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Soil & Tillage Research, 2 (1982) 91--100 Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam -- Printed in The Netherlands
INFO
91
International Soil Tillage Research Organization
E d i t o r : Ir. C. van O u w e r k e r k
D e c e m b e r 1981
N u m b e r 11
INTRODUCTION
In the 4th quarter of 1981 the secretariat has been extremely busy with the 'ISTRO Roundup', which means that to all relevant addresses on the mailing list of ISTRO invoices for the membership fee for 1980 and 1981 have been sent. By the end of November about 85 people had sent their remittance, whereas about 20 people informed me that t h e y were no longer interested in ISTRO. It is absolutely necessary to know well before the 9th Conference of ISTRO, i.e. by the end of May 1982, which people may be regarded as 'true' members of ISTRO. Therefore, I urge all those who received an invoice to answer in due course. It is not only the m o n e y which is important but, perhaps more so, the answer to the question who belongs to ISTRO and who does not. It may be that in certain countries there are difficulties in remitting money but I am sure that nowhere difficulties exist in sending explanatory letters! For the sake of completeness I repeat that the membership fee amounts to Dfl. 15.00 for individual members and to Dfl. 75.00 for corporate members. The a m o u n t due may be remitted to the account of the International Soil Tillage Research Organization (ISTRO), Account No. 57 02 99 926, Algernene Bank Nederland, Branch-office H A R E N GN, The Netherlands. The a m o u n t due should be increased by Dfl. 6.00, which is the usual a m o u n t charged by the bank for money transfers. 9TH CONFERENCE OF ISTRO, 21--25 JUNE 1982, OSIJEK, YUGOSLAVIA The executive secretary of the Organizing Committee, Mr. I. ~ugec, informed me that preparations for the 9th Conference were in full swing. By the end of October 1981 there were already 85 registered participants and 72 papers announced. The Organizing Committee was very busy preparing the 3rd notification to be sent to all participants in due course.
92 The deadline for t he submission o f papers was fixed at 31 December 1981. CONSTITUTION AND BYE-LAWS OF ISTRO The draft which was sent to the membership on 25 June 1981 has not caused t o o m a n y reactions. However, the general feeling o f the respondents was that, 'in accordance with t he spirit of our hitherto informal grouping, t h e d o c u m e n t gives the Organization a well-framed constitution, without binding it t o o tightly within its own rules'. Comments made refer to minor points which will be easily settled. Therefore, the final draft will be presented at and not sent out before the 9th Conference o f ISTRO at Osijek. AN EMBLEM FOR ISTRO Mr. A.M. Uribelarrea (Buenos Aires) observed that 'ISTRO lacks a logotype or any f o r m o f identification'. Such an emblem could identify the Organization's correspondence and information bulletins and thus facilitate international relations. I gladly support this observation and, therefore, I invite the membership to submit ideas for the design o f such an emblem, which should symbolize t h e objective o f ISTRO -- t he p r o m o t i o n o f scientific research in the domain o f soil tillage and of its applications -- and its international character. At the poster session during the 9th Conference of ISTRO a display of these ideas could be made and perhaps we could decide together u p o n the best one! ISTRO MEMBERSCHIP
New members (1 September--30 November 1981) Haman, J,, Prof. Dr. -- Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Palac Kultury i Nauki, 00-901, Warsaw, Poland. Swedish Sugar Company (Corporate member) -- c/o Mr. C. Sperlingsson, Swedish Sugar Company, Agricultural Engineering Department, 245 00 Staffanstorp, Sweden. Taylor, P., Mr. -- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) Agricultural Engineering Group, P.O. Box 26, Highett, Vict. 3190, Australia.
