Seeding and fertilization

VERSATILE BEDNAR AIR DRILLS FOR VARIOUS CONDITIONS

The advantage of the OMEGA air drills lies in their high versatility that makes it possible to use these compact machines in zero tillage technologies with larger quantities of crop residue, or in traditional convention technology with the option to seed into rough furrow thanks to the efficient combination of the working parts or to establish cover crops, grass or crops directly in a stubble field. The same applies to the large EFECTA CE and EFECTA CM air seeders, which, however, do not have a disc section for tillage like OMEGA but the EFECTA CE air-seeder can be equipped with four types of front equipment.

HIGH DIVERSITY? COULTER WORKING SECTIONS

The OMEGA air drills have a unique combination of working parts. The basic equipment of the seeding tool includes a double-row working disc section, which may be retracted when they are not needed. The disc section is followed by the unique PROFI coulters section. This section helps deal with the problem soil clods, namely when seeding in heavy or wet soils when the disc section may form sticky clods. The specially shaped PROFI coulters crumble and help to level the soil efficiently. If seeding onto ploughing or cultivated soils, it is possible to mount the hydraulically adjustable levelling Crushbar in front of the cultivating disc section to help break down and level the surface.

SPRING CROP ESTABLISHMENT

In spring, the OMEGA air drill can work with the discs completely retracted. The PROFI coulters manage the disc work, i.e., warming up, aerating the top soil profile. This results in a well-established crop with an excellent and uniform emergence in the whole field.

SUMMER CROP ESTABLISHMENT

In summer, the intense work of the front discs is very important. The discs loosen soil, cut up any crop residue and mix it with soil. The PROFI coulters increase disc efficiency, i.e., they process the clods disc by disc, cut up and press the remaining crop residue into the ground.

QUALITY CROP ESTABLISHMENT IN A STUBBLE FIELD, COVER CROP, OR SEEDING MEADOWS AND PASTURES

Both the versatile OMEGA and the large EFECTA CE drills can be equipped with TURBO coulters, instead of the PROFI coulters. TURBO coulters work in the same line as the rear drill openers. The sharp edge of the TURBO coulters creates a groove where the drill opener places the seed. This equipment option is also suitable for seeding meadows and pastures.

FERTILIZER PLACEMENT IN ONE PASS

The third equipment option includes the fertilizing FERTI coulters, designed for the application of fertilizer into mid rows and concurrent seeding in one pass. The seeding depth can be easily set. The fertiliser placement into mid rows helps to start the crop growth fast, more efficient use of fertilizer with easy access to seeds, and demonstrably higher yield.

ADVANTAGES OF GROWING MAIN CROPS WITH INTERMEDIATE CROPS

The main reasons for using intermediate crop in the seeding methods in the past few years lie in the legislation and ecology. The pressure on implementing better principles to limit soil and air erosion is increasing, as well as on improving the balance of organic matter, increasing water infiltration in soil, and reducing the application of chemicals. In the long term, intermediate crop can improve the condition of soil environment, increase the share of organic matter, and thus work better with the limiting factors of yield, such as moisture and nutrition of the main crop.

COVER CROP CONTRIBUTES TO BETTER SOIL CONDITIONS

A cover crop is grown to improve soil conditions; it aerates the soil and creates organic green matter that continuously subsides. Cover crops perfectly aerate the soils. Each type of cover crop (tare grass, phacelia, buckwheat, niger, scarlet clover, Indian millet, flax, mustard) has a different task because the roots of each catch crop reach a different depth. The roots transfer phosphorus and other elements from lower soil layers to the top. After incorporation, the elements are available for the next crop. In summer, the cover crop creates a shade, eliminates the evaporation of moisture, and reduces the risk of erosion.

BEDNAR HAS A SOLUTION

The DIRECTO no-till drill is the best option for establishing cover crop. Direct cover crop seeding in uncultivated soil helps maintain moisture in the field and increases organic matter and humus content in soil. BEDNAR also offers a solution for seeding cover crop using the ALFA DRILL seeder or in combination with the FERTI-BOX FB, FERTI-CART FC or COMBO SYSTEM CS air-carts during tillage. Crops can also be established using the versatile OMEGA air drills, or the large EFECTA CE drills without any prior tillage.

“The OMEGA OO_FL and EFECTA CE air-seeders excel in their high variability of application, namely thanks to the two pressurised tanks and the option of a third tank with the AFLA-DRILL seeder. This solution allows you to seed up to three crops at the same time, or to place two types of fertiliser and seed one crop, all in one pass. The fertiliser and the seed depth can be set individually and independently of one another. This technical solution thus enables you to adjust to the new agronomic trends and modern crop establishment methods.”

PROFILE FERTILIZATION

The application of fertiliser into the soil environment, known as profile fertilisation, should be carried out together with tillage using FENIX cultivators, combined ACTROS cultivators, or TERRALAND chisel ploughs. Such precisely placed fertilizer motivates the root system to grow faster and bigger, which helps solve current issues with soil moisture. This fertiliser placement system is most often used for establishing deep-rooting crops, such as corn, sugar beet, or canola.
Mostly phosphorus fertilizers, or combined ones with phosphorus content are applied in this fertilization system, also nitrogen fertilizers with an ammonium nitrogen component, or fertilizers that contain sulphur are suitable.

STRIP-TILL TILLAGE IN COMBINATION WITH PROFILE FERTILIZATION

A targeted application of fertiliser into tilled strips helps achieve very interesting results. The strips can be cultivated using the TERRASTRIP ZN deep cultivator, or the STRIP-MASTER EN cultivator. Those implements allow for fertilizer application in a single pass. In this case, the fertilizer is only applied in the processed strips at a specific depth. The fertilizer is easily accessible to the crop and the savings in the cost of fertilizers are considerable.

WIDE FERTILIZER APPLICATION

A wide application of the starter fertilizer should be done during seedbed preparation. The SWIFTER seedbed cultivators can be equipped with a set for fertilizer application in combination with FERTI-BOX tanks. The fertilizer is then applied evenly and mixed in the top soil layer, where it is easily accessible to plants.

TARGETED FERTILISER PLACEMENT DURING VEGETATION

When weeding, it is recommended to apply liquid or mineral fertilizer by using the ROW-MASTER cultivator in combination with a solid fertilizer FERTI-BOX tank or a liquid fertilizer FERTI-TANK tank. The targeted application saves the costs and fertilization during vegetation demonstrably increases the yield and the overall resistance of the crop to other undesirable effects, such as a long-lasting dry season.

“TO ACHIEVE THE REQUIRED YIELD, YOU NEED QUALITY SOIL AND ENOUGH WATER, AIR AND NUTRIENTS.”

NO-TILL DRILLING AS A CURRENT TREND

Direct drilling into soil that has not been cultivated beforehand is a current trend in establishing both main crop and cover crop. No-till drill is a response to the ongoing increase in drought and water scarcity. The advantage of direct drilling lies in the elimination of soil moisture evaporation, reducing the risk of erosion, soil overheating, and weed growth. It increases the organic matter volume in the soil and significantly saves time and costs required for crop seeding.

STRIP-TILL SEEDING WITH FERTILIZER PLACEMENT

The strip tillage with simultaneous fertilizer application and seed placement in tilled strips offers many agronomic benefits, including erosion control, reduced field traffic, and water conservation. The shank section ensures the removal of compacted soil layers and quality tilling of strips with the possibility of simultaneous fertilizer application. Subsequently, the seeds are placed in the tilled strips, providing plants with sufficient nutrients and promoting the development of a healthy root system.