Recommended
More Related Content
Similar to Conservation seeding equipment 3 29-2012
Similar to Conservation seeding equipment 3 29-2012 (20)
More from John Nowatzki
More from John Nowatzki (8)
Recently uploaded
Recently uploaded (20)
Conservation seeding equipment 3 29-2012
- 1. Conservation Seeding Practices John Nowatzki Extension Ag Machine Systems Specialist
- 2. History
- 3. Langdon Average Temp Increase 2°Since 1903 Growing Season 12 days longer
- 4. Air Seeder Principles and Functions Basic Criteria for Effective Seeders Opener Design & Seed/Fertilizer Placement Managing Crop Residue Soil Disturbance Depth Control Varying Conditions Precision Agriculture Energy Requirements
- 5. Channel Setting Instructions for ResponseCard RF 1. Press and release the "GO" or "CH" button. 2. While the light is flashing red and green, enter the 2 digit channel code (i.e. channel 1 = 01, channel 21 = 21). Channel is 41 3. After the second digit is entered, Press and release the "GO" or "CH" button. The light should flash green to confirm. 4. Press and release the "1/A" button. The light should flash amber to confirm.
- 6. Where is Your Home Area? 1 2 3 4 5 6 0 0 0000 1. North Dakota 2. South Dakota 3. Manitoba 4. Saskatchewan 5. Montana 6. Other
- 7. What is your Occupation? 1 2 3 4 0 000 1. Farmer/Rancher 2. Dealer Personnel 3. Factory Personnel 4. Other
- 8. Which crops do you grow? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0 0 0 0 000000 1. Barley 2. Buckwheat 3. Canola 4. Corn 5. Dry Edible Beans 6. Field Peas 7. Flax 8. Lentils 9. Millet 10. Mustard
- 9. Which crops do you grow? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0 0 0 0 000000 1. Oats 2. Potatoes 3. Rye 4. Safflower 5. Soybeans 6. Sugarbeets 7. Sunflower 8. Wheat, Durum 9. Winter Wheat 10. Other
- 10. What is your tillage system? 1 2 3 4 5 0 0 000 1. Intensive Tillage 2. Minimum Tillage 3. One-Pass System 4. No Till 5. Other
- 11. Basic Criteria for Effective Seeders 1. Precisely Meter Seeds 2. Plant Seed at Uniform Depth 3. Plant Through Residue 4. Function in Varying Soil Types 5. Durable 6. Economical 7. Correctly Place Fertilizer and Seed
- 12. Basic Criteria for Effective Seeders 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 0% 0% 0% 0%0%0%0%0% 1. Precisely Meter Seeds 2. Plant Seed at Uniform Depth 3. Plant Through Residue 4. Function in Varying Soil Types 5. Durable 6. Economical 7. Correctly Place Fertilizer and Seed 8. Other
- 13. Factors Affecting Choice of Opener Type • Soil Type and Conditions • Crop Residue • Amount, Type, Position • Crops to Plant • Producer Management Goals
- 14. Factors Affecting Choice of Opener Type High-disturbance Low-disturbance Opener Disturbance 65% - STIR = 16.9 25% - STIR = 4.87 15% - STIR = 2.43 15% - STIR = 1.95 35% - STIR = 5.68
- 15. What Type of Opener do you use? 1 2 3 4 0 000 1. Disc Opener 2. Hoe Opener 3. Combination 4. Other
- 16. Choice of Opener Type: Seed to Soil Contact Water Transfer from Soil to Seed: The Role of Vapor Transport Water Transfer from Soil to Seed: The Role of Vapor Transport Stewart B. Wuest. USDA-ARS, Pendleton, OR Vapor alone is sufficient to supply water for germination.
- 17. Choice of Opener Type: Seed to Soil Contact Water Transfer from Soil to Seed: The Role of Vapor Transport Water Transfer from Soil to Seed: The Role of Vapor Transport Stewart B. Wuest. USDA-ARS, Pendleton, OR Vapor alone is sufficient to supply water for germination. Barley, pea, mustard, and wheat were tested for their ability to germinate rapidly with vapor alone.