Changes of address (1 September--30 November 1981) Galvin, J., Mr. -- Council for Development in Agriculture (ACOT), National Office, Frascati Road, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Nuttal, M., Mr. -- Norfolk Agricultural Station, Morley St. Botolph, Wymondham, Norfolk NR18 9DB, England. Wingate-Hill, R., Mr. -- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Division of Forest Research, P.O. Box 4008, Canberra, A.C.T. 2600, Australia. ISTRO DIARY
16--19 February 1982. 'Soft Management'. Short course, organized by NIAE,
93 SWAMA and ADAS. Information: Mrs. Pam Cook, Short Course Secretary, Natio. nal College of Agricultural Engineering, Silsoe, Bedford MK 45 4DT, England. 18--20 May, 1982. 'Roots at Work'. Silver Jubilee Subject Days of ARC Letcombe Laboratory. Information: Dr. R.S. Bruce, ARC Letcombe Laboratory, Wantage, Oxon OX12 9JT, England. 26 May 1982. 'Cultivations, Drilling and Soil Care'. NIAE/SIAE Members Day. Information: Mr. W.C.T. Chamen, National Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Silsoe, Bedford MK45 4HS, England. 14--15 June 1982. The 29th World Plouging Contest. Mount Ireh, Longford, near Launceston, Tasmania. Information: Tasmanian Association World Ploughing Inc., Mr. Jim Hart, Director, Red Banks, Evandale, Tasmania, Australia 7212. 21--25 June 1982. 9th Conference of the International Soil Tillage Research Organization (ISTRO). Osijek, Yugoslavia. Information: Prof. Dr. V. Mihalid, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Simunska cesta 25, 41 000 Zagreb, Yugoslavia. 22--27 August 1982. Ninth International Plant Nutrition Colloquium. Warwick University, Coventry, England. Information: Dr. M.A. Scaife, National Vegetable Research Station, Wellesbourne, Warwick CV 35 9EF, England. 13--14 December 1982. Fourth National Drainage Symposium. Chicago, IL, U.S.A. Information: Darrell W. DeBoer, Program Chairman, Department of Agricultural Engineering, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, U.S.A. ISTRO NEWS FROM... Federal Republic of Germany University of GSttingen, Institute of Agronomy, Von-Siebold-Strasse8, 3400 GSttingen, (Dr. W. Ehlers). In the spring of 1981 Dr. M.J. Goss (Letcombe Laboratory, Wantage, England), Ir. F.R. Boone (Agricultural University Wageningen, Tillage Laboratory) and I have started a cooperative research project on soil structure development on tilled and non-tilled soil. In all three countries soil samples were taken from long-term field experiments on several soil types, which will be analysed for pore space, hydraulic conductivity and gas diffusion. It is hoped that the data obtained will allow to draw conclusions on the effect of sequential direct drilling and conventional ploughing on the micromorphology and, especially, on the continuity of pore space. Preliminary results will be presented at the 9th Conference of ISTRO. The Netherlands Institute for Soil Fertility, Department of Soil Physicsand Soil Tillage, P.O. Box 30003, Haren Gn (C. van Ouwerkerk}.
94
It occurred to me that it might be worthwhile to start an international working group on tillage research in soil bins. A first discussion as to the need for and the organization of such a working group as a sub-group of ISTRO could well be held during the 9th Conference of ISTRO. I should appreciate it very much if interested colleagues would be so kind as to contact me.
United Kingdom The University of Nottingham, Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough LE12 5RD (T.C.K. Dawkins).
We have embarked on a research programme this year investigating different tillage techniques in the establishment and subsequent development of oilseed rape. Five tillage treatments have been selected for the trial; the new Paraplow has been included as one of the treatments. I have now written a paper for submission to Soil & Tillage Research, which will be sent to y o u in the near future. It deals with some aspects of our work in relation to deep tillage, growth and development of the pea and wheat crops.
ARC Letcombe Laboratory, Wantage, Oxon OX12 9JT (R.S. Bruce).
ARC L e t c o m b e Laboratory will be demonstrating its research on plant growth in relation to the soil at Silver Jubilee Subject Days on 18, 19 and 20 May 1982, under the titel 'Roots at Work'. Responses of crops to waterlogging, effects of simplified cultivation systems on crop growth and soil properties, uptake and loss of fertilizer nitrogen, interactions with soil microorganisms and the physiology of root growth and function will be among the topics of laboratory and field displays.
National Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Silsoe, Bedford MK45 4HS (J.V. Stafford; W.C.T. Chamen).
The Cultivation Department have just completed t w o development contracts with implement manufacturers for high speed shallow cultivation implements for winter cereals. Both implements are n o w being successfully marketed, the one on the Tasker Tillage Train consisting of heavy d u t y spring tines and disc harrows is made b y Craven Tasker Limited, Andover, U.K., and the other, the Dyna-Drive consisting of two soil-driven rotors is made b y Bomford & Evershed Ltd., Evesham, U.K.
95
The Bomford & Evershed Dyna-Drive twin rotor high speed shallow cultivaror.
