Influence of different methods of bio-preparation use on cutting characteristics of winter wheat residues

Abstract

The objective of this work is to establish the influence of different bio-preparation use on cutting characteristics of winter wheat residues. According to the first method the winter wheat crop was sprayed with bio-preparations (―Amalgerol‖, ―Azofit‖ and their combination) in spring after plant vegetation had renewed. The influence of different bio-preparations on cutting characteristics was investigated and compared with the control. According to the second method bio-preparation ―Azofit‖ was sprayed on plant residues right after winter wheat harvesting. It was investigated how cutting characteristics of plant residues varied in 1, 2 or 3 weeks. The cutting investigation results were compared with the results of cutting winter wheat residues left on the soil surface under natural conditions. Experimental research of physical-mechanical properties of plant residues were carried out at the Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Safety of Aleksandras Stulginskis University, using an experimental research machine ―Instron 5960‖. The experimental research results indicate that the time of bio-preparation use and impact duration have influence on plant residue cutting force. According to the first method, having sprayed winter wheat with different bio-preparations in spring it was established that after harvesting winter wheat residues required 5 % (―Amalgerol‖) and 37 % (―Azofit‖, and ―Azofit‖ and ―Amalgerol‖ combination) stronger force compared with the winter wheat residues without using bio-preparations in the control application. According to the second method, having sprayed plant residues with bio-preparation ―Azofit‖ actually after harvesting in autumn it was established that following three weeks of bio-preparation duration, the force of plant residue cutting decreased significantly (about 28 %) compared with the control application.