istro-info

Soil & Tillage Research 38 (1996) 273-289

ISTRO-INFO

W.A. Dick

February 1996

soil& Tillage Research

Number 36

1. Introduction

Soil tillage research is once again becoming recognized as one of the most important variables in managing an agricultural ecosystem. Research fads come and go but the importance of tillage in managing the long-term sustainability of our environment is, more than ever, an important contibution that soil tillage research scientists can make. In the past, tillage was primarily assigned the role of preparing a seedbed for crop establishment and for weed control. However, soil (defined as that thin mantle of mineral and organic matter where biological activity takes place) is now recognized as an important component in many global issues including long-term sustainability of crop production, water quality and global warming.

Soil interacts with water and the atmosphere. As a result, soil tillage or lack of tillage, will obviously impact other natural resources. What is often lacking is an integrated effort where experts in soil, tillage, water, nutrient cycling, etc. all come together to apply their knowledge to solve a specific problem. Many times the answers to questions, such as how does tillage or various cropping systems impact global carbon cycling, are already imbedded in experiments that have been established and maintained for many years.

In 1992 when I visited Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan and again at the 13th ISTRO Conference held in Denmark, I was impressed with the large network of tillage sites that have been meticulously monitored and research, sometimes for 50 or even 100 years. This network of tillage sites provides an opportunity to conduct tillage-related research across climatic and soil zones. Researchers need to volunteer to work together in teams and leaders must come forward to involve themselves in global environmental programs such as the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP). The objectives of these programs ought to include a desire to better understand the role of soil tillage in

0167.1987/96/$15.00 Copyright 0 1996 Elsevier Science B.V. AH rights reserved PII SOl67-1987(96)01028-S

274 WA. Dick/Soil & Tillage Research 38 (1996) 273-289

affecting exchange of water, heat and gases between the soil environment and the atmospheric and aquatic enviromenments.

There also needs to be more emphasis placed on defining truly sustainable agricultural systems within all of the world’s various agricultural regions. These systems will inevitably involve soil tillage or again, as mentioned earlier, “lack of” soil tillage. This new emphasis must not only be crop production oriented, but also have a long-term outlook or a stewardship ethic of our soil, water and atmospheric resources. It is a shortsighted person who consumes or destroys today what will be needed for tomorrow.

The International Society of Soil Science (ISSS) adopted at the 15th World Congress of Soil Science a declaration that includes many recommendations that will require a knowledge of soil tillage to be achieved. These recommendations are focused on long-term productivity of our soils and on environmental health. The next World Congress (16th) of the ISSS will be held in August 1998 in Montpelier, France. There needs to be a strong presence at that congress of ISTRO scientists knowledgeable and skilled in soil tillage research and applications.

Communicated by: Warren A. Dick, School of Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA.

2. Report on ISTRO branches......

2.1. Romania

Published proceedings of the symposia organized by the Romanian Soil Tillage Research Organization at Craiova (1993) and Tulcea (1994) are now available. For reasons of economy, the proceedings of the two symposia have been incorporated into one publication. The publisher of the proceedings is the Societatii Nationale Rom?me pentru Stiinta Solului (National Romanian Society of Soil Science). The complete citation of the proceedings is provided in the Reading Table in this issue of ISTRO-INFO. Written requests may also be addressed directly to Dr. A. Canarache, Research Institute for Soil Science and Agrochemistry, Department of Soil Physics and Technology, Bd. Marasti 61, Bucharest, 7133 1, Romania. Reports on these symposia were previously made in ISTRO-INFO No. 34, page 86 and ISTRO-INFO No. 35, page 272.

The papers published in the proceedings are in Romanian but they all have sum- maries in English. The (translated) titles of the papers are as follows.

Part 1: Present-day Problems in Soil Tillage in Romania (Craiova, 1993). (1) Possibilities to reduce the intensity of primary tillage (Gh. Sin et al.); (2) Present-day mechanization of soil tillage and strategies for the future (T. Dragon et

al.); (3) Contributions of pedology, soil physics and simulation modelling to tillage research

(A. Canarache et al.); (4) Soil tillage problems for maize in Moldova (V.V. Revetchi);

WA. Dick/Soil & Tiltage Research 38 (1996) 273-289 275

(5) Results of a minimum tillage system in a four-year crop rotation under irrigation (A. L’lzZroiu et al.);

(6) Soil tillage in a field crop rotation in Moldova (B.P. Boincean et al.); (7) Localised irrigation of cherries on a reddish-brown soil (J. BXiceanu et al.); (8) Application of compost from residues of alcohol distillation in vineyards under

different tillage systems (V. CZtZinescu et al.); (9) Effect of tile drainage on apple growth and fruit yield at Falticeni (N. TimiSan).