At the NIAE/SIAE Members Day 'Cultivations, Drilling and Soil Care', 26 May 1982, work of SIAE, NCAE and NIAE on the following topics will be on display:
Shallow cultivations Tines and discs Soil driven cultivator Shallow plough
Medium and deep cultivations Rotary digging Subsoiling Mole ploughing Deep placement of fertiliser
Drilling 'A' blade direct drill Broadcasting
Tandem operations Bridge links for direct and conventional drilling
Cage wheels New NIAE designs
Instrumentation Power measurement Radio telemetry
Field experiments Cultivation system studies Field traffic -- conventional
Soil mechanics Soil mechanical properties S o . i m p l e m e n t interactions
96 -- low ground pressure controlled
Implement forces and soil disturbance Draught and powered implements
Profitability Computer aid to selecting the most profitable machinery and cropping system. Numerous demonstrations of prototype machinery and implements developed from commercial joint ventures including the Howard Rotadigger and Paraplow, Cooper and Boyden bridge links, Bomford Dyna-Drive and Taskers Tillage Train.
ScottishInstituteof AgriculturalEngineering,Bush Estate,Penicuik,Midlothian EH26 0PH (D.J.Campbell).
By the end of the third quarter of 1981 the following staff was working in soil tillage: J.J. Leeson -- compaction by agricultural machines D. MacIntyre --vibratory tillage, rotary ploughing, rotary ridging of potatoes, direct drilling J.A. Pascal -- potato cultivations, slot seeding D.H. Rackham --vibratory tillage, shallow ploughing B.W. Sheppard -- slot seeding.
United States of America' Columbia PlateauConservationResearch Center,P.O. Box 370, Pendleton, OR 97801 (R.R. Almaras). Several matters of interest to I S T R O are: (1) From time to time there are special A R S workshops held and reports published. One of these is "Infiltration Research Planning Workshop Part 1. State of Art Reports ARM-NC-4. April 1979". It may be obtained from U S D A - A R S , 2000 W. Pioneer Parkway, Peoria, IL 61615. {2) There is considerable urgent interest in Soil Erosion/Soil Productivity in the U.S.A. There is increasing evidence of poor production in parts of landscapes seriously afffected by erosion. The Resource Conservation Act and associated assessment has sharpened awareness even in our highest councils of government. Several weeks ago A R S held a workshop in Lafayette to focus their research. A report is forthcoming, but I do not k n o w if it will be published. W e concentrated on conservation tillage,modeling soil productivity as related to soil loss,improved soil erosion modeling, and experimentation to ascertain soil productivity in a landscape. (3) The American Society of Agronomy is in the process of publishing
97 two special publications related to soil erosion and tillage. They are, respectively, "Determinants of Soil Loss Tolerance" and "Predicting Tillage Effects on Soil Physical Properties and Processes". They should b o t h be o u t in December 1981. (4) An ARS workshop on "Soil Compaction" is planned for 3--5 November 1981 at St. Paul, Minnesota. Hopefully the minutes of this workshop will also be published before June 1982. ISTRO INFORMS ABOUT...
National Workshop on Tillage Systems for Crop Production August--September, 1981, Roseworthy Agricultural College, South Australia The conference was sponsored b y the Wheat Industry Research Council of Australia with the aim: reviewing current knowledge in Australia of the various aspects of tillage systems; and defining areas of research needs for tillage systems in the 1980's, including areas for c o o p e r a t i v e research. There were 65 papers presented under six headings: (1) overview of present and potential tillage systems; (2) soil physical properties; (3) fertilizers; (4) weed control; (5) rotation pests and diseases; (6) machinery, fuel and energy requirements. The completed Proceedings will be available shortly from the Convenor Dr. R.G. Fawcett of the Department of Agriculture of South Australia. At the conclusion of the formal sessions a number of discussion groups were formed, each of which was given a major question to answer. Dr. A.D. Rovira of the Division of Soils, CSIRO at Adelaide, who is concerned with soil-borne diseases, has summarised the results of these discussions below.
