Effect of various tillage practices on pulverisation of different soil types
Author(s):
Abhishek Kumar, Varinder Singh Saimbhi and Jagjeet Singh
Abstract:
A study for evaluating the soil pulverisation caused by different tillage practices, like harrow-cultivator-planker, rotavator practice and spading tillage machine was undertaken in the fields. The experiment was carried out at the fields of two different soil types viz. sandy loam (S1) and silty loam (S2). Six tillage practices, designated as P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 and P6, were undertaken in the present study. The six practices were one pass of harrow-cultivator-planker combination (P1), two passes of harrow-cultivator-planker combinations (P2), one pass of rotavator (P3), two passes of rotavator (P4), one pass of spading tillage machine (P5) and two passes of spading tillage machine (P6). Different implements have their own, i.e. different recommended speeds and depths of operation. For experimental study, two different depths of cut ranges, designated as D1 & D2 and two forward velocity ranges, designated as V1 & V2, suitable to every implement, were selected. The experiments have been laid out by using factorial in randomized block design, henceforth designated as f-RBD, of statistical methods to minimize variation of soil properties on the treatments. In order to find out the soil pulverisation caused by different tillage practices taken in the present study, each treatment was replicated three times. The mean weight diameter of soil clods formed after different tillage practices were found to be smaller in sandy loam soil as compared to silty loam soil.