View source for Strip-till

{{Short description|Soil conservation technique}}
'''Strip-till''' is a conservation system that uses a [[minimum tillage]]. It combines the soil drying and warming benefits of conventional tillage with the soil-protecting advantages of [[No-till farming|no-till]] by disturbing only the portion of the soil that is to contain the seed row.<ref name=colostate>{{cite web|last=Brown|first=Eric|title=Conservation Tillage Field Day at ARDEC |url=http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/water/news-cons-tillage.html|publisher=Colorado State University Extension|access-date=9 November 2013}}</ref> This type of tillage is performed with special equipment<ref>{{cite web|title=CONSERVATION PRACTICE DEFINITIONS AND THEIR CORRESPONDING POTENTIAL TO ADVERSELY IMPACT CULTURAL RESOURCES |url=http://efotg.nrcs.usda.gov/references/public/TN/PracticeDecisionWorksheet(matrix).pdf|work=Natural Resources Conservation Service |publisher=U.S. Department of Agriculture|access-date=9 November 2013|pages=11}}</ref> and can require the farmer to make multiple trips,<ref name=colostate /> depending on the strip-till implement used, and field conditions. Each row that has been strip-tilled is usually about eight to ten inches wide.<ref name=colostate />
[[File:Strip-till 2011 09 07 1709.jpg|thumb|right|A strip-till demonstration]]
[[File:Cotton Production in the North Carolina Coastal Plain.jpg|thumb|right|A field planted using strip-till. Notice the crop residue of prior crop between the growing crop rows.]]
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Strip tillage.jpg|thumb|right|One of multiple variations of strip tillage equipment]] -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Strip till rig.jpg|thumb|right|Strip tillage rig example.]] -->
==Differences in the equipment used==
No-till planters have a disk opener and/or [[Coulter (agriculture)]] that is located in front of the planting unit.<ref name=OK_Extension>{{cite web |title=No-Till Cropping Systems in Oklahoma|url=http://www.extension.org/sites/default/files/Overview%20of%20No-tillage%20Oklahoma.pdf |publisher=Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service|access-date=9 November 2013}}</ref> This coulter is designed to cut through crop residue and into the hard crust of the soil.<ref name=OK_Extension /> After the coulter has broken through the residue and crust, the disk opener of the planting unit slices the soil and the seed is dropped into the furrow that has been created and then a press wheel closes the furrow.<ref name=OK_Extension />
With strip-tillage systems more precision is needed. At the same time the field is strip-tilled, the fertilizer or chemical may be applied. If the meter of the chemical or fertilizer applicator is off slightly, an accurate rate may not be applied. This could result in increased expenses or reduction of the efficacy of the fertilizer or chemical program.
[[File:Strip-till demonstration through SoilWarrior.jpg|thumb|The SoilWarrior machine is used for strip-tillage. Instead of using a shank/knife, the machine uses a cog to till the soil into strips.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Environmental Tillage Systems {{!}} SoilWarrior & Tilling Equipment |url=https://www.soilwarrior.com/ |access-date=2022-06-03 |website=www.soilwarrior.com |language=en}}</ref>]]
==Effects on the soils properties==
Strip tillage has some similarities with [[no-till]] systems because the surface is protected with residue. However, strip-till also has a similar effect on soil properties as conventional tillage systems because the farmer still breaks the soil's crust which allows aerobic conditions to speed the decay of organic matter. A two-year study found that strip-till did not affect the amount of soil organic carbon or its extractable phosphorus.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kingery |first=W.L. |last2=Wood |first2=C.W. |last3=Williams |first3=J.C. |date=1996 |title=Tillage and amendment effects on soil carbon and nitrogen mineralization and phosphorus release |url=https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0167-1987%2896%2901009-4 |journal=Soil and Tillage Research |volume=37 |issue=4 |pages=239–250<!-- ; page 7, paragraph 3.1 of the non–archive --> |bibcode=1996STilR..37..239K |doi=10.1016/0167-1987(96)01009-4}}</ref>
When oxygen is introduced into the soil via tillage, the decomposition of [[organic matter]] is accelerated. [[Carbon]], [[nitrogen]], and [[phosphorus]] were all near the surface in the no-till system and providing poorer root access to nutrients than on reduced till, and conventional till systems in an Australian study.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Soil and Tillage Research |title=No-till effects on organic matter, pH, cation exchange capacity and nutrient distribution in a Luvisol in the semi-arid subtropics |author=Thomas, G.A |author2=R.C. Dalal |author3=J. Standley |volume=94 |issue=2 |pages=295–304 |date=June 2007 |doi=10.1016/j.still.2006.08.005|bibcode=2007STilR..94..295T }} [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01671987/94/2 Alt URL]</ref>
==Impacts on productivity==
In one study, yields were higher in the strip-tilled area than in the area where no-till was practiced. In a low phosphorus site, yield was 43.5 bushels/acre (2,925.5 kg/hectare) in strip-till compared to 41.5 bu/a (2,791 kg/ha) in a no-till system.<ref>{{cite periodical |url=http://www.ipni.net/publication/bettercrops.nsf/0/A8D93AB3DE9EADEF85257980007AA9FB/$FILE/Better%20Crops%202001-4%20(lo%20res).pdf |author=Randall, G.W. |author2=Vetsch, J.A. |author3=Murrel, T.S. |title=Soybean Response to Residual Phosphorus for Various Placements and Tillage Practices |periodical=Better Crops with Plant Food |volume=85 |issue=4 |page=12 |date=2001}}</ref> Yield is comparable to that of [[Tillage#Intensive tillage|intensive tillage systems]] — without the cost.<ref>{{cite web|title=Best Management Practices for Conservation/Reduced Tillage |url=http://publications.tamu.edu/WHEAT/PUB_wheat_Best%20Management%20Practices%20for%20Conservation%20Tillage.pdf|publisher=Texas Cooperative Extension, The Texas A&M University System}}</ref>
==Benefits of Strip till==