Question 1 : Where are we heading with no-tillage, reduced tillage trash retention systems for crop production ? Three regions were considered, each with different requirements: 1. Queensland and northern New South Wales -- mainly heavy clay soils (vertisols) with a summer rainfall. The major requirements are fallow for weed control and moisture storage, and stubble retention for erosion control. The research areas are seen to be the development of zero-till equipment for these soils; stubble seeding equipment: yellow spot disease of wheat; and spot spray equipment for sparse large summer weeds. 2. South Australia -- mainly light to medium textured softs with winter rainfall. The new tillage systems are based on the use of the conventional machine, the 'full combine' (duck-foot tine cultivator and seed drill combined). These machines need developing to give better trash handling. There are excellent opportunities for chemical weed control with new weedicides but there are problems with brome grass (Bromus unioloides) and barley grass (Hordeum murinum), l~esearch is needed to provide break crops and pasture manipulation to control soft-borne root diseases. Better systems are
98 required for pasture management and the establishment of high legume swards to maximise nitrogen input. 3. Western Australia, Victoria and southern New South Wales --- light ranging through to heavy soils with winter to uniform rainfall. Generally low rainfall of 350 to 400 mm, so that the major research area appears to be the management of the new systems for maximising the use of water. Question 2: Should weeds be controlled by herbicides, tillage and/or management practices? List research areas in these technologies. 1. Herbicides: development of new uses; mode of action, and impact on soil biology; residuel herbicides required for chemical fallowing; in-crops weed control; improvement of safety in chemicals; development of resistance in weeds to herbicides. Problems of application: improvement of marking for farmers in large fields; development of new application techniques -- spot or droplet application; use of licensed operators; and extension of aerial application. 2. Tillage: information needed on weed dynamics; model the balance between erosion control, weed control, moisture loss and the cost of chemical alternatives to tillage; better definition is required of the soil structure that develops under different tillage systems. 3. Management practices: study of weed biology to identify control techniques; integration of rotation and herbicide practices. Question 3: Do we have appropriate tillage and spray equipment for Australian conditions? How can they be improved? Conclusions: Pre-tillage: handling of stubble at harvest and during summer; primary tillage; improvement required to rod weeders. Planting: improvements required in combines to handle stubble and trash. Spray equipment: need improved sprays, spot sprays and methods for handling chemicals. There is a need to rationalise certain areas of work within Australia, e.g. stubbling handling equipment and spray equipment. Question 4: What will be the role o f crop rotations, pasturesand livestock ? Conclusions: Rotations will be exploited within the constrainst of the demand for the products. The efficiency of grain legumes for nitrogen fixation was questioned. Pasture will reduce in area until it is incompatible with intensive cropping and farmers will lose flexibility to return to a mixed livestock cropping system. Livestock will react to short-term economic trends with specialisation towards either cropping or livestock -- depending on climate or interest of farmers. Question 5: Will pests, diseases and nutrient deficiencies become a problem ? Conclusions: Diseases and insect problems are difficult to predict and possibly the best attitude is to wait for the problem to appear before seeking solu-
99 tions. Nutrient status with respect to nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and water, at least, should be monitored. Detailed studies of the cycling processes in relation to rotations and tillage are required. Information is needed on ecological effects of chemicals on the soils. Question 6: H o w to avoid likely weaknesses in tillage experiments? What measurements should be made? Conclusions: In tillage research it is important to distinguish between the total system and the various components of the system; there is need for a clear definition of the aims within the experiment. Large areas are required for long-term experiments so that further treatments can be incorporated. Most research should be directed towards components of a system leaving the farmer to develop the overall systems. A multi
100 what are the fertilizer and energy inputs and the outputs of any new tillage system. Soil tests, he considered, were of little predictive value under Australian conditions whether one is involved in reduced cultivation or conventional cultivation. Soil physical properties was an important area and agronomists were now getting involved in this aspect of the problem. Much of the research with the new tillage systems should revolve around their effect on soil physical properties. The importance of integrated management for weed control was discussed along with the description of a number of exciting new chemicals which have a future in reduced tillage. However, there is a need to know more about the possible problems of residues with these different herbicides. Interaction between soil type and tillage was an important topic. The main development of reduced tillage has been on the lighter soils and there is much work to be done on the reasons why reduced tillage has not been so successful on heavier soils. The spread of cropping into higher rainfall areas is a new development in Australia, especially in N.S.W. and Victoria. This means that soils will be exposed to water erosion hazards and there will be a need to investigate tillage systems in relation to soil type, slope and management of these new highrainfall cropping areas. Along with expansion into the higher rainfall areas there may well be a reduction in the cropping of the dry areas. Communicated by: Dr. E.L. Greasen, CSIRO, Division of Soils, Private Bag No. 2, Glen Osmond, S.A. 5064, Australia.
