Variable-depth Tillage based on Geo-referenced Soil Compaction Data in Coastal Plain Soils
Serap Görücü Keskin, Ahmad Khalilian, Young J. Han, Roy B. Dodd

Abstract
This study was carried out to investigate the use of soil cone penetrometer and soil electrical conductivity (EC) measurement systems, in finding the geo-referenced optimum tillage depth for site-specific detection and management of soil compaction in Coastal Plain soils. The effectiveness of variable-depth tillage (VDT) on crop performance, energy consumption, and fuel savings was investigated. VDT, no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) systems were compared and the relationships between tillage depth, soil EC, crop responses, and yield were studied in cotton production. The study was conducted in two different fields named Field A and Field B. The results showed that required tillage depths are shallower than conventional tillage depths. A strong positive correlation between EC readings and cotton yield was observed while predicted tillage depths were negatively correlated to soil EC readings. By applying VDT, energy savings of 56.4% and fuel savings of 33.8% were achieved compared to CT.

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