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How does stubble care affect crop yields?
The period after the harvest has historically been a time of joy, involving the counting of the harvest, celebration, and rest. However, a modern farmer understands the origin of this crop—from a small seed placed in the soil. Thus, the post-harvest period is a crucial time to restore depleted minerals, water, and organic matter to the soil, emphasizing the importance of stubble care. These activities are essential for achieving abundant harvests in subsequent years. Let us examine the goals of stubble care and their impact on future yields.
Enriching the soil with nutrients and organic matter
The primary method to achieve this objective is to leave straw after harvest and thoroughly incorporate it into the soil. It has been found that, with a yield of 2 t/ha, well-mineralized straw returns nutrients to the soil.
After Cultivation (source: IUNG-PIB):
Wheat: N (nitrogen) – 10 kg/ha, P2O5 (phosphorus) – 4 kg/ha, K2O (potassium) – 28 kg/ha
Rapeseed: N – 29 kg/ha, P2O5 – 13 kg/ha, K2O – 22 kg/ha
Corn: N – 15 kg/ha, P2O5 – 6 kg/ha, K2O – 32 kg/ha
Sunflower: N – 31 kg/ha, P2O5 – 15 kg/ha, K2O – 90 kg/ha
Additionally: manganese, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and copper.
These values are approximate, as both the amount of straw and the rate of mineralization depend on many factors. Regardless, these minerals are quickly available and easily assimilable for subsequent crops. A significantly larger percentage is absorbed by plants compared to compounds provided in fertilizers. However, if full mineralization has not occurred, the straw begins to rot instead of returning nutrients to the soil. This leads to fungal growth, followed by acidification, ultimately reducing the number of nitrogenous bacteria.
Mineralized straw is primarily decomposed into carbon, serving as building material for plants. However, depending on the type of straw, this process consumes large amounts of nitrogen from the soil. Therefore, it is important to supplement with 5 to 10 kg per ton of plowed mass (or even higher on light soils) before mixing with the soil. Some recommend spreading lime (with magnesium) into the straw, but it slows its decomposition. Thus, it is advisable to wait to improve the soil pH or even make a break between fertilizing with nitrogen or slurry and liming. Contact between these elements causes a reaction, releasing ammonia and resulting in nitrogen loss.
To supplement nutrients and accelerate straw mineralization, utilize preparations containing selected strains of bacteria. Specific strains enhance root development, allowing plants to absorb more water. Some can bind up to 50 kg of nitrogen per hectare, while others can produce an equivalent amount of fresh humus from 100 kg of straw. It is commonly reported that humus can retain 4-5 times its weight in water, or 800 times more than clay particles. Proper stubble management helps restore soil moisture levels, supporting subsequent stubble cultivation objectives.
Water retention in soil
Post-harvest treatment primarily aims to prevent evaporation. Daily, a bare field loses substantial amounts of water essential for seed germination. Currently, it is uncommon to leave fields bare, as numerous studies indicate that straw spread over the surface serves as an effective insulating layer, mitigating water evaporation. Many farmers also employ shallow stubble cultivation to disrupt the capillary system.
On one hand, the stubble can be removed in a single pass. Subsequently, adjust the working depth of the machine's tines (grubber, cultivator, chisel plow) based on the remaining straw in the field. For instance, if 5 t/ha of straw remains, the working depth should be set to 10-15 cm.
Conversely, splitting this treatment into one shallow pass followed by a deeper pass (to mix the straw with the soil) conserves almost twice as much water. Many farmers note that, for example, in corn cultivation, the most water-efficient methods are harrowing at a depth of 8-10 cm and Strip-Till sowing in spring, without spring cultivation. For cereals, the optimal depth is 3-8 cm, as minimal interference with soil structure is crucial, especially in dry years. Consequently, the ultra-shallow cultivation system has been gaining popularity.
A heavy disc harrow is effective on dry soil. However, in reduced or no-plow cultivation, multi-beam units help decrease the number of passes around the field.
