An Experimental Investigation of Soil Layer Coupling Failure Characteristics on Natural Grassland by Passive Subsoiler-Type Openers

Abstract

Unclear soil layer coupling failure characteristics on natural grassland impeded the design and optimization of appropriate tillage tools. The coupling failure characteristics including surface disturbance and profile, disturbed cross-section area, soil over-turning rate, and coupling forces between the soil layer of natural grassland and selected passive subsoiler-type openers were investigated in this paper. Three single-shoot openers (i.e. CO, AO and WAO) and a test unit were designed, and furrow opening experiments under different working depths were conducted. Results showed that, along the passages, U-shaped disturbed cross-sections were usually created with soil-root clods overturned along the furrows. The roots were usually broken in a pulling or dragging way underground. Both disturbed cross-section area and draft force values increased with the working depth increasing linearly (R2≥0.93), contrary to the tendency of the specific draft force with the depth. Winged opener (i.e. WAO) had larger draft forces and disturbed soil layer cross-section areas than no-winged openers (i.e. AO and CO). The soil layer failure processes of the natural grassland were affected by its composite soil layer structure and the geometry parameters of the openers. The results provide original references for designing novel furrow openers applicable to improve degraded natural grassland.