Part 2: Reduction of the Intensity of Soil Tillage (Tulcea, 1994). (10) Techno-anthropological processes of arable land evolution in Moldova (Gh. Jig&); (11 I Influence of soil tillage on wheat crop yields (M. Nicolaescu et al.); (12) Consequences of reduced tillage intensity (P. Gus); (13) Soil tillage without furrow inversion for maize in central Moldova (V.V. Revetchi); (14) Reduction of fuel consumption at primary tillage by applying soil tillage without

furrow inversion (V. G^angu et al.); (15) Mechanization of soil tillage on small- and intermediate-sized vegetable farms and

associations. I. Modeling the technology of vegetable production (L. BSirbulescu); (16) Mechanization of soil tillage on small- and intermediate-sized vegetable farms and

associations. II. Soil tillage and soil conservation technologies in vegetable production (L. B’lrbulescu).

From these titles, it is evident that tillage research in Romania and Moldova covers a wide field with many important and interesting aspects. The achievements of tillage scientists in Romania and Moldova is clearly demonstrated by these papers.

Communicated by: Ir. tees van Ouwerkerk, Oosterweg 61, 975 1 PC, Harm Gn, The Netherlands

2.2. Hungary

On 17 August 1995 the Assembly General of the ISTRO Hungarian Branch was held at the University of Agricultural Sciences in Debrecen, Hungary. The date of the Assembly coincided with the opening day of the “Farmer Expo ‘95”. The program consisted of an opening address by Prof. Geza Nagy, the Dean of the University, and then discussion lead by Dr. Janos Nagy. Prof. Laszlo Nyiri (honorary member of the branch) spoke on “Main Achievements of Soil Cultivation Research” and Dr. Istvan J. Jori (member of the branch) on “Results of Soil Cultivation Machinery Development in Hungary”. The presentations were followed by comments and discussion. The Assem- bly concluded with reports by the President and the Treasurer of the branch.

Dr. Marta Birkas, President of the branch, noted that there are currently 47 regular members, 5 institutional and 10 honorary members involved in the Hungarian branch. A total of 23 members attended the Assembly. Before Dr. Birkas began her report, those present paid special honor to the first president of the branch, Gabor Sipos, who passed away this January. Dr. Birkb reported on past and future ISTRO Conferences and encouraged involvement of the Hungarian branch in the 1997 ISTRO Conference. Dr. Birkas also stressed the importance of publishing in the ISTRO-INFO and the Soil & Tillage Research journal. She emphasized that the main task of the branch is the


Fig. 1. Prof. G. Nagy, Dean of the Agricultural University, Debrecen welcomes the delegates to the Hungarian lS’llXO Branch meeting (17 August 1995). Dr. M&rta Birkls, President of the Hungarian SIX0 Branch is at the extreme left.

extension of service and the collection and presention of information. Dr. Birkh concluded by thanking the lecturers, the representatives of the host university for organizing the meeting and the assembly, and the members and participants for their active contribution to the meeting.

Communicated by: M. Birkks, Univ. of Agric. Sciences, G&%llG, Dept. of Soil Management and Institute of Crop Production, GiidGll& H-2103, Hungary.

The Hungarian Branch has published a special issue of “Agrof&um” (Vol. VI, No. 10, September 1995, 96 pp.) on “TalajmIivelCs” (“Soil Tillage”), which was edited by Dr. MCta Birkbs, President of the Hungarian Branch of ISTRO. Among a total of 28 authors were two Honorary Members and 12 regular members of the Hungarian Branch of ISTRO. The papers are in Hungarian with an English translation of the Table of Contents. Papers contain information on the long tradition of soil tillage research in Hungary and the article by Dr. Birkk, “Classical Authors of Soil Tillage” gives interesting information about the contribution of 23 famous Hungarian soil tillage research workers, starting with J&ros Nagyvithy (1755 18 19) and ending up with Gabor Sipos (1903- 1994), who was an Honarary Member of the Hungarian Branch of ISTRO. Among these scientists, Sandor Egerszegi (1920-1974) participated in the 3rd Confer- ence of ISTRO, 1962 at Doorwerth, The Netherlands, where he presented his classic paper, “Die tiefe Bodenbearbeiting in Ungarn” (“Deep tillage in Hungary”). It was published in Neth. J. Agric. Sci, 11 (1963): I lo- 119. Dr. Gabor F’Wp (1928-19891, working at the Hungarian National Institute of Agricultural Engineering at Giidij118, was the first individual member of ISTRO in Hungary (April 1978). Prof. And&s Kovats (1924- 1988) was employed by the oldest Agricultural University of Europa, at Keszthely

WA. Dick/Soil & Tillage Research 38 (1996) 273-289 277

(situated on the southern border of Lake Balaton), and he was the second individual member of ISTRO in Hungary (January 1979).

On page 94 of this Special Issue of Agroforum, the multi-author book “F6ldmuvel6stan” (“Soil Management”), edited by L. Nyiri and published in 1994, is advertised. Authors are: L. Nyiri (Soil management; Natural Resources and possibilities of field crop production; Soil conservation; Soil tillage on irrigated soils), M. Birkis (Soil tillage), T. Kismanyoky (Fertilization; Crop rotation; Land use management), 1. Lanszki (Weeds and weed control) and J. Nagy (Fertilization). Relevant literature is listed on pp. 421-428 and the subject and author indexes are printed on pp. 429-438. Publisher: Mezogazda Kiadb, Budapest. Price: 2700 HUF.

