Engineering Optimization and Field Validation of a Low-Traction Rotary Strip-Tillage and Precision Seeding System for Irrigated Sierozem Soils of Southern Kazakhstan

Pre-sowing tillage under irrigated agriculture is associated with high energy demand and increased risk of soil structural degradation, particularly in heterogeneous loam soils of arid and semi-arid regions. This study presents the engineering optimization and field validation of a combined implement for single-pass rotary strip tillage and precision seeding developed for irrigated sierozem soils of Southern Kazakhstan. The research integrates analytical modeling of soil–blade interaction, optimization of rotary blade geometry, and comparative field experiments using an experimental prototype (FS-2.1). Analytical optimization identified an optimal blade installation angle of 54–56°, resulting in an approximately 22% reduction in specific cutting area. Field results demonstrated that the single-pass system formed a high-quality seedbed, with 85.2% of soil aggregates smaller than 25 mm and a surface leveling deviation below 5 mm. Compared with a conventional multi-pass technology, traction load, fuel consumption, and total energy input were reduced by 38%, 43%, and 54.5%, respectively. The results confirm that combining optimized rotary blade geometry with strip-based soil disturbance enables substantial energy savings without compromising agronomic performance. The proposed engineering solution provides a reproducible framework for low-traction, resource-efficient tillage–seeding systems suitable for irrigated agriculture in Southern Kazakhstan and comparable agroecological regions.