Agronomical Impacts and Performance of Combined Harvester with Integrated Straw Management System

Abstract

The evolution of combine harvesters from manual and labour-intensive methods to advanced, technology-driven machines has greatly impacted agricultural practices, particularly in straw management. Historically, crop harvesting involved significant human effort, with straw often burned or left in the field, leading to environmental concerns and soil degradation. The advent of combine harvesters in the 20th century revolutionized harvesting efficiency, but early models did not address effective straw management. Today’s modern combine harvesters are equipped with sophisticated systems that chop, spread, or bale straw, offering sustainable solutions that enhance soil health by returning organic matter, improving soil fertility, and preventing erosion. Additionally, advanced technologies such as GPS and sensors allow for real-time optimization of harvesting and straw management processes. These innovations not only reduce environmental impacts, such as straw burning, but also provide economic benefits by enabling the reuse of straw for purposes like animal bedding or biomass fuel. The integration of these modern straw management techniques has made farming more efficient and environmentally sustainable, highlighting the significant progress from the labour-intensive past to the sustainable practices of today.