The farmer or a producer who intends to do strip tilling should have knowledge on the best implement to buy and how to use it appropriately before engaging in strip-tilling. If these points are not taken into consideration the producer might end up picking up the wrong tool or machinery for the work intended to be done. It is necessary for the produce to keep in mind or note that rainfall amount differs with the soil type of a particular area especially in rainy season. The tools used for tilling the type of the soil are also different and most of them works differently therefore it is upon the producer to understand how it works best in tilling soil. This will give the producer an opportunity to choose the best machinery for strip-tilling since there are several varieties that can be picked from the majority of machinery available in the market. The following are some of the reasons that we have discussed below to assist the producer on soil tilling and the matching tool used in tilling.

1. Till-aging wet soil to dry it out

This is mainly practiced on wet soil and its main reason is to aerate the soil as it can consumes approximately 30 hp per row with about 6-8 inches deep by 6-8 wide during tillage. Producers’ uses strip till in drying out the excess water that is in the soil but ensuring that the soil retains its nutrients. Excess water can lower the crop productivity at times that’s the reason why it should be dried up. Soil structure can be destructed by tillage to dry it and this can lead to low crop productivity to the producer. The excess soil moisture can also be reduced by growing a cover crop to cover the soil and absorb excess water in the soil. This is an alternative method to use if the producer wishes to have it done in a different way instead of still-strip.

2. Removing residue by warming up cold soils

This requires only around 10 hp per row and its tillage is shallow since it takes away the residue in soil. It is equivalent to drying the soil because there is need to provide heat to the soil. The heat introduced in soil separates soil and water by removing the moisture that is in the soil. The soil is structured in a way that its surface can infiltrate hence it can also warm up itself without strip-tilling. This natural strip-till normally occurs in summer since the heat produced by the sun cools the soil and increase the rate of evaporation of water in the soil. Soil in sloppy area normally increases the soil erosion because water flows on tilled land and sweeps away the nutrients that are on top of the soil.

3. The Placement of fertilizer in the soil

With the application of strip-till, fertilizers are not applied frequently but they can only be applied as a substitute when the crops are showing up the signs of being supplemented with fertilizer. The crops can show a rare characteristic indicating that they lack certain nutrients like nitrogen. The soil nutrients are supposed to be available all time in the soil for the sustainability of the crops. Some crops like soybeans, wheat and corn when grown at the correct time are capable of absorbing nutrients and water that is available in the soil. Planting seeds can provide adequate nutrients in tillage therefore it is highly encouraged to plant seeds that will enhance the soil fertility and improving the necessary soil nutrients. Applying fertilizer can also be done with the aim of fixing nitrogen in the soil. The fertilizer can be applied by situating it below the surface soil for better results to be noticed in the crops that have been planted by the producer.

4. Relieving soil compaction

The soil compaction can be relieved by strip-till or alternatively by planting crops during period of tillage. The process requires about 40 horsepower to 50 hp and can even go as far as 90hp in circumstances where the tillage pan is deeper. After this process is complete, the machine can be relieved and allocated some time to rest once it has done pan because it will take some time again before its services are required once again in the long run. Strip-tilling can also easily deform the original structure of the soil and reforms the compaction layer of the soil during the process of strip tillage. At times it is not really necessary to do tilling when the roots of plants are deep down the soil especially in situation where they don’t affect the fertility of the soil. This is because the soil nutrient is still intact and the roots do not interfere with the top soil and its nutrients.

5. Strip-till can increase the crop productivity and soil nutrient

Majority of the producers who are practicing strip-tilling have managed to increase their productivity by harvesting more crops after the season. They do not need to spend more time on strip- till once they have done it well as per requirements. Moreover their crops automatically grow quickly once they have been planted along the strip as required. In the long run, this will keep on boosting their crops and productivity after harvesting. The producers are normally assured of marvelous rewards after harvesting because the product is increased in high numbers giving them back more than what they have initially spend in the process of strip-tilling.