Advanced mechanization in head crop production Dr. Raffaele Talarico CEO DLG Italy
DLG International is one of the most important organizations in the global agricultural and food sectors DLG Italy is one of DLG International s eight international subsidieries Based in Bologna, Italy DLG Italy co-organized the Head Crop Special Show at Intervitis Interfructa Hortitechnica
DLG s global presence Polonia Russia Romania Cina Turchia
Tradeshows International National German trade shows Trade shows outside of Germany
Why are we focusing on SALAD? All types of lettuce may have evolved from a weedy form that was used in ancient Egypt as a source of cooking oil from pressed seeds Cultivation appears as early as 2.680 BC The primary markets for lettuce were, until the late twentieth century, western Europe and North America In the late twentieth century lettuce became important in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Australia, and some countries of South America and Africa World production of lettuce and chicory for 2015 was around 30 million tons Most lettuce grown today is used as a vegetable, but a small amount is used in tobacco-free cigarettes
Head Crop Special Italians take the Field Technology and Innovation in Horticulture First time ever Live demonstration in a tradeshow hall of the latest technologies in the horticultural field World-class team of four of the leading machinery manufacturers of the sector Made in Italy experience made possible by the collaboration of these four major companies
Seven processes demonstrated in the Head Crop Special: Burying Harrowing Bed-forming Sowing Transplanting Weeding Harvesting
Forigo G35-150 Stone Burier
Burying - Forigo G35-150 Stone Burier Equipment: front discs for the cleaning of the tractor s tracks, rotor with a hoe in an opposite rotation to the movement of the machine, a rake system for the selection and division on the soil, leveling blade with an adjustable height to assure an equal disposition of the selected soil couple of posterior wheels and rollers for the regulation of the working depth and the finishing of the surfaces. Benefits excellent clodding of the soil in very hard and clay soils, maintenance and conservation of the structure of the soil and the ability to avoid deep soil compaction able to be used for primary tilling as well as building various types of beds for special crops in addition to the tilling of wet soils due to its vibrating rake.
Soil tillage in the horticultural sector and its effects on production: Bed Forming Soil compaction causes production losses up to 50%
Soil compaction - the causes Excessive number of passages Soil tillage in wet conditions Improper tractor tires Poor content of organic matter in the soil
Soil compaction - the consequences Reduced oxygen content Lower water infiltration rate Reduced soil drainage Less micro-organism and earthworm activity Less root growth
On flat soil 0,1 m On beds Example of lettuce roots (Lactuca sativa L.) after washing (samples dated 11/7/2013)
Bed forming - the proper solution Better drainage Better porosity Better structure Increased soil temperature in the spring
Forigo F132 Power Harrow
Equipment: Harrowing - Forigo F132 Power Harrow oscillating lift arm attachments bi-directional Zeus System teeth roller adjustment with lateral zones - allow downward mobility leveling blade with a crank adjustable and mobile steel guards Benefits Able to break up large clumps and evenly mix the tilled soil while leveling the land, facilitating its drainage and aeration. Avoids deep soil compaction and can be used to create crop beds It can be equipped with a fertilizer spreader, irrigation hoses, plastic film laying equipment and greenhouse protection.
Forigo D35 Bed-former
Bed forming - Forigo D35 Bed-former Equipment: front and rear power take-off shaft to be front-mounted or to be combined with seeders, fertilization or irrigation equipment front discs for the cleaning of the tractor s tracks and a front rotor with an attachment of special hoes in order to work the soil in depth. Benefits: In-depth and efficient tillage as well as the creation of excellent conditions for sowing and transplanting. The machine performs well on soil with a high level of moisture and is recommended for light soils.
Sowing - Sfoggia Calibra Benefits: The double selection system and the big size of the sowing disc ensure a high sowing precision. Disassembly of the machine is not needed to set the row distance. Two turbines work separately to ensure a constant volumetric flow rate and pressure.
Transplanting - Sfoggia California Benefits: The transplanter CALIFORNIA, suitable for the planting of seedlings with cone or cubic-shaped turfs (seedings), has new improvements as well as a good working quality with a high production per hour (up to 4.000 plants/h per unit).
Weeding - Sfoggia Thema In addition to mechanical weeding, this machine mixes the superficial layer of soil to facilitate air circulation which in turn interrupts the capillary action, therefore decreasing water evaporation, only possible on non-mulched soil. Benefits: Strong, versatile, light and reliable Excellent performance on all soil types Ensures safety and long lasting working capacity, more than any other machine in the market
Harvesting - Ortomec 8700 Harvester The transportation belt is equipped with soft plastic nails to keep the heads in place without damaging them while going up the belt. The harvester head is equipped with sensors for electronic regulation of the cutting level. Benefits: Thanks to the special Herbex system, the Ortomec head harvesters are able to harvest the product by loading it on the machine, keeping it in the same position that it was in the soil without touching it, avoiding dirtying and/or damaging the plants.
Argo Landini Rex 100 GT Comfortable and ergonomically designed to address specialized needs of modern farming
Argo Landini 5-D Hi Clear Ideal for salad growing because the potential of contact damage and contamination is minimized due to increased clearance
Text and photo sources: Sfoggia.com Forigo.it Ortomec.com Landini.it
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