Agroscope, Institute for Plant Production Sciences IPS, 1260 Nyon, Switzerland

Soil tillage: energy input and seedbed structure

On soils requiring a high energy input for tillage, tillage methods show quite considerable differences with regard to work efficiency, energy requirements and efficiency. In all these respects, active (PTO driven) systems provide better results than passive implements. This is particularly true of the rotary tiller. Increasing the work intensity excessively has proved to be inefficient. The energy input is approximately the same as what is required for the hand hoe. In comparison to natural energy flows which have a much higher influence on soil structure, the energy required seems to be relatively low, even in case of a high work intensity.

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