This Special Issue of Agroforum testifies that soil tillage research, the demonstration of its results in large-scale field experiments, and the introduction of new tillage implements and tillage systems into agricultural practice are very important and successful parts of Hungarian agricultural research.

Communicated by: Ir. Cees van Ouwerkerk, Oosterweg 61, 975 I PC Haren Gn, The Netherlands.

2.3. Ukraine

The Assembly of the Ukrainian Branch of ISTRO (UBI) met on 21 November 1994. The Assembly began by Professor Medvedev, the Executive Member, giving a brief overview of the founding and the activities of the Ukrainian Branch of ISTRO

Professor Medvedev reported on the lSTR0 conference in Melitopol. The primary focus of this conference was on the interaction of soil compaction and soil tillage. The involvement of the Ukrainian delegation and UBI activities at this conference were reviewed. Branch members were informed about the International Society of Soil Science Congress in Mexico (Acapulco) in May 1994, where Professor Medvedev was a participant. The activity of the soil physics section at the World Congress was discussed in detail.

Professor Medvedev also gave a report on the 13th ISTRO conference in Aalborg, Denmark, 25-29 July 1994. The general review of the conference proceedings was made. Branch members were urgently encouraged to become more involved in the affairs of the European and world scientific community in soil tihage. Some problems of language barriers and difficulties for UBI to be active contributing members to such organizations were discussed.

Dr. A. Malienko (Chair, Soil Tillage Research Laboratory, Ukrainian Institute of Agriculture) gave the Treasurer’s report. Several issues were discussed including identifying problems requiring research attention. Some of these problems will require new solutions because of the impact caused by the Ukrainian state separation from the former Soviet Union in both scientific and industrial spheres. Problems identified included:

1. Development of new efforts in soil tillage investigations and practice for the next ten-year period for the Ukrainian Ministry of Agriculture.

2. The need for new production facilities for soil tillage machines. Many of the industrial plants which previously produced soil tillage machines, especially those used


for soil conservation technologies, are now located in the foreign countries such as the Russia Federation and Kazakhstan.

3. Strengthening the Ukrainian Branch of ISTRO by recruiting new members/specialists in soil tillage machinery. Scientists identified to be invited to join UBI included the main specialists at the Soil Tillage Research Laboratory in the Ukrainian Agriculture Mechanizations Institute - Y. Gucov, head designer of soil conservation machines; V. Dubrovin, head designer of plows; and M. Belotkach, head designer of rotary soil tillage machines.

4. Creating an inventory of all long-term soil tillage experiments which are in Ukraine and to assess their value. This will be completed in the first half of 1995. Economic realities may dictate that not all of these experiments may be allowed to continue.

Dr. N. Levchuk, head of the Soil Tillage Research Laboratory (Ukrainian Institute Mechanization in Agriculture) and also UBI member reported on preparations for the March 1995 special UBI session that will focus on ways to deal with production of soil tillage machinery.

Other activities at the Assembly included confirmation of the Executive President and the Treasurer reports about UBI activity in 1994 and plans for 1995. A discussion of the importance of applying soil physics and ecology to the modem agricultural situation in Ukraine was led by Professor Medvedev. The membership of the new Ukrainian Branch of ISTRO was reviewed and approved.

The possibility of including sites in Ukraine as part of the 14th ISTRO Conference in Poland was discussed. Members were encouraged to attend this conference.

Contributed by: Prof. V. Medvedev, A. N. Sokolovsky Ukrainian Soil Science and Agrochemistry Institute, Chaikovskaja str. 4, Kharkiv, 310024, Ukraine and Dr. A. Malienko, Ukrainian Research Institute of Agriculture, Chabany, Kiev Region, 255205, Ukraine.

3. Overview of ISTRO - its history, development and activities

The International Soil Tillage Research Organization (ISTRO) was founded on 27 September 1973 and is organized as a non-profit, scientific and education corporation. It is registered in the Netherlands according to Dutch law.

The goals of ISTRO are (1) to promote contacts among scientists undertaking research in soil tillage and field traffic and their relationship with the soil environment, land use and crop production, (2) to stimulate scientific research in the domain of soil tillage and related fields, and (3) to further the application of the results of such research into agricultural practice.

Activities of ISTRO include (1) sponsoring an international conference every three years on soil tillage and related subjects, (2) sponsoring relevant workshops, excursions and demonstrations, (3) sponsoring meetings of national and regional branches of ISTRO, (4) promoting cooperation with national and international organizations in other fields of science with similar general purposes such as the International Society of Soil Science (ISSS) and the World Ploughing Organization (WPO), and (5) providing


scientific support for the international journal Soil & Tillage Research in which the bulletin of news and information, ISTRO-INFO, is included.

