Research Methods
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Field Scout SC-900
Soil Compaction Meter
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Prior to the tillage passes on April 27, 2004 , the entire
field was probed with a Field Scout SC-900 Soil Compaction
Meter to establish a baseline of information on soil density.
The type of probe utilized provides an inch by inch soil density
reading in pounds per square inch.
The test field was divided into 15 sections to allow for three
replications of each tillage pass. A replication consisted
of one pass up and back, the length of the field. Tillage
passes were completed on April 27, 2004 under the supervision
of agronomist Wayne McClintock. One New Holland TG 255 tractor
was used to pull each implement in the test to insure uniformity.
Soil Density was recorded for each tool with the soil penetrometer
after all tillage passes were completed. Three probes were
conducted and recorded in each of the replications with care
taken not to probe in or near the tractor tracks.
The field was planted on April 28, 2004 by the cooperator
with a new 12-row White 8200 Wing Fold planter set to drop
33,000 population. The corn hybrid selected for the trial
was Garst 8790 BT. This variety was selected due to the outstanding
emergence, early vigor, high population, Bt and yield characteristics.
This variety was also identified as an excellent choice for
no-till (in cool soils), highly productive soils by Garst.
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