INFO
91
International Soil Tillage Research Organization
E d i t o r : Ir. C. van O u w e r k e r k
D e c e m b e r 1981
N u m b e r 11
INTRODUCTION
In the 4th quarter of 1981 the secretariat has been extremely busy with the 'ISTRO Roundup', which means that to all relevant addresses on the mailing list of ISTRO invoices for the membership fee for 1980 and 1981 have been sent. By the end of November about 85 people had sent their remittance, whereas about 20 people informed me that t h e y were no longer interested in ISTRO. It is absolutely necessary to know well before the 9th Conference of ISTRO, i.e. by the end of May 1982, which people may be regarded as 'true' members of ISTRO. Therefore, I urge all those who received an invoice to answer in due course. It is not only the m o n e y which is important but, perhaps more so, the answer to the question who belongs to ISTRO and who does not. It may be that in certain countries there are difficulties in remitting money but I am sure that nowhere difficulties exist in sending explanatory letters! For the sake of completeness I repeat that the membership fee amounts to Dfl. 15.00 for individual members and to Dfl. 75.00 for corporate members. The a m o u n t due may be remitted to the account of the International Soil Tillage Research Organization (ISTRO), Account No. 57 02 99 926, Algernene Bank Nederland, Branch-office H A R E N GN, The Netherlands. The a m o u n t due should be increased by Dfl. 6.00, which is the usual a m o u n t charged by the bank for money transfers. 9TH CONFERENCE OF ISTRO, 21--25 JUNE 1982, OSIJEK, YUGOSLAVIA The executive secretary of the Organizing Committee, Mr. I. ~ugec, informed me that preparations for the 9th Conference were in full swing. By the end of October 1981 there were already 85 registered participants and 72 papers announced. The Organizing Committee was very busy preparing the 3rd notification to be sent to all participants in due course.
92 The deadline for t he submission o f papers was fixed at 31 December 1981. CONSTITUTION AND BYE-LAWS OF ISTRO The draft which was sent to the membership on 25 June 1981 has not caused t o o m a n y reactions. However, the general feeling o f the respondents was that, 'in accordance with t he spirit of our hitherto informal grouping, t h e d o c u m e n t gives the Organization a well-framed constitution, without binding it t o o tightly within its own rules'. Comments made refer to minor points which will be easily settled. Therefore, the final draft will be presented at and not sent out before the 9th Conference o f ISTRO at Osijek. AN EMBLEM FOR ISTRO Mr. A.M. Uribelarrea (Buenos Aires) observed that 'ISTRO lacks a logotype or any f o r m o f identification'. Such an emblem could identify the Organization's correspondence and information bulletins and thus facilitate international relations. I gladly support this observation and, therefore, I invite the membership to submit ideas for the design o f such an emblem, which should symbolize t h e objective o f ISTRO -- t he p r o m o t i o n o f scientific research in the domain o f soil tillage and of its applications -- and its international character. At the poster session during the 9th Conference of ISTRO a display of these ideas could be made and perhaps we could decide together u p o n the best one! ISTRO MEMBERSCHIP
New members (1 September--30 November 1981) Haman, J,, Prof. Dr. -- Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Palac Kultury i Nauki, 00-901, Warsaw, Poland. Swedish Sugar Company (Corporate member) -- c/o Mr. C. Sperlingsson, Swedish Sugar Company, Agricultural Engineering Department, 245 00 Staffanstorp, Sweden. Taylor, P., Mr. -- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) Agricultural Engineering Group, P.O. Box 26, Highett, Vict. 3190, Australia.
