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Tillage and Crop Rotation Affect Corn, Soybean,and Winter Wheat Yields

1993; Wiley; Volume: 6; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2134/jpa1993.0207

2689-4114

Margaret Lund, P. R. Carter, E. S. Oplinger,

Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics

There is little research in northern regions on tillage systems in corn (Zea mays L.), soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr], and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotations. The objectives of this study were to (i) evaluate the influence of tillage on performance of corn, soybean, and winter wheat in rotations with each other, and (ii) determine whether corn or soybean yields could be increased in 3-yr rotations with wheat compared with an annual rotation with each other. Field studies were conducted near Arlington, WI, for 3 yr (1989 to 1991) on a Piano silt loam soil (fine-silty, mixed, mesic Typic Argiudoll) under both moldboard plow (MP) and no-till (NT). Six crop sequences evaluated were: corn/soybean, corn/soybean/wheat, corn/wheat/soybean, and continuous corn, soybean, or wheat. Grain yields for both corn and soybean were similar regardless of crop sequence when these crops were in rotation, with no advantage for 3-yr vs. 2-yr sequences. Average yields were reduced 10% (corn) and 15% (soybean) for continuous cropping compared with rotations, with greater yield reductions under NT than MP. Tillage did not influence grain yield for soybean or corn in rotation, but yields were reduced under NT for both crops with monocropping. Grain yields for NT continuous corn were 8% lower than MP, and continuous soybean yields were 7% less with NT than MP. Wheat yields were low and response to tillage and rotation was inconsistent. In this study we found no clear advantage for three-crop corn, soybean, and wheat rotations compared with an annual rotation of corn and soybean. Research Question Grain producers are converting to reduced tillage systems to reduce soil erosion and field-work time requirements, and to remain eligible for government programs. Little research has been conducted evaluating tillage systems in crop rotations including corn, soybean, and wheat. The two objectives of this study were to (i) evaluate the influence of tillage on performance of corn, soybean, and winter wheat in rotations with each other and (ii) determine whether corn or soybean yields could be increased in 3-yr rotations with wheat compared with those in an annual corn/soybean rotation. Literature Summary In northern regions, grain yields for both corn and soybean are generally lower under no-till than moldboard plow systems when growing either crop continuously, but yields are often similar for these tillage systems when the two crops are rotated. There is little published research available regarding winter wheat response to tillage systems in corn/soybean rotations or of corn/soybean response to tillage following winter wheat. Results of several studies indicate that both corn and soybean yields are limited in 2-yr, corn/soybean sequences compared with those in rotations in which the two crops are grown less frequently than every other year. Study Description This study was conducted for 3 yr on Piano silt loam soil at Arlington, WI. Treatments: Tillage systems (2) Moldboard plow and no-till Crop rotation sequences (6) Corn/soybean Corn/soybean/wheat Corn/wheat/soybean Continuous corn, soybean, and wheat Hybrids/cultivars (2) Corn (Pioneer 3737, Kaltenberg K4000) Soybean (BSR 101, Ozzie) Wheat (Caldwell, Argee) Fertility: Univ. of Wisconsin recommendations Weed control: Corn (cyanazine, metolachlor, alachlor, thifensulfuron) Soybean (metolachlor, alachlor, thifensulfuron) Wheat (glyphosate, post-harvest) Hand weeding Insect control: Corn (terbufos, fen valerate) Growing season moisture: Adequate for average to above-average crop yields per year. Applied Questions How do crop yields compare in no-till vs. moldboard plow systems in corn, soybean, wheat rotations? For corn and soybean, yields were similar under no-till and moldboard plow systems when the two crops were grown following any crop other than themselves (Table 1). But yields for no-till continuous corn were 8% lower than for moldboard plowing, and continuous soybean yields were 7% less with no-till than with moldboard plowing. Winter wheat yields were depressed by several factors including (i) the relatively late planting necessary when following corn and soybean, (ii) winter injury in 1989 (especially with moldboard plowing), and (iii) leaf diseases in 1991 (especially with no-till). Although 3-yr average wheat yields for no-till were similar to, or slightly higher than, those with moldboard plowing (Table 1), wheat response to tillage was inconsistent. Yields were higher for no-till in 1989, but greatest yields occurred with moldboard plowing in 1991. Can corn or soybean yields be increased in 3-yr rotations with wheat compared with an annual rotation with each other? Three-crop rotations did not result in greater soybean or corn yields than corn-soybean rotations (Table 1). Our previous studies had shown 15 to 20% lower soybean yields in corn-soybean rotations than in first year soybean after 5 yr of corn, when the brown stem rot disease was prevalent. Brown stem rot had less overall influence on soybean yields in the current study. Adding a crop (such as wheat) to corn-soybean rotations may be more beneficial when soybean diseases reduce yields more than in this study. Table 1. Three-year average grain yields for corn, soybean, and winter wheat for four crop rotation sequences and two tillage systems. Crop rotation sequence Crop Tillage system C/S† C/W/S C/S/W Continuous ---------------bu/acre--------------- Corn Moldboard plow 173 175 172 162 No-till 176 172 163 149 Soybean Moldboard plow 53 54 53 46 No-till 52 53 51 43 Wheat Moldboard plow - 40 40 33 No-till - 40 45 40 † C = corn, S = soybean, W = winter wheat.