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Questions and Answers

What is a key strategy used in weed control during no tillage?

Regular ploughing of the soil

Application of herbicides (correct)

Use of cover crops

Frequent mechanical cultivation

Which soil type is mentioned as appropriate for no tillage in the humid tropics?

Aridisol

Andosols

Luvisols (correct)

Podzols

What is one disadvantage of using human power for land preparation?

Requires no training

High cost of operation

High efficiency in wet conditions

Limited range of working conditions (correct)

What is a benefit of using machines as opposed to human or animal power?

Ability to work in wet and dry conditions Signup and view all the answers

How does no tillage practice affect soil disturbance?

Disturbs the soil minimally Signup and view all the answers

In no tillage, what is the technique used for seed placement?

Making a narrow strip or hole in the ground Signup and view all the answers

What factor contributes to the slow adoption of no tillage methods?

Traditional farming practices Signup and view all the answers

What role does crop residue play in no tillage systems?

It aids in moisture retention Signup and view all the answers

What is one major advantage of no tillage in land preparation?

Higher grain yields Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a disadvantage associated with no tillage?

Heavy use of herbicides for weed control Signup and view all the answers

In mulch tillage, which practice is emphasized to enhance soil health?

Minimum disturbance of the soil Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of strip or zonal tillage?

Dividing the seedbed into specific management areas Signup and view all the answers

How is weed control primarily managed in ridge till?

Through the application of herbicides Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of using mulch tillage?

Maintaining maximum crop residue on the surface Signup and view all the answers

Which crop type is predominantly associated with no tillage practices?

Corn and soybeans Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the practice of chemical fallow in agriculture?

Using herbicides to control weeds in fallow periods Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of tillage in agricultural practices?

To prepare soil for planting by mechanical agitation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of tillage operation mentioned?

Chemical tillage Signup and view all the answers

What is one benefit of leaving a rough soil surface after tillage?

Stimulates microbial activity Signup and view all the answers

In what context is wet tillage utilized?

In waterlogged soil conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between tillage and cultivation?

Cultivation encompasses all activities involved in crop production Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following tillage methods is classified as dry tillage?

Hand tools like hoes and rakes in dry soil Signup and view all the answers

What effect does reducing ped size have on soil erosion?

Helps reduce wind and water erosion Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is crucial when determining the appropriate tillage system for a field?

The soil texture and moisture conditions Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Crop Production Practices

This topic covers various aspects of crop production
Includes land preparation, planting materials selection, water management, plant nutrition, and more.
Students should be able to recall and understand key concepts by the end of the lesson.

Land Preparation

A combination of tillage practices that optimize soil for plant and crop growth
Ranges from zero-tillage (minimizing soil disturbance) to completely puddling the soil (destroying its structure)
Aims of land preparation:
- Loosen the soil for plant root penetration
- Improve aeration (N, O)
- Enhance water infiltration
- Reduce evaporation
- Destroy or control weeds and pests
- Incorporate crop residues and manures into the soil
- Prepare the site for seeds and seedlings
- Repair soil compaction
- Decrease ped or clod size
- Reduce wind and water erosion
- Stimulate microbial activity
Appropriate tillage system, pattern and equipment for the field must be selected for desired output
- Dry and leveled fields may use different methods than wet and level fields
- Dry tillage methods can be manual, animal-powered, or mechanical
- Wet tillage methods can be manual, animal-powered, or mechanical

Types of Tillage Operations

Primary tillage: Most aggressive method, done when the soil is wet enough for plowing. Aims to open compacted soil using various types of plows.
- Implements: Moldboard plow, one-way disc, offset disc, tine plough
Secondary tillage: A series of less-aggressive operations performed after primary tillage. Examples include leveling, discing, and harrowing.
- Implements: Peg tooth harrow, disc cultivator, tined cultivator, rotovator
Seedbed preparation: Crucial for germination and growth of crops. It involves harrowing, leveling, compacting the soil, and preparing irrigation systems like basins, borders, and furrows. It can be done using hand tools or implements.
Inter-tillage: Performed when the crop is already growing. It aims to fill gaps, thin plants, weed, mulch, and add fertilizers through hoeing and similar operations.

Tillage Patterns

Circuitous pattern: A method using moldboards, discs, and offset discs that works from the center outwards to the edges of the field when plowing. This pattern can be tricky to drain after tillage is complete.
Up and back pattern: Also known as a headland pattern, this method runs furrows parallel to each other. This is considered more efficient as long as the equipment is properly set and operated.
Land system: Uses a central starting point when plowing the area to ensure equal depth when the land is tilled.

The Use of Animals, Humans, and Machines

Advantages of using animals: Cheap maintenance, multi-purpose use (meat, milk), self-replacement, and manure production
Disadvantages of using animals: Limited daily working hours, need feeding and protection, slow and high person-to-power ratio, limited range of working conditions, and require training
Advantages of using humans: Can be used for various tasks like tillage and leveling, constructing levees and drains, pest control, and harvesting and transporting grain as well as processing it.
Advantages of using machines: Multi-purpose vehicles, operate in harsh conditions, versatile for wet/dry, and simple mechanical design
Disadvantages of using machines: high operating cost, possible operator fatigue, ride-on versions can be acquired or upgraded.

No Tillage and Other Tillage Operations

No-tillage: A technique to minimize soil disturbance during planting and fertilization. Crop residues are left on the surface. This helps control soil erosion and preserve water.
- Advantages: Effective soil erosion control, increased water storage, lower energy costs per production unit, and higher grain yields
- Disadvantages: Frequent use of herbicides for weed control
Mulch tillage: Leaves crop residues on the soil's surface. This minimizes soil disturbance and helps maintain crop residue. This makes it ideal for obtaining quick germination and adequate crops.
Strip or Zonal tillage: Divides seedbeds into zones (like a seedling zone and management zone) that are handled differently. The goal is to optimize the seedbed for germination and seedling growth while minimizing soil disturbance.
Ridge till: Leaves some soil undisturbed during planting, then tills a portion (⅓) of the surface to plant rows on a raised bed/ridge. Used for row crops like maize and soybeans.
Reduced or minimum tillage: Tillage and cultivation systems that meet a certain percentage of crop residue requirement (typically 30%).

Remember

Soil cultivation can affect its fertility
Frequent tillage can lead to reduced organic matter and nutrient loss as well as erosion.
Soil cultivation should aim for minimal disturbance to soil life