Changes of address (1 September--30 November 1981) Galvin, J., Mr. -- Council for Development in Agriculture (ACOT), National Office, Frascati Road, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Nuttal, M., Mr. -- Norfolk Agricultural Station, Morley St. Botolph, Wymondham, Norfolk NR18 9DB, England. Wingate-Hill, R., Mr. -- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Division of Forest Research, P.O. Box 4008, Canberra, A.C.T. 2600, Australia. ISTRO DIARY
16--19 February 1982. 'Soft Management'. Short course, organized by NIAE,
93 SWAMA and ADAS. Information: Mrs. Pam Cook, Short Course Secretary, Natio. nal College of Agricultural Engineering, Silsoe, Bedford MK 45 4DT, England. 18--20 May, 1982. 'Roots at Work'. Silver Jubilee Subject Days of ARC Letcombe Laboratory. Information: Dr. R.S. Bruce, ARC Letcombe Laboratory, Wantage, Oxon OX12 9JT, England. 26 May 1982. 'Cultivations, Drilling and Soil Care'. NIAE/SIAE Members Day. Information: Mr. W.C.T. Chamen, National Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Silsoe, Bedford MK45 4HS, England. 14--15 June 1982. The 29th World Plouging Contest. Mount Ireh, Longford, near Launceston, Tasmania. Information: Tasmanian Association World Ploughing Inc., Mr. Jim Hart, Director, Red Banks, Evandale, Tasmania, Australia 7212. 21--25 June 1982. 9th Conference of the International Soil Tillage Research Organization (ISTRO). Osijek, Yugoslavia. Information: Prof. Dr. V. Mihalid, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Simunska cesta 25, 41 000 Zagreb, Yugoslavia. 22--27 August 1982. Ninth International Plant Nutrition Colloquium. Warwick University, Coventry, England. Information: Dr. M.A. Scaife, National Vegetable Research Station, Wellesbourne, Warwick CV 35 9EF, England. 13--14 December 1982. Fourth National Drainage Symposium. Chicago, IL, U.S.A. Information: Darrell W. DeBoer, Program Chairman, Department of Agricultural Engineering, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, U.S.A. ISTRO NEWS FROM... Federal Republic of Germany University of GSttingen, Institute of Agronomy, Von-Siebold-Strasse8, 3400 GSttingen, (Dr. W. Ehlers). In the spring of 1981 Dr. M.J. Goss (Letcombe Laboratory, Wantage, England), Ir. F.R. Boone (Agricultural University Wageningen, Tillage Laboratory) and I have started a cooperative research project on soil structure development on tilled and non-tilled soil. In all three countries soil samples were taken from long-term field experiments on several soil types, which will be analysed for pore space, hydraulic conductivity and gas diffusion. It is hoped that the data obtained will allow to draw conclusions on the effect of sequential direct drilling and conventional ploughing on the micromorphology and, especially, on the continuity of pore space. Preliminary results will be presented at the 9th Conference of ISTRO. The Netherlands Institute for Soil Fertility, Department of Soil Physicsand Soil Tillage, P.O. Box 30003, Haren Gn (C. van Ouwerkerk}.
94
It occurred to me that it might be worthwhile to start an international working group on tillage research in soil bins. A first discussion as to the need for and the organization of such a working group as a sub-group of ISTRO could well be held during the 9th Conference of ISTRO. I should appreciate it very much if interested colleagues would be so kind as to contact me.
United Kingdom The University of Nottingham, Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough LE12 5RD (T.C.K. Dawkins).
We have embarked on a research programme this year investigating different tillage techniques in the establishment and subsequent development of oilseed rape. Five tillage treatments have been selected for the trial; the new Paraplow has been included as one of the treatments. I have now written a paper for submission to Soil & Tillage Research, which will be sent to y o u in the near future. It deals with some aspects of our work in relation to deep tillage, growth and development of the pea and wheat crops.
ARC Letcombe Laboratory, Wantage, Oxon OX12 9JT (R.S. Bruce).
ARC L e t c o m b e Laboratory will be demonstrating its research on plant growth in relation to the soil at Silver Jubilee Subject Days on 18, 19 and 20 May 1982, under the titel 'Roots at Work'. Responses of crops to waterlogging, effects of simplified cultivation systems on crop growth and soil properties, uptake and loss of fertilizer nitrogen, interactions with soil microorganisms and the physiology of root growth and function will be among the topics of laboratory and field displays.
National Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Silsoe, Bedford MK45 4HS (J.V. Stafford; W.C.T. Chamen).
The Cultivation Department have just completed t w o development contracts with implement manufacturers for high speed shallow cultivation implements for winter cereals. Both implements are n o w being successfully marketed, the one on the Tasker Tillage Train consisting of heavy d u t y spring tines and disc harrows is made b y Craven Tasker Limited, Andover, U.K., and the other, the Dyna-Drive consisting of two soil-driven rotors is made b y Bomford & Evershed Ltd., Evesham, U.K.
95
The Bomford & Evershed Dyna-Drive twin rotor high speed shallow cultivaror.