The very first international soil tillage conference in 1955, at Uppsala, Sweden was organized by Prof. Gunnar Torstensson. Subsequent conferences were held in 1958 (Stuttgart-Hohenheim, Germany), 1962 (Doorwerth, Netherlands), 1965 (Aas, Norway), 1970 (Silsoe, U.K.) and 1973 (Wageningen, Netherlands).

At the 1973 conference, to ensure continued interaction among tillage workers, ISTRO was founded. To provide historical perspective to past tillage-related conferences, the conference in Wageningen in 1973 was designated the 6th International ISTRO Conference.

Subsequently, ISTRO has held international conferences every three years. Beginning in 1976 the ISTRO conferences were held in Uppsala (Sweden), Stuttgart-Hohenheim (Germany), Osijek (Croatia), Guelph (Canada), Edinburgh (Scotland) and Ibadan (Nigeria). The most recent ISTRO conference was held in 1994 at Aalborg (Denmark).

Soil tillage is one of the major factors of agricultural production. The diversity of soil and climatic conditions throughout the world has led to the development of various farming systems to match husbandry requirements of crops grown in a given area. Economic considerations and, in more recent years, also environmental concerns, have made it imperative to re-examine the technologies employed in tillage. A question can now be formulated about the level of energy inputs to tillage in terms of the relationship between mechanical tillage and the amount of chemical agents used for raising crops in different climatic and soil zones. Simply, one can now ask how much tillage inputs versus chemical inputs should go into crop production. Because of the impact of agriculture on the environment, soil scientists should seek new approaches to tillage and plant cultivation that would take into account the protection of the environment and the economic aspects of farming.

With this as background, ISTRO has planned the 14th International Conference of ISTRO. This conference will be held from 27 July to 4 August 1997 at Lublin, Poland. A post-conference tour is planned. Lublin is located 170 km southeast of Warsaw and is accessible by international flights to Warsaw. The title of the conference is “Agroeco- logical and Economic Aspects of Soil Tillage”. Subtopics will include theoretical principles for modeling of soil tillage effects, soil and crop responses to soil tillage systems, conservation tillage practices, economics of soil tillage, soil management under permanent crops and soil tillage under highly differentiated conditions. English will be the official language of the conference. Conference excursions are planned for delegates and a full program of events for guests, including children, is also planned.

ISTRO welcomes as members all persons and institutions interested in the study or application of soil tillage and related subjects. ISTRO has approximately 700 members in more than 70 countries. There are five categories of membership - individual, student, corporate, honorary and retired members. Individual membership fees are $18(&l l)/year (base membership fee) or $78(&47)/year (base membership fee plus subscription to Soil & Tillage Research journal). Corporate members pay $72(&44)/year (base fee which includes four voting members). Retired members pay $8(&5.O)/year and students pay $6(&3.5). Payment should be made to ISTRO either in British pounds (to Jim Douglas, Soils Department, Scottish Agricultural Center, Bush Estate, Midlothian,

280 WA. Dick/ Soil & Tillage Research 38 f 1996) 273-289

Penicuik, EH26 OPH, UK) or in US dollars (to Warren Dick, School of Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691). To reduce bank and mailing costs, it is advisable to remit fees for three or more years and/or jointly with other members. When payment is made in advance, a discount of 10% (for 6 years) or 20% (9 years) is granted.

Officers of ISTRO for the period 1994-1997 are President H. Domzal (Poland), President-Elect J.E. Morrison (USA), Past-President H.E. Jensen (Denmark), Secretary- General W.A. Dick (USA), Assistant Secretary-General B. Lowery (USA) and Treasurer J.T. Douglas (UK). Four at-large board members include C.I. Ijioma (Nigeria), C.I.A. Terzaghi (Uruguay), V.W. Medvedev (Ukraine) and H.B. So (Australia). All members of the ISTRO board are elected by the ISTRO membership by ballot vote.

ISTRO has identified eight specific areas, called ISTRO Interest Areas, in which members may identify themselves. These include:

Soil Physics Soil and Water Management Soil Chemistry Environmental Quality Soil Biology and Biochemistry Tillage Implements Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition Crop Production.

In addition Working Groups are created on a temporary basis and their purpose is to bring interested people together to address specific problems or research topics. Cur- rently active working groups include:

Working Group A - tillage-related soil physical properties, Working Group C - crop responses to the soil physical environment, Working Group D - economic aspects of tillage and traffic, Working Group F - visual soil examination and evaluation, Working Group G - history and development of soil tillage, Proposed Working Group - standardizing methods for characterizing physical

properties of clay soils. ISTRO has been actively involved in registering branches in developing countries.

The formal registration of an ISTRO branch offers several advantages and opportunities to the scientists working in the developing country. The membership fees are reduced to only l/3 of the regular base fee, local currency can be collected and pooled within the country to facilitate payment of the fees, and branch activities bring local scientists together for a meeting at least once a year. Branch members have full voting rights and are considered members within the International Soil Tillage Research Organization. ISTRO branches have been formed in Poland, Hungary, Ukraine, Romania, Nigeria, Estonia and Moldova. Additional countries of Eastern and Central Europe and South America are in the process of creating ISTRO branches.

