Direct corn seedling. Effects of residue clearance on implant efficiency

M Tourn,A Mete,G Botta,E Soza

doi:10.5424/sjar/2003013-38

M Tourn, A Mete + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2003013-38

Copy DOI

Abstract

This article describes the effects of three seeding unit designs on plant residue clearance along the central line ofdirect corn (Zea Mays L.) seeding and the subsequent influence on crop emergence. The equipment assemblies testedwere three different combinations of the implements turbo coulter blade (TCB), double disc opener with a seed presswheel and covering/packing wheels (DDO), notched disc row cleaner with a track wheel or floating star cleaner (RC)as follows: (1) TCB+DDO, (2) RC+TCB+DDO and (3) TCB+RC+DDO. Under the field conditions tested, residueclearance before the cutting action of the turbo coulter blade (combination 2) gave rise to the best crop stand and cropuniformity. The seeding assembly that moves soil and clears away plant debris along the seeding furrow shows a directeffect on seed emergence.

Highlights

In Argentina, the land area given over to direct seeding has recently increased substantially such that the area occupied in the crop cycle 1998/1999 exceeded
Further advantages include better soil structure, improved organic matter content and a greater rain water filtration and storage capacity (Méndez Duhau and Satorre, 1998; Gil, 1999). This practice is related to several drawbacks such as an increased incidence of some diseases, increased soil insect populations and impaired seeding when there is an abundance of crop remains on the soil surface
Surface crop residue clearance helps to reduce allelopathy problems arising when seeding over rows corresponding to the previous year and speeds up soil warming

Summary

Introduction

In Argentina, the land area given over to direct seeding has recently increased substantially such that the area occupied in the crop cycle 1998/1999 exceeded7.2 × 106 ha. Further advantages include better soil structure, improved organic matter content and a greater rain water filtration and storage capacity (Méndez Duhau and Satorre, 1998; Gil, 1999) This practice is related to several drawbacks such as an increased incidence of some diseases, increased soil insect populations and impaired seeding when there is an abundance of crop remains on the soil surface. Martínez Peck (1998) stated that the greatest worry for users of direct seeding machines was to be able to penetrate areas with vast amounts of residue, to improve implant conditions and to achieve more vigorous seedling emergence and growth. Addressing these concerns would improve the performance of these implements

Objectives

Methods

Results