Soil quality is influenced by inherent and anthropogenic factors. This study was conducted to provide multiple groups guidance on how to achieve and maintain improved soil quality/health. Our hypothesis was that tillage intensity was the primary anthropogenic factor degrading soil quality, and our objective was to prove that hypothesis through an intensive 2005 sampling of a central Iowa, USA f...

Wilhelm, W.W., Schepers, J.S., Mielke, L.N., Doran, J.W., Ellis, J.R. and Stroup, W.W., 1987. Dryland maize development and yield resulting from tillage and nitrogen fertilization practices. Soil Tillage Res., 10: 167-179. Conservation tillage ( 7 30% residue cover) has proven to be very effective in reducing runoff and erosion and in increasing soil water storage. In dryland cropping situation...

Herbicides transported to surface waters by agricultural runoff are partitioned between solution and solid phases. Conservation tillage that reduces upland erosion will also reduce transport of herbicides associated with the solid phase. However, transport of many herbicides occurs predominantly in solution. Conservation tillage practices may or may not reduce transport of solution-phase herbic...

optimum working life of tractor and farm machinery employed in potato production in hamadan province was assessed through data envelopment analysis. an input oriented model was applied to determine the optimized machinery system. in this model inputs were the lifetime of tractor as well as seven involved machines including moldboard plow, potato planter, chemical fertilizer spreader, tractor mo...

one of the basic adjustments in application of agricultural implements, particularly tillage tools, is their work in a leveled state while in operation. throughout the ongoing research, and by application of electronic and hydraulic circuits, an intelligent system was designed, developed and evaluated. the device is expected to perform the plow longitudinal as well as lateral adjustments at the...