Barley seeding establishment by direct drilling in a wet soil. 3. Comparison of six sowing techniques

Six techniques of sowing seed in an untilled seedbed, which subsequently became wet, were compared in the presence and absence of earthworms and surface residue. In the absence of earthworms, surface broadcasting produced the highest seedling emergence (89%), followed by a 100-mm-wide power-till opener (42%). All other openers produced poor seedling emergence (mean 20%). Where earthworms were present, however, a winged opener under residue produced high seedling counts equivalent to surface broadcasting (mean 82%). Power-till and hoe openers also performed reasonably well (63%), but triple-disc and corer openers failed (19%). Surface broadcasting was not considered practical because of its reliance on regular rain for a long period.Surface residues in the presence of earthworms had beneficial effects on most of the openers which performed well and which separated the seed from the residue, but little effect on the other treatments, including the power-till opener. High seedling-emergence counts were associated with high numbers and activity of earthworms close to the sown groove, high soil oxygen diffusion rate regimes, low soil bulk densities and high root and shoot weights.     

Barley seedling establishment by direct drilling in a wet soil. 1. Effects of openers under simulated rainfall and high water-table conditions

In order to test seed and seedling responses to direct-drilling (no-till) openers used in optimal soil conditions which subsequently became saturated, 3 opener designs were tested for their effects on barley-seedling performance. This was done in soils regularly saturated with simulated rain or a rising water table, in the presence and absence of surface residue, and under both controlled and uncontrolled temperature regimes.There were strong interactions between opener types and crop residue in both field and laboratory experiments. A winged opener which created an inverted T-shaped groove, together with a hoe opener (U-shaped groove), resulted in greater numbers of emerged seedlings and of earthworms, together with higher root and shoot weights and oxygen diffusion rates around the groove profiles, than did the V-shaped grooves created by a triple-disc opener. The latter device pushed part of the residue into the grooves, where it contacted the seed and reduced emergence, whereas with the winged and hoe openers residue was an advantage.These effects were consistent, regardless of whether soil saturation was due to simulated rainfall or to a simulated temporary rising water table; and whether ambient temperatures prevailed or temperatures were controlled in a warm-wet glasshouse regime.     

Seed placement effects on seedling establishment in direct-drilled fields

Two techniques for measuring seed placement distribution, a seedling tracing method and a soil core X-ray technique, were compared. Based on these methods, three determinant parameters were developed to define seed distribution; variation of depth, variation of lateral width and depth variation between rows.In the presence of a desirable in-groove micro-environment, both seed depth variations within and between rows had a negative relationship with seedling emergence percentage. Correlations between emergence and lateral width were low. Variations in seed depth were found to be associated with the mechanisms of seed ejection, and with the depth control method used on the openers.At two trial sites (in a sandy and silt loam soil) a simple winged chisel opener gave higher plant emergence than an experimental chisel S/2000 opener, a slot opener, a modified slot opener and a triple disc opener.     

Dry fertilizer placement in conservation tillage: seed damage in direct drilling (no-tillage)

Placement of seed and dry fertilizer in separate bands within direct-drilled (no-till) seed grooves has been a difficult design parameter for direct-drilling openers. This paper reports the effects of dry fertilizer placement on seed damage and seedling vigour in direct-drilling systems for rape. Horizontal separation of ammonium sulphate and monammonium phosphate fertilizers and rape seed by 10 or 20 mm was found to be slightly, but significantly less injurious to seeds and produced larger seedlings than vertical separation by 20 mm, which was superior to vertical separation by 10 mm and direct mixing of the seed and fertilizer. Horizontal separation, in fact, resulted in no more seed damage (but larger seedlings) than where fertilizer was absent altogether.Horizontal separation was facilitated by a winged opener design which created an inverted T-shaped slot, although its effectiveness in this respect was diminished when used in a dry tilled soil. In an untilled silt loam soil, separation appeared to be most important at lower soil moisture contents.     

Zero-tillage furrow opener effects on seed environment and wheat emergence

Optimum emergence is necessary to attain maximum crop yields, particularly in reduced and zero-tillage systems. However, zero-tillage seeder performance under zero-tillage conditions is not always adequate, and thus may limit potential yield benefits from this soil and water conserving practice.

A study was conducted to measure the range of influence of zero-tillage openers on some soil physical properties of the soil-seed environment. Furrow opener design has direct consequences on soil surface disturbance, furrow compaction levels, and post-seeding soil water requirements in the seed row. While soil temperature and wheat cultivar differed between two distinct field trials, furrow opener designs conducive to adequate compaction of seed furrow with press wheels consistently resulted in better wheat emergence, when soil water potentials were not limiting.

