Performance of Disc and Chisel Ploughs and their Effects on Some Soil Physical Properties

Abstract

A study was carried out at the University of Khartoum
Demonstration Farm in (2007), to study the performance of two tillage
implements: (disc and chisel plough) and their effect on some soil
physical properties. The results showed that the higher values of both
theoretical and effective field capacities were recorded by chisel plough
(1.23 ha/hr and 0.90 ha/hr) as compared to disc plough (0.63 ha/hr and
0.50 ha/hr). The higher field efficiency was recorded by disc plough
(79.37%) as compared to the chisel plough (73.4%). The fuel consumed
when using the disc plough was (10.60 l/ha) less than that consumed by
the chisel (13.47 l/ha). Tractor wheel slippages ware found to be 10.92%.
and 14.1%. The result also showed that both ploughs decreased the soil
bulk density values from 1.54 g/cm3 to 1.51 and 1.49 g/cm3 by disc and
chisel plough respectively. Particle density was not affected (P > 0.05) by
both implements . The soil porosity values were also increased for both
implements. The soil moisture content recorded in two depths 0-15 and
15-30 cm were higher for chisel plough (6.53% and 6.9%) as compared to
disc plough which recorded 6.3% and 6.5% respectively. The infiltration
rate obtained by the disc plough was 22.2 cm/hr while that of chisel
plough was (20.1 cm/hr).