- 18. Opener Design Producer Management Goals: Hoe vs. Disc Disc Openers – Leaves Residue Standing • Slow Soil Warming (Cooling) • Maintains Soil Moisture Hoe Openers – Mixes Residue into Soil • Promotes Soil Warming and Drying • Promotes Residue Decomposition • Place Seed into Moist Soil
- 19. Opener Design Seed and Fertilizer Placement • Factors Affecting Amount of N with the Seed • Distance between Rows • Distribution of Seed and Fertilizer • Soil Texture, Soil pH • Soil Moisture • Fertilizer Placement • Type of Fertilizer • Crop Greater risk of nitrogen toxicity in sandy soils than in clay soils
- 20. Opener Design Separate Fertilizer Placement Systems Banding Fertilizer • Beside Seed • Below Seed Mid-row Banding - Fertilizer Double Shooting Fertilizer • Below and to Side of Seed • Beside Seed Barton™ Double-shoot
- 21. Opener Design Separate Fertilizer Placement Systems • 30 lb./acre of N - wheat • 10-20 lb./a of N - Canola • Mid-row banding • P too far from the plants to deliver a “starter” effect to young plants? Fertilizer banded more than a few inches from the seed row may not be available to the plant until the tillering stage when crown roots develop (Washington State University)
- 22. Opener Design Paired-row vs. Single Row Spacing • Wheat Plant Lateral spread - 5 inches Depth–6inches 30 days after planting Early fertilizer access improves tiller survival where soils have low nutrient levels. Yield increases in wheat by banding below the seed compared to banded between seed rows.
- 23. Opener Design Paired-row vs. Single Row Spacing • Wheat Plant Lateral spread - 5 inches Depth–6inches 30 days after planting Paired-row • Fertilizer band between wheat rows within 2” to 3” of each seed row • 2” below seed
- 24. Opener Design Preferences? 1 2 3 4 5 6 0% 0% 0%0%0%0% 1. Separate Fertilizer Placement 2. Starter Fertilizer with Seed 3. All Fertilizer with Seed 4. Paired Row - Fertilizer Between Rows 5. Fertilizer Below Seed 6. Other
- 25. Managing Crop Residue • Residue is a Resource to Conserve and Use. • Limits Evaporation • Preserves Moisture • Maintains Humidity in Soil • Food for Beneficial Fungi, Bacteria, Insects
- 26. Managing Crop Residue at Harvest Time • Spread Straw Uniformly • Harrows • Incorporate Weeds Seeds • Increases Seed Longevity • Disc Openers • Leave Tall Stubble • How Opener – Shorter Stubble • Residue No Longer than Planter Row Width
- 27. Managing Crop Residue Effect of Corn Residue Placement on Wheat Yield Residue Placement Wheat Yield (bu/ac) random coverage 73.8 0.25 inches away 75.4 0.50 inches away 73.1 0.75 inches away 75.0 1.25 inches away 72.0 Bare Soil 81.9 Residue Placement to Improve Yields of No-Tillage Winter Wheat Following Corn John H. Grove and Christopher E. Kiger, Agronomy Dept., Univ. of KY 1987
- 28. one NDSU Residue Management Project Golden Valley County Stutsman County Cass County Soil name Amor loam Barnes-Buse loam Glyndon silt loam Tillage System No-till (20+ years) No-till 10 years Conventional Crop Rotation wheat-corn-pea- wheat wheat-soybean- soybean-wheat- soybean-soybean- corn-dry bean-corn sugarbeet-wheat- soybean or corn • Started in 2010 • Electronic Sensors • Data on Internet • Updated Daily
- 29. Stripper Header
- 30. one NDSU Residue Management Project • Tall Stubble – 24” • Medium Stubble – 12” • Short Stubble – 6”
- 31. NDSU Residue Management Project Short Medium 35 to 40% Standing 13% Standing Tall 100% Standing
- 32. Data Transfer • Cellular Modem • Remote Computer calls Modem • FTP Data to NDSU Server Computer • Updated Data on Internet http://www.ageng.ndsu.nodak.edu/farmmonitor
- 33. Residue Management Project - Winter January 2011
- 35. -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 Average Temperatures Stutsman County Dec. 1 - March 1 2011-12 Air Temperature Tall Stubble Temperature Medium Stubble Temperature Short Stubble Temperature Average Temp 22°F Average Temp 29°F Average Temp 29°F Average Temp 29°F Crop Residue – Winter Temperature 2011-12 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 Average Temperatures Cass County Dec. 1 - March 1 2011-2012 Air Temperature Medium Stubble Temperature Short Stubble Temperature Chisel Plowed Temperature Ridge Tilled Temperature Average 22°F Average 29°F Average 27°F Average 28°F Average 25°F -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Average Temperatures Golden Valley County Dec. 1 - March 1 2011-2012 Air Temperature Tall Stubble Temperature Medium Stubble Temperature Short Stubble Temperature Average 24°F Average 28°F Average 27°FAverage 27°F Similar Soil Temperatures without Snow Ridge Till Coldest
