Evaluation of Strip Tillage Technology in Corn Production in Hungary.

The modern, developed societies are facing significant agricultural difficulties. Unpredictable purchase prices, periodical overproduction, the increasing occurrence of weather extremities, the uncertain profit producing ability, the soil degradation processes (physical, chemical and biological degradation) and the high expenses are risk factors for producers. In spite of the available new tillage systems, the proportion of conventional tillage system is high in Hungary, however degradation and compaction of soil structure is a concomitant effect of conventional tillage caused by frequent and intensive soil disturbance. Strip-tillage is a form of conservation tillage systems, it combines the benefits of conventional clean tillage with the soil-protecting advantages of no-tillage systems.

Based on the experimental database of the Institute for Land Utilisation, Regional Development and Technology of the University of Debrecen, Centre for Agricultural and Applied Economic Sciences and the KITE Plc, various tillage systems were examined with corn as indicator plant. On the examined plots, strip tillage and winter plowing were performed. The aim of the study is to evaluate conventional and strip tillage in corn production in different production sites of Hungary. 

In the examined tillage treatments, there were no compacted layers in the cultivated layer before sowing. There were more favorable soil moisture conditions in the strip tillage treatment than the winter plowing treatment. In comparison with the conventional (winter plowing) technology, strip tillage can be used with less number of operations and lower input. The strip tillage technology can be carried out with less fuel, than in the case of the winter plowing technology. The yields in the strip tillage treatments were similar or higher, than the winter plowing tillage treatment. The analysis results of 2012 verified the Hungarian applicability of strip tillage.