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What is Fallow
What is fallow? The process of tilling the soil and leaving it empty for a certain period is called fallowing. Fallowing is an agricultural method used in arid and semi-arid regions where annual precipitation is not sufficient for continuous crop cultivation, especially where the average annual precipitation is below 450 mm‘nin under. However, in humid regions, soil can also be left fallow for various reasons. Among the main purposes of the fallowing process are
- To accumulate moisture in the soil,
- To promote nitrate conversion,
- To combat weeds.
Places that are effective for accumulating moisture are generally those where annual precipitation falls mostly during the winter months, soil depth is over 90 cm, and which are not coarse sandy. Moisture accumulated in shallow and coarse sandy soils is lost through evaporation or by filtering deep down; therefore, moisture does not accumulate in the soil for the following year. In humid regions, the main purpose of leaving soil fallow is not to accumulate moisture, but is directed toward different goals.
A common practice in fallow areas is to plant winter wheat the following year after the field has been left empty for one year. In places where the average annual precipitation is below 450-500 mm, the yield of wheat planted after fallow is twice as much or more than that of continuously planted wheat. Despite the processes of doubling (second tillage) and tripling (third tillage), fallowing is a more economical option than continuous planting.
Benefits Provided by Fallowing
- Supports the storage of precipitation water.
- Contributes to nitrogen accumulation.
- Fallowing increases nutrient substances bound by soil colloids, especially phosphorus, by releasing them.
- In this system, because the soil is tilled at certain periods, an effective struggle against weeds takes place.
- Fallowing prepares the seedbed.
- Supports soil aeration.
- Microbial activity increases because the amount of water and aeration in the soil increases.
- Accelerates the decomposition process of plant residues in the soil.
Fallow Types
There are various types of fallow depending on the duration the field is left empty, the method of tillage performed, and the timing. Some fallow types applied in dry farming areas are:
- Stubble Fallow: It is a form of fallowing carried out by leaving more stubble and straw in the field to prevent erosion and accumulate more water. The first tillage can be done in the spring and autumn. In stubble fallow, soil tillage is performed from below. The stubble residues on the soil surface are left as they are, and the first tillage is performed when the field is entered after winter (such as late March or early April in Central Anatolia). Subsequently, as the field becomes weedy, the second and third tillage is performed with the same tool. In stubble fallow, the first soil tillage operation should be performed under the soil with sweep or similar tools. The tillage depth of the sweep plow should be 5-8 cm, at most 10 cm. While tilling the soil from below with this plow, the root crowns of the weeds are cut at the same time. On the other hand, the topsoil is raised by 3-5 cm. The rising topsoil falls back into place after the tails of the plow pass, and in this way, the soil is aerated. Tools that till from below without overturning the soil protect the stubble cover on the soil and provide a protective layer against water and wind erosion. Today, the practice of stubble fallow attracts great interest worldwide. Don't forget to check our article below to learn detailed information about stubble!
- Black Fallow: It is a fallow type widely practiced in our country. The field is left empty for about 15 months until the autumn of the year following the harvest, and the first plowing is done in early spring.
- Full Fallow: Similar to black fallow, but the first soil tillage is done in the autumn. It is not common in our country.
- Vegetable Garden Fallow: By planting melon or watermelon in the field where full or black fallow is applied, the soil is utilized and weed control is carried out for the next crop. The field is left empty until the planting of the vegetable garden in the year following the harvest.
- Autumn Fallow: It starts with stubble breaking and continues until the time of winter planting. The period of being left empty is a few months.
- Half Fallow: It is performed by leaving the field empty after harvest until planting in the spring. The first soil tillage is carried out in the autumn.
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