Soil conservation technologies in Europe

I have been following trends and approaches to more efficient and environmentally friendly crop production for a long time, as part of my travels around Central and Eastern Europe. In May, I was at the sunflower sowing (sowing rate 75,000 seeds/ha) in the Kirovohrad region (Ukraine). This is a relatively dry region. Nevertheless, the farms, mainly thanks to the use of soil protection technologies, high-quality selection of varieties and sowing dates, achieve excellent results. At the end of last week, I visited the farm again.

Fig. 1 Sowing using a Challenger tracked tractor and a Mzuri seed drill.

Sunflower sowing took place after the application of glyphosate (2 l/ha 360 g). The pre-sowing crop was ungerminated winter rapeseed, which has long-term problems in the area and will be replaced by more profitable sunflower. All sowing is carried out using a Challenger tracked tractor and a Mzuri seed drill, which is not very common in the Czech Republic. This is a very similar machine to the Horsch Focus or Bednar Matador. A great advantage of the seed drill is the possibility of sowing even with a high amount of post-harvest residues. During sowing, I was really positively surprised by the quality of seed placement.

Fig. 2 Sowing took place in extreme conditions with a high amount of vegetation.

After less than three months, I arrived at the site again and inspected the sunflower crops, which were balanced and in good condition. We definitely cannot justify the condition only with the quality of the soil, on the contrary, I believe that it is mainly a very good sowing strategy with precise sowing timing and all agrotechnics for better emergence and development of the sunflower.

Fig. 3 Condition of sunflowers less than 3 months after sowing.

Economy comes first. No herbicide was applied during the vegetation, which is visible on the more vulnerable parts of the plot, but this is not an alarming situation and there will be no reduction in yield. The application of fungicide is not calculated, this option is only considered during wetter ripening.

Fig. 4 I assess the weed pressure as lower and harmless to the development of sunflowers.

The farmer expects a yield of between 3 - 3.5 t/ha, and will also be rewarded in the form of carbon certificates, where he cooperates with the company Agreena.

Fig. 5 The positive effect of strip sowing has a positive effect on the sunflower root system.

What do you think about this technology, is it usable in the conditions of the Czech Republic? Write to me.