Overcoming cultivation problems
There are a number of ways to avoid or minimise damage to the soil by cultivation.
Use the right equipment
Where possible it is preferable to use tine or scarifying equipment. This is much easier on the soil and does less damage.
The tines open and scratch up the soil without pulverising it.
Avoid working soil that is too wet or dry
Cultivation should not be carried out when the soil is too wet and soft.
The soil is suitable for cultivation when the clods can be broken up into aggregates.
If a plough is used in these conditions the soil will smear. If the soil is cultivated when the soil moisture is right it will be easier to break up. It will be better for the soil structure.
Vary the cultivation depth
Machinery depth should be varied. This will help stop a pan forming and is very important when using a rotary hoe. In wet years the depth is decreased. In years where the soil is dry enough the depth can be increased.
Manage vehicle traffic and weight to avoid compaction
Machinery working on wet soil will cause it to compact. Machinery with high axle weight can cause deep or sub soil compaction. The best way to avoid this is to reduce the weight of the machinery.
Reducing the tyre pressure can help reduce surface compaction. Using larger tyres or dual tyres can do this.
This tractor is fitted with wide dual tyres with low inflation pressure. This helps spread the weight over the soil surface.
Control machinery traffic
The wheel traffic from traditional cultivation can cover more than 80% of the field. On cropping and vegetable farms it can be possible to restrict equipment to specific tracks or lanes on the paddock. This leaves the rest of the paddock uncompacted. On a potato farm there are many operations carried out. Most of these are confined to specific rows. It is also useful to have a turning bay for the machinery.
Controlling weeds between potato rows.
Spraying potatoes.
Potato harvesting.Use nil cultivation
Herbicides are used to kill off old crop plant material and weeds. The seeds are planted directly into the remains of an old crop.
Key points
Cultivation is used to:
- break up soil aggregates into smaller pieces, and to make the soil friable so that it is easy for plant roots to move through
- bury weed seeds
- improve aeration and drainage
- provide a seed bed suitable for seeds to germinate in.
Cultivation is useful as it:
- buries crop residue and kills weeds
- helps water and air movement, which assists root growth and drainage.
Over-cultivation can cause problems such as soil compaction and damaged structure.
To overcome cultivation problems:
- check the condition of the soil. Don’t work it when it is too wet or dry
- vary the cultivation depth
- use the right equipment
- manage vehicle traffic and weight to avoid compaction
- use nil cultivation.
What's next?
Go to: 8 Irrigation/Mulches.