Tillage and Tilth :
~ The word tillage is derived from the the anglo-saxon words tilian and teolian , means to plough and prepare soil for good seed to sow ,to cultivate and raise crops.
~ Tillage is the mechanical manipulation of the soil for obtaining conditions ideal for seed germination , seedling establishment and growth of crops.
Father of tillage :
✓ Jethrotull is known as the father of tillage.
Tilth :
✓ Tilth is the good physical condition of the soil after tillage in relation to plant growth.
Types of tillage :
1. Primary OR preparatory tillage-
The tillage operation which constitutes the initial measures while working operation.
- It is normally design to reduce soil strength , cover plant material and rearrange aggregates and mainly for seedbed preparation.
- The main of primary plough is to breaki-
ng , opening and turning of soil.
- The primary tillage implements are Deshi plough , MB plough, Ridge plough , Disk plough. etc..
2. Secondary tillage :
the tillage operation following primary tillage to create a good seed bed for proper seedlinging or planting.
- The secondary tillage implements are Cultivator ,Harrows , Hoe , Planner, Roller.. etc ...
Objectives of tillage :
1 . Adequate soil erosion for gaseous exchange in the seed and root zone .
2. Adequate seeds - soil contact to permit water flows to seed and seedling roots.
3. A non -crust soil contact to permit seedling emergence .
4. A low density soil that permit root elongation and proliferation.
5. Environment that provides adequate light to the seedling ( weed free environment).
6. A pest and pathogen free environment.
7. mixing the applied manure and fertilizers with the soil.
8. Removing the hard pan if any to increase the soil depth for water absorption.
The aim of tillage is to produce as good a soil condition or tilth as possible for crop establishment and initial shoot and root development.
Seed bed:
When soil is brought to such a condition ideal for crop growth , it is called seedbed and it is said to be in good tilth.
The ideal seed bed is a soil in which porosity of the mineral solid matter provides an optimum balance between water holding and freely drained. The optimum balance appears to be the one in which capillary pores are in equal proportions.
Modern concepts of tillage :
1. Conventional tillage.
A. Minimum tillage
B. Zero tillage
C. Conservation tillage.
1. Conventional tillage :
Conventional tillage involves primary tillage to break , open and turn the soil followed by secondary tillage to obtain seed bed for sowing or planting. With the introduction of herbicide in intensive farming systems , the concept of tillage has undergone radial change :
a. The depth of tillage has been been reduced and cultivator replace the plough as primary tillage implements, particularly on heavy soil.
b. There has been an Increasing trend to reduce the number of cultivations in order to avoid undesirable result of over cultivation.
c. Reduction of elimination of tillage has been accompanied by direct drilling of seeds.
A. Minimum tillage :
Minimum tillage refers to growing a crop using only that tillage needed for placing the seed at proper depth and then covering. Thus minimum tillage and that reducing tillage to the minimum necessary for ensuring a good seedbed preparation , germanation, satisfactory stands and favourable drawing condition.
Tillage can be reduced in two ways-
1. By omitting operations which does not give much benefit when compared to the coast.
2. By combining agricultural operations like seeding and tillage.
Advantage of minimum tillage :
1. Improves soil condition due to the composition of plant residue .
2. Improve soil physical condition due to incorporation of organic residue leading to higher water infiltation into the subsoil.
3.higher infiltration is caused by the vegetation present on the soil and channels formed by the decomposition of dead roots
4. Less resistant to root growth due to improved soil structure.
5. Lesser surface runoff of rainwater.
6. Satisfactory crop stand establishment.
Disadvantage of minimum tillage :
1. Seed germination is lower with minimum tillage
2. In minimum tillage more nitrogen has to be added as the rate of decomposition of organic matter is slow
3. Nodulation is affected in some leguminous crop I.e. field crop bean etc.
4. Sowing operation are difficult with ordinary implements.
5. Continuous use of herbicides cause pollution problem and dominance of perennial problematic weeds
Methods of practicing minimum tillage:
1 . Row zone tillage
2. Plough plant tillage
3. Wheel track planting
B. Zero tillage :
Zero tillage referred as no tillage in which the crop is planted in anprepared soil by opening a narrow slot , search or band only of sufficient width and depth to obtain proper seed coverage.
✓ the weeds are controlled only by chemical means.
✓ the word zero tillage was given by Jethrotull.
✓zero tillage is possible where the soil has-
• course textured surface
• good internal drainage system
• adequate quality of residue as mulch.
✓ Problem of zero tillage are low germination, low mineralization and build up of volunteer plant.
✓ commonly used herbicides under zero tillage are paraquate and diquate both.
C. Conservation tillage:
conservation tillage is a system of tillage in which organic residue are not involved into the soil such that they remain on the surface as a protective cover against erosion and evaporational loss of soil moisture. If dtubbles from the protective cover on a surface , it is usually referred as
Stubble mulch tillage.
The residue left on the soil surface interfere with seedbed preparation and sowing operation.
Conservation tillage is also known as stubble mulch tillage and Eco- fallow and Reduced tillage.
✓ the objective of conservation tillage is to conserve soil from erosion along with water ( moisture).
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