Intra-Soil Milling for Stable Evolution and High Productivity of Kastanozem Soil

Abstract

The long-term field experiment on the Kastanozem showed that the standard moldboard plowing to a depth of 22 cm (control), chiseling to a depth of 35 cm, and three-tier plowing (machine type PTN–40) to a depth of 45 cm was incapable of providing a stable soil structure and aggregate system. The transcendental Biogeosystem Technique (BGT*) methodology for intra-soil milling of the 20–45 cm layer and the intra-soil milling PMS–70 machine were developed. The PMS–70 soil processing provided the content of 1–3 mm sized aggregate particle fraction in the illuvial horizon of about 50 to 60%, which was 3-fold higher compared to standard plowing systems. Soil bulk density reduced in the layer 20–40 cm to 1.35 t m−3 compared to 1.51 t m−3 in the control option. In the control, the rhizosphere developed only in the soil upper layer. There were 1.3 roots per cm2 in 0–20 cm, and 0.2 roots per cm2 in 20–40 cm. The rhizosphere spreads only through the soil crevices after chilling. After three-tier plowing (PTN–40), the rhizosphere developed better in the local comfort zones of the soil profile between soil blocks impermeable for roots. After intra-soil milling PMS–70, the rhizosphere developed uniformly in the whole soil profile: 2.2 roots per cm2 in 0–20 cm; 1.7 roots per cm2 in 20–40 cm. Matric water potential was higher, soil salinization was lower, and the pH was close to neutral. Soil organic matter (SOM) content increased to 3.3% in 0–20 cm and 2.1% in 20–40 cm compared to the control (2.0% in the 0–20 cm soil layer and 1.3% in the 20–40 cm layer). The spring barley yield was 53% higher compared to the control. The technology life cycle profitability was moldboard 21.5%, chiseling 6.9%, three-tier 15.6%, and intra-soil milling 45.6%. The new design of the intra-soil milling machine provides five times less traction resistance and 80% increased reliability, halving energy costs.