ISTRO support three different publications. ISTRO-INFO is published annually as a bulletin of news and information about progress in soil tillage research in its broadest sense and other matters of interest to the membership of ISTRO.~ISTRO-INFO EXTRA is published four times per year and provides a means of rapid communication of exciting new developments in tillage, upcoming meetings, and relevant research and technology results of a more general nature that have application to soil tillage.

WA. Dick/Soil & Tillage Reseurch 38 (1996) 273-289 281

Soil & Tillage Research is published by Elsevier in collaboration with ISTRO. This journal is concerned with the changes in the physical, chemical and biological parame- ters of the soil brought about by tillage and field traffic, their effects on crop establishment, root development and plant growth, environmental quality and their interactions. Soil & Tilluge Research is abstracted/indexed in Agricultural Engineering Abstracts, Biological Abstract, Chemical Abstracts, Current Contents, Environmental Periodicals Bibliography, and Soils and Fertilizers. Titles of recent issues of the journal can be scanned and searched using Elsevier’s world wide web page (http://www.elsevier.nl/). ISTRO members are eligible to subscribe to Soil & Tillage Research at the special rate of $60 @36)/year). However, one does not need to be a member of ISTRO to publish in Soil & Tilluge Research.

For firther information about ISTRO, contact the ISTRO Secretary-General, Warren A. Dick, School of Natural Resources, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH, USA. Phone: 330-263-3877, fax: 330-263-3658 and e-mail “[email protected]”.

4. Reports of symposia

4.1. Symposium on “Maize Breeding, Production and Utilisution”, 28-29 September 1995, Belgrade, Yugoslavia

This symposium was organized by the Maize Research Institute, in Zemun Polje near Beograd (Belgrade) to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Institute. A wide range of papers and posters were presented on maize genetics and breeding, maize utilisation, and growing practices. In the area of maize production several presentations included information on tillage and cropping systems. It was recognized that in modem agriculture, systems of tillage are required that will prevent degradation of the soil resource, and conserve soil, time, energy, and labour. The concept of ‘minimum tillage’ was discussed. Minimum tillage involves matching tillage inputs with the tillage requirement of the soil and/or the tillage necessary for crop growth. Overall, a wide variation in forms of minimum tillage were described. It was recognized that successful minimum tillage systems must address and accommodate soil tillage requirement, maintenance or improvement of soil quality, and sustainability of the agricultural system. Examples were provided of successful types of minimum tillage for maize production in Europe and North America, including direct planting, zone tillage, and reduced tillage.

Communicated by: M.R. Carter, Research Centrc, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Charlottetown, P.E.I.. Canada.

4.2. Workshop on “Prospects for Carbon Sequestration in the Biosphere”, 17-22 July 1994, Edinburgh, Scotland

The purpose of this NATO Advanced Research Workshop was to identify and categorise possible management options for the enhancement of carbon sequestration

282 WA. Dick/ S&i & Tillage Research 38 (19961273-289

and storage in the biosphere, including terrestrial ecosystems. Various papers and posters were presented to describe mechanisms, controls, and potential management of carbon sequestration. One important option discussed, for carbon sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems, was methods of soil management. Some of the methods character- ized for their ability to increase soil carbon storage included soil tillage and cropping systems. It was suggested that technology is available to increase carbon inputs to the soil via increased plant production (e.g. improved crop nutrition, deeper rooting crops, improved crop species or varieties, cover crops, green manures, reduction in fallow) and/or soil amendments (e.g. application of animal or human waste, crop residues). Significant C storage can occur by growing crops with large and/or deep root systems, such as perennial grasses. Conservation tillage and adoption of specific cropping practices (e.g. replace annual with perennial crops, agroforestry) can increase soil mean C storage, and sustain and protect soil C from degradative processes (e.g. erosion).

Communicated by: M.R. Carter, Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Charlottetown, P.E.I., Canada.

5. ISTRO working group

5.1. Working group on “Standardizing Methods For Characterizing Physical Properties of Clay Soils”

Several experiments conducted around the world have demonstrated that a drastic yield decline occurs when clayey soils are subjected to heavy axle load by harvest equipment and other traffic. However, researchers have been frustrated by being unable to establish the cause-effect relationship. It has been particularly difficult to evaluate physical and hydrological properties of these soils because of their swell-shrink properties, extensive and deep cracking and high spatial and temporal variability. Therefore, conventional methods of characterization are not suitable.

There is an urgent need to develop, identify and validate appropriate methods of characterizing physical and hydrological properties of these soils. Dr. Inge Hakansson and Dr. R. La1 have discussed this problem, and have proposed that a working group be established to address this important issue.

Initially, the working group will establish the terms of reference and assign tasks through correspondence. Once the preliminary work is done, it is important that the group meets once prior to the forthcoming ISTRO meeting and then during the ISTRO Conference in Poland. The idea is to establish a permanent working group to standardize the methods.

Communicated by: Dr. R. Lal, Ohio State University, School of Natural Resources, 2021 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210-1085, USA. Tel.: 614-292-2265. Fax: 614-292-7432. e-mail: [email protected].


