East central Iowa, Camanche, Iowa | To me strip till is still in it's infancy as far as fertilizer reduction. From my three years strip tilling coc and chrisisu's experience and guidance it appears to me that there is a great opportunity for reducing fertilizer inputs by banding and increasing yields at the same time.
Two thing stick out in my mind and need further research to prove out my theory -
1) Carbon to nitrogen ratio similar to corn on beans reducing the competition for applied nitrogen making it more available to the crop. This is because the residue stays on top of the ground.
2) Nutrients in the undisturbed root mass. The more I learn about root exudate and it's function in converting mineral in to nutrient and how when the plant dies the fluid in the stalk drains down into the soil through the roots carrying whatever nutrients were in the leaves, stalk, etc......
Time and experience will tell. |
Beginner strip till question
