Conservation Seeding Practices John Nowatzki Extension Ag Machine Systems Specialist
History
Langdon Average Temp Increase 2 Since 1903 Growing Season 12 days longer
Air Seeder Principles and Functions Basic Criteria for Effective Seeders Opener Design & Seed/Fertilizer Placement Managing Crop Residue Soil Disturbance Depth Control Varying Conditions Soil Disturbance Precision Agriculture Energy Requirements
Channel Setting Instructions for ResponseCard RF 1. Press and release the "GO" or "CH" button. 2. While the light is flashing red and green, enter the 2 digit channel code (i.e. channel 1 = 01, channel 21 = 21). Channel is 41 3. After the second digit is entered, Press and release the "GO" or "CH" button. The light should flash green to confirm. 4. Press and release the "1/A" button. The light should flash amber to confirm.
Where is Your Home Area? 1. North Dakota 2. South Dakota 3. Manitoba 4. Saskatchewan 5. Montana 6. Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
What is your Occupation? 1. Farmer/Rancher 2. Dealer Personnel 3. Factory Personnel 4. Other 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 4
Which crops do you grow? 1. Barley 2. Buckwheat 3. Canola 4. Corn 5. Dry Edible Beans 6. Field Peas 7. Flax 8. Lentils 9. Millet 10. Mustard 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Which crops do you grow? 1. Oats 2. Potatoes 3. Rye 4. Safflower 5. Soybeans 6. Sugarbeets 7. Sunflower 8. Wheat, Durum 9. Winter Wheat 10. Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
What is your tillage system? 1. Intensive Tillage 2. Minimum Tillage 3. One-Pass System 4. No Till 5. Other 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 4 5
Basic Criteria for Effective Seeders 1. Precisely Meter Seeds 2. Plant Seed at Uniform Depth 3. Plant Through Residue 4. Function in Varying Soil Types 5. Durable 6. Economical 7. Correctly Place Fertilizer and Seed
Basic Criteria for Effective Seeders 1. Precisely Meter Seeds 2. Plant Seed at Uniform Depth 3. Plant Through Residue 4. Function in Varying Soil Types 5. Durable 6. Economical 7. Correctly Place Fertilizer and Seed 8. Other 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Factors Affecting Choice of Opener Type Soil Type and Conditions Crop Residue Amount, Type, Position Crops to Plant Producer Management Goals
Factors Affecting Choice of Opener Type Opener Disturbance 65% - STIR = 16.9 High-disturbance 25% - STIR = 4.87 15% - STIR = 1.95 Low-disturbance 15% - STIR = 2.43 35% - STIR = 5.68
What Type of Opener do you use? 1. Disc Opener 2. Hoe Opener 3. Combination 4. Other 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 4
Choice of Opener Type: Seed to Soil Contact Water Transfer from Soil to Seed: The Role of Vapor Transport Vapor alone is sufficient to supply water for germination. Water Transfer from Soil to Seed: The Role of Vapor Transport Stewart B. Wuest. USDA-ARS, Pendleton, OR
Choice of Opener Type: Seed to Soil Contact Water Transfer from Soil to Seed: The Role of Vapor Transport Barley, pea, mustard, and wheat were tested for their ability to germinate rapidly with vapor alone. Vapor alone is sufficient to supply water for germination. Water Transfer from Soil to Seed: The Role of Vapor Transport Stewart B. Wuest. USDA-ARS, Pendleton, OR
Opener Design Producer Management Goals: Hoe vs. Disc Disc Openers Leaves Residue Standing Slow Soil Warming (Cooling) Maintains Soil Moisture Hoe Openers Mixes Residue into Soil Promotes Soil Warming and Drying Promotes Residue Decomposition Place Seed into Moist Soil
Opener Design Seed and Fertilizer Placement Factors Affecting Amount of N with the Seed Distance between Rows Distribution of Seed and Fertilizer Soil Texture, Soil ph Soil Moisture Fertilizer Placement Type of Fertilizer Crop Greater risk of nitrogen toxicity in sandy soils than in clay soils
Opener Design Separate Fertilizer Placement Systems Banding Fertilizer Beside Seed Below Seed Mid-row Banding - Fertilizer Double Shooting Fertilizer Below and to Side of Seed Beside Seed Barton Double-shoot
Opener Design Separate Fertilizer Placement Systems 30 lb./acre of N - wheat 10-20 lb./a of N - Canola Mid-row banding P too far from the plants to deliver a starter effect to young plants? Fertilizer banded more than a few inches from the seed row may not be available to the plant until the tillering stage when crown roots develop (Washington State University)
Opener Design Paired-row vs. Single Row Spacing Wheat Plant 30 days after planting Yield increases in wheat by banding below the seed compared to banded between seed rows. Depth 6 inches Lateral spread - 5 inches Early fertilizer access improves tiller survival where soils have low nutrient levels.
