|
Koos
Stofberg and his team at Soilmix Africa are delivering another
world first for South Africa
with their invention of the SM18/1 plough and development
of The
Soilmix Way
.
In
situations where degenerated soil quality through depletion and
vehicle compaction have taken their toll, the Soilmix Way has
already proved capable of rejuvenating
existing vineyards to provide increased yields of up to 30
percent. It
regenerates vines by pruning their roots, increasing their
capacity to absorb moisture and nutrients.
The
initial starting point of the process consists of mapping the area
in question. Soil
samples are taken and all data and details of subsequent soil
preparation will be saved to this field, recording and
establishing a database of the farming activity over a period of
time. Soilmix have
pioneered the invention of a sample probe to extract soil cores to
a depth of 1.2 meters and preserve the soil sample in the original
condition in situ. The
samples are then encased in a transparent tube for further visual
and chemical analysis performed by a team of highly qualified soil
scientists.
Soil
classification is then performed on the soil samples after
which various portions of the sample may be mixed for chemical
evaluation. Scientists
will be able to identify any impervious layers in the soil from
the samples; these will be recorded prior to mechanical
preparation by the SM18/1 plough.
During the chemical analysis phase, information is
extracted regarding various macro and micro nutrient levels, soil
ph and cation exchange capabilities and is recorded.
It
is important for the success of the Soilmix Way
program that the specific objectives of the vineyard be clearly
defined, explains. Koos Stofberg, managing director of Soilmix
Africa. One
begins at a point where it is clearly understood that a permanent
increase in yield can only be achieved if the number of effective
buds per vine (per
ha) can be sustainably increased.
He expands by pointing out that the continued maintenance
of the yield and subsequent quality can only be achieved by
maintaining enough effective leaf area to sustain optimal maturity
of the vine. With
this in mind, the factors to be taken into account when planning a
strategy to reach the producers objectives are many.
They include establishing a maximum effective soil depth as
dictated by the soil type to create a root system that will ensure
buffering capacity of the vine in unfavourable conditions and can
maintain a higher output yield throughout the growing season;
choosing the right rootstock and upper vine cultivar; optimal row
planting direction to maximise available sunlight while allowing
air cooling down the rows; choice of vine spacing; choice of
trellis system; optimal pruning philosophies; controlling the
budding potential through maintenance and removal of excess
branches (bearing in mind the re-growth and maintenance of the
vine form); positioning to achieve straight shoots as well as
achieve maximum sunlight penetration and absorption; pesticide and
herbicide programmes that are environmentally friendly and ensure
healthy fruit while enhancing quality and many others.
The
Soilmix Way
collates and interprets data collected and with the help of the
Geographic Information System (GIS - tool for collecting and
analyzing data and assisting in the decision-making process),
compares data from previous years to generate alternatives by
analyzing interactions and trends within the data.
The
data is converted from rows and columns of figures and
super-imposed onto maps of the area, these are used to display
variations in the data and allow for a highly visual
representation of the analysis results.
Over time and successive crop data a model can be developed
by creating various GIS data layers and calculating relationships
between data layers that ultimately predict the crop yield.
These enable the farmer to determine the exact requirement
of fertiliser, crop protection products, water and cultivar choice
for optimum yield.
Once
all the data is collated, results analysed and requirements
identified and quantified, the process moves through to the next
phase, soil preparation. Here
the one-of-a-kind SM18/1 plough comes into its own and shows its
value. A world first,
the SM18/1 consists of a 4-wheel vehicle carrying two
hydraulically driven drums at the rear.
The two identical drums are mounted symmetrically on either
side of a mechanical arm that is lowered into the soil by means of
a hydraulic actuator. Each
drum is fitted with three or four plates of cutting blades,
depending on the width or grade of mixing required.
Soil mixing occurs through a drum rotation that peels away
the soil and homogenizes the medium to a depth of 1.2 meters.
In addition, established vines and trees have their roots
pruned, increasing their capacity to absorb water and nutrients.
The ability to use the machine between existing trees and
vines is a significant breakthrough.
As
regards the future of high value fruit crop farming, it is
possible and even likely that the costly practice of bulldozing
entire vineyards and re-establishing them will become obsolete
with the advent of the SM18/1.
Bulldozed vineyards can take as long as seven years simply
to match their previous yield capacity and only in subsequent
years can a yield increase be observed and quantified.
However using the SM18/1 can
deliver measurably increased yields as soon as the following
harvest.
Th e cost is
completely offset against the potential lost profits over seven
years of a vineyards diminished yield capacity.
Existing soil preparation machinery cannot apply any
regeneration of existing vineyards and the cost of preparing new
or uprooting and replanting old vineyards is as follows:
 The
cost benefits of regenerating vineyards The Soilmix Way
|
