Turning Crop Residues into Fertilizer with Chop Plough A Natural Way to Enrich Soil While Preparing the Field

Many farmers are familiar with improving soil by applying fertilizers or covering the ground with straw and other materials. But did you know theres another simple method that doesnt require buying extra fertilizer and can be done right alongside land preparation? That method is ploughing crop residues into the soil with a chop plough.

This technique is a form of natural soil enrichment, recycling organic matter back into the ground. By incorporating weeds and crop residues into the soil, they gradually decompose into organic fertilizer. The soil becomes richer in nutrients, with improved texture, aeration, and drainageready for the next crop cycle.

This article will guide farmers on how to properly use a chop plough. Its easy to operate, reduces costs, and delivers excellent long-term results.

What is Soil Incorporation and Why is it Important?

Soil incorporation is an essential part of field preparation. It involves turning and mixing topsoil with subsoil, while burying weeds and leftover crop residues. The main goal is to improve soil structure, making it finer, better aerated, and more balanced.

As these residues decompose underground, they naturally transform into organic matter that nourishes the soilcreating long-term fertility without relying heavily on chemical fertilizers.

Key benefits of soil incorporation include:

• Balances soil pH, making it more suitable for different crops.
  
• Improves soil structurelooser, more water-retentive, and better aerated.
  
• Increases organic matter by recycling weeds and plant residues into natural fertilizer.
  
• Controls weed growth effectively, reducing unwanted plant spread.Helps reduce soil salinity in certain problem areas.
  

Clearly, soil incorporation offers multiple advantages, particularly in soil improvement and fertilizer cost reduction. Its a cost-effective, sustainable option for farmers.

And to make the job faster and easier, a chop plough is the perfect toolit works with a tractor, ploughing and burying residues in a single pass, saving time and effort.

The Chop Plough A Soil Care Partner

A chop plough is a tractor-mounted implement designed with a steel frame, rear support wheel, and 46 notched discs. These discs slice into the soil, cut residues, and turn them under efficiently.

It works in two steps:

1. Cutting blades slice through topsoil.

2. Incorporating blades flip the cut soil and residues back into the field.

The result is looser, well-structured soil, free from compaction and ideal for the next planting cycle.

CMT chop ploughs also allow farmers to choose disc sizes in one machine, such as 24" & 26" or 22" & 28", depending on soil conditions and workload.

How to Adjust a Chop Plough for Maximum Efficiency

Simply attaching the implement is not enoughadjustments must be made based on soil type and field conditions. Correct settings ensure smooth soil turnover, effective weed control, and extended equipment lifespan.

Adjustment techniques:

1. Adjust disc angle for soil type:

Hard soil or heavy weeds set disc angle to 1520° (holes 45). This allows discs to penetrate and cut weeds effectively.

Soft soil or few weeds reduce angle to 510° (holes 23). This minimizes drag and prevents discs from cutting too deep.

2. Adjust disc arm height according to soil hardness:

• Hard soil raise disc arms to prevent excess drag.
• Soft soil lower disc arms so discs dig deeper and bury residues fully.

Extra tip for weed control:

Use 24" cutting discs with 26" burying discs, angled slightly. This cuts and incorporates weeds in a single passfaster and more efficient.

Advantages of Using a Chop Plough

Chop ploughing is not just about leveling the soilit transforms residues into organic fertilizer while enriching soil quality. Heres why chop ploughs are superior to other methods:

• Works on all soil conditions, even hard and compact soils, thanks to its heavy weight (up to 760 kg) for deep penetration.
  
• Prepares and enriches soil in one pass, eliminating multiple rounds of ploughing.
  
• Equipped with anti-wear bushings for longer durability, compatible with both standard and duck-bill tractor hitches.
  
• Operates smoothly even in heavy weed conditions, thanks to its high-frame clearance that prevents clogging.
  
• Adjustable working depth and height for different field conditions.
  
• Can plough up to 300 mm deep with a working width of 1,000 mm, finishing tasks in fewer passes.
  

CMT Chop Plough Trusted Tools for Farmers

Soil incorporation is a crucial step in turning crop residues into natural fertilizer, restoring soil health, and reducing dependence on costly chemical fertilizers. A chop plough makes this process faster, easier, and more effective.

CMTs chop ploughs are built with farmer needs in mindeasy tractor mounting, high-clearance frames to prevent weed blockages, and adjustable arms to match any soil condition.

Made from high-quality boron steel, the discs are tough, durable, and resistant to breakageready for heavy-duty farming in every season.

For farmers seeking a reliable, durable, and efficient soil preparation tool, CMT chop ploughs are the perfect partnerhelping reduce costs, save time, and improve soil fertility sustainably.

Please contact CMT Thailand for more information

• Phone: +66 38 273 250 to 7
• Facebook Page: CMT ชลบุรีเมืองทอง ไถดีที่สุด Official Page
• LINE Official: @cmt1955