NLP Stubble Project
"Scratch-tillage"
22nd December 2005
Scratch-tillage is becoming quite a popular method of incorporating crop residues, as long as it is done soon after harvest. Evidence from the UK suggests that ‘for direct drilling to be successful, the crop residue needs to remain on the soil surface, or in the top 5cm, with seed sown into undisturbed soil beneath the residue’. Where such practice is taken place, the addition of the Cambridge roller is recommended to reconsolidate the soil and aid in initiation of crop residue decomposition.
SFS will again be using two scratch-till machines in the early 2006 over two of the stubble retention sites. If you have interest in trialing such a machine on your property, contact myself for further details.
Regards,
Rohan Wardle
Research and Extension Agronomist
