Effect of Timing of In-Row Subsoiling on Soil Properties, Cover Crop Production, and Cotton Production

摘要

Soil compaction is often treated in the Southeastern United States by using the conservation practice of annual in-row subsoiling. It is common to in-row subsoil immediately prior to planting, however, lack of adequate rainfall in the spring of the year can prevent timely tillage and planting events. It may be helpful to conduct in-row subsoiling during winter months when rainfall is plentiful. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of elapsed time between in-row subsoiling and planting on a highly compactable Coastal Plain soil. In-row subsoiling was conducted by two different subsoilers, a KMC and a Paratill, during winter months when time and rainfall was more readily available. Results from this 2 year study (which is continuing) indicated that reduced bulk density, reduced cone index, and slightly increased cash crop and cover crop yields resulted from in-row subsoiling immediately prior to planting.