Implementation of a multipurpose prototype of a strip seeder for increasing soil sustainability and ecological advantage

35BV-KK-22-1-04997-PR001

Vidas Damanauskas

Lietuvos agrarinių ir miškų mokslų centras

Kėdainių r. sav.

179 479,00 EUR

To test and improve a technological innovation - the implementation of direct strip seeder with insertion of organic fertilizers, to evaluate the environmental, energy, and economic benefits of this innovation. The project aims to develop a new product and improve the technology of strip seeding and to solve specific practical goals for plant fertilization by incorporating biodegradable waste.

Small and medium-sized crop farms implementing or planning to implement sustainable soil cultivation technologies, farmers, agricultural consultants, agricultural machinery manufacturers, scientists and other participants in the agricultural sector seeking to improve soil condition, reduce energy and fertilizer costs and increase the competitiveness of farms.

Simplified direct seeding machines do not prepare the soil well enough for sowing: seeds often do not germinate or die after germination, the yield decreases, so farmers refuse to use such crop cultivation technologies. The problem is deepened by the fact that after a strong modernization of agriculture, powerful but at the same time very heavy machinery is used; in the last few years, the mass of agricultural machinery has increased by up to 50%. Repeatedly driving of heavy agricultural machinery has caused soil compaction, which is especially accelerated when there is no more winter frost, and more intensive use of herbicides is used to control weeds. On the other hand, with the increasing frequency of drought periods after the sowing period, sowing in undisturbed, stubble-covered soil is inevitable in order to maintain moisture in the seed embedding layer and ensure uniform seed germination. Properly balanced tillage intensity will allow adaptation to climate change and contribute to increasing the preservation of organic carbon in the soil. Direct tillage and strip seeding technology energy costs for mechanized operations are up to 2-3 times lower compared to conventional tillage technology by plowing the soil. The innovative parts of the strip seeder will be able to properly loosen the soil, sow the seeds, maintain the biological properties of the soil, to store and conserve the remains of pre-sowing straw as a source of infection of harmful diseases in the interrow. The seeder with an integrated incorporation of fertilizers will contribute to the development of precision farming systems – there are fertilized only the rows where the crops are growing.

https://www.kaimotinklas.lt/lt/projektai/juostines-sejamosios-daugiafunkcinio-prototipo-diegimas-dirvozemio-tvarumo-ir-ekologinio-pranasumo-didinimui