LOZOVA MACHINERY investigated the intensity of CO₂ emissions from soil in the Nikolaev region

Environmental issues have been the subject of considerable discussion for a long time, and in particular, CO₂ emissions from soil are now being extensively discussed in the agricultural sector. There are more questions than answers on this subject. What the causes and sources are, what measures should be taken, whether tillage has an impact on emissions, whether it affects yields, etc... There are plenty of speculations, but not all of them are supported by figures and practical studies. Some experts are of the opinion that mechanical tillage is one of the causes of emissions, and no-till technology could solve this problem.

The issue of CO₂ emissions from soil needs to be investigated in many different ways. Emissions to the environment from the use of agricultural machinery – this is an issue that has not been studied yet.

LOZOVA MACHINERY together with the Sumy National Agrarian University, the Nikolaev National Agrarian University and the Leonid Pogorelyi Ukrainian Research Institute for Equipment and Technology Forecasting and Testing decided to make a small contribution and tried to measure the intensity of carbon dioxide emissions from the soil on the first stubble cultivation of sunflowers using different tillage equipment. The research was carried out in the Nikolaev region.

A DUCAT RST-6 rotary chopper, a Verti-till DUCAT UVT-6 vertical cultivation harrow, a DUCAT-2.5 short disc harrow-sheller and a LIRA XL-21 heavy spike harrow took part in the field tests.

 

The measurement procedure involved observation for one hour with a special device.

The working depth of the DUCAT RST was 6 cm, the DUCAT UVT – 4.6 cm, the DUCAT-2.5 worked to a depth of 9.4 cm and the LIRA XL spike harrow – 6.1 cm.   

Tillage definitely has an influence on CO₂ emissions. But apart from tillage technology, machine type, there are many other factors to consider: temperature, environment, moisture content of the soil, type and volume of crop residues on the soil surface... All this requires further investigation. The beginning of our research has been made and the first results and figures are available. Based on this, our colleagues will continue to study the problem.