Deep plowing is a plowing to a depth greater than 50 cm (20 in) as compared to ordinary plowing which rarely exceeds 20 cm (8 in). [1] The purpose of deep plowing is to modify the soil water retention characteristics over the long term. [1] In one long-term test, lasting 35 years, the mean annual grain yield was 2,800 lbs per acre (3,138 kg per ha) with deep plowing, which was 10% greater than the 2,550 lbs per acre (2,858 kg per ha) yield in unplowed plots. [1]
Under certain conditions, it is recommended to use deep plowing in preparing the soil for planting new vineyards. [2]
There is a movement away from plowing altogether and from deep plowing in particular. [3] The theory is that this will stop the loss of topsoil, increase the organic content of soil and reduce runoff of fertilizer and pesticides into rivers. [3] Another part of the no-plowing theory is that ground moisture would be conserved; but this was shown to be incorrect by a 35-year study. [1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Baumhardt, R.L.; Jones, O.; Schwartz, R.C. (2008). "Long term effects of profile-modifying deep plowing on soil properties and crop yield". Soil Science Society of America Journal. 72 (3). Soil Science Society of America: 677–682. Bibcode: 2008SSASJ..72..677B. doi: 10.2136/sssaj2007.0122. hdl: 10113/41728.
- ^ Winkler, A. J. (1974). General Viticulture: Second Revised Edition. University of California Press. p. 242. ISBN 9780520025912.
- ^ a b "Deep Plowing Is Halted By Many to Protect Soil". The New York Times. 1998-04-05.
 | This agriculture article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |