Advances in residue management mechanisms of zero-tillage planters

The effectiveness of residue management mechanisms used in direct sowing systems has a significant effect on furrow opening and closing, and the uniformity of seeding depth. Inadequate residue management results in blockage of tine furrow openers with accumulated residues and hairpinning when disc furrow openers are used. Impaired seed-soil contact can result in poor germination, seedling emergence, crop establishment and consequently yield. These mechanisms are designed to chop residues ahead and along the planting path, push residues sideways (in-between furrow openers) ahead of furrow opening, clear the residues of the planting path (lifting and subsequent deposition after seed placement into the soil), burry residues in a strip ahead of the furrow opening or a combination of the above. This work reviews and compares the effectiveness of these mechanisms by examining their impact on surface and sub-surface residues, the control and uniformity of seeding depth, rate of seeder blockage, accuracy of seed spacing, seedling emergence, crop stand and yield, and fuel consumption and power requirement. Future research and development requirements are presented and discussed.