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Procedures for Using the Revised & Simplified Cropland Roadside Transect Survey for Obtaining 2008 Tillage/Crop Residue Data

Provided by:
Conservation Technology Information Center
1808 Kalberer Rd. Suite J100
West Lafayette, IN 47906
www.conservationinformation.org

Tillage Definitions

Tillage Systems Definitions as featured in the National Crop Residue Management Survey:  The following set of definitions was established by CTIC and is recognized as a standard.  They are used nationwide by many government agencies and private industry.

Conservation Tillage systems include no-till, ridge-till and mulch-till:  Any tillage and planting system that covers 30 percent or more of the soil surface with crop residue, after planting, to reduce soil erosion by water. Where soil erosion by wind is the primary concern, any system that maintains at least 1,000 pounds per acre of flat, small grain residue equivalent on the surface throughout the critical wind erosion period.

No-till/strip-till.  The soil is left undisturbed from harvest to planting except for strips up to 1/3 of the row width (strips may involve only residue disturbance or may include soil disturbance). Planting or drilling is accomplished using disc openers, coulter(s), row cleaners, in-row chisels or rototillers. Weed control is accomplished primarily with crop protection products. Cultivation may be used for emergency weed control. Other common terms used to describe No-till include direct seeding, slot planting, zero-till, row-till, and slot-till.

No-till/strip-till

  • Less than 1/3 of row disturbed
  • Greater than 30% residue after planting
  • Crop protection products used for weed control

Ridge-till.  The soil is left undisturbed from harvest to planting except for strips up to 1/3 of the row width. Planting is completed on the ridge and usually involves the removal of the top of the ridge. Planting is completed with sweeps, disk openers, coulters, or row cleaners. Residue is left on the surface between ridges. Weed control is accomplished with crop protection products (frequently banded) and/or cultivation. Ridges are rebuilt during row cultivation.

Ridge-till

  • Less than 1/3 of row disturbed
  • Greater than 30% residue after planting
  • Top 1-2” of ridge removed at planting
  • Crop protection products are usually banded
  • Row cultivation is used for weed control and to rebuild ridges

Mulch-till.  Full-width tillage that involves one or more tillage trips, disturbs the entire soil surface and is done prior to and/or during planting. Tillage tools such as chisels, field cultivators, disks, sweeps or blades are used. Weed control is accomplished with crop protection products and/or cultivation.

Mulch-till

  • Entire field is tilled

  • Greater than 30% residue after planting

  • Usually one to 3 tillage trips

  • Chisel plow, disk, field cultivator, and combination tools are used

Other Tillage Types:

Reduced-till (15-30% residue):  Full-width tillage that involves one or more tillage trips, disturbs the entire soil surface and is performed prior to and/or during planting. There is 15-30 percent residue cover after planting or 500 to 1,000 pounds per acre of small grain residue equivalent throughout the critical wind erosion period. Weed control is accomplished with crop protection products and/or row cultivation.

Reduced-till

  • Entire field is tilled

  • 15 to 30% residue after planting

  • Usually one to 3 tillage trips (maybe more)

  • Chisel plow, disk, field cultivator, and combination tools are used

Conventional-till or intensive-till:  Full-width tillage that involves one or more tillage trips and disturbs the entire soil surface and is performed prior to and/or during planting. There is less than 15 percent residue cover after planting, or less than 500 pounds per acre of small grain residue equivalent throughout the critical wind erosion period. Generally involves plowing or intensive (numerous) tillage trips. Weed control is accomplished with crop protection products and/or row cultivation.

Conventional-till

  • Entire field is tilled

  • Less than 15% residue after planting

  • Usually two to as many as four or more tillage trips are used involving the moldboard plow, chisel plow, disk, field cultivator, or combination tools.

 

Appendix

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