Tillage for maize: a comparison of technologies in practice

The 2025 season in the Poltava region proved to be a good test for various tillage systems. A demonstration plot was established in the village of Marjivka on the POLTAVA-SAD company farm, where four approaches were compared under real operating conditions: strip-till, discing, deep loosening and ploughing.

Seeding took place relatively late, on 3 June 2025. During the growing season, 281 mm of precipitation fell, of which 203 mm fell after seeding. At first glance, it might have seemed that there was sufficient moisture. However, after emergence, the maize suffered cold stress — minimum temperatures dropped to +4 to +6 °C. The subsequent development of the plants was thus ultimately determined by the tillage system and the condition of the root system.

Strip-till: depth, root system and consolidation

In the strip-till variant, the field was left as stubble following the previous crop, which was mustard. In the spring, strip tillage was carried out using a BEDNAR STRIP-MASTER EN 6000 Strip-Till cultivator in combination with a FERTI-CART FC 3500 hopper, with simultaneous fertiliser placement.

Autumn excavations revealed a typical pattern. The root system had formed a distinct zone concentrated at a depth of 10 to 25 cm: precisely in the area of fertiliser placement. The main mass of roots penetrated to 50 to 60 cm, though individual roots extended as far as 80 to 90 cm. Horizontal soil consolidation was not particularly evident, which allowed for the full development of the root system.

The STRIP-MASTER EN 6000 strip-tiller ensures strip tillage with a row spacing of 45 to 80 cm. The working tines have hydraulic locking (up to 750 kg), a stable working depth of up to 35 cm, and, during connection with BEDNAR hoppers, also allow for the application of mineral fertilisers.

Assessment of root system development – profile 1 (strip-till). Stubble of the previous crop. Preparation of the seed bed in strips using the FERTI-CART FC 3500 and STRIP-MASTER EN 6000 with simultaneous application of granular fertilisers. As of 11 October 2025, the condition of the crop was satisfactory, with no apparent signs of moisture or nutrient deficiency; at the edge of the field, the end of the growing season was evident. The root system was concentrated in a localised cluster at a depth of 10–25 cm, i.e. in the fertiliser application zone. Most roots penetrated to 50–60 cm, with individual roots reaching 80–90 cm. No horizontal consolidation was observed.

Disc harrowing: a quick solution, but with a barrier in the compacted layer

In the second variant, the field was worked with a compact disc harrow to a depth of 18 to 20 cm. This was followed in spring by seedbed preparation using a wide-working width seedbed cultivator, the BEDNAR SWIFTER SE 12000.

Autumn excavations revealed a different root system architecture: the roots were evenly distributed in the 5 to 20 cm layer, with individual roots reaching depths of 20 to 25 cm. However, a distinct layer of consolidation had formed at a depth of 20 to 25 cm. The plant therefore had a good start, but deeper penetration was restricted by a mechanical barrier.

Assessment of root system development – profile 2 (disc harrowing). Operation to a depth of 18–20 cm using a disc harrow. In the spring, seedbed preparation was carried out using a wide-track seedbed cultivator, the BEDNAR SWIFTER SE 12000. As of 11 October 2025, an even distribution of the root system was evident below the seeding depth, extending to a depth of 5–20 cm. At a depth of 20–25 cm, a distinct, albeit still discontinuous, layer of soil consolidation was already apparent.

Deep loosening: smooth penetration of roots into deeper layers

The third option involved tillage with a tine cultivator to a depth of 30 to 35 cm, followed by seedbed preparation using the SWIFTER SE 12000.

An autumn crop inspection revealed that the root system was concentrated at a depth of 40 to 50 cm, with individual roots penetrating to a depth of up to 90 cm. No horizontal consolidation was observed. In this case, the depth of tillage was the decisive factor.

The BEDNAR TERRALAND subsoiler allows for deep tillage down to a depth of 65 cm. It features a robust frame, hydraulic locking of the Active-Mix legs and double packer. This ensures effective disruption of layers of consolidation and better soil aeration.

Assessment of root system development – profile 3 (deep loosening). Operations carried out to a depth of 30–35 cm using a subsoiler. In the spring, seedbed preparation was carried out using a BEDNAR SWIFTER SE 12000 seedbed cultivator. As of 11 October 2025, an even distribution of the root system was evident below the seeding depth.

Ploughing: winter moisture reserves are no guarantee of stability

In the ploughing variant, tillage was carried out to a depth of 25 to 28 cm. The root system was distributed in the 5 to 30 cm layer, but individual roots penetrated to 60 to 70 cm. At a depth of 35 to 40 cm, however, consolidation and horizontal root spread were evident, which slowed their further development.

Although ploughing ensured the highest accumulation of winter production moisture, under the dry conditions of 2025 a significant portion of it was lost through evaporation from the soil surface during the growing season.

Assessment of root system development – profile 4 (ploughing). Ploughing to a depth of 25–28 cm with a plough. In spring, seedbed preparation was carried out using a wide-track seedbed cultivator, the BEDNAR SWIFTER SE 12000. As of 11 October 2025, an even distribution of the root system was evident at the tillage depth below the seeding depth. Below the tillage level, the roots continued to penetrate, but a slight zone of consolidation and horizontal spread of the roots at a depth of 35–40 cm became apparent, which slowed their further development.

What the comparison of technologies showed: summary of the season

According to findings from the demonstration plot, in the 2025 season, strip-till with localised fertiliser placement demonstrated the best balance between root penetration depth, absence of consolidation and stability of plant development. The creation of strips in spring promoted rapid infiltration of heavy rainfall and the development of a deep root system. The strip-till technology with fertiliser placement into the soil profile yielded the best agronomic result – a yield of 9.9 t/ha – as well as the best economic result – a profit of USD 719/ha.

In terms of root system development, disc harrowing showed the lowest positive effect. However, in the end, both disc harrowing and loosening achieved the same yield of 8.8 t/ha and approximately the same economic result. Ploughing, on the other hand, showed the lowest yield and profitability.

The demonstration plot in Poltava-Sad clearly showed that tillage is not merely a question of the chosen depth or number of passes. It is a strategy for managing moisture, root system development and crop stress resistance. The main conclusion from this trial is clear: there is no versatile solution. There is only technology that better suits specific soil and climatic conditions. And it is precisely such field trials, carried out by BEDNAR and Agrilab, that help make informed decisions.