There´s a new trend in tillage equipment called "vertical tillage" and a Kansas State University scientist says it could also be described as "mulch till."
"The main objective of using vertical tillage is to break up surface soil compaction, or smooth out areas in a field with shallow (two-three inches) rills from water erosion or ruts and tire tracks from tractors, combines, grain carts, trucks, and other equipment," said DeAnn Presley, soil specialist with K-State Research and Extension. "It also is used to help improve rainfall penetration by breaking up crusts."
Vertical tillage equipment is used to lightly till the soil and cut up residue, mixing and anchoring a portion of the residue into the upper few inches of soil while still leaving large quantities of residue on the soil surface. This action helps speed residue decomposition, Presley said. The best description for vertical tillage is to call it a form of mulch-till, as it generally leaves more than 30 percent residue on the soil surface, yet creates nearly full-width disturbance on the soil surface.
However, Presley said, if a hard rainfall occurs after the vertical tillage operation on a low-residue environment, it could have the opposite effect. Vertical tillage should only be used when the soil is dry enough to shatter; otherwise, it may create shallow compaction. This type of equipment tends to leave the soil somewhat fluffy, but not to the extent that a tandem disk will.
Several companies manufacture vertical tillage equipment, and none of the implements is exactly the same, although there are common features, she said. From a distance, many vertical tillage tools look similar to disks in that there are a series of round blades in a gang on a toolbar. However, some models have blades individually mounted on springs, similar to a field cultivator. Offset disks are primarily used as primary tillage tools and tandem disks are usually used as a finishing tool. In contrast, most vertical tillage implements are used as a one-pass operation directly on crop residues prior to planting.
One of the physical differences between the two types of implements is that tandem disk blades are more curved, go a little deeper into the soil profile, and turn up some soil as they go across the field. Vertical tillage blades are generally straighter, more like coulters, and are often fluted. In fact, many manufacturers refer to the blades on vertical tillage implements as coulters. The degree of curvature and amount of fluting on the coulters varies by manufacturer, as does the angle of the gangs.
The blades on vertical tillage implements typically go only a few (two to three) inches into the soil, and do not move much soil as the implement goes across the field. Vertical tillage implements have a slight to moderate smoothing effect, which is usually enhanced with smoothing bars, harrow tines or rolling baskets behind the disks, Presley said. Again, the features available vary by manufacturer.
Tandem disks create more draft and have a somewhat higher power requirement than vertical tillage equipment. Producers using a vertical tillage implement can usually go faster across the field, up to six to seven miles per hour, than when using a tandem disk.
"At K-State, we have begun to evaluate the effect that vertical tillage on corn stalks will have on subsequent soybean yield, soil bulk density, soil aggregate stability and water infiltration on various soil types in northeast Kansas," Presley said. "We have just one year´s preliminary data, working with David Hallauer, who is the Meadowlark District Extension agent. We need more data, from different types of soils and conditions, and on different initial residue levels, before drawing any conclusions."
She noted that K-State agronomists tested one model in 2009, but that they plan to test other models and types of vertical tillage implements in the future.
More information, including photos of examples of vertical tillage equipment is available on the K-State Agronomy Extension Website at:
www.agronomy.ksu.edu/extension and click on e-Updates/current topics.
Front page stories
Related Photos
-
This photograph is of a side-by-side comparison between no-till and vertical tillage. Notice the effect on weeds, and the amount/form of crop residue on soil surface. (Photo taken by DeAnn Presley)
-
Vertical tillage equipment is used to lightly till the soil and cut up residue, mixing and anchoring a portion of the residue into the upper few inches of soil while still leaving large quantities of residue on the soil surface. (Photo taken by Joshua Morris, Stevens County Extension agent)
A new trend in tillage
- Front page stories
-
-
Specialists discuss spring crops at SEARC field day in Parsons
At the recent SEARC Crops Field Day near Parsons, Kan., area growers viewed 19 hard red winter varieties and six soft wheats. Farmers will be looking for big yields, the scientists will harvest a bumper crop of information.
-
2012 Four State Farm Show
Anyone in the market for anything agricultural only has to wait a little bit longer to shop at the biggest outdoor agricultural mall in the area. The 38th Annual Four State Farm Show held near Pittsburg, Kansas is just around the corner.
-
When it comes to weed control get started early
So far, 2012 has been anything but normal in southeast Kansas, attendes were told at the recent K-State Beef Cattle and Forage Crops Field Day in Mound Valley, Kansas.
-
K-State research looks at wet corn gluten feed
Those in attendance at the recent K-State Beef Cattle and Forage Crops Field Day held near Mound Valley, Kansas got the chance to hear not only what was going on at the research center, but also at Manhattan.
-
Celebrating Earth Day
Students attending Earth Day were able to visit exhibits such as the barnyard zoo, tools of the industry, ag jeopardy, what’s in a slice of pizza, Kansas Soybean Commission, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Kansas Wheat Growers.
-
Continuing on with a mission
Although there are many things that drive change in farming, few could be made without research, science and scientists.
-
Preparing for an early harvest
Unusually mild winter and spring temperatures have area farmers preparing for an early wheat harvest. If trends continue, Doug Shoup, K-State Extension area agronomist, says this year’s wheat crop could actually be closer to three weeks early.
-
Horsefest had it all for the horse and rider
Three beautiful spring days greeted horse enthusiasts attending Horsefest last weekend at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds in Springfield, Missouri.
-
Study shows ‘lean finely textured beef’ improves burger quality
Consumers worried about the quality of ground beef based on recent media reports about "lean finely textured beef" used to increase the protein content of some ground beef products may be reassured by the results of a study conducted last fall by a University of Arkansas student majoring in animal science.
-
Raising food to feed the people
Many things have changed in the swine industry over the past 60 years but, Springer Family Foods is still producing food for people to eat.
- More Front page stories Headlines
-