6. Workshop and symposia planned

6.1. Second Workshop of Sustainable Land Use Planning

The GijdbllZ, University of Agricultural Sciences and the First Section of National Committee of International Commission of Agricultural Engineering (CIGR) will host the Second Workshop on Sustainable Land Use Planning in GiidiilB on 4-6 September, 1996.

The First Workshop was held at Wageningen, The Netherlands in 1992 and dealt with the questions of policies, methods, information systems and projects of sustainable land use planning. The objectives of the Second Workshop are to search acceptable solutions for the land use in Eastern European countries under conditions of radical change of their national economies. It is still a generally accepted opinion that the main function of agriculture is to produce traditional agricultural products, mostly food. Before a new investment cycle is started to replace the existing run-down production capacities it is essential to determine a clear orientation for the future functions of agriculture. It is an important question for these countries to adapt the experiences of highly developed countries, to find new farming methods for harmonizing the agricultural production with nature preservation and environmental control, and to do all this in the framework of sustainability.

Researchers and experts from different countries will contribute to the reorientation of agriculture towards a more sustainable development by discussing their experiences and drawing conclusions which can be implemented in countries in transition.

Communicated by: Prof. Dr. G. Varallyay and Prof. Dr. H.N. van Lier, GtiijK University of Agricultural Sciences, Gijdiill~, H-2103, Hungary. ph: + 36-28-310-200; fax: + 36-28-310-804; e-mail: [email protected].

4.2. EM Maves International Symposium

The EMI Maves International Symposium will be organized by the Scientific-Crea- tive Association “Ecofiller”, in collaboration with the Estonian Management Institute and MAVES Ltd. Assistance will be obtained from various national bodies. The symposium will be held in the city of Tallin and at Lohusalu (seaside), Republic of Estonia from 20-24 August 1996. The official language will be English. The sessions will be held at the Estonian Management Institute, and the Lohusalu Conference Center which contains main conference halls, several lecture auditoriums and room for posters. A special program for quests and children will be offered during the symposium. Children will be under the supervision of the parents. A program of cultural and historical sightseeing will be provided.

The Symposium theme is “Sustainable Land Management”. Topics will include: (1) defining and quantifying criteria of sustainable land management and extending the economic framework to ensure fulfillment of these criteria; (2) formulating criteria and framework in legislative/organizational setting, elaborate/adapt present agricultural and other land use practice in demonstration projects, monitor effectiveness of conserva-

284 WA. Dick/Soil & Tillage Research 38 (19961273-289

tion practice in the demonstration area; (3) examine our education/training and extension programs for wider implementation, establish mechanisms for continued control of land management.

The symposium will also involve discussions on: (1) use of GIS for land-use management; (2) use of SOTER for preparing soil degradation assessment maps; (3) soil degradation (physical, chemical, biotic, socioeconomic); (4) change in land-use practice (from traditional to intensive farming reverse, land set-aside, recultivation, renovation and land development, loss of nature conservation areas); (5) evaluation of changes in landscapes (ecosystems structure and biodiversity), land tenure and ownership (private and public), aesthetic value (societal groups), tourist value, ranking systems (ecological and socioeconomic); and (6) opportunity for sustainable use and management (no-till and new tillage systems, low-compaction harvesting machinery, anti-erosion devices and rehabilitation, rational use of water, fertilizers and pesticides, adaption of cropping systems, reuse of crops) waste, manure, sewage and sludge.

Registration forms and requests should be sent to Dr. Edvin Nugis, SCA “Ecofiller”, Teaduse 18-4, EE3400 Saku, Harju County, Estonia. Fax: +372-2-721961. Phone: + 372-2-722564.

Communicated by: Dr. Edvin Nugis, SCA “Ecofiller”, Teaduse 18-4, EE3400 S&u, Harju County, Estonia.

7. ISTRO informs about...

7.1. Cultivation of corn with the use of a combined machine

Soil conditions impact the environment for seed placement and germination and ultimately the final crop productivity. It has been confirmed by long-term investigations at the A.N. Sokolovsky Institute for Soil Science and Agrochemistry Research (ISSAR), Ukraine, that field crops require different soil physical properties in the root zone for optimum crop performance. In particular, soil conditions should be different for the soil surface and soil layer in which the seed is place. Before planting, soil aggregates from 5 to 20 mm diameter in size should be concentrated in the surface layer (O-4 cm) and from 0.25 to 5 mm diameter aggregates should be located in the seed layer (4-8 cm). With these conditions, air exchange between soil and atmosphere are optimized, germination and early seedling growth is accelerated, and plant productivity is increased.

A special tillage implement has been developed to create such optimum conditions. This tillage implement provides increased number of soil aggregates of size 5-20 cm diameter in the soil upper layer by 33-38% and practically excludes from the seed zone aggregates larger than 10 mm in diameter. The distribution of the differently-sized aggregates with depth is stable and does not change during a month.

Additional information can be obtained by writing to the scientists at the address given below.

