But recent research on no-till production of vegetables from transplants and direct seeding has produced some exciting results with great potential for commercial adoption. Work with no-till transplanters in the '70s and '80s produced inconsistent results. However, Dr. Ron Morse and associates at Virginia Polytechnic Institute have developed a machine that works well under a wide range of no-till conditions. On the new no-till transplanter, a heavy coulter followed by a winged shank performs subsurface tillage. The transplanter mechanism follows using double-disk openers and rubber press wheels to firm the ground back around the transplant.
Fertilizer is banded to the side, placed under the plant or applied as a starter solution.
With this system, only a narrow slit is opened. The no- till transplanter will be commercially available in 1995. This cover is killed, either by applying herbicides or by mowing or rolling. Winter annual legumes, such as hairy vetch, crimson clover or Austrian Winter peas, work very well as covers for no-till transplanting. They also provide significant amounts of nitrogen for the following crop.