Investigating the effect of soil moisture content and depth on the draught, specific draught and drawbar power of a light tractor

ABSTRACT: In this study the draft, specific draft and drawbar power for moldboard plough were measured in different depths and moisture contents. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used to evaluate the effect of three depths (10, 15 and 20 cm) and three soil moisture content ranges of (16-18%), (19-22%) and (23-25 %db) on the draught, specific draught and drawbar power. The results indicated that tillage depth and soil moisture content had significant effect (P < 0.01) on the draft and drawbar power. Also, the effect of interaction of above variables on draft, specific draft and drawbar power was significant. Mean comparison of treatments with Duncanʹs multiple range test showed that the draft and drawbar power at high depth were highest. It was also found that draft, specific draft and drawbar power requirements decreased significantly with increase in the soil moisture content. In order to increase the draught and drawbar power, the plowing depth of 20 cm and moisture content of 23- 25% is advised and to increase the specific draught, plowing depth of 10 cm in every moisture contents is advised.