Ultra-shallow cultivation is a technique that restricts soil work to a few centimeters in depth (up to 3cm). Its objective is to maintain uniform soil density, avoid compacting layers, and minimize disturbance to deeper soil layers. Consequently, plants can root more robustly and exhibit greater resistance to natural threats such as wind, heavy rain, and drought.

This stubble cultivation technique offers additional benefits. First, it creates mulch on the field's surface. Crop residues are crushed and slightly mixed with the soil. When evenly distributed, the mulch protects the field from overheating, wind, and drying, and regulates temperature in autumn and spring. Moreover, during gradual decomposition, it enriches the soil with nutrients.

Secondly, water evaporation is disrupted. Ultra-shallow cultivation preserves the natural structure of the soil. The deeper humus retains significant amounts of water (up to five times its own weight) that are subsequently available to plants. This also prevents capillary rise.

Thirdly, the emergence of volunteers and weeds is stimulated. During ultra-shallow cultivation of the field in the first pass, weed seeds are shaken out and stimulated to quickly germinate under a layer of mulch. When the plants enter the cotyledon stage, another pass should be made, which will eliminate weeds and volunteers. Though ultra-shallow cultivation for weed control requires two passes over the field, it provides savings on herbicides and plant protection products, as well as better yields and greater availability of nutrients and water. Dr. Hab. Leszek Majchrzak from the University of Life Sciences in Poznań mentions ultra-shallow stubble cultivation as an effective substitute for herbicides and other chemicals for combating weeds and volunteers.

However, for these techniques to yield the intended benefits, two conditions must be met:
- for ultra-shallow cultivation, specialist units are necessary to efficiently and evenly cut the entire cultivated profile. Rolmako offers a complete range of machines for this purpose, from the ComboTill cultivator combination with the mulch harrow to the SpeedCutter disc harrows for shallow soil cultivation

- stubble cultivation should commence immediately after harvest. Delays cause the "bare" soil to release more water into the atmosphere than stored from recent rains, with decreasing annual rainfall exacerbating this issue. Furthermore, weeds will have time to root and deplete nutrients vital for future crops. Utilize machines that crush crop residues and mix them evenly with the soil to remove stubble. The Rolmako SpringExpert mulch harrow, designed for ultra-shallow cultivation, meets these conditions.

Mulching harrow – ideal for initial stubble cultivation
The mulch harrow optimally implements ultra-shallow cultivation, a design feature drawn directly from its construction. The core component is the mulching harrow, comprising durable long "fingers" that operate at depths up to 5 cm. These fingers lightly dig the stubble during vibration, mixing crop residue with soil and ensuring even distribution. They also shake out seeds and destroy weeds. Adjusting the working angle allows the machine to adapt to humidity conditions—optimal results are achieved when set nearly vertical, provided field conditions are considered. Additionally, the absence of a tillage roller permits early field entry in high humidity conditions during spring.

An additional element attached in front of the mulching harrow is a row of cutting discs or a knife roller. The sharp edges of the discs crush crop residues, and their specially profiled shape lifts and mixes them with the chopped straw. The smaller the diameter of the working elements (i.e., the higher the rotational speed), the easier the machine will crumble the soil and achieve light leveling. This is crucial because, with ultra-shallow cultivation, the field must be even and free of ruts.

The knife roller functions similarly to disc harrows. However, its double-sided knives and closed design enhance its ability to crush crop residues and mix them with the soil, leading to quicker decomposition.
Alternative tools for ultra-shallow cultivation
The mulch harrow is not the sole machine for these tasks. Similar effects can be achieved using other machines from Rolmako:
- TurboCut and ProCut knife rollers
- Matrix rotary hoe
- SpeedCutter disc harrows
- ComboTill shallow tillage cultivators
- Combinations of different cultivation tools

However, it is important to ensure that the machine accurately follows the terrain's contours. Can a catch crop seeder be installed? Does it have hydraulic control of individual elements from the tractor cabin? This feature allows for the safe and precise adjustment of working components to field conditions. Additionally, consider choosing working elements with replaceable or cemented carbide tips.

Ultra-shallow stubble cultivation devices – is it something for you?
Ultra-shallow cultivation of stubble benefits both the soil and the crops grown on it. The economic aspect of using a mulcher and other tools for ultra-shallow cultivation is significant. These machines, with high clearance, till the soil very shallowly, resulting in less resistance from post-harvest residues and minimal soil turnover. Consequently, the tractor requires less power and consumes much less diesel fuel compared to traditional cultivation. Additionally, mechanical destruction of weeds and volunteer plants reduces the costs of chemical agents.

Do the above benefits not promote the use of ultra-shallow tillage machines? Currently, it remains your choice. However, considering the increasing restrictions in the European Union on chemical use, the policy of reduced tillage, and climate change, in time it may become not merely an option, but the only viable choice.

Terminology
Capillary rise - also referred to as capillary rise or the height of a liquid column that balances capillary pressure, is the vertical upward flow of groundwater through a permeable structure. This process involves the movement of water through pores, known as capillaries. In coarse sands, this height ranges from 0.5 to 13 mm, while in clays it exceeds 3000 mm.