EVALUATION OF TWO SUBSOILERS IN DIRECT DRILLED SOILS

Abstract

Background: No tillage is a widely used tillage system in Argentinean extensive grain production. Despite their benefits, the risk of soil compaction is still a critical point. Deep tillage is a valid option to solve compaction problems and several types of deep tillage agricultural equipment are available. Nevertheless, accurate knowledge on their energetic performance rates and agricultural parameters is still limited. Objectives: a) determine energy requirements of different subsoiling equipment, b) evaluate the effect of different subsoilers on physical soil properties and c) analyze the recompaction of subsoiled soil. Methods: A field experiment in a direct drill system (Typical Argiudol soil type) was carried out. Treatments were: a) without decompaction, b) paratill and c) chisel with flexible and rigid shanks. Traction, soil disturbance and specific resistance were measured. After tillage, physical soil properties were assessed. Results: Traction and specific resistance were 5,5% and 11,5% greater in chisel. In general, soil density and penetration resistance were reduced by subsoiling but these benefits do not persist after 18 months. Conclusions: Paratill performance in direct-drilled soils is higher than chisel performance. Subsoiling of direct-drilled soils improve soil physical properties.