Strip till warms the soil,<ref name=STC>{{cite web|title=Strip-till Considerations in Oklahoma |url=http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-5035/PSS-2134web.pdf|website=pods.dasnr.okstate.edu|publisher=Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service|access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref> it allows an aerobic condition, and it allows for a better seedbed than no-till. Strip-till allows the soil's nutrients to be better adapted to the plant's needs, while still giving residue cover to the soil between the rows.<ref name=STC/> The system will still allow for some soil water contact that could cause erosion, however, the amount of erosion on a strip-tilled field would be light compared to the amount of erosion on an intensively tilled field.  Furthermore, when [[liquid fertilizer]] is being applied, it can be directly applied in these rows where the seed is being planted,<ref name="STC p2">{{cite web|title=Strip-till Considerations in Oklahoma|url=http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-5035/PSS-2134web.pdf |work=pods.dasnr.okstate.edu|publisher=Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service|page=2|access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref> reducing the amount of fertilizer needed while improving proximity of the fertilizer to the roots. Compared to intensive tillage, strip tillage saves considerable time and money.<ref>{{cite web|title=Conservation Tillage Systems |url=http://agecon.okstate.edu/isct/labranza/jasa/tillagesys.doc|work=agecon.okstate.edu|publisher=University of Nebraska|access-date=8 July 2013|author=Paul J. Jasa|page=Last page, table 2 and 3}}</ref> Strip tillage can reduce the amount of trips through a field down to two or possibly one trip when using a strip till implement combined with other machinery such as a planter, fertilizer spreader, and chemical sprayer. This can save the farmer a considerable amount of time and fuel, while reducing soil compaction due to few passes in a field.  With the use of [[GPS]]-guided tractors, this [[precision farming]] can increase overall yields.<ref name="STC p3">{{cite web |title=Strip-till Considerations in Oklahoma|url=http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-5035/PSS-2134web.pdf |work=pods.dasnr.okstate.edu|page=3|publisher=Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service|access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref>  Strip-till conserves more soil moisture compared to intensive tillage systems. However, compared to no-till, strip-till may  in some cases reduce soil moisture.<ref name="STC pp1-2">{{cite web|title=Strip-till Considerations in Oklahoma |url=http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-5035/PSS-2134web.pdf|work=pods.dasnr.okstate.edu|pages=1–2|publisher=Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service|access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref>
==Challenges of both Strip-till and No-till systems==
In reduced tillage strategies, weed suppression can be difficult. In place of cultivation, a farmer can suppress weeds by managing a [[cover crop]], mowing, crimping, or herbicide application.<ref>{{cite web|title=Indiana Job Sheet (340)|edition=ver. 1.3 |url=http://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/IN/340_Job_Sheet.docx|publisher=U.S. Department of Agriculture|access-date=9 November 2013 |location=Section with the heading "Operation and Maintenance" and "Termination"|format=docx|date=October 2011 }}</ref> The purchase of mowing and crimping implements may represent an unjustifiable expenditure. Additionally, finding an appropriate cover crop mix for adequate weed suppression may be difficult. Also, without mowing or crimping implements it may not be possible to achieve a kill on the cover crop. If mowing, crimping, and suppression with a cover crop mixture fail, herbicides can be applied. However, this may represent an increase in total farm expenses due to herbicides being used in place of cultivation for weed suppression.
There are some disadvantages specific to strip-till systems. Some farmers may not be able to strip-till if there is an early freeze. Though strip tillage can be successful without a global position system (GPS) based guidance, it can be beneficial.<ref name="STC p2"/> Lastly, strip-till systems requires a high-horsepower tractor; however, the energy requirement is less than with conventional tillage systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wrc.umn.edu/prod/groups/cfans/%40pub/%40cfans/%40wrc/documents/asset/cfans_asset_123091.pdf |title=Strip-Tillage Option for Continuous Corn |publisher=ISU}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Strip Till for Field Crop Production |url=http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ageng/machine/ae1370.pdf |publisher=North Dakota State University}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[Tillage#Conservation tillage|Conservation tillage]]
* [[Conservation Agriculture]]
* [[No-till farming]]
* [[Tillage erosion]]
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
==Further reading==
*Brady, N.C., and Ra.R. Weil. [https://books.google.com/books?id=oe-pAAAACAAJ&dq=nature+and+properties+of+soils+brady+weil&ei=6PtWR_KTAo7wpwLt0L3MDw The Nature and Properties of Soils]. 13th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2002.
* Petersen, Mike. [http://precisiontillage.com/2011/05/12/why-every-row-crop-farmer-should-striptill/ "Why Every Row Crop Farmer Should Strip Till"] May 2011.
==External links==
*[https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=205271789196293528914.0004a136bd0aaef2e418f&z=5 Map of public-private strip-till research locations with outreach to the public.] Maps.Google.com
*[http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/bookstore/pubs/MF2661.pdf Considering Strip-tillage] ksre.ksu.edu, October 2004.
*[http://www.agprofessional.com/resource-centers/strip-tillage/what-strip-till What is Strip Till] Orthman
*[http://www.striptillfarmer.com StripTillFarmer.com] A Source For Strip-Till Practices and Equipment, April 2008.
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[[Category:Agricultural soil science]]
[[Category:Agronomy]]
[[Category:Sustainable agriculture]]