- 36. -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 Air Temperature Tall Stubble Temperature Medium Stubble Temperature Short Stubble Temperature Strip Till Temperature Average 8°F Average 32°F Average 33°F Average 30°F Average 32°F Average Temperatures Cass County Dec. 1 - March 1 2010-2011 Crop Residue – Winter Temperature 2010-11 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 Average Temperature Golden Valley County Dec. 1 - March 1 2010-2011 Air Temperature Tall Stubble Temperature Medium Stubble Temperature Short Stubble Temperature Average 14°F Average 32°F Average 31°F Average 26°F -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 Air Temperature Tall Stubble Temperature Medium Stubble Temperature Short Stubble Temperature Average Temp 12°F Average Temp 32°F Average Temp 32°F Average Temp 32°F Average Temperatures Stutsman County Dec. 1 – March 1 2010-2011 Similar Soil Temperatures with Snow
- 37. Crop Residue – Spring 2011 Soil Temperature 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Soil Temperature Golden Valley County April 1-30 2011 Tall Stubble Temperature Medium Stubble Temperature Short Stubble Temperature Average 40 Average 41 Average 42 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Soil Temperatures Stutsman County April 1-30 2011 Tall Stubble Temperature Medium Stubble Temperature Short Stubble Temperature Average 39 Average 42 Average 39 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Soil Temperatures Cass County April 1-30 2011 Tall Stubble Temperature Medium Stubble Temperature Short Stubble Temperature Strip Till Temperature Average 42 Average 41 Average 40 Average 42 Soybeans Sugarbeets Prevent Plant No Difference in Temperatures
- 38. Crop Residue – Spring 2011 Soil Moisture 0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00 30.00 35.00 40.00 45.00 50.00 Soil Moisture Stutsman County Apr. 1 - June 30 2011 Tall Stubble Moisture Medium Stubble Moisture Short Stubble Moisture Average 32% VWC Average 31% VWC Average 30% VWC 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 Soil Moisture Golden Valley County Apr. 1 - June 30 2011 Tall Stubble Moisture Medium Stubble Temperature Short Subble Moisture Average 18% VWC Average 17% VWC Average 18% VWC 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Soil Moisture Cass County Apr. 1 - June 30 2011 Tall Stubble Moisture Medium Stubble Moisture Short Stubble Moisture Strip Till Moisture Average 38% VWC Average 46% VWC Average 41% VWC Average 34% VWC Soybeans Sugarbeets Prevent Plant Short Stubble Drier Strip Till Drier Similar
- 39. 0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00 30.00 35.00 40.00 45.00 10/1/11 10/8/11 10/15/11 10/22/11 10/29/11 11/5/11 11/12/11 Soil Moisture Stutsman County Oct. 1 - Nov. 15 2011 Tall Stubble Moisture Medium Stubble Moisture Short Stubble Moisture Crop Residue – Fall 2011 Soil Moisture Average 33 % VWC Average 37 % VWC Average 37 % VWC 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 10/4/2011 10/5/2011 10/6/2011 10/7/2011 10/8/2011 10/9/2011 10/10/2011 10/11/2011 10/12/2011 10/13/2011 10/14/2011 10/15/2011 10/16/2011 10/17/2011 10/18/2011 10/19/2011 10/20/2011 10/21/2011 10/22/2011 Soil Moisture Cass County Oct. 4 - Oct 22 2011 Medium Stubble Moisture Short stubble Moisture Chisel Plowed Moisture Ridge Tilled Moisture Average 26% VWC Average 33% VWC Average 31% VWC Average 9% VWC 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 Soil Moisture Golden Valley County Sept. 29 - Nov. 15 2011 Tall Stubble Moisture Medium Stubble Temperature Short Subble Moisture Average 14% VWC Average 10% VWC Average 2% VWC Tall is Driest Ridge Till Is Driest Tall is Wettest Tall is Wettest
- 40. Equipment and Cost • SolarStream Cellular Modem - $750 • Cellular Service - $180/year • Data Logger - $500 • Sensors • Temperature $100 • Moisture $140 • Wind $240 • Rainfall $400
- 41. Depth Control • Influences Seedling Emergence and Yield • Important Factors • Independent Pressure • Gauge Wheels • Shank Linkage • Castor Wheels Accurate and controllable methods of depth placement are more important in small-seeded crops because seeds usually are planted shallower than in larger-seeded crops.
