Effects of vertical tillage on soil structure and crop yields in southern Saskatchewan

  • Term: Three years, starting 2015

  • Status: Complete (CLICK HERE for the performance story)

  • Funding amount: $49,766

  • Lead researcher(s): Dr. Bing Si, University of Saskatchewan

  • Funding partners: Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF), Agriculture Development Fund (ADF), Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG)

Project Description

Vertical tillage has become common in Southern Saskatchewan because of producer concerns about wet soils in the spring and high amounts of crop residues to manage. However, there is a lack of information available on the effects of vertical tillage in soils with contrasting soil water conditions, and there is no information available on the vertical tillage effects in southern Saskatchewan. Field data is needed from this region to provide site-specific information on tillage practices for improving soil structures and increasing crop yield.

Therefore this research aims to determine the effects of vertical tillage on soil structure and crop yields in southern Saskatchewan, and will compare the performance of vertical tillage with that of conventional tillage and no-till, in order to produce recommendations for best practices in this region of the province. Overall this research is targeted towards improving soil quality, crop yields and economic profits for Saskatchewan producers by optimizing tillage practices.

Production, AgronomySask Wheat2014-2015, All Projects, Completed Projects