This study demonstrates that seeding tool design has a quantifiable influence on seed furrow properties, and that this information can be used to develop precise guidelines for future designs of furrow openers and press wheels.     

Emergence of irrigated cotton in flatland planting in relation to furrow opener type and crust-breaking treatments for Cambisols in central Iran

Emergence of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) under flatland mechanized planting system with crust-forming soil and saline soil and irrigation water can be suboptimal in central Iran. A field experiment was conducted to determine furrow opener type and crust-breaking method effects on cotton emergence on a silty clay soil (Calcic Cambisols). The effects of five planters (equipped with runner, single- and double-disk type openers) and five crust-breaking methods (using rolling cultivator, rolling-type crust breaker, spike-tooth, chain-type harrows and no crust-breaking) on the seedling emergence were studied. The results showed that planter type significantly affected cotton seedling emergence. In non-crust-breaking method, the best emergence was produced with the double-disk opener planter that created crack lines along the seed rows. This phenomenon was not observed with the runner-type opener planter. However, some crack lines were observed on the outside edges of its smooth-crown zero-pressure press wheels tires, which resulted in large clod formation after crust-breaking and had therefore negative effect on seedling emergence. Crust-breaking had negative effect on final emergence for double-disk planter due to filling the crack lines with loosened soil. Crust-breaking improved emergence percentages for runner opener planters, when the depth of penetration of the crust breaker teeth was shallow. The conclusion is that irrigated cotton emergence on crust-forming soils in a flatland planting system might significantly be improved by selecting a double-disk planter with zero-pressure press wheel tires without any crust-breaking operation under the soil and climate of central Iran.     

小麦免耕播种机开沟器对作物生长的试验研究

为了研究具有不同开沟器的免耕播种机对动力消耗以及作物生长的影响,该文利用3种典型开沟器即短翼尖角、单圆盘和旋耕刀式在一年两熟区玉米收获地的壤土中进行了田间免耕播种试验研究,分别从土壤扰动量、返青期小麦根系状况以及单株干重和产量等方面进行了测定与分析。结果表明,3种开沟器对小麦产量影响不大,但对土壤扰动和耗油量以及返青期的小麦生长影响较大。旋耕刀开沟器土壤扰动较大,高达40%～60％,动力消耗多,返青期小麦的次生根数也最多;单圆盘开沟器播种后土壤扰动较小,仅为10%～15％,动力消耗较小,返青期小麦的次生根数和单株干重也最小;尖角开沟器土壤扰动、耗油量以及小麦根系情况居于其间。因此,可以看出不同的开沟器适应于不同的地区和需要,在保护性耕作实施过程中,可根据当地的气候环境等实际情况来设计或选用。     

油菜钵苗移栽机成穴作业方式及参数优化

针对油菜移栽机成穴器对土壤扰动大、孔穴穴壁土壤孔隙度低影响钵苗生长质量的问题,该研究根据油菜钵苗移栽农艺要求,选取成穴器成穴方式（取土式、挤压式）、成穴器下端尺寸、成穴器入土深度为试验因素,利用离散元法对成穴过程进行仿真分析,以穴内截面回土系数和穴壁土壤孔隙度为指标评价各试验因素对孔穴形态及土壤扰动效果的影响。仿真结果表明,取土式成穴是相对较优的成穴方式,所成孔穴的横截面形状为矩形,形成符合农艺要求孔穴的较优参数组合为：成穴器下端尺寸50 mm,入土深度40 mm,所成孔穴上端尺寸的长和宽分别为69和79 mm,有效深度为40 mm,穴壁土壤孔隙率为48.5%,穴内截面回土系数为0.08。结合土槽试验对成穴器作业性能进行验证,结果表明,孔穴上端纵长、上端宽度、有效深度、穴壁土壤孔隙度和穴内截面回土系数的试验结果与仿真结果之间的误差平均值分别为4.8%、3.4%、1.2%、1.5%和14.2%,优化后的成穴器能够成型满足设计要求的孔穴,该研究结果可为成穴器的优化提供参考。     

Comparison of vertical and lateral seed distribution of furrow openers using a new criterion

For a furrow opener of a seeder, the ability to place seed at a given sowing depth in the soil is an important factor in evaluating its performance. Furrow openers directly affect sowing depth and lateral seed scatter of seeds. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of furrow openers by characterizing the spatial distribution of seeds within the seedbed. A newly developed criterion, distribution area of seeds, characterized both sowing depth and lateral seed scatter (standard deviation from row centre) of seeds. A field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of furrow opener type (shoe, hoe, single disc and double disc) on sowing uniformity according to conventional and developed evaluation criteria.Distribution area of seeds was calculated by ellipse and integral criteria. Ellipse criterion gave detailed information about the effectiveness of lateral seed scatter and variation in sowing depth on seed distribution area. Sowing uniformity was affected by furrow openers according to both conventional and newly developed evaluation criteria.The newly developed seed distribution evaluation procedures will better describe seed distribution in a two-dimensional way in a vertical plane. Therefore, these procedures will help improve furrow openers for effective seed placement.     

