Eliminate weeds and promote self-seeding When cultivating the field post-harvest, we eliminate weeds growing in the stubble, which unnecessarily consume valuable water. By shallowly mixing the soil, we cover weed seeds and remnants of the previous crop, prompting germination. It is crucial to avoid excessively deep initial cultivation, as seeds may enter dormancy due to insufficient light. Dormant seeds may germinate in subsequent seasons when cultivation brings them closer to the soil surface. Excellent results can be achieved using the SpringExpert mulch harrow and the MATRIX rotary hoe from Rolmako.

Ultra-shallow stubble cultivation
The initial stubble cultivation should be performed as shallowly as possible, up to 5 cm. It is essential to cut the stubble across the entire surface. For stubble cultivators, this should not pose an issue as the side wings are responsible for cutting the stubble. It is important that they are set at the smallest possible angle to the soil for the initial cultivation. To achieve this, adjust the angle of attack of the cultivator beam. Note that the tip of the cultivator coulter will always penetrate deeper than the cutting wings. For a disc harrow, much depends on the angle of attack of the discs on the soil and the angle between the discs and the ground. If these angles are small, the depth must increase to cut the soil completely. Additionally, large diameter deeply serrated discs often do not favor cutting the soil at a shallow depth. The Rolmako SpeedCutter disc harrow was designed for this purpose, featuring an angle of attack and wavy disc texture to work with stubble at a depth of 3 cm. The Rolmako TurboCut and ProCut knife rollers, intended for the initial shallow post-harvest cultivations and as supplementary tools for deeper stubble cultivation, perform effectively in this context.

Second stubble cultivation
To conserve water, a second stubble cultivation is recommended. This procedure aims to destroy germinated weeds and seeds of the previous crop, which consume water for growth. Historically, farmers used harrowing for this purpose. Currently, this cultivation is performed using tools from the first cultivation, such as disc harrows or cultivators. Farmers increasingly employ the SpringExpert mulching harrow and the Matrix rotary hoe for this task. This procedure is effective if weeds and volunteers from the previous crop are destroyed early. If straw has been chopped in the field, the second cultivation should be performed deeper. Besides destroying volunteers, the goal is to thoroughly mix the chopped straw. For each ton of chopped straw, approximately 2 cm of cultivation depth is required. For well-yielding and shortened wheat, a depth of approximately 12 - 14 cm should suffice. This treatment can be combined with cover crop sowing using equipment like the Rolmako U693 and U652 disc harrow.

When to apply deep stubble cultivation?
Corn stubble cultivation is often regarded as more demanding compared to other crop stubble cultivation. Several factors contribute to its increased difficulty.

Crop residue: Corn possesses large, solid crop residues that can be challenging to break down and integrate into the soil. The corn shoot is relatively thick and hard, rendering it more difficult to decompose than shoots of other grains.
Soil structure: Corn's robust root system can compact the soil. Consequently, post-crop cultivation may necessitate additional efforts to loosen the soil and prepare it for the next crop.
Diseases and pests: Corn is susceptible to numerous diseases and pests that can persist in crop residues. To prevent issues in future crop seasons, it is essential to thoroughly mix and disperse corn residues.

To effectively manage maize stubble, farmers should adopt suitable cultivation strategies and techniques, such as employing machinery capable of handling dense crop residues, including the U671 heavy disc harrow with an aggressive angle of attack and 620 mm diameter discs, and the U436 no-plough cultivator. Crop rotation is also advised to mitigate the risk of diseases and pests, and monitoring soil moisture is essential.

Even distribution and mixing of straw are crucial for proper mineralization. The stalks should be cut into short sections to facilitate microbiological decomposition, releasing nutrients into the soil. Proper soil pH regulation is necessary for decomposition; acidic soil inhibits proper structure formation, complicating cultivation and covering of crop residues. Poor soil structure hampers microbiological life and the development of earthworms, which play a vital role in transforming organic matter and forming soil humus.

Enhance the impact of stubble cultivation
For optimal results with rapeseed, it is crucial to shred the long stalks of the stubble. It is recommended to mount the ProCut knife roller to the U693 or U652 disc harrow. In Rolmako rollers, the knives are mounted on a tube to prevent stones from getting lodged between the obliquely arranged knives. If you already possess a disc harrow, you can mount the TurboCut double knife roller on the front three-point linkage of the tractor. The optional spiral arrangement of the roller knives enhances cross-cutting, thereby improving stubble shredding.

The subsoiler prevents water loss
Summer is an optimal period for subsoiling. This procedure yields the best results when the deeper soil layers are dry, allowing the soil to crack easily and disintegrate the plough sole and other compacted areas. However, deeply loosened soil after subsoiling is highly prone to water loss. To address this, Rolmako offers subsoilers integrated with a three-point linkage, such as the U608 or U632, which enable the attachment of a disc harrow behind the subsoiler. This combination allows for simultaneous subsoiling and top layer cultivation, thereby preventing water loss. For instance, the U624 chisel plough with Ripper tine pre-compacts and dresses the soil with a double spiked roller, preparing it for simplified sowing. In agricultural practice, the decision to subsoil the stubble should be based on a thorough analysis of the land's needs, climatic conditions, and the cultivation system used in the field.

Summary
The primary objective of the initial stubble cultivation is to eliminate weeds, stimulate self-seeding, incorporate plant residues, and loosen the soil surface. Subsequent cultivations focus on further weed control, eradicating self-seeding, improving soil structure, and preparing for the next crop sowing. Incorporating plant residues into the soil accelerates their decomposition into organic matter, enhancing soil structure and making it more accessible to water and air, which benefits plant roots. When selecting post-harvest cultivation technology, consider the soil type, moisture level, current weather conditions, and equipment availability. Ultra-shallow conservation cultivation, which minimizes ground disturbances, is increasingly popular due to its environmental and economic benefits. Proper implementation of post-harvest cultivation significantly impacts the yield in the subsequent season. The correct selection of depth, number of treatments, and their objectives is crucial for success.

Terminology
Macropores: large pores exceeding 30 micrometers (μm).