Subsoiling is one of the mechanized operations of high cost and energy demand per area, traditionally utilized by farmers before soil tillage in the decompactation of hardened layers. This research was intended to evaluate the energy demand in the subsoiling operation performed before and after different systems of periodic tillage in a soil classified as Distroferric Red Nitossol. The periodic tillage systems were: plowing with disks; plowing with disks plus one leveling; plowing harrow; plowing harrow plus leveling and chiseling. The tractor utilized as a power source in the experiment was a Valmet 128 (4x2tda). The demand for energy area was lower in subsoiling held after the regular preparation of the soil, providing a saving of 21.9%. The completion of subsoiling after the preparation of the soil resulted in a decrease in demand for power to pull in 21% and 15% of the power available in the bar of traction.
subsoiler; compaction; available draw power; rods
