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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #76564
Title: CORN PLANTER ATTACHMENT EFFECTS ON SOIL AND RESIDUE

Author
item HANNA, H - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item Erbach, Donald
item Kaspar, Thomas
item IQBAL, MUHAMMAD - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item MARLEY, STEPHEN - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Integrated Crop Management Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/20/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In recent years an increasing amount of Iowa row crops have been planted in soil left undisturbed from the prior year's harvest. Various planter modifications and attachments are marketed to assist planting into undisturbed soil. Farmers use planter attachments to move plant residues or soil clods from the seed row or to loosen the soil under wetter than ideal conditions to improve seed placement, seed furrow closure, and seed-to-soil contact. This manuscript discusses previously reported field research on planter attachments to explain the effects of different types of attachments. Planter attachments designed to move residues from the seed row are beneficial under conditions when cool soil temperatures are slowing corn germination, emergence, and early growth. Removing residue from the seed row at planting increased soil temperatures and would be less beneficial on soils that are susceptible to crusting, in warmer climates, in drier soils or years, and on lighter colored soils. Planter attachments designed for loosening the soil ahead of the planter are beneficial for soils with high clay contents and any soil that is wetter than desirable at planting. Under these conditions, planting depth, seed furrow closure, and seed-to-soil contact are improved by loosening the soil. These planter attachments would not be beneficial when the soil is dry, when it has been tilled recently, or on soils with a high sand content.