Effects of a new wide-sweep opener for no-till planter on seed zone properties and root establishment in maize (Zea mays, L.): A comparison with double-disk opener

According to the kind of opener applied, no-tillage seeders can variously modify soil physical properties in relation to soil and climate conditions, thus potentially affecting crop emergence and early growth.The technological evolution of seeders for direct drilling of arable crops, progressively achieved in recent years, has been considerable, but new improvements now available need to be individually tested. In a field trial at Udine (NE Italy), the effects of a new kind of wide-sweep opener (i.e., side coulters curved upwards in their final part and slightly angled towards the direction of work) on soil physical properties in the seed zone and on crop emergence and early root growth of maize were evaluated in four different soils over a 2-year period (2002–2003), in comparison with the widely used double-disk opener.With respect to the double-disk opener, in general the wide-sweep type led to higher soil–residue mixing—without excessive reduction of the soil-covering index being observed, −27 and −6%, respectively. The wide-sweep opener also showed lower bulk density and soil penetration resistance in the top 5-cm soil layer of the seed furrow, although no greater root length density was found in maize at the three-leaf stage, probably due to the smoothing effect caused by the side coulters at the seeding depth. A certain delay in plant emergence in some cases was also revealed for the wide-sweep opener, which may be related to the lower soil/seed contact.Deviations from this general behaviour in the various soils (texture and initial conditions) are discussed.     

仿形滑刀式开沟器设计与试验

为了改善种床质量、提高播种分布直线性及播深一致性,通过"V"形种沟成因分析,设计了一种适用于大豆垄上双行种植模式的仿形滑刀式开沟器。该开沟器具有滑刀和仿形压土轮机构,可实现开沟、压沟和仿形功能,进而构建底部紧实、覆盖土壤松软的优良种床。通过土槽试验,以回土量为指标,采用响应面优化法分析得出最优参数组合,即载荷大小为689.66 N,开沟角度为40.43°,前进速度为2.12 m/s,开沟深度为51.62 mm。在最优工况下进行田间验对比试验,仿形滑刀式开沟器、双V型筑沟器、圆盘开沟器的横向偏移离散度分别为4.42、4.34、6.55,播深变异系数分别为6.06%、6.80%、11.52%,在50~75 mm土层开沟镇压后土壤紧实度分别为0.261、0.248、0.165 MPa,仿形滑刀式开沟器作业效果优于双V型筑沟器和圆盘开沟器,可以提高种床质量和播深一致性,且使种床紧实,利于种子出苗。     

多功能集成式播种开沟器的设计与试验

针对播种作业时土壤扰动大、种床土壤紧实度不足、播种深度均匀性差等问题,设计了一种集开沟、回土、镇压一体化的多功能集成式播种开沟器,其滑刀、挡土板、镇压轮相互配合能够实现开出种沟,种子落至沟底,湿土回流沟内,镇压轮镇压种沟,种子与土壤紧密接触。通过土槽试验,以土壤扰动量、土壤紧实度为试验指标进行三元二次回归正交试验得到开沟器各参数最优组合为滑刀滑切角44.6°、挡土板倾角3.2°、弹簧形变量11.8 mm。在最优参数下与双圆盘播种开沟器、尖角式进行田间对比试验,多功能集成式播种开沟器播深变异系数比双圆盘开沟器播深变异系数低了32.4%,比尖角式开沟器低了25.2%;集成式开沟器作业后的土壤紧实度比双圆盘开沟器紧实度高38.6%,比尖角式开沟器紧实度高62.9%;多功能集成式播种开沟器作业产生的土壤扰动量比双圆盘开沟器降低16.3%,比尖角式开沟器降低36.5%,其回土量比双圆盘开沟器提高29.9%,比尖角式开沟器提高61.5%。试验结果表明该开沟器可以改善种床环境,增强土壤紧实度,提高播种深度均匀性,可为播种开沟器的设计提供参考。     