At the NIAE/SIAE Members Day 'Cultivations, Drilling and Soil Care', 26 May 1982, work of SIAE, NCAE and NIAE on the following topics will be on display:
Shallow cultivations Tines and discs Soil driven cultivator Shallow plough
Medium and deep cultivations Rotary digging Subsoiling Mole ploughing Deep placement of fertiliser
Drilling 'A' blade direct drill Broadcasting
Tandem operations Bridge links for direct and conventional drilling
Cage wheels New NIAE designs
Instrumentation Power measurement Radio telemetry
Field experiments Cultivation system studies Field traffic -- conventional
Soil mechanics Soil mechanical properties S o . i m p l e m e n t interactions
96 -- low ground pressure controlled
Implement forces and soil disturbance Draught and powered implements
Profitability Computer aid to selecting the most profitable machinery and cropping system. Numerous demonstrations of prototype machinery and implements developed from commercial joint ventures including the Howard Rotadigger and Paraplow, Cooper and Boyden bridge links, Bomford Dyna-Drive and Taskers Tillage Train.
ScottishInstituteof AgriculturalEngineering,Bush Estate,Penicuik,Midlothian EH26 0PH (D.J.Campbell).
By the end of the third quarter of 1981 the following staff was working in soil tillage: J.J. Leeson -- compaction by agricultural machines D. MacIntyre --vibratory tillage, rotary ploughing, rotary ridging of potatoes, direct drilling J.A. Pascal -- potato cultivations, slot seeding D.H. Rackham --vibratory tillage, shallow ploughing B.W. Sheppard -- slot seeding.
United States of America' Columbia PlateauConservationResearch Center,P.O. Box 370, Pendleton, OR 97801 (R.R. Almaras). Several matters of interest to I S T R O are: (1) From time to time there are special A R S workshops held and reports published. One of these is "Infiltration Research Planning Workshop Part 1. State of Art Reports ARM-NC-4. April 1979". It may be obtained from U S D A - A R S , 2000 W. Pioneer Parkway, Peoria, IL 61615. {2) There is considerable urgent interest in Soil Erosion/Soil Productivity in the U.S.A. There is increasing evidence of poor production in parts of landscapes seriously afffected by erosion. The Resource Conservation Act and associated assessment has sharpened awareness even in our highest councils of government. Several weeks ago A R S held a workshop in Lafayette to focus their research. A report is forthcoming, but I do not k n o w if it will be published. W e concentrated on conservation tillage,modeling soil productivity as related to soil loss,improved soil erosion modeling, and experimentation to ascertain soil productivity in a landscape. (3) The American Society of Agronomy is in the process of publishing
97 two special publications related to soil erosion and tillage. They are, respectively, "Determinants of Soil Loss Tolerance" and "Predicting Tillage Effects on Soil Physical Properties and Processes". They should b o t h be o u t in December 1981. (4) An ARS workshop on "Soil Compaction" is planned for 3--5 November 1981 at St. Paul, Minnesota. Hopefully the minutes of this workshop will also be published before June 1982. ISTRO INFORMS ABOUT...
National Workshop on Tillage Systems for Crop Production August--September, 1981, Roseworthy Agricultural College, South Australia The conference was sponsored b y the Wheat Industry Research Council of Australia with the aim: reviewing current knowledge in Australia of the various aspects of tillage systems; and defining areas of research needs for tillage systems in the 1980's, including areas for c o o p e r a t i v e research. There were 65 papers presented under six headings: (1) overview of present and potential tillage systems; (2) soil physical properties; (3) fertilizers; (4) weed control; (5) rotation pests and diseases; (6) machinery, fuel and energy requirements. The completed Proceedings will be available shortly from the Convenor Dr. R.G. Fawcett of the Department of Agriculture of South Australia. At the conclusion of the formal sessions a number of discussion groups were formed, each of which was given a major question to answer. Dr. A.D. Rovira of the Division of Soils, CSIRO at Adelaide, who is concerned with soil-borne diseases, has summarised the results of these discussions below.
