A Slit-Plant Tillage System

ABSTRACT COMPACTED soil layers often restrict plant rooting depth, denying plants use of subsoil water and nutrients. A narrow vertical slit cut through a plow pan beneath the plant row promoted rapid downward root growth into the subsoil and increased soybean yield. Field tests of this concept and of a prototype slit-plant plow indicate that the development of a slit-plant farm implement is desirable. Cutting a slit through a plow pan requires less energy than subsoiling to the same depth.