Regardless of the machinery available, it is crucial to ensure proper soil compaction in the seed layer. An uneven surface loses more water. Thus, any additional tool, such as a drag, rake, string, or pipe roller, that aids in breaking it down is highly beneficial. An undisturbed deeper structure and a properly loosened, even surface layer provide ideal conditions for water retention and plant development.
Reduction of Weeds
Self-sowing seeds and weeds left on stubble deprive future crops of nutrients and water. For instance, plants 10 cm high cause a loss of 12 l/m2. They can be removed mechanically by making two passes. The first pass stimulates weeds and self-seeding plants to grow, and the second pass (done in the cotyledon phase) destroys them.
The use of non-selective herbicides remains available to farmers. Many preparations contain fast-acting glyphosate, allowing mechanical cultivation after just 2 days for annual weeds, volunteer weeds, and rapeseed, or after 5 days for couch grass and other perennial weeds. Notably, combating weeds in stubble even in late autumn is more effective and economical than in spring. An additional advantage of using glyphosate and/or stubble shredding is the disruption of the connection between the forecrop and the subsequent crop, limiting the spread of diseases from the roots of self-seeding plants to the roots of a newly sown plant in monoculture. Intensive stubble cultivation is particularly recommended in narrow rotations with rapeseed since pests feeding there can survive on crop residues for up to 4 years. This method also combats the larva of the corn borer, which can overwinter in intact crop residues.
Or perhaps cover crops on stubble?
All the aforementioned goals will be achieved by sowing stubble catch crops, which would be the final treatment on the stubble. This is typically performed after testing soil properties and applying appropriate fertilization. It necessitates a tighter schedule in August, ideally by August 20-25, but provides numerous benefits. It is essential to select plants or their mixtures with a short vegetation period, early and rapid initial growth, and low soil and water requirements. However, their growth must be halted during the flowering phase before they start extracting significant amounts of water from the soil. Failure to do so will result in the crops depleting the remaining soil water. For this purpose, the ProCut knife roller and a no-plow soil cultivation device, such as the U436 from Rolmako, may be utilized.
Rapeseed: N – 29 kg/ha, P2O5 – 13 kg/ha, K2O – 22 kg/ha
Corn: N – 15 kg/ha, P2O5 – 6 kg/ha, K2O – 32 kg/ha
Sunflower: N – 31 kg/ha, P2O5 – 15 kg/ha, K2O – 90 kg/ha
Additionally: manganese, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and copper.
These values are approximate, as both the amount of straw and the rate of mineralization depend on many factors. Regardless, these minerals are quickly available and easily assimilable for subsequent crops. A significantly larger percentage is absorbed by plants compared to compounds provided in fertilizers. However, if full mineralization has not occurred, the straw begins to rot instead of returning nutrients to the soil. This leads to fungal growth, followed by acidification, ultimately reducing the number of nitrogenous bacteria.
Mineralized straw is primarily decomposed into carbon, serving as building material for plants. However, depending on the type of straw, this process consumes large amounts of nitrogen from the soil. Therefore, it is important to supplement with 5 to 10 kg per ton of plowed mass (or even higher on light soils) before mixing with the soil. Some recommend spreading lime (with magnesium) into the straw, but it slows its decomposition. Thus, it is advisable to wait to improve the soil pH or even make a break between fertilizing with nitrogen or slurry and liming. Contact between these elements causes a reaction, releasing ammonia and resulting in nitrogen loss.
To supplement nutrients and accelerate straw mineralization, utilize preparations containing selected strains of bacteria. Specific strains enhance root development, allowing plants to absorb more water. Some can bind up to 50 kg of nitrogen per hectare, while others can produce an equivalent amount of fresh humus from 100 kg of straw. It is commonly reported that humus can retain 4-5 times its weight in water, or 800 times more than clay particles. Proper stubble management helps restore soil moisture levels, supporting subsequent stubble cultivation objectives.
Water retention in soil
Post-harvest treatment primarily aims to prevent evaporation. Daily, a bare field loses substantial amounts of water essential for seed germination. Currently, it is uncommon to leave fields bare, as numerous studies indicate that straw spread over the surface serves as an effective insulating layer, mitigating water evaporation. Many farmers also employ shallow stubble cultivation to disrupt the capillary system.
