Abstract
Seed furrow sidewall smearing describes compaction of soil in the seed zone that is caused, in some soilconditions, by the planter furrow opener and that may interfere with crop stand establishment. Soil smearing caused byplanting with double disk furrow openers was investigated by measuring physical properties of soil in the seed furrow andby evaluating corn (Zea mays, L.) emergence and growth. Planter attachments for row preparation (no-coulter, singleoffset bubble coulter, and triple offset fluted coulter planter attachments) were evaluated for their influence on seed furrowsidewall smearing over a range of soil moisture contents. Planting tended to reduce soil bulk density in the 0 to 100 mmlayer in the seed zone. In general, the soil was least dense when the triple-coulter attachment was used. Air permeabilityof soil samples taken from the seed furrow sidewall, before the furrow was closed, tended to decrease with increasing soilmoisture. The triple-coulter treatment resulted in greater air permeability than did other coulter treatments. Soilpenetration resistance below the seed and in the seed furrow sidewall was greatest for the single coulter and least for thetriple coulter. We observed that more roots grew parallel to the soil surface with no-coulter and single-coulter treatmentsthan with the triple-coulter treatment especially when soil property measurements indicated that more sidewall smearinghad occurred. This research showed that row preparation by coulter planter attachments placed ahead of double-diskopeners can reduce seed furrow sidewall smearing and may improve stand establishment of corn.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
