Effect of Row Cleaner Operational Settings on Crop Residue Translocation in Strip-Tillage

Abstract

Through field experiments and empirical analysis methods, this study determined the dependence of plant residue removal on the row cleaner’s settings in strip-tillage. The main research object of this study is row cleaners. By changing the slip angles (10, 15, and 22.5°), the gap between row cleaner discs in parallel (165, 180, and 195 mm), and the driving speed (1.3, 1.9, 2.5, and 3.1 m s−1), we determined what percentage of wheat residue was removed from the strip on the surface of the soil and what distance it was moved. The percentage of removed plant residue was determined by evaluating the differences between the masses of the plant residue taken from non-removed and removed strips. Empirical analysis of the results of the field experiments showed that both the amount of the removed plant residue and the distance it is moved to were the best when the slip angle was 15°, the gap between the discs of row cleaner was 180 mm, and the driving speed was 2.5 m s−1. With these parameters, up to three-quarters of the plant residue was removed from the soil surface of the strip, which was relocated 308 mm from the middle of the strip. If the slip angle and the driving speed are increased further, even more plant residue can be removed; however, if the plant residue is relocated too far away, it may fall into the zone of the adjacent strip.