EFFECTS OF COULTER TREATMENTS ON SEED FURROW SMEARING AND EARLY CROP RESPONSE

Authors: IQBAL, MOHAMMAD - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY; MARLEY, STEPHEN - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY; Erbach, Donald; Kaspar, Thomas

Submitted to: American Society of Agricultural Engineers Meetings Papers
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/23/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Seed furrow sidewall smearing by planter double-disk openers in a clay loam soil was investigated in a replicated field experiment. Treatment variables were row cultivation (no coulter, single offset bubble coulter, triple offset fluted coulter), soil moisture content, and planting date. Corn was planted on three dates in three planting periods from April 29 to August 11. Evaluation parameters were soil bulk density, air permeability, cone index, emergence rate index and total emergence, and plant dry weight. Planting reduced the bulk density in the 0-100 mm soil layer. The triple coulter resulted in the lowest soil bulk density and the single coulter treatment had the highest bulk density. Air permeability measurements were quite variable. The triple coulter treatment frequently showed higher mean, but not significantly different, permeability values from those of the other coulter treatments. Total seedling emergence was not affected by planting dates or coulter treatments, but coulter treatments did affect emergence rate. Emergence rate was always lowest for the triple coulter and was usually highest for the single coulter treatment. Penetration resistance (cone index) was measured below the seed and in the seed furrow sidewall. Cone index was always highest for the single coulter and lowest for the triple coulter. Above ground plant dry matter weight sampled 42 days after planting was significantly lower for the triple coulter than for the single coulter and no coulter treatments.