Crop residue management In no-plough technology, a crucial aspect of field preparation for sowing involves managing the mass of crop residues or catch crops. This must be addressed immediately after harvest, utilizing at least 2-3 treatments to optimally distribute and mix the residues in the field.

These may include treatments:
- SpringExpert mulching harrow for even distribution of straw, stimulation of volunteer plants and weeds
- first pass with a disc harrow or cultivator at a shallower depth, e.g. Rolmako U652 disc harrow or U497 universal cultivator
- second pass with a disc harrow or cultivator at a greater depth or one deep pass replacing the previously described ones with a cultivator or chisel plow for no-plough soil cultivation

Pre-sowing cultivation
Selecting appropriate tools for seedbed cultivation is crucial. Plows, cultivators, harrows, and seeding and planting machines are commonly used in this process. The choice of tools depends on the field size, soil type, and crop type. Selecting the right time for seedbed cultivation is also important, as the optimal time varies by region and climate. Avoid cultivating when the soil is too wet to prevent compaction and clod formation. Prior to seedbed cultivation, assess and adjust soil pH and provide necessary nutrients, which can be done by applying organic or mineral fertilizers. Soil tests can determine the required amendments. Planning crop rotation is essential for maintaining healthy soil and preventing issues with pesticides and plant diseases, as it reduces pest pressure and improves soil quality.

Proper soil cultivation must be done at the correct depth. Soil for cereals should be cultivated at 10-15 cm, and for rape, it should be deeper, at 20-25 cm. The key here, even in the no-plough system, is that plant residues are well mixed, which will mineralize over several more months. If there is an excess in the seed layer, the seeds will have poorer contact with the soil, significantly worsening plant density in the field. In plough cultivation, ploughing removes residues from the soil surface but requires more effort to re-compact the soil, ensuring proper contact between the soil and seeds.

The depth of soil cultivation varies based on the type of plants to be sown, typically ranging from a few to several centimeters. For instance, the depth for leafy vegetables such as lettuce is approximately 5-10 cm, whereas for cereals such as wheat it is around 10-15 cm.

Loosen and thicken
Each cultivation procedure should compact the soil at the same depth it was loosened. In pre-sowing cultivation, the seeds should be placed on a compacted layer at the sowing depth for the species but should encounter a looser layer above. Loosening the soil prior to sowing facilitates root development and nutrient access. Tools such as ploughs, cultivators, or harrows can be used to achieve this. Additionally, loosening the soil improves its structure and drainage.

It should be clearly emphasized that achieving such an effect is much easier with multi-beam machines with a larger working width, which are heavier and maintain the set working depth effectively. The type of roller on the tillage unit is key. Pipe or string rollers will perform the worst in these machines, as they do not compact the soil well. The best rollers are ring rollers, rubber rollers, or rollers made of steel rings. Heavier rollers, such as Cambridge, Packer, or the prismatic ORION compact, crumble and level the soil very effectively.

The optimal soil cultivation enables the sowing of various species at their appropriate depths:
- rapeseed at 2-3 cm,
- cereals at 3-4 cm,
- beetroot at 3-4 cm,
- sunflower at 5 cm,
- large-seeded legumes at 5-8 cm,
- corn at 8 cm.

Following pre-sowing cultivation, re-compaction may be necessary, particularly if the soil is excessively loose. Loose soil can hinder proper seed depth maintenance and increase erosion risk. Compaction can be achieved using tools such as Cambridge rollers, ORION rollers, or specialized compaction equipment. Rolmako offers a solution that integrates cultivation with additional compaction through a heavy roller using a coupler, such as the U684 compact cultivation unit or the VibroSTAR U445 pre-sowing unit, connected to a trailed Cambridge roller or prismatic ORION. This approach ensures optimal results and eliminates the need for an additional machine pass.

Soil warming
The cultivation of the soil must ensure it warms to the appropriate temperature required for optimal germination by seed species. Cereals and rapeseed are not particularly demanding in this respect, but their sowing (winter crops) often occurs when the soil is around a dozen or 20°C or more (rapeseed). Late-sown winter and spring cereals sown in spring also tolerate soil temperatures a few degrees above zero.

The situation is different for thermophilic species such as corn, soybeans, and sunflowers. These require 8-10°C, 10-12°C, and 8°C at the sowing depth, respectively. Therefore, cultivation should be carried out at a depth that ensures the quickest possible heating of the soil. It is advisable to cultivate these species at a depth of 10-12 cm.

Summary
Ultimately, the key to successful seedbed cultivation is to adapt techniques to the specific crop you plan to sow and to the soil and climatic conditions in your region. Well-planned and executed seedbed cultivation can significantly affect yield and quality of the crop. Effective seedbed cultivation requires consideration of many factors and adapting techniques to specific conditions. It is also advisable to utilize available sources of information, research, and agricultural advice from agricultural institutions and advisors. After sowing, it is important to monitor the plants and provide them with the necessary care, control pests and weeds, and ensure appropriate growing conditions. The pursuit of sustainable cultivation that minimizes negative impact on the environment is becoming increasingly important. Practices such as no-plough farming, the use of natural pesticides and organic fertilizers, and minimizing water losses can contribute to more sustainable agricultural production.