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Ultra-shallow cultivation: Is it effective in reducing self-seeding rapeseed and eliminating weeds? Why was ultra-shallow cultivation developed?

In recent years, the demand for shallower cultivation has risen due to several factors:
- Increasing soil cultivation costs
- Growing issues with self-seeding rapeseed and herbicide-resistant weeds
- Phasing out of certain agricultural chemicals
- More frequent use of cover plants
- Greater challenges with the European corn borer.

Tools and Machines for Ultra-Shallow Cultivation:

Rolmako designers have long specialized in the development of units for ultra-shallow cultivation:
- Knife Rollers
- Rotary Harrows
- Compact Disc Harrows
- Shallow Cultivation Grubbers
- Mulch Harrows
- Cultivator and Mulch Harrow Combinations.

Ultra-Shallow Cultivation - What Is It?

Traditional farming has been effective on most farms for years. It has addressed excessive early spring moisture and mitigated weed growth. Shallow tillage (typically to a depth of 2 to 5 cm) significantly impacts soil physical properties, modifying root growth conditions and soil biotic activity compared to traditional plowing (usually to a depth of 25 to 30 cm). The primary issue with traditional cultivation methods is the destruction of soil structure, which is crucial for biological activity and plant growth, subsequently enriching the soil. This is a widely acknowledged and research-validated consensus shared by experts globally to raise awareness among farmers about the effects of traditional farming on soil condition. Scientists worldwide agree that shallow cultivation enhances water infiltration and leaves space for roots, promoting their development along paths of least resistance. Porous soil ensures better oxygen distribution, reaching even the most challenging areas where it is needed most. The objective of optimal tillage is to build soil structure by minimizing tillage. Ultra-shallow cultivation fosters soil biology development.

Ultra-shallow cultivation as a method of combating weeds

Alongside appropriate crop rotation and clover cultivation on organic farms, tillage remains a crucial factor in weed control. Firstly, it helps to regulate weeds at a specific depth, and secondly, it ensures that no weed seeds are buried too deeply. It is imperative not to bury weed seeds deeply after harvesting, as this can lead to dormancy and subsequent germination at undesirable times. Maintaining soil moisture after harvest follows this rule: the shallower the cultivation, the higher the likelihood of providing the necessary moisture for seed germination. The basic condition for ultra-shallow cultivation is an even field without deep ruts. Rolmako tillage tools can operate at ultra-shallow levels across the entire surface without blockage, ensuring optimal tillage effects. Therefore, in subsequent cultivation seasons, stubble should be managed promptly after harvesting but as shallowly as feasible, depending on available agricultural equipment, to achieve intended results, reduce weed infestation, and cut cultivation costs. This approach not only conserves fuel but also protects soil moisture.

Soil cultivation without compaction

Effective in combating weeds is both mechanical destruction and the promotion of their emergence. Soil layers of different densities created by conventional tillage equipment create a barrier to plant development. A more compact layer hinders root growth and water infiltration. Without an extensive root system, a plant becomes more susceptible to threats such as wind and drought. Ultra-shallow tillage aims to maintain uniform density in soil profiles and avoid compaction layers. Ultra-tile cultivation begins with the premise that the soil should only be processed with tools that do not cause any form of soil compaction. It should be noted that even slight soil compaction, achievable with conventional machines, interferes with germination. Hence, the need to redesign machines and disc tools to perform the required processing without changing the density of the soil in the layer below the one on which it is working. In ultra-shallow technology, cultivation is always very superficial, targeting the processing of crop residues with a limited impact on the land and intended to manage the residue itself.

Essential Tools for Ultra-Shallow Cultivation
Knife roller / SpeedCutter disc / Mulch finger / Matrix star

Weed control in organic farming occurs between harvest and sowing. Field hygiene is increasingly critical due to extreme weather conditions and stricter regulations on plant protection products. Rolmako machines for ultra-shallow cultivation offer an ideal and efficient solution.

Knife roller

The knife roller cuts and shreds stubble and catch crops at speeds of up to 25 km/h. It is employed in Rolmako ProCut and TurboCut machines, either as a tandem or solo roller, within the SpringExpert mulch harrow, SpeedCutter disc harrow, U436 no-plow cultivator, and other cultivation equipment. Its high surface coverage and low consumption render it an environmentally friendly and efficient tool for year-round, ultra-shallow tillage. Utilizing a knife roller to cut corn stubble effectively limits the habitats of corn borer larvae. The decomposition process is accelerated by gently pressing the shredded material into the topsoil.

