ARS | Publication request: Tillage tool modifications for reducing the emission of windblown dust from agricultural soils

Submitted to: Columbia Plateau Wind Erosion Research Reports
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: January 30, 2009
Publication Date: February 28, 2009
Citation: Sharratt, B.S., Feng, G. 2009. Tillage tool modifications for reducing the emission of windblown dust from agricultural soils. Columbia Plateau Wind Erosion Research Reports.

Technical Abstract: Alternative tillage and cropping systems are sought for reducing dust emissions and improving air quality in the Pacific Northwest dryland cropping region. The purpose of this study was to modify the conventional rodweeder that would facilitate armoring of the soil surface with straw and large aggregates otherwise buried below the soil surface during summer fallow of a wheat-fallow rotation. Several modifications of the rodweeder were tested in the laboratory; these modifications included attaching a rake or plate-rake apparatus behind the rodweeder bar. These modifications largely resulted in pushing the soil ahead of the apparatus as opposed to sieving the soil through the rake or plate-rake apparatus. These modifications were tested on a conventional rodweeder in the field. Similar results were obtained – the modifications pushed the soil ahead of the apparatus without sieving the soil. Improvements to these modifications are required that will facilitate moving (through the use of rollers or moving components) the soil from the rodweeder bar to the rake where straw and large aggregates can be separated from the finer soil material during the rodweeding operation.