Comparative performance of six planter attachments in two residue management corn production systems

Abstract

Field performance of six combinations of planter attachments on a conventional row-crop planter in two residue management corn production systems was evaluated. The management systems consisted of baled-out residue plots worked by a single pass of disc harrow (RMS1) or untouched residue plots worked by a single pass of chisel plow followed by a disc harrow (RMS2); both systems were planted by a row crop planter with one out of six attachments. Results revealed that both systems fell within residue cover limits defined for conservation farming. The winged chisel furrow opener preceded by a row cleaner equipped with treader wheels (WCRT) arrangement removed appreciable amounts of residues on the row for both systems, but more residues were removed for RMS2 plots. The WCRT pushed almost double amount of residue aside. In spite of higher initial residue in RMS2, chisel plowing and subsequent disc harrowing reduced more residues paving the way for planting in a more seeding depth. Higher percentage of emergence rate index was noticed for RMS2 plots. For both systems, the WCRT and chisel furrow opener preceded by a row cleaner (CR) showed the maximum and minimum quality of feed index, respectively. However this index was higher for RMS2 plots. The WCRT and CR arrangements had the minimum and the maximum multiple index values, respectively. However this index decreased significantly in RMS2 plots compared to RMS1 plots. The RMS2 treatments showed lower values of precision index, which is favorable. The results suggest that adoption of WCRT to planters in soil prepared under RMS2 is useful for a satisfactory conservation crop production system.