International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET) Volume 10, Issue 04, April 2019, pp. 496–510, Article ID: IJMET_10_04_048 Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijmet/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=10&IType=4 ISSN Print: 0976-6340 and ISSN Online: 0976-6359 © IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed ASSESSMENT OF SNOW ACCUMULATION AND JUSTIFICATION OF PARAMETERS OF STUBBLE COULISSES IN THE ARID STEPPE OF NORTHERN KAZAKHSTAN Vladimir Leonidovich Astafyev, Pavel Grigoryevich Ivanchenko and Vladimir Viktorovich Kirkilevskiy Kostanay branch of LLC Scientific Production Center of Agricultural Engineering, Kazakhstan, 110011, Kostanay, Abai Avenue, 34 ABSTRACT The main limiting factor for increasing yields in the conditions of the arid steppe of Northern Kazakhstan is moisture. The accumulation of moisture during winter precipitation for plants in arid conditions in the initial stage of the growing season was a serious production problem. For four years, the accumulation of snow and the amount of water in the snow were compared over the backgrounds of ordinary stubble, tall stubble left after stripper header (continuous combing) and stubble coulisses. Research methods included field observations and mathematical modeling. It has been established that the water reserves in the snow depend on the height of stubble coulisses, as well as the density of snow in the coulisses and in between the spaces. Studies of snow accumulation on stubble coulisses, continuous combing and ordinary stubble showed that the density of snow between the coulisses is 9-29% higher than the density in the coulisses and the density of snow between the coulisses is 25-63% higher than the density in the stubble or continuous combing. The explanation of this phenomenon was the hypothesis that the dispersal of snow blizzards occurred between the coulisses due to this, snow blocked this space with high density. Field experiments indicated an intensive decrease in the depth of snow with increasing distance between the coulisses. By mathematical modeling, it was found that for stubby coulisses the following parameters are rational: the distance between the coulisses in snowy winters is 5...14 m; in the snowless 5...7 m, the width of the coulisses is 1...1.5 m. It has been established that in snowy winters the water reserves in the snow are slatted coulisses with rational parameters by 25.8...32.2 mm (13...41%) higher than on the background of continuous combing; 68.0...99.3 mm (2.1...3.1 times) higher than the stubble background. In the winters with little snow, the water reserves in the snow of stubble coulisses with rational parameters are 18.5 mm higher (by 34%) than on the background of continuous combing; 51.9 mm (3.4 times) higher than the stubble background. http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp 496 editor@iaeme.com Vladimir Leonidovich Astafyev, Pavel Grigoryevich Ivanchenko and Vladimir Viktorovich Kirkilevskiy Key words: stubble, combing, stubble coulisses, formation, density, depth, water reserves in snow. Cite this Article: Vladimir Leonidovich Astafyev, Pavel Grigoryevich Ivanchenko and Vladimir Viktorovich Kirkilevskiy, Assessment of Snow Accumulation and Justification of Parameters of Stubble Coulisses in the Arid Steppe of Northern Kazakhstan, International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology 10(4), 2019, pp. 496–510. http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=10&IType=4 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Relevance The main limiting factor for increasing yields in conditions of the arid steppe of Northern Kazakhstan is moisture. During the year in this region an average precipitation is 190-360 mm about 120…220 of it in the growing season. Maximum precipitation is observed in July. At the same time, every three years out of ten in the north and seven years out of ten in the south of the region, drought usually recurs. In drought, the amount of precipitation during the growing season is reduced to 20...80 mm. Sowing is usually done in May, which is the driest month for the entire growing season in the majority of the region. Due to the lack of moisture in the soil after sowing, farmers often receive unfriendly and thinned shoots. The lack of moisture accelerates the development of crops with the formation of low stems and yield. Analysis of climatic conditions shows that the main source of moisture in the soil at the beginning of the growing season is the moisture of winter precipitation. In the winter months, accompanied by strong winds and snowstorms, the amount of precipitation averages from 60 to 90 mm. When collected, this rainfall is enough to get good seedlings and to ensure the needs of plants in moisture in the first half of the growing season before the July rains. Thus, due to winter precipitation, the basis of the future harvest is laid. Therefore, the search for effective methods of moisture accumulation of winter precipitation to ensure the plants with moisture in the first half of the growing season in arid conditions is of great production interest. 