Increasing corn yield with no-till cropping systems: a case study in South Dakota

Abstract

No-till practices have improved crop yields in the semiarid Great Plains. However, a recent assessment of research studies across the globe indicated that crop yields are often reduced by no-till. To understand this contrast, we examined corn yields across time in a no-till cropping system of one producer in central South Dakota to identify factors associated with increased yield. The producer started no-till in 1990; by 2013, corn yield increased 116%. In comparison, corn increased only 32% during this interval with a conventional, tillage-based system in a neighboring county. With no-till, corn yields increased in increments due to changes in management. For example, corn yield increased 52% when crop diversity in the rotation was expanded from 2 to 5 crops. A further 18% gain in yield occurred when dry pea was grown before corn in sequence. Nitrogen (N) requirement for corn is 25% lower in no-till compared with a tillage-based rotation. Furthermore, phosphorus (P) fertilizer input also has been reduced 30% after 20 yr of no-till, even with higher yields. Our case study shows that integrating no-till with crop diversity and soil microbial changes improves corn yield considerably. This integration also reduces need for inputs such as water, N and P.

Farmer perceived challenges toward conservation practice usage in the margins of the Corn Belt, USA

“…Our finding that 'reduced crop yield' is regarded as one of the most important barriers for both conservation tillage and cover crops suggests that maximized yield is a common goal among many farmers. Despite potential yield reduction, conservation tillage and cover cropping may benefit farmers through improved economic performance through decreased input costs, such as reduced labor, fuel, nitrogen fertilizer or pesticides requirements (Anderson, 2016;Mahama et al, 2016;Singh et al, 2021). Wang et al (2021b) found that more farmers perceive a profit increase than a yield increase when asked about cover crops and conservation tillage.…”

“…This study examined farmer perceptions on a number of challenges associated with conservation tillage and cover crops adoption. The primary conservation tillage benefits include input savings (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers) and improved soil health (Reimer et al ., 2012; Anderson, 2016). The majority of farmers faced challenges with conservation tillage practice, including excessive soil moisture, delayed planting of cash crops, reduced cash crop yields and increased dependence on herbicides and fungicides.…”

Improving resource-use-efficiency with no-till and crop diversity

“…Recently, we assessed impact of no-till on corn ( Zea mays L.) yields across time, comparing a no-till, diverse cropping system [rotation was winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.)–dry pea ( Pisum sativum L.)–corn–soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr. )–oat ( Avena sativa L.)] to a tilled corn–soybean rotation (Anderson, 2016). In this case study, corn yield increased 116% in no-till across a 25-yr interval, but only 32% in the tilled system.…”