基于离散元法的免耕深施肥分段式玉米播种开沟器研制

针对东北垄作深施肥免耕播种机上开沟器播种深度均匀性差、工作阻力大、土壤扰动大的问题,该研究利用离散元软件（EDEM 2.7）仿真分析不同类型破茬刀-施肥铲装置对土壤的作用机理,设计了一种分段式玉米播种开沟器。首先建立土壤-玉米根系-玉米秸秆离散元仿真模型,然后进行不同类型破茬刀-施肥铲装置离散元仿真试验,以回落土壤最大合外力的位置和方向为依据设计开沟器入土部分曲线,同时结合滑切原理设计开沟器未入土部分斜刃,最后根据土壤回落距离确定施肥铲和开沟器间距为374 mm。田间对比试验结果表明,分段式开沟器比尖角式开沟器、滑刀式开沟器、双圆盘式开沟器的播深变异系数分别降低了14.24%、27.31%、33.63%;工作阻力分别降低了27.56%、16.93%、1.23%;土壤扰动面积分别降低了11.67%、28.34%、49.34%。分段式开沟器播种深度均匀性高、工作阻力小、土壤扰动小,具有较优的作业效果。     

侧深施肥直斜偏置式免耕播种开沟器设计与试验

采用侧深施肥技术,施肥铲作业后播种带两侧土壤高度不一致,易加剧播种机横向偏摆,进而导致播种深度均匀性和播种横向一致性较差。为解决上述问题,该研究设计了一种直斜偏置式免耕播种开沟器。该开沟器主要由切土斜刃、挡土定位板、偏置推土板等组成,作业时滑切土壤并将其推移至肥沟一侧拓宽种沟,避免种子落至肥沟后位置过深,提高播种质量。通过离散元仿真试验,以前进阻力、肥沟回土深度、种沟回土深度为试验指标进行二因素五水平正交旋转组合试验,得到斜刃滑切角为37°、偏置角为15°时开沟器作业性能最好。在最优参数下与双圆盘式、尖角式开沟器进行田间作业性能对比试验,相对于双圆盘式和尖角式开沟器,直斜偏置式开沟器播种深度变异系数分别降低41.12%、19.41%;播种横向变异系数分别降低39.00%、28.41%;前进阻力分别降低7.26%、28.20%;作业后肥沟与种沟回土深度分别提高9.47%、13.68%和33.33%、7.14%。试验结果表明,该开沟器可以减小前进阻力,增加肥沟与种沟回土,提高播种深度均匀性和播种横向一致性,可为播种开沟器的设计提供参考。     

Non-native anecic earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris L.) reduce seed germination and seedling survival of temperate and boreal trees species

Recent studies have shown that the introduction of non-native earthworms in previously earthworm-free soils may have negative impacts on the recruitment of certain understory plant species in northern temperate forests. There is a need, therefore, to understand the mechanisms that may underlie this phenomenon. A microcosm study was conducted to test the effects of the anecic earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris L., on the number of days for germination, % seed germination, seedling survival and seedling biomass of 14 tree species native to southern Quebec (Canada). Seeds of these species were germinated and grown in the presence or absence of L. terrestris. The presence of earthworms significantly reduced % seed germination of seven tree species, as well as seedling survival of three tree species. The germination date of three tree species was significantly affected, either positively or negatively, by the presence of earthworms. Earthworms had no effect on seedling biomass. Results suggest that the introduction of L. terrestris into forested ecosystems of southern Québec may potentially alter overstory composition through several mechanisms that differentially affect the recruitment of various tree species in the understory.     

Crop residue position and interference with wheat seedling development

Unweathered crop residues can produce growth-inhibiting substances, stimulate pathogen growth, and immobilize nutrients. The location of seed relative to residue may be an important factor in the early health of a crop. This greenhouse study simulated sowing conditions possible under annual dryland winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production to evaluate the likelihood of inhibitory effects. We placed newly harvested, unweathered winter wheat residue on the soil surface, mixed with the seed, immediately above the seed, or 3 cm below the seed. Treatments using a plastic residue substitute and treatments using pasteurized soil and residue provided comparisons to the natural soil and wheat residue. Residue mixed with or placed above the seed caused a temporary delay in emergence. Since this occurred with both wheat and plastic residue, the delay is explained by the physical impedance of coleoptile growth. Wheat residue 3 cm below the seed reduced the height and rate of wheat plant development, indicating a biological inhibitory effect of the wheat residue. This reduction in height and development rate at 20 days after planting did not occur when the soil and residue were pasteurized. We conclude that winter wheat seedling growth can be inhibited if roots encounter unweathered residues.     

