Agronomic performance of disc chain harrow as a conservation agriculture tool for a one-step cover crop termination and seedbed preparation

Abstract

Summary Cover crops and conservation soil tillage are reconsidered in cropping systems for their several agronomical and ecosystem services. In this frame, an important role is played by cover crop termination and seedbed preparation, which are crucial for a timely and successful establishment of the following cash crop. This work was aimed at testing a disc chain harrow for terminating a cover crop of hairy vetch and preparing a seedbed for soybean and defining its operational characteristics. A total of three trials were carried out to (1) compare two types of discs in two different front + rear combinations and two different working speeds (8 vs. 14 km h−1) in terms of efficacy of hairy vetch termination; (2) evaluate the seedbed preparation by the disc chain in terms of soybean establishment as a following cash crop; (3) evaluate operational characteristics (working speed, fuel consumption, absorbed power, etc.) of the disc chain at the two different speeds. Results demonstrate that the disc chain is a valid tool for cover crop termination and seedbed preparation in a conservation tillage approach. The quality of work was affected by the type of disc and the working speed. The disc chain showed good operating performance, with low mechanical pulling force, low energy requirement for traction, and low fuel consumption as compared to alternative conservation practices for cover crop termination and/or shallow soil tillage.