1.2. Selection of preferred snow accumulation methods for research Currently, the following methods of winter precipitation moisture accumulation are used in the North Kazakhstan region: 1) Leaving plants remains (stubble) of 12-15 cm high after harvesting crops (Barayev, 2008) [1]. 2) Leaving plants remains (stubble) of 20-25 cm high after harvesting crops (Dvurechensky, 2004) [2]. 3) Seeding two rows of mustard coulisses with 8 m distance between the coulisses and two or three rows of sunflower with 12-16 m distance between the coulisses (Dvurechensky et al., 2008 and Barayev, 2008) [3, 4]. 4) Herbicidal (chemical) fallow (Kaskarbayev et al., 2005, and Suleimenov et al., 2008) [5, 6]. 5) Seeding of coulisses on herbicidal (chemical) fallow (Kaskarbaev et al., 2005) [5]; 6) Snow plowing across the prevailing winds with 5-6 m distance between snow ridges (Baraev, 2008) [7]; 7) Harvesting of crops with continuous combing (Kaskarbaev et al., 2007) [8]; 8) Formation of stubble coulisses with 30-50 cm height and 3.5-4.0 m width (Kaskarbaev et al., 2007) [8]. http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp 497 editor@iaeme.com Assessment of Snow Accumulation and Justification of Parameters of Stubble Coulisses in the Arid Steppe of Northern Kazakhstan A.I. Barayev (2008) claims that the leaving stubble on the field provides an increase in snow accumulation compared to the dump tilling from 19.2-34.3 cm [1]. According to the Kustanai Research Institute of Agriculture, the average snow depth for an empty fallow is 818 cm for stubble, treated with a subsurface cultivator 3-20 cm for untreated stubble 32-33 cm (Dvurechensky, 2004) [2]. In the studies by Barayev (2008) and Dvurechensky (2008), it is stated that seeding the coulisses on empty fallow in the conditions of Northern Kazakhstan increases the snow accumulation in comparison with the dump tilling up to 2.5 times [3, 4]. Research of M.K. Suleimenov et al. (2005), J.A. Kaskarbaev et al., (2005), V.I. Dvurechensky (2008) state that in the same region herbicide (chemical) fallow provides an increase in snow accumulation by about 1.8 times compared with the stubble and better preservation of moisture in the soil compared to empty fallow [4-6]. A.I. Barayev, J.A. Kaskarbayev notes that snow ridging in North Kazakhstan provides an increase in the depth of the snow cover compared with the dump tilling from 20-25 to 40-50 cm, the depth of soil wetting at the same time increases from 30-40 to 70-80 cm [7, 8]. J.A. Kaskarbaev (2007) points out that snow ridging, continuous combing and stubble coulisses are approximately equivalent in snow and water accumulation and provide an increase in yields of up to 4 c/ha compared to the stubble [8]. Studies of A.P. Lovchikov et al. (2017) noted that the width of the coulisses and the height of the stubble are the main parameters affecting the height of the snow cover [9]. Similar studies of winter precipitation accumulation were conducted in Canada and the USA. Thus, W. J. Staple, J. J. Lehane and A. Wenhardt (1960) found that 37% of winter precipitation in Swift Current accumulates on the stubble and only 9% on fallow [10]. Studies of Joseph M. Caprio, Gary K. Grunwald, Robert D. Snyder and Edward C. Cleary (1986) established, that in Montana's conditions for stubble, the depth of the snow cover is for 3080% more than on fallow [11]. Sharratt (2002) notes that leaving an even stubble is the easiest way to hold snow on the surface of the soil in windy areas [12]. Efficiency of snow retention of stubble Albert Province Wheat Commission recommends determining the height and number of stems per square meter [13]. The advantages of high stubble over short stubble are also confirmed by studies conducted by Swella G.B. (2011) and others [14]. K.J. Kirkland and C.H. Keys (1981) in Saskatchewan studied the following methods of accumulating winter precipitation: snow ridging on fallow and stubble; coulisses of sunflower with a width of 