Competency Area 3: Tillage Systems
PO 12. Know advantages and limitations of spring tillage.
The major problem with spring tillage is that soils can typically be too wet for optimum tillage conditions and time is a major constraint in the spring for planting the crop in a timely manner. Also, secondary spring tillage operations leave the soil surface more susceptible to crusting formation. The advantage of spring tillage is that it loosens the soil and leaves the seedbed in excellent physical condition for a 1-2 month period. Also, compared to fall tillage, the soil is only exposed for about a 6-week period before the crop fills in so the erosion potential is less with spring tillage. See also Performance Objective 11.
Quick Links
- Competency Area 1: Crop Adaptation
- Competency Area 2: Crop Staging, Growth, and Development
- Competency Area 3: Tillage Systems
- Competency Area 4: Seeding Factors
- Competency Area 5: Seeding Rates and Row Spacing
- Competency Area 6: Considerations in Replanting Decisions
- Competency Area 7: Forage Harvesting Factors
- Competency Area 8: Cropping Systems