ProCrop 1999

EXPLORING DEEP TILLAGE NEEDS THIS FALL

Deep tillage can break up subsoil layers which impede root penetration. Studies over 10 years ago at NDSU showed that there was little benefit to deep tillage in the heavy clay soils of the valley following sugarbeet and potato, nor was there a benefit to these crops with deep tillage following small grains. Although deep tillage seems like it would be most useful in heavy valley soils, it may be the area of least benefit. Heavy valley soils crack when dry, expand when wet, and break apart rapidly under freezing and thawing. Nature usually prepares the soil adequately without intervention by deep tillage equipment. Some areas of the state have a high sodium content. Regardless of tillage, these soils become hard when dry and impermeable when wet. In other areas of North Dakota deep tillage may be more useful if the tillage is performed on dry soils. If tillage is performed on wet soils, the soils do not breakup and create slits within the soils that do not solve the compaction layer problems.

Back to Soils Menu
Back to Main ProCrop Index