Effect of soil characteristics, seeding depth, operating speed, and opener design on draft force during direct seeding

Direct seeding practices that promote soil and water conservation and reduce input costs have become an increasingly accepted alternative to conventional tillage systems in western Canada. The objective of the present study was to determine the relative importance of soil characteristics, seeding depth, operating speed, and opener design on draft forces during direct seeding in central Saskatchewan. Draft was measured for nine different openers operated at 1–5 cm seeding depths and three ground speeds in four untilled Chernozemic soils that differed in soil moisture and/or texture. The average increase in opener draft for all fields was 4% for each km h⁻¹ increase in speed. Although the range in soil consistency was small, there was a 24% increase in draft in heavy clay compared to sandy loam soil. Draft force of the average opener increased by nearly 20% for each centimeter increase in seeding depth. However, highly significant interactions among most of the variables investigated indicated that the relative performance of openers was not consistent for the range of conditions evaluated. Large differences among the draft forces of different openers operated at different depths in soils with different consistencies were particulary noteworthy. For example, a 4.5-fold increase in the draft of a low versus a high draft opener operated at 1.25 versus 5.0 cm seeding depth at 7.5 km h⁻¹ in moist, heavy clay soil emphasized the large influence that opener design and seeding depth have on tractor power requirements and direct seeding input costs.     

玉米钵苗移栽机圆盘式栽植机构参数优化及试验

通过育苗移栽技术可大幅度提高单产,为进一步改善钵苗移栽机的栽植质量。该文以玉米纸钵苗移栽机圆盘式栽植机构为研究对象,利用土槽试验,分析了圆盘式栽植机构的工作参数,研究了栽植机构工作参数对移栽质量的影响规律。采用正交旋转组合试验,以开沟器位置、开沟器入土深度、回土铲夹角为影响因子,以直立度合格率和株距变异系数为响应函数,利用Design-expert软件平台的回归分析法及响应面分析法,对3个因子进行单因素和多因素正交试验。试验表明:当开沟器位置在50 mm、回土铲夹角在40°、开沟器入土深度在115 mm条件下,钵苗直立度合格率能达到93%以上,株距变异系数小于12%。优化后的参数可满足玉米移栽的性能要求,为进一步研究提供依据。     

Crop residue and Collembola interact to determine the growth of mycorrhizal pea plants

The effects of collembolan grazing on arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and plant growth were studied in a controlled experiment utilizing a mix of AM fungi and the dominant collembolan species (Isotoma sp.) indigenous to the experimental soil. Collembolan (+/– Col) effects were examined in the presence and absence of crop residue (+/– Litter) incorporated into the experimental soil. Significant interactions between collembolans and crop residue occurred for mycorrhizal colonization of roots and plant growth. In the absence of crop residue, collembolans reduced root length colonized by AM fungi, total plant dry mass and seed pod yield. However, in the presence of crop residue, collembolans had no effect on root colonization by AM fungi, and increased total plant mass and pod yield. Crop residue increased root colonization by AM fungi, numbers of bacteria and saprophytic fungi (colony forming units), small- (<5 m) and large- (>5 m) diameter hyphal lengths in soil, and the final population of collembolans in soil. Collembolans reduced both small- and large-diameter hyphae in soil and the number of saprophytic fungi (colony forming units, p =0.052). Feeding preference experiments conducted in vitro showed that Isotoma sp. preferred to graze on mycorrhizal roots over nonmycorrhizal roots when given no other food choice. However, when crop residue was added as a food choice, Isotoma sp. showed a clear feeding preference for crop residue. We conclude that collembolan grazing on mycorrhizae can be detrimental to plant growth when other fungal food sources are limited, but grazing on mycorrhizal fungi does not occur when ample organic matter and associated saprophytic fungi are present in soils.     

疙瘩开沟器减粘降阻机理及试验研究

减粘降阻是改善开沟器工作性能的方法之一。根据表面改形和表面改性可减粘降阻的原理,设计出多种表面改形且表面改性的疙瘩开沟器。在含水量１２．９％～２８．１％范围内进行了试验。土壤含水量为１２．９％时,开沟器出现粘土现象;土壤含水量为２２％时,开沟器的粘土现象最严重,土壤含水量为２８．１％时,开沟器的粘土现象有所减弱。开沟器的牵引阻力随着土壤含水量的增加而增加,土壤含水量超过２２．０％时,开沟器牵引阻力有所下降。牵引阻力随开沟器牵引速度增加而增加,然后出现下降趋势。在牵引速度为７ｋｍ／ｈ时,牵引阻力最大。研究结果表明,Ａ０４２、Ａ１３２不锈钢焊条堆焊的疙瘩开沟器具有显著的减粘降阻效果。