Disturbance of Ultisol soil based on interactions between furrow openers and coulters for the no-tillage system

Abstract

The present study evaluated the effect of different associations between coulters and fertilizer furrow openers on soil disturbance, furrow depth and width, according to forward speed. The study was conducted on a farm in Santa Maria (Brazil/RS), in soil classified as sandy loam Ultisol. The experiment consisted of 24 combinations of treatments with three replications in a 2×3×4 factorial experiment. The combinations were formed by the interaction of the factors including: two types of furrow openers (hoe and double-disc), three types of coulters (no-coulter, smooth and offset fluted) and four levels of forward speed (1.11, 1.67, 2.22 and 2.78 m/s). Soil elevation and soil disturbance area profiles were obtained with the use of a micro profilometer, and disturbance values were calculated with the aid of computer software program Auto Cad. The disturbance area was not affected by speed; it was greater when using the hoe opener, and in association with the offset fluted coulter. Speed was inversely proportional to the depth of the furrows made by the hoe opener. Furthermore, the hoe caused the greatest furrow width (0.26 m) in comparison with the double-disc (0.24 m). The use of different coulters associated with furrow openers increased this variable (0.23 m for the no-coulter condition, 0.25 m with smooth and 0.26 m with offset fluted). The use of coulters combined with furrow openers reduces soil swelling, in approximately 8% for the smooth and 20% for the offset fluted.

Conservation Agriculture Using Coulters: Effects of Crop Residue on Working Performance

“…Compared with 8 W, the A from 13 W, 18 W, and 25 W furrows were reduced by 20.2%, 36.1%, and 22.8%, respectively (Table 3). This conclusion is consistent with Francetto et al [34], who found that when used together with furrow openers, the flat coulters compared with fluted coulters disturbed soil areas by 12.26%. The difference in working breadth led to the difference in furrow width, since a narrower tool created smaller furrows [35].…”

“…These results are consistent with Zeng and Yang [24]. However, these results are different from Francetto et al [34], which may be because they installed furrow openers at the back of coulters, and the soil-disturbed areas were subsequently affected by the furrow openers.…”

DEM and soil bin study on a biomimetic disc furrow opener

“…The soil disturbance coefficient produced by DISC 3 was the lowest, at 3.91%, followed by DISC 4, DISC 2 and DISC10 with soil disturbance coefficients of 5.90%, 6.28% and 6.81%, respectively. This indicated that the size of biomimetic elements would affect the soil performance of cutting, shear and compaction, as described by Francetto (Francetto et al, 2016). Less soil disturbance could maintain greater soil moisture to facilitate seed growth.…”

“…5. The soil swelling rate and soil disturbance coefficient are important indexes to evaluate the soil disturbance characteristics (Francetto et al, 2016). The soil swelling was the elevation area generated by the increase in voids between the soil.…”

Earthworm Positively Influences Large Macropores Under Extreme Drought Conditions and Conservation Tillage in a Chinese Mollisol

“…Soil macroporosity plays an important role in the exchange of gases and water in soil (Francetto et al, 2016). One of the major ecological factors influencing soil porosity, especially macroporosity, is the burrowing activity of the earthworm (Maboeta et al, 2008).…”