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Snow retention in the fields is one of the important agrotechnical measures to preserve precious moisture. However, this technique is used not only in agriculture in vast open spaces, but also by summer residents on plots and even in a greenhouse.
What is snow retention
The amount of snow that falls during the winter differs from year to year. Depending on the weather conditions, some regions may suffer from a lack of moisture. Snow retention or snow accumulation helps to save plants from water deficiency.
This is a whole list of measures that are aimed at keeping snow in fields, plots or greenhouses. In addition to the accumulation of moisture, this complex allows:
- reduce the degree of winter wind erosion of soil;
- protect plants from freezing;
- moisten the ground abundantly;
- increase crop yields.
The method of snow retention in the steppe and forest-steppe zones in winter with rare snowfalls is considered to be especially valuable.
Benefits of using snow accumulation technology
Snow retention technology has been developed and is used to obtain an effective result. The advantages of this technique include:
- Warming of the soil. Crops of podwinter crops, covered with snow, are reliably protected from frost.
- Providing "snow" spring irrigation of crops. With the onset of warm temperatures, the snow melts gradually and moisturizes even deeply buried roots. Due to the thickness of the snowdrifts, the soil is shed deep enough.
- Protection of boles from sunburn, as well as cold wind that can freeze the bark. The longer the snow lasts, the longer the protection.
- Increased plant frost resistance. In a snowdrift up to 10 cm thick, each 1 cm increases the frost resistance of the variety by 1 °. For the survival of wheat varieties with low winter hardiness, it is necessary to heat the thickness of the snowdrift at least 15 cm.
For winter crops, snow cover is extremely important, especially in the period before the onset of "critical" temperatures.
Benefits for plants
To understand the benefits of snow retention, it should be noted that about 1 liter of melt water is obtained from 1 kg of snow. And if you melt 1 cubic meter. m, then you can get 50-250 liters. Melt water from snow is not only moisture, but also a liquid fertilizer. From 1 kg of snow, a small amount of phosphorus and 7.4 mg of nitrogen remains in the melt water.
The main advantage of melt water from snow is that nutrients are delivered to plants at the optimal time and in dissolved form. They are easily absorbed and absorbed. In early spring, beneficial microorganisms are not yet active due to the low temperature, therefore, melt water is the main supplier of food at the beginning of the growing season.
If the required thickness of snow is provided with the help of snow retention, then the soil is impregnated to a depth of 1-1.5 m. This is another plus - without moistening the soil, the introduction of the first top dressing is ineffective.
How does snow retention affect yield
The main effect of various technologies of snow retention in the fields is to warm the ground and preserve moisture in the spring. Where the snow has been trapped, the plants do not freeze, and also receive an additional supply of water. As a result of snow retention, crop yields increase. It is especially important to carry out measures to retain snow in severe winters.Even with a slight increase in snow cover, the temperature regime of the soil improves, and the roots of plants do not experience fluctuations in the thermometer indicators. As a result of snow retention, some crops are able to increase the yield by 2 times, the rest by 1.5 times.
Carrying out snow retention in the fields
The field cannot be compared to a summer cottage or vegetable garden. Therefore, the methods of retention of snow on a large area have their own specifics. The technology of snow retention lies in the fact that even a small layer can be collected only in grooves or near created obstacles. It is impossible to transfer snow artificially, this happens during natural snow transfer. They are not very common during the winter, and farmers are required to prepare the field in advance. The optimal time for snow retention activities is the beginning of winter. Late autumn is best before the snow has settled. Otherwise, you can skip some snowy days. It is also imperative to carry out snow retention for spring crops in areas with an arid climate.
The methods of retaining the snow cover are chosen depending on:
- goals;
- terrain;
- climate of the region;
- technical and financial capabilities.
When the snow that has fallen on one particular field (without transfer from others) is retained, a layer 20-30 mm thick is additionally obtained. This means that each hectare will have up to 200-300 cubic meters. m of water.
Snow retention techniques are used in different ways. On a large field, the following are most often used:
- Flat-cut plowing processing. A type of loosening with the help of cultivators for various purposes. With this type of treatment, stubble remains on the surface of the field. Snow retention is useful in regions with wind erosion.
- Sowing pairs or sowing wings in pairs. A very popular and simple method of snow retention in the fields for winter crops. For regions with severe arid summers, it is used for spring wheat. Backstage is most effective for trapping the first snow on winter wheat crops. Among the most effective plants in the wings are corn, mustard and sunflower. Hemp is also suitable for areas of the forest-steppe. Sowing of the wings occurs in spring or summer. Then winter crops are sown across the wings in a continuous way.
- Formation of rollers. Here, an aggregate is used, which is called a snow bunker. This method of snow retention among farmers is not considered effective enough due to the very small increase in snow thickness. You can clearly see how this method of snow retention is carried out in the fields in the following video:
- Associated landings. Together with winter crops, narrow rows of such plants as rapeseed and flax are grown. The method of snow retention requires double seeding of the field. Accompanying plants are sown in late summer - July, early August. To prevent overgrowth weeds, appropriate processing is required.
