The ridge plant system is well suited to furrow-irrigationd crops. It also works well with dryland crops or those under center pivot irrigation. On furrow irrigationd land, corn or sorghum stalks may need to be shredded to assist in decomposition and hence irrigation because crop residue slows water advance in the furrow. Slowing the water may be a benefit, however, on soils which have a low water intake rate. In the row annual weed density can be reduced nearly 80 percent with ridge plant compared to mulch-till systems.
Herbicides are more effective at lower weed densities.
Also, any weeds that have germinated or are about to emerge in the ridge at planting time will be destroyed. This gives the crop an even start with weeds in the row. This makes ridge planting one of the easiest systems to use with little or no herbicide. Ridge till is especially beneficial for reducing shattercane in corn. Warmer soil temperature.