Fertiliser application - disc systems

Contributions from Dr Jack Desbiolles (Ashworth et al., 2010) and Baker et al., (2007)

Jack McHugh

To reduce draft & weight, management of fertiliser toxicity –

Split banding options with either:

Single & Double discs openers

Separate disc openers

Single & Double discs openers

Dual banding boot options:

fertiliser at the bottom of the furrow with

shallow seed delivery on partially closed furrow.

Poor seed banding

Function of soil flow – can be inconsistent

Speed

Moisture

Texture

Liquid fertiliser development and seed firming

devices

Bio blade – lateral separation

Split banding with Separate Disc Openers

Leading Coulters – banding boot/knife/nozzle.

Triple disc configuration – set:

deep/shallow/centred/offset (set deep offers

furrow tilth for seed pressing)

Disc - Disc associations – paired sgl disc openers,

triplets for mid row banding. Lots of clutter,

increased mass, cost draft, penetration

Disc - Tyne Hybrids – sgl fertilising disc followed

by an adjustable narrow shank sowing tine

Fertiliser can damage germinating crops by

salt and ammonia burn effects

Damage is crop and soil specific - proximity of

soil moisture and fertiliser to the seed row –

critical factors

Disc sown are more susceptible – poor

separation

Triple discs and disc blade hybrids are more

reliable

Double or single shoot seeding systems

Liquid or gas fertiliser offer more options

Increase seeding rate in poor conditions

Sow into moist soil

Key points