Opener Design Paired-row vs. Single Row Spacing Wheat Plant 30 days after planting Depth 6 inches Paired-row Fertilizer band between wheat rows within 2 to 3 of each seed row 2 below seed Lateral spread - 5 inches
Opener Design Preferences? 1. Separate Fertilizer Placement 2. Starter Fertilizer with Seed 3. All Fertilizer with Seed 4. Paired Row - Fertilizer Between Rows 5. Fertilizer Below Seed 6. Other 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1 2 3 4 5 6
Managing Crop Residue Residue is a Resource to Conserve and Use. Limits Evaporation Preserves Moisture Maintains Humidity in Soil Food for Beneficial Fungi, Bacteria, Insects
Managing Crop Residue at Harvest Time Spread Straw Uniformly Harrows Incorporate Weeds Seeds Increases Seed Longevity Disc Openers Leave Tall Stubble How Opener Shorter Stubble Residue No Longer than Planter Row Width
Managing Crop Residue Effect of Corn Residue Placement on Wheat Yield Residue Placement Wheat Yield (bu/ac) random coverage 73.8 0.25 inches away 75.4 0.50 inches away 73.1 0.75 inches away 75.0 1.25 inches away 72.0 Bare Soil 81.9 Residue Placement to Improve Yields of No-Tillage Winter Wheat Following Corn John H. Grove and Christopher E. Kiger, Agronomy Dept., Univ. of KY 1987
NDSU Residue Management Project Golden Valley Stutsman County Cass County County Soil name one Amor loam Barnes-Buse loam Glyndon silt loam Tillage System No-till (20+ years) No-till 10 years Conventional Crop Rotation wheat-corn-peawheasoybean-wheatsoybean wheat-soybean- sugarbeet-wheatsoybean-soybeancorn-dry or corn bean-corn Started in 2010 Electronic Sensors Data on Internet Updated Daily
Stripper Header
NDSU Residue Management Project Tall one Stubble 24 Medium Stubble 12 Short Stubble 6
NDSU Residue Management Project Medium Tall 35 to 40% Standing Short 100% Standing 13% Standing
http://www.ageng.ndsu.nodak.edu/farmmonitor Data Transfer Cellular Modem Remote Computer calls Modem FTP Data to NDSU Server Computer Updated Data on Internet
Residue Management Project - Winter January 2011
Medium Tall Short January 2011
Crop Residue Winter Temperature 2011-12 60 50 Air Temperature Tall Stubble Temperature Air Temperature Tall Stubble Temperature Average 24 F Average 28 F Average Temp 22 F Average Temp 29 F 50 Medium Stubble Temperature Short Stubble Temperature 40 Medium Stubble Temperature Short Stubble Temperature Average 27 F Average 27 F Average Temp 29 F Average Temp 29 F 40 30 30 20 10 0-10 Average Temperatures Golden Valley County Dec. 1 - March 1 2011-2012 Similar Soil Temperatures without Snow 50 40 30 20 10 0-10 20 10 0-10 -20 Average Temperatures Cass County Dec. 1 - March 1 2011-2012 Average Temperatures Stutsman County Dec. 1 - March 1 2011-12 Air Temperature Medium Stubble Temperature Average 22 F Average 29 F Short Stubble Temperature Chisel Plowed Temperature Average 27 F Average 28 F Ridge Tilled Temperature Average 25 F Ridge Till Coldest -20