- 42. Depth Control WHEAT PLANTING DEPTH STUDY Jim Herbek, John James, and Dottie Call Dept. of Agronomy, Univ. of KY. 2001
- 43. HOW PERFECT DO WHEAT STANDS NEED TO BE? Lloyd Murdock, Jim Herbek, John James, and Dottie Dept. of Agronomy, Univ. of KY. 2001 Effects of Skips on Wheat Yields • Method: • Plants removed to make skips • Skips 6”, 12”, or 18” long • Results: • Length of Skip – No Yield Effect • No Yield Effect if: • -10% Skip - all Varieties • -20% Skip -Tillering Varieties Depth Control
- 44. Varying Conditions • No Openers Work as Well in Wet Soils • Compacts Soil • Buildup on Packer Wheels • “Glazed” Furrow
- 45. Varying Conditions • Flexible Frames • Parallel Linkage • Hydraulic Shanks
- 46. Soil Disturbance • Disc Openers Cause Less Soil Disturbance • More Residue on Surface • Less Soil Temperature Change • Less Soil Erosion • Conserve Soil Moisture
- 47. Soil Disturbance Soil disturbance and fuel consumption for various types of openers Opener configuration Soil surface disturbance STIR* factor Fuel consumption to seed one acre (spacing in inches) % gallons/acre Double disc (7-10) 65 6.33 0.34 D disc separate fertilizer opener (7-12) 85 13.8 0.43 Double disc – fluted coulters (7-10) 55 7.2 0.43 Double disc – narrow offset 25 4.9 0.32 D disc – very heavy direct seeding one pass 85 16.6 1.1 D disc – very heavy direct /row cleaners 90 17.5 1.3 Hoe in heavy residue (10-15) 65 16.9 0.74 Hoe (6-12) 90 23.4 0.74 Inverted tee,.e.g., cross-slot (7-10) 15 1.9 0.40 Single disc (7-10) 15 2.4 .035 S disc with separate fertilizer opener (7-10) 35 5.7 .048
- 48. one Precision Agriculture Implications Section Control on Air Seeders
- 49. • Seed/Fertilizer Placement • Depends on Seedbed Utilization • Increase Yield with Optimum Fertilizer Placement • 30 lb. Nitrogen with Wheat Seed • Uniform Depth – Not as Critical • Crop Residue • Standing Stubble Warms and Dries Earlier in Spring • Bare Soil Warmer and Drier • Stubble Height • No Influence on Winter Soil Temperature • Short Stubble – Drier Spring and Fall Summary
- 50. • Planting Depth • 3”+ Reduces Wheat Yield • Depth Critical for Small-seeded Crops • Effects of Skips on Yield • -10% Skip ok with Wheat • Soil Disturbance and Energy Consumption • Hoe in heavy residue – 65% Disturbance, 0.74 gal/acre • Single disc – 15% Disturbance, 0.35 gal/acre Summary
- 51. Planting Technology Feeds the World 1804 1 billion 1850 1.2 billion 1900 1.6 billion 1927 2 billion 1950 2.55 billion 1955 2.8 billion 1960 3 billion 1965 3.3 billion 1970 3.7 billion 1975 4 billion 1980 4.5 billion 1985 4.85 billion 1987 5 billion 1990 5.3 billion 1995 5.7 billion 1999 6 billion 2000 6.1 billion 2005 6.45 billion 2010 6.8 billion 2011 7 billion Current World Population: 7,029,599,952
- 52. Questions - Comments Office 701-231-8213 Cell 701-261-9842 John.Nowatzki@ndsu.edu http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/agmachinery
Editor's Notes
- The average day-night temperature has increased 2 degrees Fahrenheit between 1903 and 2010. During the same period, the growing season has lengthened by 12 days at that location.
