Tag Archives: wet soil

Seeing is Believing: See Why It’s So Important to Avoid Wet Soils!

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After being cooped up for the better part of the past month, I’m as eager as any farmer is for the spring planting season to begin. Cold and wet weather in April has delayed planting, but we must remember that all of this moisture helped recharge the soil – and farmland across the Midwest desperately needed that!

The hardest part is going to be waiting to enter fields once the skies clear. Clear skies and sunshine don’t necessary mean that conditions are fit for planting. That’s why today I want to take a few minutes to remind you that it’s “worth the wait” to let fields dry before doing any work.

You’ll cause yourself headaches – and your crop problems – throughout the growing season if you try to plant in unfit conditions. The top 10 reasons to avoid soil compaction include, but are not limited to,: stunted plant growth; slow infiltration of water and/or ponding; high surface runoff and soil erosion under normal or light rainfall; poor root system establishment; and nutrient deficiency.

Compacted fields may experience yield losses of 10% to 20%, according to Iowa State University researchers.

It literally pays to understand and manage soil compaction. The #1 way to avoid soil compaction now is to wait for the fields to dry. In a video I made this week, you’ll see how to use a quick field test to check the soil moisture. You just mold a length of soil between your index finger and thumb, or roll it into a ball in your hand. Observe whether the soil breaks apart as you work it. If you toss the ball of soil into the air and it shatters or cracks upon falling to the ground, then conditions are likely suitable for tillage or planting.

For additional tips on how and why to avoid soil compaction, take a few minutes to read these related posts:

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From the FieldCauses of Uneven Stands, Part 1

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Submitted by John Toft
CCA, Tekamah, Nebraska

It’s important to examine the cause of uneven corn to avoid the situation in the future, if possible. Some common reasons for uneven corn may be a result of: the planting trip; varying planting depths due to excessive planter speed over rough soil or residue; planting in soils that are too wet; shallow planting depth; excessive planting depth; failure to close the furrow; or worn planter parts.

To help provide “picket fence stands,” make planting and planter adjustments. It’s important to match the planter speed to field conditions and to avoid planting seeds in extremely poor soil conditions.

Photo of root development on corn plant enduring sidewall compaction after being planted in wet soils.

Planting in soils that are too wet can lead to sidewall compaction. This spring I saw where two sidewalls compacted, causing the plant to come out of the ground in two halves. The under-developed root systems resulting from the compaction are often confined in a flat plane within the furrow trench. Planting in too wet of soil, especially with coulters, allows sticky soil to build up on gauge wheels resulting in planting depth differences.

Shallow planting places seed in differing soil moisture levels and can potentially delay emergence dates. Shallow planting also can lead to a shallow secondary root system. “Rootless corn” may result, or plant development may be greatly delayed compared to neighboring plants. Excessive planting depth, especially in challenging environment seasons, can result in uneven emergence, too. However, I have far greater problems over the years with planting too shallow than I have with planting too deep.

Failure to close the furrow is usually caused by poor soil conditions, improper closing wheels for field conditions, incorrect down pressure, or planting in sod. Worn or improperly adjusted planter parts can cause or aggravate all the previously mentioned problems.

Although the 2011 planting season may be over and done, it’s important to monitor crop progress throughout the growing season and take notes. Avoiding these same mistakes during next year’s planting season can help improve plant stands and lead to healthier, higher yielding plants.