Field Evaluation of the Single Bent-Share Plough with Different Share Lengths and Tips

In conservation tillage (CT) systems, the implement should be able not only to loosen the soil but also to keep plant residues on the soil surface. The present study investigates the suitability of bent-share ploughs for CT whose effects on improving soil physical properties at low energy costs have already been established. For the purposes of this study, bent-share ploughs of two different share lengths (250 and 350 mm) but identical widths of 110 mm, equipped with/without a wedge-tip were used to evaluate their field performance at two soil depths (100 and 200 mm) and three soil moisture levels (0.5, 0.7, and 0.9 plastic limit). In addition, their performance in a clay loam soil was compared with that of a winged-type chisel plough. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design. Draft force, specific draft, cross-sectional area of disturbed soil, soil-upheaving area, clod mean weight diameter (MWD), surface residue cover, and water infiltration rate were measured. The wedge-tip bent-share plough with share lengths of 250 or 350 mm recorded the lowest specific draft. This is while the winged-type chisel plough recorded a significantly higher draft force and specific draft resulting in lower efficient soil loosening operation. When the bent-share equipped with the wedge-tip, the plough was able to improve the specific draft, MWD, surface residues, and soil up-heaving, significantly, but decreased soil water infiltration rate. Compared to the winged-type chisel plough, the bent-share plough retained 72% of the residues on soil surface and improved soil lessening by 66%. Based on the results obtained, the wedge-tip bent-share plough may be recommended as an alternative to the winged-type chisel plough for use as an efficient CT system.