7.5 and 15 m; coulisses of corn with a distance of 3.6 m on fallow field; wheat stubble [15]. The results of the research indicate that wheat stubble in the long rotation was most effective and accumulated 50-60 mm of annual moisture more than empty fallow. During the snow ridging in 11 out of 16 years of experiments, snow was either blown from the rolls by strong winds or the moisture of the melted snow drained off the field in the early spring without wetting the frozen soil. The sunflower coulisses slightly increased the moisture reserves in comparison with the empty fallow. The accumulation of moisture with corn coulisses was comparable to the accumulation of moisture with wheat stubble. Pomeroy and Gray (1995) investigated several other methods of accumulating moisture during winter precipitation such as: even stubble; stubble of different heights; formation of ungathered coulisses; formation of combed coulisses; snow ridging [16]. According to these studies, freshly fallen snow in even stubble has an average of about 10% of moisture. However, when the snow blows, the amount of moisture can increase to 35%. The stubble height 30-60 cm provides 31 mm of moisture in the soil compared to low stubble height of 15-30 cm. Grain losses from narrow ungathered coulisses with width of 30 cm can be compensated by favorable conditions of additional accumulated moisture. Combed coulisses should be formed with a width of at least 40-60 cm. However, combed coulisses are more effective with the http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp 498 editor@iaeme.com Vladimir Leonidovich Astafyev, Pavel Grigoryevich Ivanchenko and Vladimir Viktorovich Kirkilevskiy following parameters: the width of the coulisses 1.5 m and the distance between coulisses 10 m. These parameters provide an increase of moisture during winter precipitation in favorable years to 48 mm. Snow ridging gives an effect if the rolls of snow strengthen after their formation. Otherwise, they can be "blown out" by the wind. Similar results were obtained in the Canadian steppes by H. Steppuhn, M. Stumborg, G. Lafond and B. McConkey (2009) [17]. The analysis of applied methods of snow accumulation allowed us to identify the advantages and disadvantages of various methods of snow accumulation in the conditions of Northern Kazakhstan [18]. Leaving stubble on the field does not provide sufficient accumulation of moisture. Herbicidal fallow, snow ridging, and coulisses on empty fallow require additional time and cost. For example, sowing the coulisses on empty fallow requires an additional cost of up to 30 dollar/ha for preparing fallow and about 2 dollar/ha for sowing the coulisses; laying a herbicidal fallow - up to 30 dollar/ha; snow ridging - about 7 dollar/ha. The advantages of these methods include an increase in snow accumulation up to 2 times compared with the stubble background. With a continuous combing and the formation of stubble coulisses performance and cost is comparable with the performance and cost of direct combining. The yield increase for all the snow accumulation methods being compared is not constant: from 0% in a wet year, to 100% in a dry year. Of all the considered methods of snow accumulation, continuous stripping and the formation of stubble coulisses are most preferable, since they provide the greatest accumulation of snow and do not require additional costs for implementation. At the same time in snowy winters stubble coulisses allow you to accumulate snowy moisture up to 1.5 times more compared with a continuous combing. However, in conditions of snowless winters, these methods were not compared. 1.3. Goal and objectives of study Research objective: To compare and evaluate snow accumulation on the backgrounds of continuous combing and stubble coulisses and to justify rational parameters of stubble coulisses in conditions of snowy and little snowy winters of the arid steppe of northern Kazakhstan. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were studied: - collection of snow moisture reserves on the backgrounds of stubble coulisses with different parameters and continuous combing in conditions of snowy and snowless winters and establish their preference; - perform mathematical modeling of snow moisture reserves on the background of stubble coulisses and justify rational parameters of stubble coulisses that provide the greatest accumulation of moisture in winter precipitation in conditions of snow and light snow winters. Object of research: the process of accumulation of snow moisture in stubble coulisses and compared backgrounds. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS The following study methods were used: - experimental studies of snow moisture reserves on stubble backgrounds, continuous combing and stubble coulisses with various parameters; - mathematical modeling of snow moisture reserves in stubble coulisses. Experimental studies established experiments to determine snow moisture reserves on stubble backgrounds, stubble coulisses with different parameters and continuous combing in conditions of a light snowy winter (2018) and high snowy winters (2015-2017). The width of http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp 499 editor@iaeme.com Assessment of Snow Accumulation and Justification of Parameters of Stubble Coulisses in the Arid Steppe of Northern Kazakhstan the coulisses in the experiments ranged from 1.0 to 3.9 m. The distance between the coulisses was from 5 to 26 m. The depth of the snow cover, the density of snow was determined by known methods using a portable snow gauge and weight snow meter VS-43 (GOST RK 53056-2010) [19]. Then calculations of water reserves in the snow were carried out. The obtained measurement results were processed by mathematical statistics methods (Dospekhov, 1965, Guter, 1970) [20, 21]. Experimental studies on the accumulation of snow on various backgrounds and with different parameters of stubble coulisses were conducted on the fields of the “Zhanahay” peasant farm in the Kostanay region. “Zhanahay” farm was located in the moderately arid forest-steppe zone of the northern region of Kazakhstan with an average annual rainfall of about 360 mm. In modeling, the water reserves in the snow between the coulisses were found by the formula (1): , (1) where - water reserves in the snow between the coulisses, mm; – average depth of snow between the coulisses, cm; – average density of snow between the coulisses, g/cm3 (0,19 g/cm3in conditions of snowless winter; 0,30 g/cm3 in winter with heavy precipitation); 10 - multiplier of converting centimeters to millimeters. Water reserves in the snow found by the formula (2): , (2) where - water reserves in the snow of the coulisses, mm; – average depth of snow in the coulisses, cm; – average density of snow in the coulisses, g/cm3 (0,15 g/cm3in conditions of snowless winter and 0,24 g/cm3in winter with heavy precipitation); 10 - multiplier of converting centimeters to millimeters. The total water reserves in the snow of stubble coulisses, taking into account the fraction of the distance between the coulisses and the width of the coulisses were found by the formula (3): ( ). (3) where – distance between coulisses, mm; – coulisses width, cm; In modeling, the width of the coulisses was 1; 1.5; 2; 3; 4 m. The distance between the coulisses was set 6; 7; 9; 11; 14; 18; 26 m. The height of the snow cover between the coulisses was taken according to experimental data for 2015-2018, depending on the distance between the coulisses. The density of snow in the coulisses and between the coulisses was taken according to experimental data for 2016-2018. According to the results of calculations, graphs of water reserves in snow were plotted depending on the parameters of stubble coulisses in conditions of little snow and winter with abundant precipitation. http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp 500 editor@iaeme.com Vladimir Leonidovich Astafyev, Pavel Grigoryevich Ivanchenko and Vladimir Viktorovich Kirkilevskiy 3. RESULTS 3.1. Investigation of the parameters of snow and moisture accumulation on the backgrounds of stubby coulisses and continuous combing The results of studies of snow accumulation and water reserves in the snow by backgrounds of continuous combing and stubble coulisses in 2015 are shown in Table 1. Table 1 Dependence of water reserves accumulation in snow from parameters of the stubble coulisses (2015) Var. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Backgro und Stubble coulisses in 6 m Stubble coulisses in 9 m Continuo us combing Stubble (control) 46/1 Averag e depth of snow (cm) 46 Average density of snow, g/cm3 0,24 46/2 47 0,23 108,1 46/1 46/2 46/3 37 45 45 0,24 0,24 0,23 88,1 108,0 104,0 46/ Continuous 46 0,17 78,2 20/ Continuous 20 0,18 36,0 Parameters of stubble coulisses, height (cm), width (m) Reserves of water in snow (mm) 110,4 Snow accumulation and water reserves in snow depend on the ground. The smallest depth of snow and water reserves in 2015 are accumulated on stubble with an average snow depth of 20 cm, water reserves are 36.0 mm. Reserves of water in snow with a