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This planting system prepares a seedbed 2 inches wide or less, leaving most of the surface undisturbed and still covered with crop residues. The result is a wetter, colder environment that protects the seed and soil with its insulating effect of the surface residue. |
Strip Rotary Tillage
A strip four to eight inches wide and two to four inches deep
is prepared by a rotary tiller, while the rest of the soil is
left undisturbed. The soil is conserved because of the crop
residues between the tillage strips.
Till Planting
This plowing technique sweeps the crop residues into the area
between the rows of crops. Soil density between these rows
remains relatively high because of the absence of tillage. This
soil is difficult for raindrops to detach and runoff to move.
Annual Ridges
Also known as permanent ridges or ridge tillage, the annual
ridges are formed by using a rolling disk bedder, and planting
is done after only minor spring seedbed preparation. The extent
of soil conservation depends on the amount of residue left and
the row direction. Planting on the contour plus increased
surface residues greatly reduce soil loss.
Chiseling
This system does not turn the soil over, but rather leaves it
rough and cloddy with plenty of crop residue remaining. The
soil density and amount of covering depends on the depth, size,
shape, spacing, and so on of the chisel blades. The residue
and rough, cloddy surface fo the soil reduces raindrops impact
and reduces runoff velocities thus reducing erosion.
Disking
This system pulverizes the soil and gives great soil density
The effect is similar to that of chiseling with results also
depending on the depth, size, spacing, and so on of the disk
blades. The deeper the disking, the fewer the residues that
remain on the surface.
Return to Conservation Tillage