Transplanter Modification and Survival of Transplants under No-tillage Conditions1

Abstract

A tractor-drawn transplanting machine was substantially modified for operation in chemically-killed sods. The modifications included using a rolling coulter, double-disc furrow opener, narrow press wheels and considerable ballast weight. The use of this transplanter makes possible plot and field trials with transplanted-type crops under “no-tillage“ culture. Sod plots were treated with one or more applications of Paraquat herbicide to kill the vegetation. Tobacco, tomato and pepper plants were established in conventional and no-tillage plots. Plant survivability was generally more variable using no-tillage, but the significant differences were attributed to non-machine cultural problems. The no-till transplanter operátion was adequate under all conditions encountered.