Fig. 20. "Minimum tillage" implies reduced soil cultivation and separate planting operations. Here wheeltrack planting creates two distinct soil zones, the row zone and the interrow zone. The row zone is smooth and firm, providing good soil to seed contact for fast germination. The interrow zone is left rough to catch and absorb rain faster and to reduce germination of weed seeds. The planting machine shown here is equipped with attachments for the application of dry fertilizer, insecticides, and liquid herbicides. [Courtesy John Deere Co.]

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