Modern technologies for soil management and conservation in Northern Kazakhstan

Abstract

Crop production in the agricultural steppe regions of southwest Siberia and Northern Kazakhstan is mostly focused on cropping spring cultures. Extreme temperature amplitudes, few, unevenly appearing precipitation events and high annual evapotranspiration are the major natural limiting factors. These regions mainly feature crop rotation systems with a high amount of cereals. The low effort required to apply mineral granular fertilizer and high tilling intensity in the meaning of weed protection rather than soil-protecting chemical treatment, are the main reasons for low average yields and a high risk of soil damage due to nutrient losses and wind erosion. The major goal has to be to reduce process inputs while stabilising and raising average yields. To achieve this, the priority has to be placed on minimising labour costs. Crop rotation systems have to become more diverse. Oscillating market situations might be dealt with more easily. Wider crop rotations would lead to a better soil structure and nutrient supply. Additionally, plant protection can be achieved in an easier, faster and cheaper way. Using no-till systems, yield can be stabilized and soils can be protected from wind erosion in an effective way. Seeding machines with wide row spacings and narrow single depth adjusted hoe opener systems are able to carry out shallow tillage only in the seeding furrow. They are also able to place the seed exactly to the adjusted depth. The old stubble is conserved for reasons of minimizing over-ground wind speed and evaporation. The extensive tillage during seeding with a narrow hoe opener system cleans the furrow from organic material and creates fine textured, loose soil and optimal contact between the seed and soil. The faster warming of the furrow after seeding accelerates emergence in cool temperate steppe climates. The additional placement of granular mineral fertilizers into the furrow in dry continental regions is almost the only effective means of fertilization and gives the young crops better growing conditions. The no-till seeding machines Citan Z and Condor, produced by Amazone, are developed for and well tested under high continental steppe conditions. In many trials on a farm scale it has been shown that these machines used in no-till cropping systems are able to save more fuel, time and seeding material than conventional seeding machines with chisel-opener systems. Furthermore a stabilization of the yields was observed due to the better water and nutrient supply.