- Conservation tillage is part of a system of crop production designed to minimize soildisturbance, maintain previous crop residue on or near the soil surface and minimizethe number of field operations. Weeds primarily are controlled with herbicides andfertilizers are applied in ways that minimize soil disturbance. Conservation tillageseeding equipment often is designed as a “one-pass” system, combining minimumtillage with the planting operation or completely eliminating the need for tillage.The primary reasons crop producers adopt conservation tillage practices are:1) labor and fuel savings by reducing the number of passes across a field,2) equipment cost savings and 3) yield increases. A number of studies have beenconducted in North Dakota comparing conventional tillage systems to reduced andno-tillage systems.
- Which Opener Design?The two basic opener designs used on conservation tillage seeders are disc and hoe openers. “Hybrids” of these two opener designs incorporate some of the same features of both disc and hoe type openers. Disc openers can be single or double disk, with gauge wheels mounted beside and in contact with the disc openeror with a trailing packer wheel functioning as a gauge wheel. Hoe openers are available in various widths from less than 1-inch-wide spikes to 10-inch-wide sweeps. Some hoe openers are bolted on to the shank and others are “knock-on” without bolts. The importance of the type and designs of openers and packer wheels varies, depending on soil type and conditions, the amount and type of crop residue, the crop being planted and the producer’s management goals.
- Selected openers to illustrate disturbance. The first number listed for each opener illustrated is the surface area of the soil disturbed by the opener. The STIR rating is a three dimensional rating that was derived from university tests and compiled by USDA – NRCS. The ratings in white font are for drill configurations that are not placing fertilizer in a separate ban from the seed. The yellow are ratings for drill configurations that are capable of placing seed and fertilizer in separate bands. Openers from high-disturbance to low-disturbance are Anderson Hoe Opener, offset double disc openers, JD Single Disc Opener, Cross-slot opener.
- Seed-soil contact has been assumed to be the most important factor for rapid transfer of water from soil to seed. Recent research demonstrated that seeds are capable of germinating without soil contact, and that 85 percent or more of the water absorbed by seeds can be directly attributed to vapor. A new appreciation for the capacity of soil atmosphere to supply water vapor to seeds will help in future efforts to improve seeding equipment.Knowing that vapor is sufficient to quickly germinate seed should help guide future improvements in seeding equipment. Placement at a desirable depth near moist soil is still important, but pressing the seed into firm soil is only helpful if it helps maintain high relative humidity near the seed. Seed should germinate just as quickly in loose moist soil as in firm moist soil, if it has adequate protection from the drying effects of wind and sun.The distance that water vapor travels from the liquid source to the seed is critical, as shown in Figure 5. Wheat suspended very close to the water surface in the sealed test tubes germinated in about 3 days. The seed on the right, suspended about one-half inch from the water surface, required about 9 days to germinate. It is surprising to most people that seed can germinate without any contact with liquid water. It is also surprising that a closed vessel with water in the bottom does not have uniform 100 percent relative humidity in the air space above the water surface. These non-intuitive relationships may be why scientists have underestimated the role of vapor in seed germination.
- Knowing that vapor is sufficient to quickly germinate seed should help guide future improvements in seeding equipment. Placement at a desirable depth near moist soil is still important, but pressing the seed into firm soil is only helpful if it helps maintain high relative humidity near the seed. Seed should germinate just as quickly in loose moist soil as in firm moist soil, if it has adequate protection from the drying effects of wind and sun.
- Crop producers usually have specific management goals that relate to the amount of residue to be maintained on the soil surface and the position of the residue after planting. Disc openers are superior to hoe openers if the producer’s goal is toleave most of the crop residue from the previous year standing after planting. Hoe openers result in more of the crop residue mixed into the soil.Hoe openers push residue aside to place seed in moist soil near the surface. Hoe openers cause more soil disturbance, which can promote both soil warming and drying similarly to a tillage operation. Hoe openers may cause bunching if the residue is wet or unevenly spread. More vertical clearance of the seeder helps prevent bunching.Disc openers generally disturb soil less than hoe openers, maintaining moisture in the seed zone. However, this may slow soil warming after planting.
