Long Term Tillage Effects on Grain Yield and Soil Properties in a Soybean/Grain Sorghum Rotation

Abstract

In Nebraska, early adopters of conservation tillage, especially those using no‐till planting, had some concerns regarding planter performance, early season weed control, and possible yield reductions. Selected tillage and planting systems were used long term to evaluate effects on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] yield, soil properties, and residue cover in a nonirrigated rotation. The six tillage and planting systems selected for evaluation were: no‐till, no‐till with row‐crop cultivation, disk, double disk, chisel, and plow. In 1981, two sets of field plots were established near Lincoln, NE, on a Sharpsburg silty clay loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Typic Argiudolls) so that both crops could be evaluated each year. Measurements were not taken until completion of one crop rotation cycle. After this cycle, for the first 3 yr of yield measurements, no differences occurred in grain yield among the tillage and planting systems. After five additional years, differences in yield were measured, with no‐till tending to have the greatest yield for both crops. Row‐crop cultivation of no‐till soybean did not result in any measurable yield differences, but for grain sorghum, row‐crop cultivation resulted in an average yield decrease of 6 bu/acre. Soil organic matter tended to be greatest for the continuous no‐till system and lowest for the plow system. The plow system had slightly less penetration resistance within the 4‐ to 8‐in. depth than the other treatments, whereas, the double‐disk system was slightly greater within the 2‐ to 6‐in. depth. Draft and power requirements for planting in the selected tillage and planting systems were not different The major difference among the tillage and planting systems was residue cover remaining after planting. No‐till had the most residue cover, but there was no appreciable accumulation of residue over the 10 yr of continuous use of the tillage and planting systems. For the last 5 yr, no‐till tended to have the greatest yield for both crops. Thus, for the soil and conditions evaluated, no‐till yields were as good as the other systems during early years, and were better after 5 yr of continuous use. Thus, producers adopting no‐till and other residue management practices have the opportunity to enhance profitability because of the same or greater yields and reduced production costs by eliminating tillage operations. Research Question Early adopters of conservation tillage, especially those using no‐till planting, had concerns regarding planter performance, weed control, and possible yield reductions. Six tillage and planting systems were used in a long term study to evaluate effects of tillage on soybean and grain sorghum yields, soil properties, and residue cover in a nonirrigated rotation. Literature Summary Tillage and planting systems that leave a protective cover of crop residue on the soil surface have been shown to reduce soil losses, and are among the least costly erosion control practices. Few tillage and planting studies hav...

Corn and Soybean Yield Response to Tillage, Rotation, and Nematicide Seed Treatment

“…In Kansas, greater corn and soybean yields were observed with NT over a 4-yr period (Norwood, 1999). Similarly, in Nebraska, soybean yield with NT was either equal to or greater than with more intensive tillage systems over a 5-yr period (Dickey et al, 1994). Another study in Nebraska showed that NT often resulted in lower corn yield in the eastern part of the state, whereas NT corn yield was similar to or greater than conventional tillage in the south-central part of the state (Sims et al, 1998).…”

“…For example, in Wisconsin (Pedersen and Lauer, 2003;Marburger et al, 2015) and Minnesota (Vetsch et al, 2007), NT reduced corn and soybean yields when compared with intensive tillage systems. Similarly, in Nebraska, soybean yield with NT was either equal to or greater than with more intensive tillage systems over a 5-yr period (Dickey et al, 1994). Similarly, in Nebraska, soybean yield with NT was either equal to or greater than with more intensive tillage systems over a 5-yr period (Dickey et al, 1994).…”

Tillage and Rotation Interactions for Corn and Soybean Grain Yield as Affected by Precipitation and Air Temperature

“…Grain yield was greater poorly drained soils in northern latitudes is supported with rotation than continuous cropping for both corn (7.10 vs. 5.83by results of tillage studies conducted on both poorly Mg ha Ϫ1 ) and soybean (2.57 vs. 2.35 Mg ha Ϫ1 ). The benefit of rotation and well-drained soils in Ohio (Dick et al, 1991) and in terms of grain yield was greatest for corn during years with cool on poorly drained soils in Illinois (McIsaac et al, 1990) springs. The benefit of rotation for soybean grain yield did not vary and Iowa (Brown et al, 1989).…”

Influence of Cellulolytic Bacterial Augmentation on Organic Carbon and Available Phosphorus in Sandy Loam Soil under Cultivation

“…The residing microflora maintains the soil health and affects the agronomic parameters of the crops planted on those plots. Thus, farming management trials along with the inoculants enhance the growth and yield of the crops (Dickey et al, 1994). Cellulolytic soil bacteria had been studied in various soils under different land use systems with respect to the effect of environmental conditions on the abundance and decomposing activity (Hiroki and Watanabe, 1996; Dilly et al, 2001).…”