Communicated by: V.V. Medvedev, V.F.Paschenko, P.I.SIobcdjuk, Ukrainian Agricultural Academy

WA. Dick/Soil & Tillage Research 38 11996) 273-289 285

Institute for Soil Science and Agrochemistry Research, Kharkiv, 3 10024, Chajkovsky str. 4, Ukraine. FAX: + 7-0572-47-85-63.

7.2. The health of our soils - toward sustainable agriculture in Canada

Most people know that they need clean air and clean water to stay healthy. Fewer people realize that their well-being also depends on the health of another component of our environment - the soil. Soil supports the growth of most of our food and fiber, so its productivity is a major factor in the health and economics of Canada and other nations. But it also has a much broader role globally. Soil acts as a filter, cleaning air and water. It exchanges gases with the atmosphere and thus influences global climate. Soil receives organic wastes and recycles their nutrients back to plants; it also holds and breaks down some toxic wastes. Because soil plays such a key role in world health, economies, and environmental stability, we must conserve it and use it in a sustainable manner.

Most producers know from experience that you cannot keep harvesting a crop year after year without also investing back into the land. But, since the 195Os, the pressure on farmers to produce more and more food, to meet their costs of production, and to maintain an urban standard of living has in many cases outweighed the importance of caring for the soil.

Much has been written and said to describe the health of soils in Canada’s farming regions. During the past 15 years, several groups and agencies, including the Science Council of Canada; the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; federal and provincial departments of agriculture; universities; and non-govem- ment agencies, such as the Agricultural Institute of Canada, have reported on soil quality. These reports have differed in outlook, style, content, scientific validity and methods and interpretations. All identified major concerns about soil degradation, but neither individually nor together do they thoroughly assess soil quality in Canada. Recent research on soil quality has questioned some of their findings. Many experts now dispute or qualify the reported extent and degree of soil degradation in Canada, its economic and environmental cost, and the effects of land use and management practices.

Sustainable agriculture is a way of farming that can be carried out for generations to come. This long-term approach to agriculture combines efficient production with the wise stewardship of the earth’s resources. It is hoped that, over time, sustainable agriculture will do the following: . meet human needs for food and fiber . protect the natural resource base and prevent the degradation of soil and water quality * use nonrenewable resources efficiently * use natural biological cycles and controls * assure the economic survival of farming and the well-being of farmers and their

families. Early reports on soil quality in Canada successfully raised concern about the effects

of soil degradation on sustainable production of high-quality food, the careless use of land and certain farming practices, and the likely environmental damage. If the 1980s


were the decade of awareness, when the plight of Canada’s agricultural soils became well known, then the 1990s are the decade of healing, with the focus on finding ways to measure and improve soil quality. The danger that soil degradation is merely emotional rhetoric rather than a measurable condition is beginning to pass.

Finding that there existed no acceptable way for tracking the health of Canada’s agricultural lands, a joint committee of federal and provincial agriculture ministers recommended in the 1986 National Agriculture Strategy that monitoring of soil and water resources be included in future agricultural plans. As a result, the Federal Government started the National Soil Conservation Program to monitor soil quality in Canada and to establish whether degradation of agricultural soils is increasing or decreasing.

The Research Branch of Agriculture Canada made the Centre for Land and Biological Resources Research responsible for developing and coordinating a national program to monitor soil quality. After many sessions involving federal and provincial governments, universities, and the private sector, the Soil Quality Evaluation Program (SQEP) was approved as the first phase of monitoring soil quality in Canada. The program’s goal was to develop a national capability to assess soil and associated environmental quality, as well as the effects of land use and management practices on these qualities. Armed with this knowledge, farmers, extension advisors, policy makers, and the public can then work to safeguard and preserve Canada’s agricultural lands for future generations.

“The Health of our Soils: Toward Sustainable Agriculture in Canada” (1995) was edited by D. F. Acton and L.J. Gregorich. This softcover book provides a wonderful overview of issues, facing farmers not only in Canada, but in every country of the world. Chapters deal with understanding soil health, a geographic framework for assessing soil quality, benchmark sites for monitoring soil quality, changes in soil organic matter and soil structure, erosion, salinization of soil, contamination of agricultural soils, and agrichemical entry into ground water. The book is well written and beautifully illustrated and contains an eight page glossary of terms related to sustainable agriculture. It can be obtained by writing the Centre for Land and Biological Resources Research, Research Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, K.W. Neatby Building, Central Experimen- tal Farm, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, KlA OC6.

8. ISTRO interaction with other organizations

ISTRO works closely with several other scientific and professional organizations. These include the European Society for Agronomy and the World Ploughing Organiza- tion. A description of the most recent ploughing contest sponsored by the World Ploughing Organization and a general overview of the European Society for Agronomy are reported below.

8.1. 42nd World Ploughing Contest

The 42nd World Ploughing Contest (WPC) was held at Ngongogeri Farm, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya from 11-22 November, 1995. It brought together farmers,


Fig. 2. World Ploughing Organization contestant and reigning champion C. Bateman, of Ireland, intently focusing on the task at hand. The 42nd World Plougingh Contest was held 11-22 November 1995 at Ngongogeri Farm, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya.

managers, competitors, judges, machinery dealers, national and international agricultural organizations and many other categories of individuals and institutional representatives.

