Breaking the Surface on Strip-till Feasibility in Randolph County
Applied Research
Blake Szilvay
Extension Agent
NC Cooperative Extension
Asheboro
Abstract
Long term no-till practices have left producers competing with compaction on the heavy clay soils commonly found in Randolph County, NC. One producer in particular was interested in adding strip-tillage into his production practices. The equipment needed to make this transition is expensive, and there is not a lot of data to suggest it would be economically justifiable. We identified a field that had a hardpan from 2 inches to 8 inches below the soil and has been in no-till for over 20 years.
The study’s objective is to determine if the added costs of purchasing and using a strip-till implement is economically justifiable based on the potential impact on yield as compared to a no-till system.
A replicated strip trial was designed with two treatments, planting using a no-till planter and planting with the same no-till planter into the strip-tilled rows. The strip-till implement used was an Unverferth 332 Ripper-Stripper.
No statistically significant yield benefits were observed from the strip-till treatment as compared to the no-till treatment. The plants in the strip-till treatments were visibly taller and had deeper roots early in the season.
While strip-tillage seemed to increase the health of the crop early season, it did not result in a yield benefit at harvest and therefore couldn’t be economically justified based on this trial.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Blake Szilvay
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Szilvay, B. Extension Agent, N.C. Cooperative Extension, North Carolina, 27203