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SpeedCutter disc

The tool's innovation lies in the extreme wave of the disc. Each working disc is mounted on its own arm, suspended on a LongLife rubber shock absorber, allowing it to effectively follow ground contours. The design of the growing elements ensures a full cut and aggressive mixing. The combination of intensity and shallow depth leaves crop residue (including cover crops or weeds in stubble) on or near the surface. Less soil movement means reduced fuel consumption. Once the weeds emerge, the second pass eliminates them and creates an ideal seedbed.

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Mulch Finger

A working element that cooperates with the knife rollers or discs in the SpringExpert mulch harrow or the cultivator teeth in the ComboTill machine. Mulch Finger is the fastest and most economical way to encourage rapid weed germination, accelerate decomposition of crop residue, and reduce snail populations post-harvest. Combining this tillage tool with a cultivator, discs, or a knife roller, depending on field conditions and desired effect, offers a highly versatile solution for ultra-shallow cultivation.

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Matrix star
high work rate / low fuel consumption / limited use of herbicides

A working disc designed to remove weeds and loosen crusted or compacted soil to facilitate plant emergence and manage crop residues. Suitable for nearly all crops such as corn, cereals, rapeseed, soybeans, etc. It reliably breaks up crusts caused by rain and sun and crumbles the soil using rotating tools (rotor stars). The soil is optimally loosened, aerated, and the crusts are broken down. This also promotes mineralization and plant growth.

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Emergence promotion followed by mechanical weed control

Ultra-shallow soil management models can be fully exploited when integrated into a cultivation process that respects soil structure and aims to maintain or increase organic matter content. Crop rotations and catch crops are essential conservation elements, critical in implementing the described cultivation techniques. The requirements are similar to those typical for no-till farming. Compared to no-plough sowing, ultra-shallow cultivation allows for the preparation of an adequate seedbed, significantly minimizing issues with seedling germination and rooting that may arise with no-plough sowing, accelerating crop residue degradation, and reducing evaporation. This approach helps maintain higher moisture in crop residues during the hottest season, accelerates decomposition, conserves soil water resources, and sustains good soil conditions. Additionally, when applied correctly, the model effectively combats weeds by mechanical destruction and promoting their emergence. Alternating between chemical and mechanical weeding mitigates issues from repeated chemical herbicide use, such as resistance development and the potential accumulation of chemical residues in the soil.

Ultra-shallow cultivation enhances water retention in the soil

During dry spring and summer periods, soil water supply is often low, especially during harvest time. To preserve soil fertility in the long term, it is essential to protect remaining water resources as much as possible. Ultra-shallow cultivation after grain harvest helps to maintain low evaporation, retain significant soil moisture, and protect against heating and erosion. The first cultivation occurs immediately after harvest, cutting the soil to a depth of only a few centimeters across the entire surface to prevent capillary water rising. This shallow cut creates a mixture of fine soil and crop residue on the soil surface, promoting the germination of volunteer cereals and weed seeds and allowing straw to start rotting even with slight rewetting due to dew or rain. Crop residues, such as stems, remaining on the surface in this type of cultivation provide effective protection against water evaporation and erosion. Very shallow cultivation does not disrupt soil life, particularly earthworms, and can significantly contribute to the decomposition of crop residues when the soil is re-moistened. During heavy rain, a mulch layer effectively prevents soil washout, and rainwater can penetrate the intact capillary system, replenishing the water reservoir. Additionally, this cultivation method offers high surface coverage with low fuel consumption.

Ultra-shallow Cultivation - Ecological and Responsible Approach:

- Ideal tools for achieving high-quality crop residue spreading with low fuel consumption and power requirements
- Large working width of the straw processing equipment and high speed ensure significant daily productivity
- Rollerless machines function effectively in all working conditions, including rainy weather
- These machines can be considered the first step for a farmer transitioning to responsible crop management
- Reduced herbicide use due to improved weed management and decreased need for snail control due to better management of snail eggs
- Plays an important role during the transition from reduced tillage to direct sowing.