continuous combing are 78.2 mm. On stubble coulisses the water reserves in the snow are 2.9-3.1 times larger (Variants 2, 4, 5) than on stubble. Calculations show that the difference in the accumulation of water according to the grounds is significant. The decrease in water reserves in snow on continuous combing is explained by a decrease in snow density by 35-41% compared to the snow density on stubble coulisses at the same stubble height. Also in 2015, we have a lower density of snow by 28-33% on stubble than on stubble coulisses. Analyzing these facts, hypothesis was suggested that a decrease in the density of snow on stubble or continuous combing was due to the absence of a zone to disperse snow blizzards. On stubble coulisses the acceleration of blizzards occurs between the coulisses due to this, the snow clogs this space with high density. In connection with this in the studies of 2016 and 2017, we set the goal to estimate the density of snow in the coulisses and between the coulisses. It is also found that the depth of the snow cover and the accumulation of water in the snow depend on the parameters of the stubble coulisses. With an average height of 46 cm and a distance of 9 m between the coulisses with a reduction in the width of the coulisses from 3-1 m, the depth of the snow cover decreases from 45-37 cm and the water reserves in snow fall from 108.0-104.0 mm (Variants 4, 5) to 88.1 mm (Variant 3). Calculations show that this difference is significant. The smallest significant difference with a confidence probability of 0.95 for these variants is 11.2 mm in fact, 15.9-19.9 mm. The decrease in the depth of the snow cover according to the variant 3 was due to the collapse of the coulisses by the wind and snow storms with a width of < l m. In this variant, the depth of the snow cover was significantly uneven, although the snow between the coulisses had an increased density. Reserves of water in snow under variant 3 are at the level of variant 6. In variants 2, 4 and 5, http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp 501 editor@iaeme.com Assessment of Snow Accumulation and Justification of Parameters of Stubble Coulisses in the Arid Steppe of Northern Kazakhstan the water reserves in the snow are at the same level. Variants 1 and 3 are not studied because of coulisses collapse possibility with wind and snowstorms and a width of < l m. Thus, under the conditions of 2015, the stubble coulisses allow increasing the water reserves in snow as compared to the stubble by 2.9-3.1 times and by 1.4 times compared to the continuous combing. The results of studies of the depth of snow cover and water reserves in the snow on various backgrounds under the conditions of 2016 are shown in Table 2. Table 2 The dependence of the accumulation of water reserves in the snow against the background and the parameters of stubble coulisses (2016) Parameters of stubble coulisses, height (cm), width (m) V a r. Backgrou nd 1 Stubble coulisses in 7 m 50/1,5 Stubble coulisses in 18 m 50/3,9 2 3 4 Continuou s combing Stubble (control) Average depth of snow (cm) Average density of snow, g/cm3 In coulisse 48 0,24 Between coulisses 48 0,29 In coulisse 50 0,24 Between coulisses 47 0,31 50/ Continuous 15/ Continuous Reserves of water in snow (mm) 115,2 Average 135,0 139,2 120,0 Average 141,1 145,7 50 0,24 120,0 120,0 33 0,19 63,4 63,4 In 2016, the density of snow between the coulisses was higher than in the coulisses by 2129%. The difference in water reserves of the Variants "in the coulisses" and "between the coulisses" is significant at a confidence coefficient of 0.90. It should be noted that the density of snow between the coulisses during 2016 was higher by 53-63% than on the stubble. On 15 cm height stubble, the average depth of the snow cover was 33 cm, the water reserves in snow was 63.4 mm. On stubble coulisses, the water reserves in the snow were 2.02.2 times larger. This difference is significant at a confidence coefficient of 0.95. It should be noted that in the northern region of Kazakhstan in January-March 2016, there was precipitation, exceeding the average annual rate by 2.2 times. However, even with increased snow accumulation on stubble, the stubble coulisses showed their effectiveness. The results of studies of the depth of snow cover and water reserves in the snow on various backgrounds in the conditions of 2017 are shown in Table 3. http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp 502 editor@iaeme.com Vladimir Leonidovich Astafyev, Pavel Grigoryevich Ivanchenko and Vladimir Viktorovich