Question 1 : Where are we heading with no-tillage, reduced tillage trash retention systems for crop production ? Three regions were considered, each with different requirements: 1. Queensland and northern New South Wales -- mainly heavy clay soils (vertisols) with a summer rainfall. The major requirements are fallow for weed control and moisture storage, and stubble retention for erosion control. The research areas are seen to be the development of zero-till equipment for these soils; stubble seeding equipment: yellow spot disease of wheat; and spot spray equipment for sparse large summer weeds. 2. South Australia -- mainly light to medium textured softs with winter rainfall. The new tillage systems are based on the use of the conventional machine, the 'full combine' (duck-foot tine cultivator and seed drill combined). These machines need developing to give better trash handling. There are excellent opportunities for chemical weed control with new weedicides but there are problems with brome grass (Bromus unioloides) and barley grass (Hordeum murinum), l~esearch is needed to provide break crops and pasture manipulation to control soft-borne root diseases. Better systems are
98 required for pasture management and the establishment of high legume swards to maximise nitrogen input. 3. Western Australia, Victoria and southern New South Wales --- light ranging through to heavy soils with winter to uniform rainfall. Generally low rainfall of 350 to 400 mm, so that the major research area appears to be the management of the new systems for maximising the use of water. Question 2: Should weeds be controlled by herbicides, tillage and/or management practices? List research areas in these technologies. 1. Herbicides: development of new uses; mode of action, and impact on soil biology; residuel herbicides required for chemical fallowing; in-crops weed control; improvement of safety in chemicals; development of resistance in weeds to herbicides. Problems of application: improvement of marking for farmers in large fields; development of new application techniques -- spot or droplet application; use of licensed operators; and extension of aerial application. 2. Tillage: information needed on weed dynamics; model the balance between erosion control, weed control, moisture loss and the cost of chemical alternatives to tillage; better definition is required of the soil structure that develops under different tillage systems. 3. Management practices: study of weed biology to identify control techniques; integration of rotation and herbicide practices. Question 3: Do we have appropriate tillage and spray equipment for Australian conditions? How can they be improved? Conclusions: Pre-tillage: handling of stubble at harvest and during summer; primary tillage; improvement required to rod weeders. Planting: improvements required in combines to handle stubble and trash. Spray equipment: need improved sprays, spot sprays and methods for handling chemicals. There is a need to rationalise certain areas of work within Australia, e.g. stubbling handling equipment and spray equipment. Question 4: What will be the role o f crop rotations, pasturesand livestock ? Conclusions: Rotations will be exploited within the constrainst of the demand for the products. The efficiency of grain legumes for nitrogen fixation was questioned. Pasture will reduce in area until it is incompatible with intensive cropping and farmers will lose flexibility to return to a mixed livestock cropping system. Livestock will react to short-term economic trends with specialisation towards either cropping or livestock -- depending on climate or interest of farmers. Question 5: Will pests, diseases and nutrient deficiencies become a problem ? Conclusions: Diseases and insect problems are difficult to predict and possibly the best attitude is to wait for the problem to appear before seeking solu-
99 tions. Nutrient status with respect to nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and water, at least, should be monitored. Detailed studies of the cycling processes in relation to rotations and tillage are required. Information is needed on ecological effects of chemicals on the soils. Question 6: H o w to avoid likely weaknesses in tillage experiments? What measurements should be made? Conclusions: In tillage research it is important to distinguish between the total system and the various components of the system; there is need for a clear definition of the aims within the experiment. Large areas are required for long-term experiments so that further treatments can be incorporated. Most research should be directed towards components of a system leaving the farmer to develop the overall systems. A multi
100 what are the fertilizer and energy inputs and the outputs of any new tillage system. Soil tests, he considered, were of little predictive value under Australian conditions whether one is involved in reduced cultivation or conventional cultivation. Soil physical properties was an important area and agronomists were now getting involved in this aspect of the problem. Much of the research with the new tillage systems should revolve around their effect on soil physical properties. The importance of integrated management for weed control was discussed along with the description of a number of exciting new chemicals which have a future in reduced tillage. However, there is a need to know more about the possible problems of residues with these different herbicides. Interaction between soil type and tillage was an important topic. The main development of reduced tillage has been on the lighter soils and there is much work to be done on the reasons why reduced tillage has not been so successful on heavier soils. The spread of cropping into higher rainfall areas is a new development in Australia, especially in N.S.W. and Victoria. This means that soils will be exposed to water erosion hazards and there will be a need to investigate tillage systems in relation to soil type, slope and management of these new highrainfall cropping areas. Along with expansion into the higher rainfall areas there may well be a reduction in the cropping of the dry areas. Communicated by: Dr. E.L. Greasen, CSIRO, Division of Soils, Private Bag No. 2, Glen Osmond, S.A. 5064, Australia.