As more growers take advantage of the benefits of conservation tillage, The Peanut Grower magazine brings you the first of three articles from the University of Georgia focusing on conservation tillage. This article explores the challenges growers face in changing from conventional to conservation tillage. Subsequent articles will examine weed management in conservation tillage and tillage systems and peanut insects. Implementing new farming practices creates risks. Changing from conventional to conservation tillage offers management challenges such as land selection, crop rotations, soil fertility and pest management. Decisions and adjustments require detailed work before planting the first peanut crop by conservation tillage methods. Preparing fields at least one year in advance can mean the difference between success and failure. Growing peanuts by any method should be a package approach planned to fit your particular farm and resources. Seek assistance from your county agent and Soil Conservation Service before implementing conservation tillage practices to reduce chances of failure and to ensure proper scheduling of production practices. In your planning phase, consider proper liming and fertilization programs, timing of spray application,proper calibration of equipment and pest management plans. Weed identification and mapping of fields are extremely important in selecting proper herbicides for a given situation. Weather causes the greatest risk in rowcropping today and affects crop yields regardless of the cropping system used. Weather patterns cannot be controlled, but the use of conservation tillage, in many situations, may help ensure better growing conditions and reduce: (1) soil erosion, (2) leaching of nutrients, (3) inadequate moisture at planting time, (4) drought stress of crops, (5) labor problems and (6) time. Timing of conservation tillage practices is sometimes more critical than with conventionally tilled peanuts because of the need to activate pre-plant herbicides. Theadvantages of conservation tillage are: (1) reduction of soil erosion, (2) energy conservation, (3) less soil compaction, (4) improved timing of crop planting and establishment, and (5) reduced machinery investment and labor costs. To use conservation tillage, a producer must evaluate their own set of conditions: soil types, crop rotations, managerial abilities and other resources.
展开▼