On one hand, the stubble can be removed in a single pass. Subsequently, adjust the working depth of the machine's tines (grubber, cultivator, chisel plow) based on the remaining straw in the field. For instance, if 5 t/ha of straw remains, the working depth should be set to 10-15 cm.
Conversely, splitting this treatment into one shallow pass followed by a deeper pass (to mix the straw with the soil) conserves almost twice as much water. Many farmers note that, for example, in corn cultivation, the most water-efficient methods are harrowing at a depth of 8-10 cm and Strip-Till sowing in spring, without spring cultivation. For cereals, the optimal depth is 3-8 cm, as minimal interference with soil structure is crucial, especially in dry years. Consequently, the ultra-shallow cultivation system has been gaining popularity.
A heavy disc harrow is effective on dry soil. However, in reduced or no-plow cultivation, multi-beam units help decrease the number of passes around the field.
Regardless of the machinery available, it is crucial to ensure proper soil compaction in the seed layer. An uneven surface loses more water. Thus, any additional tool, such as a drag, rake, string, or pipe roller, that aids in breaking it down is highly beneficial. An undisturbed deeper structure and a properly loosened, even surface layer provide ideal conditions for water retention and plant development.
Reduction of Weeds
Self-sowing seeds and weeds left on stubble deprive future crops of nutrients and water. For instance, plants 10 cm high cause a loss of 12 l/m2. They can be removed mechanically by making two passes. The first pass stimulates weeds and self-seeding plants to grow, and the second pass (done in the cotyledon phase) destroys them.
The use of non-selective herbicides remains available to farmers. Many preparations contain fast-acting glyphosate, allowing mechanical cultivation after just 2 days for annual weeds, volunteer weeds, and rapeseed, or after 5 days for couch grass and other perennial weeds. Notably, combating weeds in stubble even in late autumn is more effective and economical than in spring. An additional advantage of using glyphosate and/or stubble shredding is the disruption of the connection between the forecrop and the subsequent crop, limiting the spread of diseases from the roots of self-seeding plants to the roots of a newly sown plant in monoculture. Intensive stubble cultivation is particularly recommended in narrow rotations with rapeseed since pests feeding there can survive on crop residues for up to 4 years. This method also combats the larva of the corn borer, which can overwinter in intact crop residues.
Or perhaps cover crops on stubble?
All the aforementioned goals will be achieved by sowing stubble catch crops, which would be the final treatment on the stubble. This is typically performed after testing soil properties and applying appropriate fertilization. It necessitates a tighter schedule in August, ideally by August 20-25, but provides numerous benefits. It is essential to select plants or their mixtures with a short vegetation period, early and rapid initial growth, and low soil and water requirements. However, their growth must be halted during the flowering phase before they start extracting significant amounts of water from the soil. Failure to do so will result in the crops depleting the remaining soil water. For this purpose, the ProCut knife roller and a no-plow soil cultivation device, such as the U436 from Rolmako, may be utilized.
To supplement nutrients and accelerate straw mineralization, utilize preparations containing selected strains of bacteria. Specific strains enhance root development, allowing plants to absorb more water. Some can bind up to 50 kg of nitrogen per hectare, while others can produce an equivalent amount of fresh humus from 100 kg of straw. It is commonly reported that humus can retain 4-5 times its weight in water, or 800 times more than clay particles. Proper stubble management helps restore soil moisture levels, supporting subsequent stubble cultivation objectives.
Water retention in soil
Post-harvest treatment primarily aims to prevent evaporation. Daily, a bare field loses substantial amounts of water essential for seed germination. Currently, it is uncommon to leave fields bare, as numerous studies indicate that straw spread over the surface serves as an effective insulating layer, mitigating water evaporation. Many farmers also employ shallow stubble cultivation to disrupt the capillary system.
On one hand, the stubble can be removed in a single pass. Subsequently, adjust the working depth of the machine's tines (grubber, cultivator, chisel plow) based on the remaining straw in the field. For instance, if 5 t/ha of straw remains, the working depth should be set to 10-15 cm.
