Cody Casey
Plow pans, also known as hardpans, are dense layers of soil that are largely impervious to water. They are often caused by the movement of fine particles from the topsoil to the subsoil and direct pressure from agricultural machinery. This results in reduced water supply to the lower layers and negative effects on root growth, leading to decreased crop yields. To fix a 3-inch deep plow pan, one can employ mechanical methods such as using a subsoiler, a chisel plow, or a broadfork to break up the compacted soil. Additionally, soil amendments like increasing organic matter content and adjusting soil pH can help alleviate the issue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plow pan prevention | Vary the depth of ploughing from year to year |
| Plow pan disruption methods | Chisel plow, subsoiler, deep ripper, no-till, cover crops, broadfork, spade, soil amendments (manure, compost, peat, lime, gypsum) |
| Plow pan effects | Poor drainage, crop drowning, reduced root growth, reduced yield |
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What You'll Learn
Use a subsoiler to break up the plow pan
A subsoiler is a very strong tine with two or more fitted on a toolbar that can be drawn through the soil and subsoil to break pans and produce a heaving and cracking effect. Subsoilers do not invert or turn the soil like a mouldboard plough used to prepare the field for planting. Instead, they are heavy-duty steel shanks tipped with blades that drive deep into the soil and are pulled along to break the hardpan below the surface.
The best time to check for hardpans is when the soil is not extremely wet or dry. Insert a probe at various locations across the food plot. As the probe is inserted, the force required to move it through the soil should remain the same unless a hardpan is reached. Upon hitting a hardpan, it will take much more effort to push the probe.
Subsoilers are typically mounted on a compact utility tractor and will reach depths of about 30 cm (12 inches) with a single thin blade with a sharpened tip. The shanks should be inclined to the vertical at an angle greater than 25-30 degrees, preferably 45 degrees, and the height should be adjustable. The points of the shanks are about 30 cm (12 inches) wide and should be easy to replace. The bottom cutting tip can be narrow, 25–50 mm, or a low-angle sweep or foot can be attached. The sweep loosens a greater volume of soil with only a small increase in the required pulling force or draft.
Subsoilers cause significant soil drag and require a tractor or dozer with at least a 50-horsepower engine. A good rule of thumb is 10 to 15 additional horsepower is required per shank than when using a chisel plough. Subsoiling is a slow operation and requires high power input: 60 to 100 horsepower (45 to 75 kW) to pull a single subsoil point through hard soil.
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Try no-till farming
Plowing and disking a field can result in a soil structure that lies atop a heavily compressed plow pan. This broken-up soil is very prone to being compacted by rainfall. One way to address this issue is by adopting no-till farming methods.
No-till farming, also known as zero tillage or direct drilling, is a technique where crops are grown without disturbing the soil through tillage. This method has gained traction worldwide, with South America having the highest adoption of no-till farming globally as of 2014.
No-till farming offers several benefits. Firstly, it improves water retention by allowing water from natural precipitation and irrigation to infiltrate the soil more effectively. This is due to the presence of crop residues, which limit evaporation and conserve water. Secondly, no-till farming reduces soil erosion, especially in sandy and dry soils on sloping terrain. By minimizing tillage, farmers can retain valuable nutrients in the field, reducing nutrient loss and improving soil fertility.
Additionally, no-till farming can lead to economic benefits. Farmers can save money on fuel costs and labor expenses, as well as eventually reduce fertilizer usage. While there may be trade-offs and adjustments required when transitioning to no-till practices, the long-term benefits can be significant.
To implement no-till farming, farmers can utilize cover crops, such as annual ryegrass, which can break through the plow pan and put down deep roots. This allows the roots of subsequent crops to follow these root paths and access deeper moisture and nutrients. No-till farmers can also distribute crop residues evenly across the field during harvesting, providing a valuable base of cover that aids in erosion control and the uniform breakdown of nutrients and organic matter.
If you're considering transitioning to no-till farming, it's important to have a strong plan in place and seek guidance from experts. Some USDA service centers provide no-till equipment rentals and resources to support farmers in adopting more sustainable practices.
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Avoid deep ploughing
Deep ploughing is an agricultural practice that involves digging the soil to a significant depth, usually exceeding 12 inches, to control weed growth by reducing the density of buried weed seeds. While it can be beneficial in certain situations, such as improving drainage and increasing crop yields, there are several reasons to avoid deep ploughing:
Soil Disturbance and Quality
Deep ploughing can bring up poorly weathered subsoil, which can make the soil sticky and difficult to work with for a few years. It can also expose buried weed seeds, which may spoil subsequent crops. Additionally, in some cases, deep ploughing may lead to the discovery of solid rock, rendering the land unsuitable for cultivation.
Erosion and Environmental Impact
Human activities, including deep ploughing, have contributed to erosion processes. Deep ploughing can accelerate wind and water erosion, leading to increased flood frequency and displaced sediment. This can have significant environmental consequences, including disrupting natural flooding patterns and increasing the risk of flooding.
