Kazım Çarman

Effect of different tillage systems on soil properties and wheat yield in Middle Anatolia

Abstract Field experiments were conducted on a clay soil in entisol to determine the effect of different tillage tools on soil properties, emergence rate index and yield of wheat in Middle Anatolia. There were four different tillage treatments: mouldboard ploughing followed by disc harrowing twice; rotary tillage twice; stubble cultivator followed by a disc harrowing; heavy globe disc twice. The smallest aggregate mean weight diameters and surface roughness were produced by rotary tillage. Decreasing mean weight diameter decreased the surface roughness. There was a significant ( P −1 to 4265 kg ha −1 , respectively. The greatest emergence rate index and yield were obtained with stubble cultivator followed by disc harrowing treatment.

Tractor forward velocity and tire load effects on soil compaction

Abstract The size and weight of agricultural tractors and machinery have increased in recent years, resulting in increased soil compaction. As a consequence, aeration, root growth and infiltration rate are impeded. Field studies were conducted and soil compaction variables were measured beneath the rear tire track of a two-wheel drive tractor operating with zero drawbar pull. The dynamic load on each rear tire was varied from 7.27 to 13.50 kN and the forward velocity was varied from 0.78 to 2.5 m/s. To determine so soil compaction, the cone index, bulk density, shear strength and tire sinkage were measured. The results showed that increasing the tire load at a given forward velocity increased the cone index, bulk density, shear strength and sinkage. Tire load affected cone index, bulk density, shear strength and sinkage more strongly than did forward velocity.

Some Mechanical Properties of Safflower Stalk

General physical properties, bending stress, modulus of elasticity, compressive strength, shearing stress, and specific shearing energy were determined for safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) stalks. Test specimens were taken from two locations of the stalk: from the bottom and from the top region. Experiments were conducted in five different moisture contents of stalk. The bending stress decreased with increasing moisture content. The average bending stress value varied between 54.02 and 13.81 MPa. The modulus of elasticity in bending decreased with increases at the moisture content and the modulus of elasticity increased towards the top region. The average modulus of elasticity varied between 439.49- 95.62 MPa. The modulus of tangent in compressing decreased as the moisture content increased. The average tangent modulus varied between 31.39-6.35 daNmm-1. The shearing stress and the specific shearing energy increased with increasing moisture content. The maximum shearing stress and the specific shearing energy were 1.37 MPa and 94.64 mJmm-2, respectively. Both the shearing stress and specific shearing energy were found to be higher in the bottom region of the stalk.