- Fertilizing Hard Red Spring Wheat and DurumD.W. Franzen, NDSU Extension Soil Specialist
- Separate fertilizer delivery systems can be used to place fertilizer in a band to the side and below the seed. With disc openers, a separate disc can be mounted between two seed rows to place fertilizer in a band shared by two seed rows. This is called midrow banding. Midrow bands deliver nitrogen products safely.Some hoe seeders are designed with a fertilizer tube next to the seed tube that places fertilizer below and to the side of the seed row. This is referredto as double-shooting. Low-draft, double-shooting openers place seed and fertilizer at the same depth, which is designed to reduce power required to pull the seeder.The air seed delivery system needs to have enough air to move the correct amount of seed to the farthest ends of the seeder but not blow seed out of the seed slot or cause damage to the seeds. This is accomplished by incorporating an air dissipation system in the air delivery system prior to the seed discharge into the opener.
- The separation of fertilizer from the seeds needs to be greater in some soil conditions, such as in dry, cloddy soils. The risk of stand reduction is greater from nitrogen toxicity in sandier soils than in clayey soils. More than 20 to 30 pounds per acre (lbs/acre) of nitrogen fertilizer placed with seeds can result in reduced germination, low seedling emergence and poor stands, with subsequent yield loss.However, midrow banding places phosphorus materials too far away from the plants to deliver a “starter” effect to young plants. A separate system to deliver phosphorus in or near the seed row is required to achieve “starter” phosphorus effects.
- Paired-row vs. Single Row Spacing. Roger Veseth. PNW CONSERVATION TILLAGE HANDBOOK SERIES. Chapter 6 - Fertility, No. 7, Winter 1987 (Oregon)http://pnwsteep.wsu.edu/tillagehandbook/chapter6/060787.htm
- Paired-row vs. Single Row Spacing. Roger Veseth. PNW CONSERVATION TILLAGE HANDBOOK SERIES. Chapter 6 - Fertility, No. 7, Winter 1987 Paired-row – place fertilizer band between rows so that it is within 2 to 3 inches of each seed row. Fertilizer band should also be at least 2 inches below seed because of the 30 to 45 degree downward growth angle of the pairs of seminal roots.Seminal roots extend laterally 2 to 4” by the start of tillering. The roots initially grow downward 30 to 45 degrees before growing straight down. So, fertilizer banded more than a few inches from the seed row may not be available to the plant until the tillering stage when crown roots develop.
- The previous crop residue is a resource to conserve and use. Crop residue limits evaporation from the soil surface and maintains humidity levels in undisturbed soils at between 90 percent and 100 percent, which is ideal for germinating seed. Even with excellent soil seed contact, at least 85 percent of the water enters the germinating wheat seed in the form of vapor. In dry conditions, low disturbance, no-till planting systems preserve moisture in the seedbed, allowing uniform germination and plant establishment to occur. Crop residue also provides a food source for beneficial fungi, bacteria, insects and weed seed predators.Managed properly, the beneficial aspects outweigh the negative aspects of crop residue in conservation tillage systems. When left in place, crop residue will protect the crop from wind damage during establishment and will continue protecting the soil if the crop fails to establish due to drought or flood. Crop residue readily decays and is incorporated into soils by earthworms and fungi once the growing crop canopies cover the inter-row space.
- Previous research by Flerchinger et al. 2003, suggests that standing stubble in the spring warms and dries 5 to 9 days earlier in the spring than flat residue. Long term no-till soils exhibit structure allowing greater and faster infiltration of water than soils that have been disturbed through tillage or with high disturbance seeding and weed control operations (Arshad et al., 1999, Pierce et al., 1994). With low disturbance no-till openers and tall residue left undisturbed in long-term no-till fields, producers should be able to seed and establish high yielding crops within a few days of tilled fields.