Is ultra-shallow cultivation profitable?

The answer is simply "Yes." Shallow cultivation primarily allows for significant fuel savings, which are essential for traditional deep cultivation. Aggressive plow moldboards and cultivator chisels create substantial resistance in the soil, increasing fuel consumption with greater cultivation depth and soil hardness, particularly the plow sole. The smaller the amount of soil processed by the cultivation equipment, the more we save on fuel and equipment operation. Besides fuel savings, shallow cultivation effectively eliminates weeds and self-seeding plants in the early phase of growth, significantly reducing the need for spraying and other plant protection products, whose prices are constantly rising and whose preparations are increasingly prohibited. Surface cultivation of stubble stimulates weed propagation, facilitating their ecological elimination in subsequent field treatments. Surface cultivation effectively reduces the occurrence and mechanically eliminates pests such as snails, moles, and corn borer larvae. In some EU countries, there are special agricultural subsidy programs aimed at encouraging farmers to adopt shallow cultivation technology.

Shallow Cultivation: Can It Effectively Replace Traditional Cultivation?

Farmers who have experimentally transitioned from traditional to shallow cultivation are now exclusively using the shallow technique for all their fields, drawing interesting conclusions. In traditional cultivation, plant roots tend to spread shallowly and horizontally, rather than delving deeper into the soil. This often results in large, concrete-like clumps of earth that are impermeable to water and roots being brought to the surface, which is not conducive to plant growth. With reduced soil processing, the soil and residues form aggregated structures that facilitate water and air flow, creating ideal conditions for the plant root systems in the future. During heavy rainfall in early spring, shallow cultivation is crucial for timely field access. Since tillage tools do not penetrate deeply, they are less likely to become stuck in heavy, wet soil. The use of cover crops, which create space for air and water in the soil, ensures the smooth movement of cultivation equipment, significantly reducing water retention in the field. Shallow cultivation also improves salinity management, enhances water infiltration, conserves fuel, and reduces the wear on working elements. Crop outcomes are improved, yielding more consistent and abundant harvests. Fields are leveling out, and yields are increasing. When the land resembles an asphalt road, ultra-shallow cultivation is an excellent option, allowing earth clumps to accumulate on the surface and water to flow freely. Choosing ultra-shallow cultivation helps protect the topsoil, the farmer's most valuable resource, where vegetation flourishes.

Tools and Machines for Ultra-Shallow Cultivation

Designers at the tillage equipment manufacturer Rolmako have focused on developing units for ultra-shallow cultivation for years. Our practice and experience demonstrate that we have chosen the right direction in product development. Our offerings include a comprehensive range of devices for shallow and ultra-shallow cultivation technology, such as:
- ProCUT / TurboCUT / TurboCUT PLUS knife rollers
- MATRIX rotary harrows
- Compact disc harrows adapted for surface cultivation
- Cultivators for shallow cultivation
- SpringExpert mulch harrows
- Combination of a cultivator with a mulch harrow ComboTill.

Advantages of the Ultra-Shallow Soil Cultivation Technique:

- Depletes the seed material of surface weeds, stimulating their emergence
- Minimal humidity is sufficient for weed emergence
- Destroys emerging weeds
- Manages crop residues and reduces pest occurrence, including snails and wireworms
- Superficial work, facilitated by precise equipment adjustment, reduces fuel consumption, wear of working elements, and working time.

Summary

Weeds present a significant agronomic challenge for farmers, particularly with chemical use restrictions. Dormant weed seeds buried deeply can remain inactive for years, and these weeds compete vigorously with crops, reducing yields. Effective control is essential, and Rolmako has developed ultra-shallow cultivation equipment to address this issue. Ultra-shallow cultivation represents the future of land cultivation techniques, gradually replacing traditional methods. As a machinery manufacturer, our objective is to provide farmers with reliable equipment aligned with the latest trends. Rolmako emphasizes ecology while ensuring maximum crop yields for its customers. Ultra-shallow tillage enhances results at lower costs by minimizing soil turning. Adhering to plant biology principles reduces chemical costs and improves field hygiene. Additionally, better grinding of crop residues accelerates mineralization. Rolmako designs innovative tillage machines that prepare soil post-harvest in a water-saving, soil-friendly, and economical manner, supporting the future success and profitability of farms.