Valitadtion of walk-behind tractor tequnique for waterline crop irrigation

Project objectives: 1) Test two walk-behind tractors at different terrain slopes to observe the highest slopes that in can perfom with the different implements; 2) Use the rotary plow to establish underground waterline to provide crop irrigation away from upper soil management; 3) Develop a method for the preparation of the soil to control and remove weeds, using the walk-behind tractor and its implements, and the planting of cover crops so they outcompete weeds implementing a Stale Seedbed Technique (SST). The SST is a method used by vegetable producers. It consists of removing upper weeds and preparing the soil for planting. Once the soil is ready for planning it is wetted so upper weed seeds start to germinate. Upon about a week of the bed water preparation a mechanical movement is used to disrupt the weedy germinating seeds in the upper layers of the soil killing any germinating seeds. Seeds below the 2.5” deep upper layers are covered by the soil and thus have less capacity to germinate, obtaining a weedy free upper layer that would allow a cover crop to establish itself better. Use the SST to outcompete weeds by cover crops: Ornamental peanut, Arachisglabrata, vegetative propagated Red Clover, seed propagated.