Historical notes on the zero-tillage concept

In a brief review, earlier German and English attitudes to tillage research are contrasted, especially on the emphasis on soil structure v emphasis on weed control; the effect of the advent of zero tillage on this difference is discussed. It was concluded that chemical weed control gives greater freedom in tillage practice, and research is revealing risks that may be unacceptable for certain crops when tillage practices are changed. CCT. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

A reliefmeter for soil cultivation studies

The apparatus is a board 220 cm x 18 cm on the face of which thin rods 50 cm in length are placed at 10-cm intervals at right angles to the long edge. The board is supported vertically by legs and adjusted until its long edge is parallel to the soil surface. When released the rods slide down to touch the soil and their position is measured on a scale on the board. These data permit the determination of surface roughness of soil. Roughness after plowing generally increased with increasing clay content, and deep plowing increased roughness on a light soil. Roughness in spring depended mainly on roughness after autumn plowing. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)