Author
 |
Wilkins, Dale |
|
Submitted to: American Journal of Alternative Agriculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 7/3/1996 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Areas such as the inland Pacific Northwest with winter precipitation patterns, long steep slopes, and soils with low water infiltration rates present unique requirements for tilling, seeding and fertilizing equipment. Soil and water conservation, plant diseases, weed control, and stand establishment are important factors in developing economical and biologically sustainable cereal production systems for this area. New agricultural machines, tools and machinery systems developed for cereal production in this area with emphasis on soil and water conservation are reviewed. Challenges and opportunities for improved equipment and integrated conservation systems are outlined. This information will benefit other countries with similar rainfall patterns, soil erosion and water conservation problems such as the Middle East. Technical Abstract: There are some unique functional requirements for tilling, seeding and fertilizing implements for cereal production in rainfed agricultural production systems with winter precipitation patterns. In these systems, soil and water conservation are paramount to sustain production. In the design and development of implements for these systems, soil and water conservation principles must be integrated into the total production systems. Plant diseases, insects, weeds, environmental degradation, crop yield and quality and economics are all significant factors which may be influenced by tilling, seeding and fertilizing implements. |
