No-Till: Making It Work
Soil Management

Like each component of the no-till system, soils are important. They are the foundation of any cropping system. However, they can be very complex, which can make them difficult to manage. It is essential to understand soils to manage them effectively.

Some soil properties are inherent, such as texture, drainage and slope, and are not readily altered by cropping and tillage practices. Poor drainage could limit no-till success on a field. Soil texture will influence planter setup.

Other features are very much affected by cultural practices, such as soil structure, organic matter content, soil moisture, and the ecology of soil life. Such features must be considered before getting into no-till. And no-till will usually improve these features over time.

In general, no-till is more easily adapted to some soil conditions than others. However, in challenging soils - rehabilitating soil management practices, equipment modifications or with time - no-till can be made to work. The key, according to most producers, is listening to the experience of no-tillers on similar soil.

Before converting a field to no-till:

• Make sure the field is level, i.e., no strikeouts or dead furrows.
• Also pick stones, since they will not be moved aside easily by planting equipment.

No-Till Soil Structure on Sands and Clays

The top layer is very active biologically and produces relatively stable aggregates. However, these break down easily with coulter action to create a fine seedbed. Take a look under the residue cover and compare the soil surface to exposed soil.

Below the surface, soils with a coarse to medium texture (left diagram) will take on a platy appearance, while clay soils (right diagram) will have a thin granular layer over small- to medium-sized blocky aggregates. Over time, the clay will develop a definite structure and the aggregates will be easy to break apart with your fingers.

The structure illustrated here takes time to develop and may be subtle.

Soil Changes with Time

After three or more years in no-till, a previously degraded loamy soil will begin to show signs of life. With the absence of tillage and increase in organic matter, earthworm numbers increase dramatically. Surface seedbed changes from a weak, medium blocky structure to a stronger, fine granular structure. Below this layer, soils may form a thicker layer with a platy structure.

After 10 or more years, the soil is nearly rehabilitated. Increases in soil organic matter and earthworm activity help form a thicker and more stable fine-surface seedbed structure. Subsurface platy structures are broken up by combined action of crop root penetration, earthworm channeling and frost action. Long-term no-till soils begin to look like soils found in extensive pastures and woodlands.

Available in Published Version of No-till

• Principles
  • No-till effects on soil properties - chart
• When to Plant
  • Feel testing soil - is it ready to plant, yet? - chart
• Troubleshooting
  • Soil problems, causes, and best management tips - chart
  
  

  | Introduction | Soil Management | Residue Management | Planting Equipment | Weed Control |
  | Insect Management | Disease Management | Nutrient Management | Crop Rotation |
  | Cover Crops | Varietal Selection | Case Studies | Table of Contents |

   

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