Impact of water content and furrow opener type on soil resistance to penetration in oxisol under no-till analyzed using multiple factor analysis

No-till seeders-fertilizers perform critical operations, from cutting crop residues to furrow opening and covering. The type of furrow opener and the soil's water content at seeding significantly affect soil structure, influencing crop establishment and initial growth. This study analyzed the soil penetration resistance (Srt) of an Oxisol under no-till, utilizing two types of furrow openers (shank and double-disc) at two soil water contents (0.239 and 0.275 g g⁻¹) through multivariate analysis. A split-plot design with nine repetitions was employed, where multivariate factorial analysis with orthogonal rotation revealed significant differences in Srt based on depth, soil water content, and furrow opener type. The lowest Srt values were observed with higher soil water content (0.275 g g⁻¹) using a shank furrower under a higher load (676 N), which resulted in better soil mobilization and reduced Srt, with only 2.3% (shank) and 11.4% (double-disc) of the areas exceeding the critical 2 MPa threshold. The shank furrower was more effective in reducing Srt, especially in wetter soils, and is recommended for conditions with higher water content due to its lower limiting depth of Srt (13 to 24 cm) compared to the double-disc (7 to 26 cm). In drier soils (0.239 g g⁻¹), where Srt limiting depths ranged from 3 to 40 cm, the choice of furrower must consider the need to minimize root growth restrictions, as both types present challenges under these conditions.