Influence of Biopreparations on Soil and Crop Residue Properties, Traction Force of Machines in Shallow Tillage

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

In the introduction part please add some overview about fuel consumption and tractor tire contact area with soil. It also has an influence for fuel consumption and traction force. Clarify, that tire contact area is not this research purpose.

Line 53: "driving speed" change to "driving velocity".

In 2.1 section add the absolute level of experimental research fields. Also clarify their surface level angle.

Check line 156, there is a double space left in the text.

Check lines 181 and 184, angles unit is wrong.

Table 1. change "porocity" to "porosity".

In Table 1.  for columns B and C (2017 y.) soil density is 1.09 and 1.08. Density is almost as a water, please make a not about this small density of the soil. 

Author Response

We would like to thank You for valuable comments, recommendations and contributions to improving the quality of this manuscript “Influence of biopreparations on soil and crop residue properties, traction force of machines in shallow tillage”.

Point 1. In the introduction part please add some overview about fuel consumption and tractor tire contact area with soil. It also has an influence for fuel consumption and traction force. Clarify, that tire contact area is not this research purpose.

 Response 1. Was added some overview in lines 36–39.

 Point 2. Line 53: "driving speed" change to "driving velocity".

Response 2. "Driving speed" was changed to "driving velocity".

Point 3. In 2.1 section add the absolute level of experimental research fields. Also clarify their surface level angle.

Response 3. In lines 108–111 were supplemented about experimental research fields.

Point 4. Check line 156, there is a double space left in the text.

Response 4. Double space was corrected.

Point 5. Check lines 181 and 184, angles unit is wrong.

Response 4. Angles units were corrected.

Point 6. Table 1. change "porocity" to "porosity".

Response 6. "Porocity" was changed to "porosity".

Point 7. In Table 1. for columns B and C (2017 y.) soil density is 1.09 and 1.08. Density is almost as a water, please make a not about this small density of the soil.

Response 7. In lines 298–299 were added about information especially small density of the soil.

Reviewer 2 Report

Manuscript Number: applsci-1255269

Title: ” Influence of biopreparations on soil and crop residue proper-ties, traction force of machines in shallow tillage”

This study investigates the influence of different biopreparations on the physical properties of the soil, winter wheat residues and the machine traction force during shallow tillage.

The topic is interesting covering several subject areas highlighted by the journal.

However, the paper requires minor revision and improvement in terms of proper citation and, most importantly, more scientific references are needed.

Below, some comments useful to improve the quality of the paper:

KEYWORDS

• Keywords should not be repeated in the title. Please, verify and correct.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

• L125-135: For a better readability, the compositions of the biological preparations should be reported in Table.
• L153-157: Please, explain better the test procedure.
• L163-165: Please, the characteristics of the engine should be presented.
• L166-192: The method reported should be supplemented with the scientific references.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

• Figure 5-6-7: For a better readability, please describe the treatments investigated in figures captions.
• Figure 7: The results are mean values? How many replicates? Error bars should be added in the caption text
• Tab 1. The reported value, are mean values? How many replicates? Please, clarify in the caption text.

Author Response

We would like to thank the You for valuable comments, recommendations and contributions to improving the quality of this manuscript “Influence of biopreparations on soil and crop residue properties, traction force of machines in shallow tillage”.

Point 1. Keywords should not be repeated in the title. Please, verify and correct.

Response 1. According to Reviewer’s comment, keywords were corrected.

Point 2. L125-135: For a better readability, the compositions of the biological preparations should be reported in Table.

Response 2. The compositions of the biological preparations were reported in Table 1.

Point 3. L153-157: Please, explain better the test procedure.

Response 3. Information was added in lines 157–161.

Point 4. L163-165: Please, the characteristics of the engine should be presented.

Response 4. Characteristic of the engine was presented in lines 168–169.

Point 5. L166-192: The method reported should be supplemented with the scientific references.

Response 5. The method reported was supplemented with the scientific references.

Point 6. Figure 5-6-7: For a better readability, please describe the treatments investigated in figures captions.

Response 6. According to Reviewer’s comment, treatments investigated was described in figures captions.

Point 7. Figure 7: The results are mean values? How many replicates? Error bars should be added in the caption text.

Response 7. The results are mean values in the Figure 7. Residue incision studies were performed in 5 replicates. It provide in line 186. Error bars were added in the Figure 7.

Point 8. Tab 1. The reported value, are mean values? How many replicates? Please, clarify in the caption text.

Response 8. The reported value are mean. Soil properties studies were performed in 5 replicates. It was provided in lines 146–147.