Site-specific soil cultivation

Abstract

Site-specific soil cultivation has several objectives. In primary cultivation, the main objective is the control of the working depth. Signals for this control can be derived from the clay content, the organic matter content, the hydromorphic properties and the slope of the soil. An algorithm can combine these signals to control the working depth. The soil resistance to penetration is a suitable control signal for sensing hardpans below the topsoil, but not for the working depth within the topsoil, since it depends mostly on the water content. In secondary cultivation, clod size reduction is an important objective. The site-specific control signals for this can be obtained from the forces acting on a sensing tine of a cultivator. The standard deviations of the forces can provide for suitable control parameters. In stubble- or fallow cultivations either fast- or slow decomposition of the residues should be aimed at depending on rotations, climate and risk of soil erosion. The introduction of controlled traffic farming or of unmanned farm machinery will promote crop production without tillage well beyond the present use.