The WPC was hosted jointly by the WPC and the Kenyan Ploughing Organization, a technical committee of the Agricultural Society of Kenya. The purpose of the Agricul- tural Society of Kenya is to encourage agricultural activity through shows and exhibi- tions and this organization became affiliated with the WPC in 197 1. Since then, Kenya has participated in 14 WPCs. This was the first time that the contest was held in Kenya and only the third time in Africa.

Fifty-six contestants (including one woman) from 28 countries attempted to produce the perfect seedbed. The site of the competition was in the central part of the Rift Valley, the heart of large scale farming activities in Kenya. The Rift Valley stretches from Syria in the Middle East to Madagascar in Southern Africa.

The main competition days were 16-17 November while the days preceding these were used for general preparations, arrivals and practice by the competitors. Although dry weather was expected, some showers forced the competitors to use plastic covered ploughs as a means of reducing stickiness. In the post competition days, celebrations (and awards), visits to tourist sites and general follow-up meetings were held.

Tillage is one of the most power demanding and mechanized agricultural operations in Kenya (and Africa in general) and therefore the World Ploughing Contest received natural attention from machinery dealers, farmers and the public in general. The function received presidential attention, support and good will as the President of Kenya (Daniel arap Moi) officiated at the opening ceremony. In his opening remarks the Kenyan Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Simeon Nyachae, stated that the 42nd World Ploughing Contest re-affirmed the love and dependance on the land we till.

From the spectator’s perspective, the show was stolen by the 16 year old student


Fig. 3. Dr. P.G. Kaumbutho (Dept. of Agricultural Engineering, University of Nairobi) and Dr. J.M. Mutua

(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute) at the ISTRO display during the 42nd World Ploughing Organization Contest.

competitor, J. G. Witty from Malton England, by Relga Wielander of Austria and of course the two Kenyan home-ground competitors, Mark Iraru and Peter Obuora, both of Mumias Sugar Company.

What was interesting was that unlike the world competitions, the national ploughing contest included animal powered and manual tillage. Initially, these methods had been included as demonstration events but they were left out at the last minute, due to some budgeting constraints. As a result of this removal of events, many farmers who had come to the competition found the ISTRO stand to be particularly interesting as it was the only one showing a selection of manual and animal powered tillage implements. The display was also particularly attractive in the way it demonstrated, from a research perspective, the attempt to close the gaps between modem technology and the traditional means of tillage.

The ISTRO stand received the attention of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), as well as local news media. Many visitors from many comers of the world took time to talk to us and photograph, for friends back home, traditional tillage means available and unique to Africa. Without the ISTRO stand (with the traditional implements displayed) and the hot November weather, it would have been easy to think that one was not even in Africa. However, the ISTRO stand and the multidisciplinary team attending it (which answered numerous questions about smallholder tillage practices), brought Africa to the exhibition.

The ISTRO local exhibiting committee was composed of Dr. P.G. Kaumbutho, Coordinator (Dept. of Agricultural Engineering, University of Nairobi), Dr. Joseph M. Mutua (Kenyan Agricultural Research Institute), Mr. Mwamwali Shiribwa (Agricultural Engineer, Agricultural Engineering Division, Ministry of Agriculture), Mr. Elijah K


Fig. 4. Display at the 42nd World Ploughing Organization Contest of tillage tools used on small farms in Kenya.

Biamah (Dept. of Agricultural Engineering, University of Nairobi), and Dr. Elizabeth Waithaji (Dept. of Clinical Studies, University of Nairobi).

Communicated by: Dr. Pascal Kaumbutho, KENDAT, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya.

8.2. European Society for Agronomy

The European Society for Agronomy (ESA) includes agronomists, researchers and teachers who are concerned with basic and applied knowledge in agronomy; the relationships between crops, soils, climates and agricultural practices, and, between agriculture and environment. The society provides a forum for scientists and extension workers to exchange information and experience, and for developing collaborative programmes. ESA has four basic activities:

Scientific meetings: Every two years, ESA organizes a Scientific Congress for crop scientists, agroclimatologists and agronomists (Veldhoven, Netherlands in 1996 and Nitra, Switzerland in 1998). ESA publishes the proceedings of these congresses.

A twice-yearly newsletter: This newsletter conveys information within the society, agronomy in Europe, news from various members and associates, annual list of theses, etc.

A scientific Journal (EJA): The European Journal of Agronomy was started in 1992. ETA is a quarterly scientific journal. The papers relate to experimental or methodological studies and scientific reviews in the field of agronomy, crop science and agroclimatol- ogy and

Networks: ESA supports scientific networks to promote the science of agronomy and to link, within a European framework, people interested in agronomic research and development.

Submitted by: Ph. Girardin, ESA Executive Secretary, BP 52, 68001 Colmar Cedex, France

istro-info

Documents