Crop Residue Winter Temperature 2010-11 50 40 30 20 10 0-10 Air Temperature Tall Stubble Temperature Average 14 F Average 32 F Medium Stubble Temperature Short Stubble Temperature Average 31 F Average 26 F Average Temperature Golden Valley County Dec. 1 - March 1 2010-2011 50 40 30 20 10 0 Air Temperature Average Temp 12 F Tall Stubble Temperature Average Temp 32 F Medium Stubble Temperature Average Temp 32 F Short Stubble Temperature Average Temp 32 F Average Temperatures Stutsman County Dec. 1 March 1 2010-2011 -20-30 Similar Soil Temperatures with Snow 50 Air Temperature Tall Stubble Temperature Average 8 F Average 32 F Medium Stubble Temperature Short Stubble Temperature 40 Average 32 F Average 30 F Strip Till Temperature Average 33 F 30 20 10 0-10 -20 Average Temperatures Cass County Dec. 1 - March 1 2010-2011 -10-20
Crop Residue Spring 2011 Soil Temperature 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Tall Stubble Temperature Medium Stubble Temperature Short Stubble Temperature Average 40 Average 41 Average 42 Soil Temperature Golden Valley County April 1-30 2011 Prevent Plant 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Tall Stubble Temperature Medium Stubble Temperature Short Stubble Temperature Average 39 Average 42 Average 39 Soil Temperatures Stutsman County April 1-30 2011 Soybeans No Difference in Temperatures 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Tall Stubble Temperature Short Stubble Temperature Medium Stubble Temperature Average 42 Average 41 Strip Till Temperature Average 40 Average 42 Sugarbeets Soil Temperatures Cass County April 1-30 2011
Crop Residue Spring 2011 Soil Moisture 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Tall Stubble Moisture Medium Stubble Temperature Short Subble Moisture Average 18% VWC Average 17% VWC Average 18% VWC Prevent Plant Soil Moisture Golden Valley County Apr. 1 - June 30 2011 50.00 45.00 40.00 35.00 30.00 25.00 20.00 15.00 10.00 5.00 0.00 Tall Stubble Moisture Medium Stubble Moisture Short Stubble Moisture Average 32% VWC Average 31% VWC Average 30% VWC Soybeans Soil Moisture Stutsman County Apr. 1 - June 30 2011 Similar 60 50 Short Stubble Drier 40 30 20 10 0 Tall Stubble Moisture Average 38% VWC Short Stubble Moisture Average 46% VWC Soil Moisture Cass County Apr. 1 - June 30 2011 Medium Stubble Moisture Average 41% VWC Strip Till Moisture Average 34% VWC Sugarbeets Strip Till Drier
10/4/2011 10/5/2011 10/6/2011 10/7/2011 10/8/2011 10/9/2011 10/10/2011 10/11/2011 10/12/2011 10/13/2011 10/14/2011 10/15/2011 10/16/2011 10/17/2011 10/18/2011 10/19/2011 10/20/2011 10/21/2011 10/22/2011 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Crop Residue Fall 2011 Soil Moisture Tall Stubble Moisture Medium Stubble Temperature Short Subble Moisture Average 14% VWC Average 10% VWC Average 2% VWC Soil Moisture Golden Valley County Sept. 29 - Nov. 15 2011 45.00 40.00 35.00 30.00 25.00 20.00 15.00 10.00 5.00 Tall Stubble Moisture Medium Stubble Moisture Short Stubble Moisture Average 33 % VWC Average 37 % VWC Average 37 % VWC Soil Moisture Stutsman County Oct. 1 - Nov. 15 2011 Tall is Wettest 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Medium Stubble Moisture Average 26% VWC Chisel Plowed Moisture Average 31% VWC Soil Moisture Cass County Oct. 4 - Oct 22 2011 0.00 10/1/11 10/8/11 10/15/11 10/22/11 10/29/11 11/5/11 11/12/11 Short stubble Moisture Average 33% VWC Ridge Tilled Moisture Average 9% VWC Tall is Wettest Tall is Driest Ridge Till Is Driest
