Tillage and CultivationUnit 1.2 | 17- Common tillage sequences used in small-scale mechanized farming systems (spring to fall)
a) Primary tillage: Incorporation of cover crop residue in spring
i. Mowing (flail or rotary)
ii. Apply compost with manure spreader prior to residue incorporation, if necessary
iii. Incorporate cover crop residue and compost with spader or off-set wheel disc
iv. Rototill or disc field to improve surface uniformity following residue breakdown
b) Secondary tillage: Seedbed establishment
i. Form beds with lister bar and shovels or rolling cultivator
ii. Shape bed with bed shaper
c) Bed formation and planting
i. Plant beds with seeder, transplanter, or by hand
d) Cultivate planted beds with sweeps, knives, or rolling cultivator at timely intervals to
minimize weed pressure
e) Incorporation of crop residue for cover cropping or fall crop planting
i. Mow crop residue
ii. Incorporate crop residue
iii. Chisel or subsoil, if necessary
iv. Plant cover crops
iv. Disc and roll
v. Reshape and plant beds for fall cropping
Students’ Lecture Outline