Straight sowing — no-till: agrophysical expertise of the stage of transition

Abstract

The purpose. To carry out agrophysical expertise of typical superdeep low humus sandy loam chernozem of Left-bank Forest-steppe of Ukraine according to indexes of structurally-modular and humus state during the period of transition from straight sowing to no-till system. Methods. General scientific (field, morphological-genetic, comparative-analytical, agro-analytical, laboratory) and special (determination of the content of elementary soil particles and micro aggregation by S. Bulygin microscopy method). Results. It is experimentally fixed that 10-years application of straight sowing does not cause as a whole essential changes in macro structural nature of soil in comparison with moldboard plowing. However, its fertilized backgrounds increase lumpiness (index of deflationary resistance) and average diameter of water-resistant compounds (index of water-erosion resistance). Thus aggravation of micro aggregation state of soil, caused by absence of protective 3–4-cm layer of plant residues which are the precise attribute of no-till system is registered. Conclusions. Ten years’ application of straight sowing of crops on typical sandy loam chernozem leads to its deep-seated agrophysical degradation because of decrease micro-aggregation of soils and does not promote essential increase of productivity of crops. The transition period from straight sowing to no-till system should be as much as possible short (not more than 4 years). No-till system begins from the moment of formation of 3-4-cm layer of mulch on the surface of soil under condition of its 100% coatings.