Equipment and Cost SolarStream Cellular Modem - $750 Cellular Service - $180/year Data Logger - $500 Sensors Temperature $100 Moisture $140 Wind $240 Rainfall $400
Depth Control Accurate and controllable methods of depth placement are more important in small-seeded crops because seeds usually are planted shallower than in larger-seeded crops. Influences Seedling Emergence and Yield Important Factors Independent Pressure Gauge Wheels Shank Linkage Castor Wheels
Depth Control WHEAT PLANTING DEPTH STUDY Jim Herbek, John James, and Dottie Call Dept. of Agronomy, Univ. of KY. 2001
Depth Control Effects of Skips on Wheat Yields Method: HOW PERFECT DO WHEAT STANDS NEED TO BE? Lloyd Murdock, Jim Herbek, John James, and Dottie Dept. of Agronomy, Univ. of KY. 2001 Plants removed to make skips Skips 6, 12, or 18 long Results: Length of Skip No Yield Effect No Yield Effect if: -10% Skip - all Varieties -20% Skip -Tillering Varieties
Varying Conditions No Openers Work as Well in Wet Soils Compacts Soil Buildup on Packer Wheels Glazed Furrow
Varying Conditions Flexible Frames Parallel Linkage Hydraulic Shanks
Soil Disturbance Disc Openers Cause Less Soil Disturbance More Residue on Surface Less Soil Temperature Change Less Soil Erosion Conserve Soil Moisture
Soil Disturbance Soil disturbance and fuel consumption for various types of openers Opener configuration Soil surface disturbance STIR* factor Fuel consumption to seed one acre (spacing in inches) % gallons/acre Double disc (7-10) 65 6.33 0.34 D disc separate fertilizer opener (7-12) 85 13.8 0.43 Double disc fluted coulters (7-10) 55 7.2 0.43 Double disc narrow offset 25 4.9 0.32 D disc very heavy direct seeding one pass 85 16.6 1.1 D disc very heavy direct /row cleaners 90 17.5 1.3 Hoe in heavy residue (10-15) 65 16.9 0.74 Hoe (6-12) 90 23.4 0.74 Inverted tee,.e.g., cross-slot (7-10) 15 1.9 0.40 Single disc (7-10) 15 2.4.035 S disc with separate fertilizer opener (7-10) 35 5.7.048
Precision Agriculture Implications one Section Control on Air Seeders
Summary Seed/Fertilizer Placement Depends on Seedbed Utilization Increase Yield with Optimum Fertilizer Placement 30 lb. Nitrogen with Wheat Seed Uniform Depth Not as Critical Crop Residue Standing Stubble Warms and Dries Earlier in Spring Bare Soil Warmer and Drier Stubble Height No Influence on Winter Soil Temperature Short Stubble Drier Spring and Fall
Summary Planting Depth 3 + Reduces Wheat Yield Depth Critical for Small-seeded Crops Effects of Skips on Yield -10% Skip ok with Wheat Soil Disturbance and Energy Consumption Hoe in heavy residue 65% Disturbance, 0.74 gal/acre Single disc 15% Disturbance, 0.35 gal/acre
Planting Technology Feeds the World Current World Population: 7,029,599,952 1804 1 billion 1850 1.2 billion 1900 1.6 billion 1927 2 billion 1950 2.55 billion 1955 2.8 billion 1960 3 billion 1965 3.3 billion 1970 3.7 billion 1975 4 billion 1980 4.5 billion 1985 4.85 billion 1987 5 billion 1990 5.3 billion 1995 5.7 billion 1999 6 billion 2000 6.1 billion 2005 6.45 billion 2010 6.8 billion 2011 7 billion
Questions - Comments Office 701-231-8213 Cell 701-261-9842 John.Nowatzki@ndsu.edu http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/agmachinery