Conversely, splitting this treatment into one shallow pass followed by a deeper pass (to mix the straw with the soil) conserves almost twice as much water. Many farmers note that, for example, in corn cultivation, the most water-efficient methods are harrowing at a depth of 8-10 cm and Strip-Till sowing in spring, without spring cultivation. For cereals, the optimal depth is 3-8 cm, as minimal interference with soil structure is crucial, especially in dry years. Consequently, the ultra-shallow cultivation system has been gaining popularity.
A heavy disc harrow is effective on dry soil. However, in reduced or no-plow cultivation, multi-beam units help decrease the number of passes around the field.
Regardless of the machinery available, it is crucial to ensure proper soil compaction in the seed layer. An uneven surface loses more water. Thus, any additional tool, such as a drag, rake, string, or pipe roller, that aids in breaking it down is highly beneficial. An undisturbed deeper structure and a properly loosened, even surface layer provide ideal conditions for water retention and plant development.
Reduction of Weeds
Self-sowing seeds and weeds left on stubble deprive future crops of nutrients and water. For instance, plants 10 cm high cause a loss of 12 l/m2. They can be removed mechanically by making two passes. The first pass stimulates weeds and self-seeding plants to grow, and the second pass (done in the cotyledon phase) destroys them.
The use of non-selective herbicides remains available to farmers. Many preparations contain fast-acting glyphosate, allowing mechanical cultivation after just 2 days for annual weeds, volunteer weeds, and rapeseed, or after 5 days for couch grass and other perennial weeds. Notably, combating weeds in stubble even in late autumn is more effective and economical than in spring. An additional advantage of using glyphosate and/or stubble shredding is the disruption of the connection between the forecrop and the subsequent crop, limiting the spread of diseases from the roots of self-seeding plants to the roots of a newly sown plant in monoculture. Intensive stubble cultivation is particularly recommended in narrow rotations with rapeseed since pests feeding there can survive on crop residues for up to 4 years. This method also combats the larva of the corn borer, which can overwinter in intact crop residues.
Or perhaps cover crops on stubble?
All the aforementioned goals will be achieved by sowing stubble catch crops, which would be the final treatment on the stubble. This is typically performed after testing soil properties and applying appropriate fertilization. It necessitates a tighter schedule in August, ideally by August 20-25, but provides numerous benefits. It is essential to select plants or their mixtures with a short vegetation period, early and rapid initial growth, and low soil and water requirements. However, their growth must be halted during the flowering phase before they start extracting significant amounts of water from the soil. Failure to do so will result in the crops depleting the remaining soil water. For this purpose, the ProCut knife roller and a no-plow soil cultivation device, such as the U436 from Rolmako, may be utilized.
The use of non-selective herbicides remains available to farmers. Many preparations contain fast-acting glyphosate, allowing mechanical cultivation after just 2 days for annual weeds, volunteer weeds, and rapeseed, or after 5 days for couch grass and other perennial weeds. Notably, combating weeds in stubble even in late autumn is more effective and economical than in spring. An additional advantage of using glyphosate and/or stubble shredding is the disruption of the connection between the forecrop and the subsequent crop, limiting the spread of diseases from the roots of self-seeding plants to the roots of a newly sown plant in monoculture. Intensive stubble cultivation is particularly recommended in narrow rotations with rapeseed since pests feeding there can survive on crop residues for up to 4 years. This method also combats the larva of the corn borer, which can overwinter in intact crop residues.
Or perhaps cover crops on stubble?
All the aforementioned goals will be achieved by sowing stubble catch crops, which would be the final treatment on the stubble. This is typically performed after testing soil properties and applying appropriate fertilization. It necessitates a tighter schedule in August, ideally by August 20-25, but provides numerous benefits. It is essential to select plants or their mixtures with a short vegetation period, early and rapid initial growth, and low soil and water requirements. However, their growth must be halted during the flowering phase before they start extracting significant amounts of water from the soil. Failure to do so will result in the crops depleting the remaining soil water. For this purpose, the ProCut knife roller and a no-plow soil cultivation device, such as the U436 from Rolmako, may be utilized.
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