Autumn is the harvest season, but also the sowing season. While many farmers may have nearly completed their autumn plowing, many others may still be in the process. Regardless of your progress, today we'll discuss rotary tillage and plowing, exploring how to choose the right method. Hopefully, this will clarify some uncertainties and provide more understanding.
　　Both rotary tillage and plowing are methods used in cultivation. Based on the specific crop, you can choose the method that best suits its characteristics. Rotary tillers are fast, but lack depth, typically less than 15 centimeters. This depth is incomparable to plowing, which can easily reach over 20 centimeters. However, plowing consumes more fuel and is slower, even with large machinery; deep plowing is difficult to speed up significantly.
　　Rotary tillers use rotating blades to cut and mix the soil, creating a loose and even surface, seemingly making planting easier.
　　So how do you choose between these two methods? It largely depends on the crop's nutrient requirements and root characteristics. For example, rice in paddy fields has relatively shallow roots, making rotary tillage suitable. Garlic, however, is different. Its roots are shallow, around 15 centimeters, but plowing is generally better. Garlic requires a lot of water and fertilizer, and deep plowing improves water retention and fertilizer preservation, something rotary tillage lacks. While wheat in northern areas has deeper roots, many farmers still use rotary tillage—it's less labor-intensive, and the profit margin for wheat isn't high enough to justify the extra cost of plowing. Rotary tillage is often the more cost-effective option.
　　It's also important to note that for fields with significant crop residue or straw, plowing is recommended. While rotary tillage has many advantages, it doesn't effectively bury straw in such fields, affecting subsequent crops. Plowing's greater depth helps bury and decompose straw, improving its return to the field.
　　While many may understand the above, they may not always apply it. The benefits of plowing—breaking up compacted soil, improving nutrient utilization, and promoting soil sustainability—are clear. However, plowing and deep tillage are time-consuming and labor-intensive, with low short-term returns, leading many farmers to avoid it.
　　However, many areas now offer subsidies for deep tillage, boosting farmer interest. Whenever possible, choose plowing. Even if annual deep tillage isn't feasible, aim for it every two years to improve soil structure and fertility.