Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

No-tillage and minimum tillage systems with reduced energy consumption and soil conservation in the hilly areas of Romania

Author(s):

Paula Ioana Moraru, Teodor Rusu

Recieved Date: 2013-01-20, Accepted Date: 2013-04-28

Abstract:

New technologies, specific to sustainable agriculture, require productivity at least equal to that of conventional technology, optimized energy efficiency and, at the same time, diminished environmental impact. An energy saving way is that of implementing optimal technology specific to each culture and pedoclimatic area. The minimum tillage and no-tillage systems represent alternatives to the conventional system of soil tillage, due to their conservation effects on soil features and to the assured productions, maize: 96-98.1% at minimum tillage and 99.8% at no-tillage, soybean: 102.9-111.9% at minimum tillage and 117.2% at no-tillage, wheat: 93.4-96.8% at minimum tillage and 106.9% at no-tillage, as compared to the conventional system. Correct choice of the right soil tillage system for the crops in rotation helps reduce energy consumption, thus maize: 97.3-97.9% at minimum tillage and 91.3% at no-tillage, soybean: 98.6-98.2% at minimum tillage and 92.8% at no-tillage, wheat: 97.4-98% at minimum tillage and 91.6% at no-tillage. Energy efficiency is in relation to reductions in energy savings, but also with efficiency and impact on the tillage system on the cultivated plant. For all crops in rotation, energy efficiency (energy produced from 1 MJ consumed) was best in no-tillage and 10.44 MJ ha^-1 at maize, 6.49 MJ ha^-1 at soybean and 5.66 MJ ha^-1 at wheat. Energy-efficient agricultural system: the energy consumed-energy produced-energy yield, necessarily have to be supplemented by soil energy efficiency, with the conservative effect of the agricultural system. Only then the agricultural system will be sustainable, durable in agronomic, economic and ecological terms. The implementation of minimum and no-tillage soil systems have increased the organic matter content from 2 to 7.6% and water-stable aggregate content from 5.6 to 9.6%, at 0-30 cm depth, as compared to the conventional system. While the soil fertility and the wet aggregate stability have initially been low, the effect of conservation practices on the soil characteristics led to a positive impact on the water permeability in the soil. Availability of soil moisture during the crop growth led to a better plant watering condition. Subsequent release of conserved soil water regulated proper plant water condition and soil structure.

Keywords:

No-tillage, minimum tillage, yield,  energy efficiency, soil conservation

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2013
Volume: 11
Issue: 2
Category: Environment
Pages: 1227-1231

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