Kirkilevskiy Table 3 Dependence of water reserves accumulation in snow from parameters of the stubble coulisses (2017) Parameters of stubble coulisses, height (cm), width (m) V ar . Backgroun d 1 Stubble coulisses in 11 m 55/1,6 Stubble coulisses in 26 m 55/3,9 2 3 4 Continuous combing Stubble (control) Average depth of snow (cm) Average density of snow, g/cm3 In coulisse 50 0,27 Between coulisses 52 0,30 In coulisse 54 0,23 Between coulisses 38 0,25 55/ Continuous 54 17/ Continuous 27 0,23 0,20 Reserves of water in snow (mm) 135,0 Average 153,3 156,0 124,2 Average 98,8 95,0 124,2 54,0 124,2 54,0 With a distance between the coulisses in 11 m, water reserves in snow on 54.5 mm were higher than at a distance of 26 m between the coulisses. This difference is significant at a confidence coefficient of 0.95. The water reserves on the stubble were 2.9 times lower than on the stubble coulisses in 11 m. The density of snow on the stubble was 25-55% lower than the density of snow between the coulisses. The density of snow between the coulisses was only 9-11 % higher than the density of snow in the coulisses or in continuous combing. The results of studies of the depth of snow cover and water reserves in the snow on various backgrounds under the conditions of 2018 are shown in Table 4. Table 4 The dependence of the accumulation of water in the snow against the background and the parameters of stubble coulisses (2018) Parameters of stubble coulisses, height (cm), width (m) V ar . Background 1 Stubble coulisses in 5 m 53/1,4 Stubble coulisses in 9 m 50/2,6 Stubble coulisses in 18 m 50/2,6 2 3 4 6 Continuous combing Stubble (control) Average depth of snow (cm) Average density of snow, g/cm3 In coulisse 43 0,15 Between coulisses 39 0,19 In coulisse 41 0,13 Between coulisses 25 0,17 In coulisse 42 0,15 Between coulisses 24 0,15 Reserves of water in snow (mm) 64,7 Average 73,10 75,6 62,0 Average 49,35 45,7 62,3 Average 42,11 39,2 49/ Continuous 39 0,14 54,6 54,6 15/ Continuous 16 0,13 21,2 21,2 http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp 503 editor@iaeme.com Assessment of Snow Accumulation and Justification of Parameters of Stubble Coulisses in the Arid Steppe of Northern Kazakhstan Under conditions of a snowless winter of 2018, during which 68 mm of precipitation fell, of which about 40 mm was snow, the largest snow accumulation was observed in stubble coulisses with the distance of 5 m between the coulisses. The water reserves in the snow were 23.75 mm and 30.99 mm higher than when the distance between the coulisses was 9 and 18 m, respectively. This difference was significant at a confidence level of 0.95. The water reserves in the snow on the background of stubble coulisses with the distance of 5 m between the coulisses were 3.4 times higher than on the stubble and 1.3 times higher than on the background of continuous combing. It should be noted that at the same time, the density of snow in the space between the coulisses was 27...36% higher than in the coulisses or on the background of a continuous combing. It should also be noted that with an increase in the space between the coulisses from 5 to 18 m, the accumulation of precipitation in stubble coulisses in the conditions of a snowless winter of 2018 decreased by 40%, whereas in winter with heavy precipitation in 2016 with an increase in distance between the coulisses from 7 to 18 meters there was no decrease in precipitation accumulation in stubble coulisses. As shown by studies conducted in 2015–2018, the depth of snow cover in the coulisses under conditions of little snow and in conditions of winter with heavy precipitation depended to a greater extent on the height of the coulisses and did not depend on their width (Figure 1 and 2). Consequently, the amount of precipitation that can be accumulated due to limitation by the height of the coulisses. This statement was also true for continuous combing, however, against the background of stubble coulisses, it was possible to accumulate more precipitation due to the higher density of snow. cm 60 55 50 45 40 2015 2016 – – 2017 2018 height of stubble coulisse depth of snw cover in coulisse Figure 1 Height of stubble coulisses and depth of snow cover in stubble coulisses Figure 2 Depth of snow cover in stubble coulisses depending on the width of stubble coulisses (2018) http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp 504 editor@iaeme.com Vladimir Leonidovich Astafyev, Pavel Grigoryevich Ivanchenko and Vladimir Viktorovich Kirkilevskiy Based on the obtained results, the dependence of the depth of snow cover between the coulisses on the distance between the coulisses in winter conditions with abundant precipitation of 2016–2017 and in conditions of a light snow winter of 2018, presented in Figure 3, was constructed. 