Advanced Agritechnologies · 2026
Efficiency of adaptive soil tillage technologies in short crop rotations of the Forest Steppe under climate change
Ptashnik, M. M., Remeniuk, Y. O., Brukhal, F. Y., Dykun, O. V., Ostapiuk, B. V.
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Efficiency of adaptive soil tillage technologies in short cr…
Abstract
Aim. To determine the influence of adaptive soil tillage technologies on the formation of productive moisture reserves and the productivity of short grain crop rotations, and to assess economic and energy efficiency indicators of their application. Methods. The study was conducted in 2021–2025 in a long‑term field experiment at the NSC “Institute of Agriculture of NAAS” comparing the following soil tillage systems: shallow discing (6–8 cm for all crops), medium discing (10–12 cm), variable‑depth ploughing (28–30 cm for soybean, 16–18 cm for winter wheat, 22–24 cm for proso millet, and 10–12 cm for oat), variable‑depth chisel ploughing, and combined disc tillage (10–12 cm for soybean, winter wheat, and oat) with periodic deep chisel ploughing (40–42 cm for proso millet). Yield, economic efficiency (net profit, profitability), and energy efficiency were evaluated. Results. The impact of variable‑depth ploughing, chisel ploughing, discing, combined, and shallow tillage systems on productive moisture reserves in the 0–100 cm layer, crop yields, and economic and energy indicators was investigated. Combined systems with periodic deep chisel ploughing ensured the highest reserves of productive moisture in the arable and sub‑arable layers (up to 159.7–169.8 mm in the 0–100 cm soil laye), as well as the highest grain yield (4.23 ± 0.46 t/ha) under organic‑mineral fertilisation. Excessive minimisation of the tillage (continuous shallow discing at 6–8 cm) reduced soil water‑holding capacity and limited the realisation of fertilisation potential. Economic evaluation showed that the combined system under organic‑mineral fertilisation provided the maximum net profit (25.43 UAH/ha) and an acceptable profitability level (125%). It was established that the key factor of energy efficiency is agrocenosis productivity, while the share of mechanical tillage in the structure of energy costs is relatively small. Conclusions. The feasibility of introducing adaptive (differentiated) soil tillage systems as a tool for climate adaptation of agriculture under unstable moisture conditions has been confirmed. These systems ensure the realisation of the biological productivity potential of crop rotations and improve the efficiency of mineral fertiliser use.
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Aim. To determine the influence of adaptive soil tillage technologies on the formation of productive moisture reserves and the productivity of short grain crop rotations, and to assess economic and energy efficiency indicators of their application. Methods. The study was conducted in 2021–2025 in a long‑term field experiment at the NSC “Institute of Agriculture of NAAS” comparing the following soil tillage systems: shallow discing (6–8 cm for all crops), medium discing (10–12 cm), variable‑depth ploughing (28–30 cm for soybean, 16–18 cm for winter wheat, 22–24 cm for proso millet, and 10–12 cm for oat), variable‑depth chisel ploughing, and combined disc tillage (10–12 cm for soybean, winter wheat, and oat) with periodic deep chisel ploughing (40–42 cm for proso millet). Yield, economic efficiency (net profit, profitability), and energy efficiency were evaluated. Results. The impact of variable‑depth ploughing, chisel ploughing, discing, combined, and shallow tillage systems on productive moisture reserves in the 0–100 cm layer, crop yields, and economic and energy indicators was investigated. Combined systems with periodic deep chisel ploughing ensured the highest reserves of productive moisture in the arable and sub‑arable layers (up to 159.7–169.8 mm in the 0–100 cm soil laye), as well as the highest grain yield (4.23 ± 0.46 t/ha) under organic‑mineral fertilisation. Excessive minimisation of the tillage (continuous shallow discing at 6–8 cm) reduced soil water‑holding capacity and limited the realisation of fertilisation potential. Economic evaluation showed that the combined system under organic‑mineral fertilisation provided the maximum net profit (25.43 UAH/ha) and an acceptable profitability level (125%). It was established that the key factor of energy efficiency is agrocenosis productivity, while the share of mechanical tillage in the structure of energy costs is relatively small. Conclusions. The feasibility of introducing adaptive (differentiated) soil tillage systems as a tool for climate adaptation of agriculture under unstable moisture conditions has been confirmed. These systems ensure the realisation of the biological productivity potential of crop rotations and improve the efficiency of mineral fertiliser use.
Aim. To determine the influence of adaptive soil tillage technologies on the formation of productive moisture reserves and the productivity of short grain crop rotations, and to assess economic and energy efficiency indicators of their application. Methods. The study was conducted in 2021–2025 in a long‑term field experiment at the NSC “Institute of Agriculture of NAAS” comparing the following soil tillage systems: shallow discing (6–8 cm for all crops), medium discing (10–12 cm), variable‑depth ploughing (28–30 cm for soybean, 16–18 cm for winter wheat, 22–24 cm for proso millet, and 10–12 cm for oat), variable‑depth chisel ploughing, and combined disc tillage (10–12 cm for soybean, winter wheat, and oat) with periodic deep chisel ploughing (40–42 cm for proso millet). Yield, economic efficiency (net profit, profitability), and energy efficiency were evaluated. Results. The impact of variable‑depth ploughing, chisel ploughing, discing, combined, and shallow tillage systems on productive moisture reserves in the 0–100 cm layer, crop yields, and economic and energy indicators was investigated. Combined systems with periodic deep chisel ploughing ensured the highest reserves of productive moisture in the arable and sub‑arable layers (up to 159.7–169.8 mm in the 0–100 cm soil laye), as well as the highest grain yield (4.23 ± 0.46 t/ha) under organic‑mineral fertilisation. Excessive minimisation of the tillage (continuous shallow discing at 6–8 cm) reduced soil water‑holding capacity and limited the realisation of fertilisation potential. Economic evaluation showed that the combined system under organic‑mineral fertilisation provided the maximum net profit (25.43 UAH/ha) and an acceptable profitability level (125%). It was established that the key factor of energy efficiency is agrocenosis productivity, while the share of mechanical tillage in the structure of energy costs is relatively small. Conclusions. The feasibility of introducing adaptive (differentiated) soil tillage systems as a tool for climate adaptation of agriculture under unstable moisture conditions has been confirmed. These systems ensure the realisation of the biological productivity potential of crop rotations and improve the efficiency of mineral fertiliser use.