The influence of the methods of tillage on bulk density, moisture and biological activity of black soil in organic farming

Abstract

The selection of technology for organic production of agricultural products in Ukraine, even in difficult times, is still relevant. The elements of technology may vary depending on the state of the field, resource capabilities of the farm, and set goals. Growing buckwheat is one of the ways to solve the food problem of Ukraine and other country especially under war condition. This crop is ahead of the rest of grain crops due to a much higher level of selling prices and payment of expenses by money earnings in Ukraine. The purpose of the article is to demonstrate the obtained data regarding water consumption of buckwheat, biological activity of the soil under different methods of basic soil cultivation in organic crop rotation. The research methodology was based on conducting f ield and laboratory research, using hypothesis and experimental methods. In the conditions of the North-Eastern Forest-Steppe of Ukraine (Sumy district), four soil tillage options for growing organic buckwheat were studied. Cellulolytic activity of microbiota was determined by the method of laying linen cloth in the soil; the moisture content in the soil was determined by the thermogravimetric method; harvest accounting was carried out by the sheaf method. The results of the research showed that when growing buckwheat in organic crop rotation, soil tillage is an important component of the technology. The choice of minimum tillage leads to an increase in the bulk density of the soil. The higher the water consumption ratio, the more difficult the conditions of plant growth and development, thus the highest water consumption ratio was obtained at disking options. The most effective were deep tillage up to 22 cm, which stimulated the accumulation of moisture in the root layer and the activity of soil microbiota. Practical implications. Plowing is recommended as the main method of tillage in the conditions of the North-Eastern Forest Steppe of Ukraine for growing crops, particularly buckwheat in the organic crop rotation on the low humus medium loam typical chernozem (black soil). Value/originality. The obtained results encourage further research, more in-depth agrochemical analysis of soils, growth characteristics of buckwheat and other agricultural crops grown in organic crop rotation for possible combined tillage depending on plant requirements.