International Scientific Journals
of Scientific Technical Union of Mechanical Engineering "Industry 4.0"

The problem of updating agricultural technology, particularly in the field of agriculture, is important for agriculture. Alternative technology solutions that meet the performance criteria are a prerequisite for successful economic activity.
The aim of the study is to determine the effect of the application of an agro-technical complex of events, which successfully supports the soil fertility of the Planosoils and the sustainable level of productivity of the field crops.
In the field experiment in the station for irrigation agricultural Pazardzhik Valley, in three-polar crop rotation maize-barley-rape are studied three factors – soil tillage system, mineral fertilization and ways of managing plant residues.
The study found that the moisture content of the soil was mainly influenced by the type of treatment applied (loosening as a main plow and plowing as a pre-sowing) and the use of plant residues. The over compaction found in the beginning of the experiment in the 25-40 cm layer is partly overcome by performing a deep rupture to the depth of 35 cm. Despite the short period of the study, there was a certain decrease in the content of digestible potassium forms. The results show the activation of the microbiological activity after planting of the plant residues – an increase of the amount of the cellulose microorganisms and of the ammonifiable bacteria, the most noticeable in the high fertilization rate and the intensive treatments. The main part in the formation of crop rotation productivity is mineral fertilization. The impact of the tillage system is more marked in the first year of maize and especially during the third year of rape. Lack of fertilization influences yields significantly in rapeseed compared to maize and barley.

In the paper, the current situation in the production of crop growing by-products in Ukraine is examined. The potential output of crop growing by-products in various regions of Ukraine, part of which could be allocated for energy production, is determined. The fuel properties of the main types of biomass are presented. The state-of-the-art approaches to the use of straw and plant residues in agriculture are analysed. The possible ways of utilising straw and plant residues in crop growing for maintaining and regenerating the fertility of soils, in livestock husbandry as bedding and a supplement to coarse fodders and in heat power industry as an energy source for the production of thermal power are established. The state-of-the-art technologies and machinery for the rational use of straw and plant residues are described. The need for additional research into what plant residues and what quantities of them can be reasonably used for the fertilisation of soils, taking into account the saturation of the crop rotation systems with cereal crops, the limitation of the phytopathogenic load on grain varieties, the development of weeds, the management of the soil’s nitrogen status under different soil and climate conditions.

Sustainability of agricultural production results in reducing the negative trends caused by both climate change and by incorrectly applied technologies for production, which aims to preserve the resource base and maintaining environmental quality. Soils are conditionally renewable natural resource but practically reconstruct in a very long time. Therefore, in order to preserve them relate to nonrenewable natural resources. At its core, soil, where they are intended for agricultural use are processed to meet the needs of people and thus change their properties. By applying appropriate ways of tillage and use the potential of plant residues, it is possible to control physical properties. There is a misconception and myth that getting high yields in agriculture can be maintained only with the addition of fertilizer and / or water. High investments made at the entrance of the agricultural production can easily be pointless, if the physical properties of soil are suboptimal or even below the critical level.The physical properties of the soil, it is essential for processing and has its mechanical structure. It closely depend on a number of other properties such as bulk density, ability to retain water, porosity, adhesion, resistance, etc., Which play an important role in the processing and to obtain sustainable yields.

The results from combustion testing of air heater AH – 800 with vineyard pruning, tobacco powder briquettes, poplar logs and branches from apple trees pruning, with a certain moisture content and fractional composition are presented. The influence of excess air – α on the efficiency of the combustion process – q of the heater and its environmental indicators: the content of CO₂, O₂, CO and NO in flue gas is investigated.