Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Northwest Sustainable Agroecosystems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #90924
Title: THE SCIENCE AND PRACTICE OF NO-TILLAGE SEEDING

Author
item BAKER, C - FEILDING, NEW ZEALAND
item Saxton, Keith
item RITCHIE, W - FEILDING, NEW ZEALAND

Submitted to: Complete Book
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/13/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: It has long been known that the best soil and water conservation of farmland is by having crops and residues on the soil surfaces and performing limited or no soil disturbance by tillage. However, only recently has it become possible to produce an agricultural crop with modern methods with significantly reduced tillage. Key to this accomplishment is no-till seeding into a residue covered, untilled soil. This practice requires considerable different principles and machines which are reviewed in this book. Many of these requirements are exemplified by the Cross-Slot seed drill opener, developed by the senior author, which is described and documented.

Technical Abstract: No-till seeding has become a much needed and practiced form of crop production by those concerned with soil and water conservation. Recent research has shown this style of reduced tillage farming has significantly improved soil quality resulting in increased water infiltration, friability, and increased crop production. The principles and machinery to accomplish this new style of seeding into undisturbed soil is not readily available or understood by many scientists and farmers. This book provides a review of the many fundamentals required to be understood by those practicing reduced and no-till seeding. The Cross-Slot seed drill opener, developed by the senior author, is described as the best currently known example of a machine which provides the desired traits to perform no-till seeding in residue covered soils.