Crop Response following Tall Fescue Sod and Agronomic Crops

Abstract

Sod-based production systems have been successful in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States as an alternative to conventional tillage systems. However, research comparing these systems in North Carolina is limited. Th erefore, research was conducted at four locations in North Carolina to compare corn (Zea mays L.), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield when these crops were strip tilled following 4 yr of continuous tall fescue (Shedonorus phoenix Scop.) vs. 4 yr of either corn or cotton grown in no tillage or strip tillage. Cotton yield was higher following tall fescue compared with yield following agronomic crops. In contrast, yield of corn was lower following tall fescue compared with agronomic crops while peanut and soybean yields were not aff ected by previous cropping history. Additional treatments in peanut included conventional tillage following both cropping systems, and pod yield was lower when peanut was strip tilled into either tall fescue or residue from corn or cotton compared with conventional tillage systems. No major diff erences in soil bulk density at depths of 0 to 8 cm or 8 to 16 cm were noted when comparing tall fescue or agronomic crops either in strip tillage or nontilled zones. Populations of soil parasitic nematodes were oft en lower in peanut following tall fescue than when following agronomic crops. Th ese experiments indicate that sod-based systems may be an eff ective alternative to reduced tillage systems, especially for cotton. However, yield benefi ts were not observed for peanut or soybean and corn was negatively aff ected by tall fescue.Abbreviations: CBR, Cylindrocladium black rot; %ELK, percentage of extra large kernels; %FP, percentage of fancy pods; %OK, percentage of other kernels; %SMK, percentage of sound mature kernels; %SS, percentage of sound splits; %TSMK, percentage of total sound mature kernels; TSW, tomato spotted wilt.

Residual Impact of Tall Fescue on Corn, Cotton, and Peanut Yield

“…From 2004 to 2008, land‐use treatments consisted of tall fescue vs. reduced tillage production of corn and cotton in rotation. In 2009, corn, cotton, peanut, and soybean were planted following both land uses, and results with all four locations are presented by Drake et al (2010). Following the 2009 season, plot integrity was maintained at the two locations described here with corn planted during 2010 and 2011, cotton planted during 2012, and peanut planted during 2013 in the entire test area.…”

“…The experiment was conducted in North Carolina at the Peanut Belt Research Station located near Lewiston‐Woodville (36.07° N, −77.11° W) on a Norfolk loamy sand soil (fine‐loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kandiudult) with 80% sand, 15% silt, and 5% clay at the 0‐ to 3.1‐inch depth and at the Upper Coastal Plain Experiment Station located near Rocky Mount (35.893° N, −77.681° W) in a field consisting of a mix of Rains loamy sand soil (fine‐loamy, siliceous, semiactive, thermic Typic Paleaquult) and Goldsboro loamy sand (fine‐loamy, siliceous, subactive, thermic Aquic Paleudult) with 55% sand, 37% silt, and 8% clay at the 0‐ to 3.1‐inch depth. These fields were a part of an experiment conducted by Drake et al (2010) from 2004 to 2009. Two other locations in the study by Drake et al (2010) were in commercial fields and were abandoned after the 2009 season.…”

“…These fields were a part of an experiment conducted by Drake et al (2010) from 2004 to 2009. Two other locations in the study by Drake et al (2010) were in commercial fields and were abandoned after the 2009 season. From 2004 to 2008, land‐use treatments consisted of tall fescue vs. reduced tillage production of corn and cotton in rotation.…”

The influence of Western corn rootworm seed coating and granular insecticides on the seasonal fluctuations of soil nematode communities in a maize field

“…Communities of nematodes are frequently used as suitable bioindicators based on their occurrence in all types of soil, a high abundance and the presence of all trophic groups. Earlier studies on nematodes in maize throughout the world were focused mostly on plant-parasitic nematodes that feed on maize (Bernard et al, 2010;Bowen et al, 2008;Tylka et al, 2011) or the impact of crop rotation on nematode communities (Drake et al, 2010;Manachini et al, 2009;Rahman et al, 2007;Villenave et al, 2009). It was also mentioned that low infections of plant-parasitic nematodes may lead to greater availability of plant nutrients .…”

Herbicide and Rye Cover Crop Residue Integration Affect Weed Control and Yield in Strip-Tillage Peanut

“…Strip-tillage utilizes coulters and rolling baskets that create a residue-free, smooth seedbed to facilitate seed soil contact, increased soil temperature at planting and PRE herbicide activation. Previous peanut research in the U.S. indicated higher or equivalent yields with strip-tillage compared to conventional tillage systems (Faircloth et al 2012;Johnson et al 2001;Tubbs and Gallaher 2005;Wilcut et al 1987) while others report lower yields (Drake et al 2010;Jordan et al 2001). Finally, conservation tillage systems reduce input costs and can offer economic advantages over conventional tillage practices after several years of their successful adoption (Bowman et al 1998).…”