Alternate Weed Management
Weed management can be achieved through other means, such as rotational ploughing, where a heavy burden of grass weed seeds is ploughed under, and the plough is not used again for 3-5 years until most of the buried seeds are no longer viable. This method helps avoid the potential negative consequences of deep ploughing while still effectively managing weeds.
Soil Conservation
Soil conservation techniques, such as vertical mulching, can be employed to improve rainwater infiltration and moisture retention without resorting to deep ploughing. Vertical mulching involves planting sorghum stalks in trenches, enhancing rainwater penetration and reducing the need for deep ploughing.
Site-Specific Considerations
Deep ploughing may not be suitable for all soil types and conditions. For example, in aridisols, off-season cultivation is discouraged as it accelerates wind erosion. Additionally, deep ploughing in certain soils, such as sands and sandy loams, may have reduced effectiveness compared to heavier soils.
By avoiding deep ploughing, farmers can maintain soil health, prevent erosion, and effectively manage weeds through alternative methods. It is important to consider the specific soil characteristics and environmental factors when deciding whether to undertake deep ploughing or opt for alternative practices.
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Use a chisel plow
Chisel ploughing is a method of tillage that uses a heavy-duty cultivator with special spring or fixed tines. Unlike a traditional plough, chisel ploughing does not move or invert all the soil. Instead, it is equipped with narrow, double-ended shovels, or chisel points, mounted on long shanks that rip through the soil and stir it.
Chisel ploughs were developed in the 1930s as an alternative to conventional "moldboard ploughs", which left a flat surface with little crop residue to hold the soil in place. This flat surface allowed heavy rains to wash away valuable topsoil, and the soil below the working depth would become compacted, forming a "plow pan".
Chisel ploughs, on the other hand, leave grooves or furrows on the surface, which helps to limit water flow and prevent erosion. The furrows also allow water to soak into the soil, improving drainage and helping the land to retain moisture. Chisel ploughs are typically operated at a depth of 10 to 15 inches, deeper than a normal plough.
Chisel ploughing can be an effective way to disrupt and break up plow pans. In one study, when a plow pan was disrupted by chisel ploughing at the beginning of a crop sequence, yields increased by 36%.
When using a chisel plow to break up a plow pan, it is important to consider the soil type and ensure that the tractor is properly ballasted to handle the heavy drawbar load of the plow.
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Improve soil drainage
Improving soil drainage can be done in several ways. Firstly, it is important to understand that the chemical, physical, and biological qualities of soil are interconnected. Soil compaction, for example, reduces root growth and plant nutrient uptake, as well as decreases biological activity due to reduced oxygen levels and limited space for soil organisms. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid soil compaction by minimizing walking or driving on the soil and never working on wet soil.
To improve soil drainage, one effective method is to physically break up the plow pan or hardpan using tools such as a subsoiler, ripper, or paraplow. These tools can penetrate deep into the soil, breaking up the compacted layers that impede water movement and root growth. However, deep tillage should be approached with caution, as it may bring up poor subsoil or gravel, affecting soil quality and drainage. Varying the depth of ploughing from year to year can also help prevent the formation of a plow pan.
Another approach to improving soil drainage is to add organic matter, such as compost, to the soil. This improves soil structure by increasing soil aggregation, creating pore spaces that enhance water and air movement. Cover crops, such as daikon, dandelion, sweet clover, hairy vetch, buckwheat, and spring oats, are also beneficial for improving drainage. Their roots help break apart compacted soils, and they increase organic matter in the soil. Additionally, earthworms and other soil organisms can aid in improving soil structure and drainage.
Sheet mulching is another slow but effective method for improving drainage in clay soils. This involves covering the soil with mulch, such as old hay, wood chips, or leaves, and planting seed potatoes. The potatoes help break down clay, and the mulch adds organic matter to the soil. For larger areas, inoculating the soil with a variety of microbes and fungal spores can boost diversity and speed up soil improvement.
Lastly, it is important to test your soil to understand its characteristics, such as pH, nutrient levels, and organic matter content. This information can guide specific actions to improve drainage and overall soil health.
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Frequently asked questions
A plow pan, also known as a hard pan, is a dense layer of soil that is largely impervious to water. It is usually found below the uppermost topsoil layer and can impede water and root penetration.
A plow pan forms when fine particles from the topsoil move to the subsoil and fuse together. This can be caused by long-term tillage, direct pressure from agricultural machinery, heavy traffic, or pollution.
You can break up a plow pan by mechanical means such as digging or plowing, or through the use of soil amendments. A chisel plow or a subsoiler can be used to disrupt the plow pan. The subsoiler has strong tines that are drawn through the soil and subsoil to produce a heaving and cracking effect.
Breaking up a plow pan will improve drainage and allow crops to access water. It will also promote the proliferation of earthworms and improve soil structure.
To prevent the formation of a plow pan, it is recommended to vary the depth of ploughing from year to year. Additionally, cover crops can help break up plow pans and improve soil health.