1 – in conditions of snowy winter (2016-2017) 2 – in conditions of a light snow winter (2018) Figure 3 Dependence of the average depth of the snow on the distance between the coulisses 3.2. Mathematical modeling of water reserves in the snow against the background stubble coulisses Results of determining the water reserves in the snow in conditions of snowy winters, calculated by the formula (5), are shown on Figure 4. 160 mm b = 1,5m 2,0m 3,0m 4,0m 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 5 7 11 14 18 26 m Figure 160 140 120 100 80 4 The dependence of water reserves in the snow on the parameters of stubble coulisses in 60 40 20 conditions of snowy winters 5 http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp 505 editor@iaeme.com Assessment of Snow Accumulation and Justification of Parameters of Stubble Coulisses in the Arid Steppe of Northern Kazakhstan Results of determining the water reserves in the snow in conditions of a snowless winter are shown on Figure 5. mm 80 60 b = 1,5m 2,0m 3,0m 40 20 m 5 7 11 14 18 26 Figure 160 140 120 100 80 5 The dependence of water reserves in the snow on the parameters of stubble coulisses in 60 40 20 conditions of light snow winters 5 Modeling results showed that with increasing distance between the coulisses, the water supply in the snow decreases. For each meter of increase in the distance between the coulisses, the decrease in water reserves in the snow in conditions of snowy and little snowy winters was about 2 mm. Under the same conditions, the largest water reserves in the snow were observed at a distance of 5 m between the coulisses, the smallest - with a maximum increase (26 m). The average difference between the water reserves in the snow with a maximum distance between the coulisses was about 30 mm. The average difference between the water reserves in the snow under conditions of snowy and light snowy winters was about 70 mm. The rational interval of the distances between the coulisses in the conditions of snowy winters was 5...14 meters, since the average difference of water reserves in the snow according to these options was within 10%. The rational interval of the distances between the coulisses in conditions of snowless winters was 5...7 meters. With the distance between the coulisses up to 14 meters in conditions of snowy winters and up to 7 meters in conditions of light snowy winters, with an increase in the width of the coulisses, the water supply in the snow decreased by about 1...2 mm per meter of width of the coulisses. When the distance between the coulisses was over 14 meters under conditions of snowy winters and over 7 meters under conditions of little snowy winters, with an increase in the width of the coulisses, the amount of water in the snow increased slightly locally. This is because with increasing distance between the coulisses, the main source of water in the snow became the coulisse, in which the snow height was constant, while between the coulisses, the water reserves in the snow decreased due to a significant decrease in snow height. The width of the coulisses should be no more than the track width of a combine harvester to prevent propulsion from rolling (Figure 6). In the conditions of snowy and little snowy winters, the width of the coulisses should be no more than 1.5 meters. On the other hand, the width of the coulisses must be at least 1.0 meters to avoid knocking over with wind and snowstorms. http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp 506 editor@iaeme.com Vladimir Leonidovich Astafyev, Pavel Grigoryevich Ivanchenko and Vladimir Viktorovich Kirkilevskiy Figure 6 Rolling of the coulisses by the combine harvester 4. DISCUSSION Thus, modeling results indicate that the following parameters are rational for stubble coulisses: the width of the coulisses is 1.0...1.5 meters; the distance between the coulisses in the snowy winters is 5...14 meters, in the little snow - 5...7 meters. The obtained results on different density of snow in the coulisses and between the coulisses in the stubble coulisses and on the continuous combing in the stubble coulisses and on the stubble are new. A hypothesis explaining the cause of these phenomena is also new. The obtained dependences of the snow cover depth on the distance between the coulisses are also new. The new results show the preference