- Conclusions: We removed corn residues prior to seeding the wheat, then returned residues, at a rate of 6300 lb/ac (equal to about 150 bu/ac corn crop), in specific "placements" to each plot. We removed residues prior to seeding to take out any effect of residue on the drill's ability to establish the crop. In our "placement" treatments, we had one where the full rate of residue was randomly scattered over the entire plot area, four treatments where the residue was placed a set distance (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.25 inches) away from either side of the row, and a control treatment (bare) where none of the residue was returned. The row spacing was 7 inches. Yields were not influenced by residue placement treatments; only complete residue removal had a positive effect on yield (Table 1). Measurements of soil and air temperatures during the fall emergence and tillering period showed that residues tended to "buffer" against quick temperature changes. This keeps the soil warmer during cooling trends, and cooler during warming trends, and causes greater differences in temperature between the soil and air at such times. This greater "shear" between air and root zone temperatures might be contributing to stress during shoot development.
- NDSU Residue Management Project. http://www.ageng.ndsu.nodak.edu/farmmonitor/index.php
- NDSU Residue Management Project. http://www.ageng.ndsu.nodak.edu/farmmonitor/index.php
- NDSU Residue Management Project. http://www.ageng.ndsu.nodak.edu/farmmonitor/index.php
- NDSU Residue Management Project. http://www.ageng.ndsu.nodak.edu/farmmonitor/index.php
- NDSU Residue Management Project. http://www.ageng.ndsu.nodak.edu/farmmonitor/index.php
- NDSU Residue Management Project. http://www.ageng.ndsu.nodak.edu/farmmonitor/index.php
- NDSU Residue Management Project. http://www.ageng.ndsu.nodak.edu/farmmonitor/index.php
- NDSU Residue Management Project. http://www.ageng.ndsu.nodak.edu/farmmonitor/index.php
- NDSU Residue Management Project. http://www.ageng.ndsu.nodak.edu/farmmonitor/index.php
- Prices from Onset Web site.
- Uniform depth placement of both the seed and fertilizer influences seedlingemergence and, ultimately, crop yield. Factors influencing uniformity of seeding depth include independent hydraulic pressure on each opener assembly, gauge wheels, shank linkage and caster wheels. Individual opener down force can be controlled by adding or removing depth stops from each cylinder. Depth control wheels and packer wheels on seeders improve uniform seed depth placement.Packer/gauge wheels mounted close to the point of seed release will place seed more consistently at the proper depth, compared with wheels mounted farther behind orin front of the release point.
- RESULTS:The wheat planting depth study results are shown in Table 1. Wheat emergence was affected by planting depth. Based on 50% emergence data, it took 2½ to 3½ days longer for the two deepest planting depths to emerge as compared to the recommended planting depth of 1-1½ inches. Likewise, the shallowest planting depth (1/2 inch) emerged 1 day later and can be attributed to drier conditions at the soil surface. Good stand establishment was achieved at all planting depths. The % stand achieved, based on a seeding rate of 35 seeds/ft2, was over 90% for the two intermediate planting depths and 85% for the deepest planting depth. Even though the shallowest planting depth (1/2 inch) had a significantly lower stand than the deeper planting depths, the final stand of 27 plants/ft2 is still adequate to achieve a high yield potential. The lower stand achieved at the shallow planting depth can be attributed to drier conditions near the soil surface. Although rainfall totaled 2.8 inches for the 3-week period prior to planting, (10-16-00), none of the rainfall occurred in the 10 days preceding planting. Likewise, no measurable rainfall was recorded for the 3-week period after planting. A planting delay would have further reduced germination and emergence at the shallow planting depth. Wheat head numbers were the highest and very similar (47-49 heads/ft2) at planting depths of 2-2½ inches or less. The deepest planting depth (3-3½ inches) had significantly fewer head numbers. These results verify that wheat plants emerging from deeper depths have reduced tillering. Highest wheat yields were obtained at planting depths of 1½ inches or less.A planting depth of 2-2½ inches reduced yields slightly. The deepest planting depth (3-3½ inches) significantly reduced yields by ~ 3 bu/acre and can be related to reduced tillering (fewer heads).CONCLUSIONS:Wheat seed should be planted 1-1½ inches deep if soil moisture is adequate. In this study, a planting depth of 1-1½ inches had the best overall wheat performance (faster emergence, excellent stands, high head counts, and high yields). A slightly deeper depth (2 inches) is justified if soil moisture isdeficient. Shallow seed placement (< 1 inch) can result in reduced and uneven germination and emergence under dry soil conditions. Shallow seed placement also has the potential for more winter injury and greater susceptibility to heaving which can further reduce stands. Conversely, deep seed placement (as shown in this study) delays emergence, can reduce stand, and emerged plants have less vigor and reduced tillering (less yield). When seed is planted deeper than 2 inches, there can also be a differential response among varieties. Wheat emergence is more difficult for varieties that have short coleoptiles or small seed.