The influence of snow retention techniques on the yield was studied by employees of the Research Institute of Agriculture of the South-East. If we do not break down the obtained indicators by years with different weather conditions, then the average figures for an increase in yield per hectare look like this:
- winter rye - 4.1 centners;
- winter wheat - 5.6 centners;
- sunflower - 5.9 centners;
- spring wheat - 3.8 c.
It should be noted that the effectiveness of the snow retention technology depends on the weather conditions of each period of the year. An effective solution is to use a combination of techniques. In the photo - the process of implementing the technology of snow retention in the fields:
How to make snow retention on the site
Summer residents can also use basic snow retention technologies from agricultural producers, for example, backstage, but for many years. To create them, berry bushes are planted around undersized berry crops - strawberries, wild strawberries.It is rational to use this technique of snow retention on the site when growing plants that bend to the ground for the winter period - raspberries, blackberries, black chokeberries, shale pears or apple trees, gooseberries. Landings have a dual role. In the summer, the plants are saved from the scorching sun and strong winds, in the winter they retain the snow on the site. In addition, a small greenhouse effect is created that protects plants from the first autumn frosts. Minus - because of it, the snow melts a little faster in the spring near the wings. Many summer residents use annual backstage for snow retention - beans, peas, mustard, sunflower.
The second option for snow retention in the areas is the placement of shields.
There are many materials and structures. Shields for snow retention are made from willow twigs, plywood sheets, shingles, corn or raspberry shoots, boards, slate, cardboard. The optimal height of the boards is 80-100 cm.
Install shields for snow retention in continuous rows. The main thing is to take into account the direction of the prevailing winds and place the protection perpendicular to it. A distance of 10-15 m is left between the two rows. Another nuance is that there should be at least 50% of the gaps on the boards, solid ones will not work. Dense shafts tend to form steep but short shafts. While many advise using slate or heavy plywood, this method requires caution. If the wind is strong, the shields can fall and damage the plants. Polymer mesh is a good alternative.
The third method of snow retention is spruce or pine spruce branches, shrub branches cut in the fall. They are tied in bundles, laid out around the trunks.
The next technique for snow retention is bending plants to the ground. This option is only suitable for crops with flexible stems.
One more snow retention procedure should be mentioned - trampling snow around trees. There are two absolutely opposite opinions on this score. Supporters of this method of snow retention note that this is a reliable protection against frost and mice. Also, that the slow melting of trampled snow longer moisturizes the soil. Opponents argue that loose snow is more useful, which retains heat better and that mice penetrate well through a dense layer. Another nuance - too slow melting harms plants. The crown wakes up under the influence of the spring sun, and the roots are still dormant. Natural nutritional processes are disrupted.
When choosing a method of snow retention, all conditions must be taken into account. There are crops for which a thick blanket of snow is not suitable. These include plum, cherry, black chokeberry. Around these crops, the height of the snowball should not exceed 1 m. Also, do not wrap up garden strawberries. Raspberries, gooseberries and currants, which may suffer from frost, are completely hidden under a layer of snow.
In the garden
The technology of retention of snow in the garden differs in terms of time. Snow retention measures begin in February, when its thickness will already be quite large. This rule especially applies to areas with a slope, so that when melting, together with the snow, the fertile layer of the earth does not flow down. Stalks of corn or sunflower are used for snow retention, without removing them from the site, but breaking and laying across the slope.
In places where little snow accumulates, spruce or pine spruce branches are laid.
After the branches are brought in, they are pulled out and transferred to a new place.
Shaking snow off tree branches is another option for snow retention.
In the garden
The main methods of snow retention remain traditional - shields, spruce branches, snow rollers.
But gardeners have another option that will help save additional amount of snow for plants - a competent planning of plantings. In places where garden buildings, fences, fences are located, snow is trapped in a natural way.There it is recommended to plant strawberries, raspberries, shale apples and pears, black chokeberry - those plants that need snow protection. Opposite parts of the garden, where the wind blows snow, are planted with currants, honeysuckle, standard apple trees and pears, sea buckthorn. Plums and cherries can be placed a little further. In order not to harm the plants, you should adhere to the ratio of the thickness of the snow and the varieties of crops. Strawberries withstand a cover of no more than 80 cm, plums, cherries, raspberries - up to 1 m, sea buckthorn, apple and pear - 1.2 m, gooseberries, currants and yoshta - up to 1.3 m.
In the greenhouse
Initially, there is partial protection against temperature changes in the greenhouse. This is due to the fact that the room is closed and the wind does not blow out the snow.
But in order for it to get inside, it will have to be thrown. They start a snow retention event in November so that the soil does not freeze through, and beneficial microorganisms, earthworms, remain in it.
You can sketch the snow again in the spring. In this case, the soil will be well moistened, which will help the plants to take root more easily. Snow retention in the greenhouse in the fall helps out when it comes time to start work, and the water supply is still turned off. Then the accumulated snow plays the role of spring irrigation.
Conclusion
Snow retention in the fields is considered a very effective way to preserve crops and increase yields. By the same method, gardeners and gardeners can significantly improve the condition of their plantings, protecting them from adverse factors.
