Comparison of Strip Tillage Systems for Sillage Maize Production in Middle Anatolia

Strip tillage might offer an option to produce high silage maize yields at lower costs and improved erosion control compared to full width tillage practices. However, the strip tillage is not included in the agricultural production practice of the farmers in our country. In this study, three different strips tillage application have been used as a alternative to traditional practices(CT). While the machine made by the Maschio Gaspardo(OST) is used in one of the applications of the strip tillage, the other two machines (horizontal (MHST)and vertical shaft rotary tillers(MVST)) have been modified and used in strip tillage. The width of the strips of applications varied between 25-28cm. As a depending on strip tillage applications, 35-40 % of soil surface was tilled. While the penetration resistance of the strip tillage applications ranged from 0.45-1.91 MPa, the surface roughness of the strips were found to be about 11 %. Results of fuel consumption were 4.92, 1.82, 1.3 and 0.73 l da-1 for the full width tillage, OST, MVST and MHST respectively. Seedling emergence degree were approximately 6 % higher for MVST and OST compared to CT. An average increasing of 12 % plant emergence rate index (ERI) under MVST compared with other applications was found.