Degraded Soil? Subsoilers and Cover Crops to the Rescue!
Are you dealing with compacted, low-yield soil? Discover how the combination of subsoilers and cover crops can help you combat soil degradation and improve field productivity. In our latest article, we explore essential strategies to strengthen soil health and prepare for the next planting season. Don’t miss these valuable tips!
This year, subsoiler rippers for minimum deep tillage are gaining popularity across Europe, proving to be an essential tool for enhancing soil quality, supporting crop growth, and boosting yields. In a challenging season like 2024—with spring rains severely impacting soil structure—standard tillage might not be enough. Here, “The Right Equipment” combined with “Smart Agronomic Practices” and cover crops can make a real difference.
Rule #1: Minimize Soil Disturbance
When preparing the seedbed, soil ripping is often the best approach, as it minimizes soil disruption. A subsoiler ripper is versatile and ideal for both traditional and no-till techniques, and it offers ease of use thanks to its adjustable, flexible design.
What Exactly is a Subsoiler?
A subsoiler is a mounted tool fitted with specialized shanks, called tines. These tines can be arranged in different ways: in a single row for compact models, in a delta or V formation to reduce power needs, or in two or more rows to handle residue better and limit lateral compaction (as in the Michel type). As the tines pass through the soil, a metal roller follows to stabilize and level the surface, making it ready for planting. This technique lifts the soil layer, which then settles uniformly, preserving the soil structure without layer inversion. In this process, tractor speed is crucial: Ideally, the tractor speed should be around 4.3 mph, and never below 2.5 mph, to ensure effective, even tillage.
Current Challenges
Heavy, frequent rain across much of Europe has disrupted traditional tilling, seeding, and reseeding, leading to significant soil compaction. After fall harvests, using a subsoiler to break up crop residue is a smart option. This tool fractures the soil at a depth of 40-45 cm, aerating the layers without turning over the surface. The goal? To restore the soil’s natural porosity, improve air and water circulation, make space for future crop roots, and create a lively environment for soil microorganisms that break down organic matter and produce humus. As we’ve seen, one of the biggest advantages of a subsoiler is its ability to lift and evenly release the soil without inverting its layers, helping preserve soil structure for healthier crops.
Cover Crops: The Perfect Complement
After such a wet season, leaving soil uncovered through winter isn’t ideal! The answer? Cover crops. These cover crops “finish the job” started by the subsoiler by stabilizing soil through their root systems, which rebuild aggregates damaged by repeated rains. In turn, these aggregates increase soil porosity. Cover crops also enrich the soil with organic matter from biomass, which is vital for regenerating soil after the season’s stress. They further shield the soil from erosion over winter, as well as weeds and pests.
To meet these needs, BKT offers its FLOTATION tire range, designed to address today’s challenges of productivity and sustainability in farming. These tires are engineered to reduce soil compaction, with excellent flotation properties to help preserve soil structure.
Don’t miss the opportunity to boost your crop success. Visit our website to explore the full FLOTATION range!
