Soil is the source

Fertile soil is the most important resource for agriculture and is only available for arable farming to a limited extent. That is why it is essential that it is conserved very carefully to ensure the sustainable production of high-quality food and animal feed.

Healthy soil with a natural tilth structure and optimum pore distribution with no harmful compaction allows the crop to develop strong and deep roots. Tillage is about changing the structure of the soil. Shallow cultivation conserves the soil structure stabilised by plant roots and soil organisms in the deeper soil layers. It also causes less disturbance to soil life habitat, as there is much less deep movement of the soil.

Conserving soil water

Water is the most important site-specific factor in arable farming. Especially during dry periods, the availability of water is essential for germination, plant development and crop yield. Differences are particularly noticeable from one location to another and it is essential that cultivation methods are implemented that conserve water.

With the help of shallow tillage and a crumbly soil surface, the capillary rise of water to the soil surface can be interrupted. This keeps the water in the soil and prevents unproductive water evaporation while the soil is ready to be planted. That is how moisture can be retained in the soil so that it is available to the plants.

In addition, ultra-shallow tillage minimises the volume of surface loosened soil that causes evaporation. This also saves valuable soil water.

Conserving the soil

Shallow tillage ensures that organic matter is distributed on the soil surface, because it is not incorporated into deeper layers. This ground cover protects the soil from direct sunlight, creates shade and conserves the soil water.

Protection against erosion is just as important. Even on slopes with a gradual gradient, there is risk of soil erosion in the event of heavy rainfall. The organic material on the surface dissipates the energy of the water droplets so that the soil beneath is not directly exposed to the full force of the rain. The soil particles are protected from extreme weather conditions. This also prevents ponding and conserves the surface structure. The natural infiltration capacity of the soil is retained. In addition, the material on the surface significantly slows down rainwater run-off and prevents the water from displacing the soil.

Sustainable and cost effective

"As shallow as possible, as deep as necessary" is one of the principle rules of tillage. With the PÖTTINGER shallow cultivator, the whole surface can be moved even at the shallowest working depth. This means that less soil needs to be moved. This saves fuel and time. For every centimetre of working depth saved, around 100 to 160 tonnes of soil per hectare less has to be moved, depending on the density of the soil.

New strategies are needed to cope with the increasingly stringent regulations in chemical plant protection and resistance of weeds to herbicides. Shallow yet full-surface tillage plays an important role here. Weeds are encouraged to germinate quickly by the shallow tillage so that they can be controlled in a further step. Weed control measures with repeated cutting are also possible for the sustainable reduction of root weeds.