of the stubble coulisses before snow ridging, continuous combing and stubble. These results are the opposite to the statements by J.A. Kaskarbaev, V.P. Shashkov (2007) that the stubble coulisses are equivalent in the accumulation of water in the snow with snow ridging and continuous combing. This also contradicts the statements by K.J. Kirkland and C.H. Keys (1981) that the maximum of accumulated moisture is observed in standing stubble in a long crop rotation. They also contradict the statements of A.P. Lovchikov (2017) that the width of the coulisses is the main parameter affecting the height of the snow cover. The results presented in this article develop the existing knowledge about methods of snow accumulation and are consistent with the claims of J.W. Pomeroy, D.M. Gray, (1995) and H. Steppuhn, M. Stumborg, G. Lafond, and B. McConkey (2009) about the advantage of stubble coulisses and explain the reason for this advantage. 5. CONCLUSIONS In this connection, the purpose of the research was to justify an effective method of accumulating moisture during winter precipitation for the cultivation of grain crops in the arid steppe of Northern Kazakhstan. Earlier studies have found that the most preferred methods of snow accumulation are continuous combing and the formation of stubble coulisses, since they provide the greatest snow accumulation and do not require additional costs for implementation. In this connection, the purpose of the research was to justify an effective method of accumulating moisture during winter precipitation for the cultivation of grain crops in the arid steppe of Northern Kazakhstan. Research methods included experimental studies of snow accumulation and mathematical modeling of water reserves in snow in conditions of snow and light snow winters. 1. Studies of snow accumulation against the backgrounds of stubble coulisses, continuous combing and stubble have established that the height and density of snow depends on the http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp 507 editor@iaeme.com Assessment of Snow Accumulation and Justification of Parameters of Stubble Coulisses in the Arid Steppe of Northern Kazakhstan conditions of the year. Therefore, with a height of stubble 15 cm, in conditions of snowy winters the height of snow reaches 33 cm, and in conditions of light snowy winters - 2 times less. Field experiments found that the height of the snow in the coulisses depends and is approximately equal to the height of the coulisses and does not depend on their width (with the width of the coulisses over 1 m). Studies indicate a decrease in the average depth of snow with increasing distance between the coulisses. 2. It was established, that in stubble coulisses the density of snow between the coulisses in snowy winters reaches 0.30 g/cm3by the end of winter, in little snow - 0.19 g/cm3. At the same time, the density of snow in between the coulisses in snowy winters is 9...29% higher, and in little snow, 27...36% higher than the density of snow in the coulisses or against the background of continuous combing. The explanation of this fact is the hypothesis that the decrease in the density of snow on the stubble background, the background of a continuous combing or the background of the coulisses is due to the lack of a zone for the acceleration of snowstorm. Against the background of stubble coulisses, the acceleration of snowstorms occurs between the coulisses, due to this, snow clogs this space with high density. Density of snow in stubble reaches 0.20 g/cm3 in snowy winters, 0.13 g/cm3 in little snow. 3. Modeling has established that the following parameters are rational for stubble coulisses: in snowy winters the distance between the coulisses is 5...14 m, in winters with little snow 5 ... 7 meters, the width of the coulisses is 1.0 ... 1.5 meters. With the distance between the coulisses increasing beyond recommended values of water, reserves in the snow are reduced by about 2 mm per meter of distance between the coulisses. With the increase of the width of the coulisses in excess of the recommended values and with an increase in the distance between the coulisses in the range of recommended values, the water supply in the snow decreases by 1...2 mm per meter of width of the coulisses. With the increase of the width of the coulisses in excess of the recommended values and with an increase in the distance between the coulisses in excess of the recommended values, the water reserves in the snow slightly increase. 4. 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