farmers also could protect the earth from a water and wind erosion. Thanks to the minimum processing at which the vegetative remains are on a surface, decomposition of plants decreased, and thus the content of organic substances was supported at necessary level. To keep a useful layer of the vegetative remains on a soil surface, farmers applied different operations of system of the minimum processing of the soil:
• Reduction of operations on soil processing.
• Use of herbicides for replacement whenever possible bigger number of operations.
• Association of operations of processing of the soil, such as introduction of herbicides and fertilizers with measures for fight against weeds.
• Equipment use for processing which would keep the maximum quantity of the vegetative remains.
• Earth processing with moderate speed (no more than 6 km/h).
• Restriction of depth of processing to a minimum necessary for fight against weeds.
• Eddish cleaning at moisture enough.
In the 80th years, in the conditions of a drought, preservation of moisture became for farmers business of prime necessity. The crops system with the minimum processing of the soil was applied by many farmers who looked for effective ways of preservation of moisture in the soil. Systems of zero processing or crops system without it were applied, at which unique crops were operation on the soil.
The researches which are carried out in prairies of the Western Canada, showed that the crops system with zero processing could provide bigger amount of moisture in the soil during spring sowing and its smaller evaporation in comparison with traditional system of processing of the earth.
Potential advantages to farmers consisted in the following:
1. Crop growth thanks to preservation of a snow and rain precipitation, reduction of evaporation of moisture. Table 3 shows what productivity of cultures it is possible to receive when using zero and traditional processing of the soil in a zone of chernozems of the province Saskatchevan.
Table 3
Comparison of productivity of cultures in a zone of chernozems
Productivity (bushel* / an acre **) the grain, oil and bean crops sowed in an eddish with use of traditional processing and zero processing of the soil.
* 1 bushel 27 kg
** 1 acre 0,4 hectares.
Researches showed that level of organic nitric fertilizers is higher at long use of zero processing of the soil, than at traditional methods.
Direct crops protected young escapes from a heat and a wind at a growth stage. The eddish reduced speed of a wind by earth surfaces, and also reflected, instead of absorbed sunshine. It was especially important for olive and bean cultures which at a stage of growth are vulnerable under the influence of hot winds and abrasive to educations from parts of the soil.
(On materials of a grant of the Canadian-Ukrainian grain project – II Methods of minimization of agrarian risks and increase of efficiency of a zernoproizvodstvo).