- Yield CompensationIn order for the yields to remain the same with some areas skipped,the yields of plants around the skip must increase. The compensation of thewheat plants surrounding the skips can come from more heads, more grainsper head or more weight per grain. Head counts made near harvest in 1999-2000 indicated that the compensation was not made by increased heads dueto increased tillering. However, head counts made in 2000-2001 (Table 3)show many more heads in the plants surrounding the skipped areas. Theincreases were in the order of 35 to 45% more heads/ft2.SUMMARY:This trial will continue in order to try to verify what has been found to thispoint. At present, it appears that the length of a skip has no effect on grainyield. When the amount of area skipped is 10% or less, there is no effect onyield regardless of variety. There is also no effect on yield with varieties thattiller prolifically if the area skipped is as high as 20%.Image: University of Kentucky College of Agriculture
- Neither hoe nor disc openers work as well in wet soils as in drier soils. Soils too wet to till are too wet to seed. Seeding or tilling wet soils compacts soil, damaging the rooting environment, which results in reduced crop growth and yield. Clay soils pack well but can become hard when they dry. Clay can build up on packer wheels, changing the seeding depth. Openers can create a “glazed” furrow sidewall in wet conditions, which slows germination.Packer wheels help firm soil around seeds and increase the likelihood that the seeds are in contact with soil in very wet seeding conditions. Machine weight can influence seedingdepth when soil is firm. Some seeders are built heavier than others and some are designed to include added weight. Greater downward pressure requires positive depth control, which usually is accomplished with a gauge wheel running next to or directly behind the opener.Seeders need to be flexible to function properly on irregular soil surfaces and sloping fields. Seeders with rigid frame sections larger than 12 to 14 feet generally do not follow the soil contour on sloping fields and when crossing drainage ditches, resultingin seed being placed too shallowly or unevenly on the soil surface.
- Parallel linkage has been used on row-crop planters for a number of years, andonly recently has this innovation been applied to drills. Parallel linkage onindividual openers operating independently of each other allow the opener to track soil surface more accurately, giving a more uniform placement of seed at the desired depth.
- Generally, reducing the amount of soil disturbance during crop production lowers carbon losses from soil. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has developed a Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR), which assigns a numerical value toeach tillage operation (Table 3). Crop management decisions implemented for a particular field affect the rating value. Lower numbers indicate less overall disturbance to the soil layer.To qualify for NRCS no-till incentive programs, a STIR value of 10 or less is required. Values may range from 0 to 200, with lower scores preferred. The NRCS indicates other benefits of low STIR values, which include increasing organic-matter (OM) content of the soil, less OM breakdown and improved water infiltration rates. Under most soil conditions, disc-type openers cause less soil disturbance than hoe openers. Disc openers on seeders generally cause less soil disturbance and maintain more residue on thesoil surface, resulting in less soil temperature change, less soil erosion potential and a greater potential to conserve existing soil moisture, compared with hoe openers.Hoe openers generally cause more soil disturbance than disc openers by partially burying straw and bringing soil to the surface. Disturbed soil exposed to solar radiation will warm sooner than undisturbed soil, but it also will cool faster. Low-disturbance, angle discs on seeders have shown significant advantages in both wet and dry years in reducing weed germination. Increasing soil disturbance increased competition from weeds anddecreased crop density. Weed seeds left on the soil surface are exposed to predation and environmental extremes, resulting in fewer viable seeds to germinate and infest the next crop. When low-disturbance no-till is used in combination with diverse crop rotations and appropriately selected and timed herbicide application, weed control costs can be reduced by 50 percent because lower weed density reduces the need for herbicides.
- Source: NRCS RUSLE2 Version 1.26 and Soil Tillage Intensity Worksheet, http://stir.nrcs.usda.gov/*STIR factor calculated for seeding spring wheat using a drill with the specified opener following sunflower in a four-year rotation of spring wheat-winter wheat-corn (grain)-sunflower in southwestern North Dakota. The overall STIR rating for the entire four-year no-till rotation will differ from that shown for each specific opener.