APPLICATION OF MINIMAL TECHNOLOGIES AND DIRECT SOWING IN THE FIELD CROP ROTATIONS OF THE SOUTHERN TRANS-URALS

Abstract

The article presents the results of multi-year research in field crop rotations (2013-
2020). It dwells upon the influence of minimum technologies and direct sowing on the ag rophysical and agrochemical properties of the soil, the intake of plant residues, the productivity of crop rotations and the economical efficiency of grain production on leached chernozem
in the Southern Trans-Urals. Three cultivation technologies were studied during three crop
rotations with density level of 67-100% with grain crops in comparison with traditional technology. Direct sowing into the uncultivated soil with leaving the mulch of plant residues contributed to the best preservation of the moisture by the time of sowing. The decrease in the
intensity of the soil cultivation down to its rejection in the crop rotation is characterized by an
optimal bulk density, stable microbiological activity of soil, compensation effect of mineral
fertilizers in the nitrogen nutrition of grain crops. It has been established that the crops of crop
rotation accumulate plant mulch on average 3.8 t/ha per year or 28.9% more than in fallow
rotation. Weed infestation of crops on various technologies, including minimal and direct
sowing, was below the threshold harmfulness according to the specific mass of the weeds in
plant formation. The cultivation technology, based on the surface tillage (minimum) turned
out to be equal in terms of the level of profitability of the traditional moldboard plowing technology. The technology without soil cultivation (direct sowing) in field crop rotations with
various crop density provided grain units of 2.0-2.13 tons from 1 hectare of rotation area, with
a maximum level of profitability of 157% in the system of four-field crop rotation. When
moving to minimal soil cultivation and especially to direct sowing, the main condition for obtaining high-quality grains of spring wheat is to ensure the optimal nutritional regime due to
the use of mineral fertilizers. Based on the research conducted under the conditions of efficient use of resources to obtain sustainable yield of arable land, production efficiency of
proper grain quality, the minimum cultivation technology is offered using means of protection
against harmful objects, the application of nitrogen-phosphoric fertilizers in the system of
crop rotation.