No-Tillage Seeding: Science and Practice

By K.E. Saxton, Saxton Ritchie Baker, W.R. Ritchie, et al.

During the last thirty years farmers have been strongly encouraged to adopt some form of conservation tillage, primarily for long-term environmental reasons. However, the experience of many farmers of no-tillage suggests greater short-term risk, in the form of reduced seedling emergence or crop yield or even crop failure. A major aim of this book is to show how the risks in the practice of no-tillage can be reduced. It begins by describing the interrelationships between soils, machines, seeds and growing plants. Too often in the past, the subject has been approached from a purely engineering or a purely soils perspective, neglecting the agronomic viewpoint. The authors of this book focus on the needs of the plants which thus determine the requirements for a no-tillage seed drill. The result of their own research is the inverted T-shaped no-tillage soil slot and the Cross Slot drill and planter opener, which are described in some detail. By re-evaluating common assumptions about seed germination in soil, the authors provide a totally new perspective on no-tillage seeding.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0851991033
• ISBN13: 9780851991030
• Release Date: July 1996
• Publisher: CABI
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.8" x 0.8" x 6.5"