Response of Corn to Soil Variation in West Tennessee, 1957-1980

Abstract

Knowledge of average yields that can be expected over a period of years from a soil mapping unit helps in the use of soil survey information. Soil surveys rely on yield estimates from experiments and field observations. In most cases these estimates are adjusted for the effects of soil‐water relationships and often must be extrapolated to similar soils for which no data are available. The objective of this study was to determine corn (Zea mays L.) yields on adjacent soils varying primarily in physiographic position, parent material, internal drainage, available soil water capacity, slope, and degree of erosion under the same general climatic influence and management over a long period. Corn yields were collected on 33 different soil mapping units over 24‐yr at the West Tennessee Agric. Exp. Stn., Jackson. Ten to 18 years of data were available for six of the soils, 5 to 9 yr for nine additional soils, and four yr or less for the others. Yearly mean yields across all soil mapping units ranged from 188 bu/acre in 1972 to 52 bu/acre in 1969. Yields were above 100 bu/acre in 15 of the 24 yr. The effect of physiographic position was not significant. Soils derived from sandy parent material and characterized by low available water‐holding capacity had yields about 58% of those obtained on soils derived from silty parent material and which were well, moderately well, somewhat poorly, or poorly drained. Mean yields of eroded soils averaged 90%, and severely eroded soils 73% of those on the uneroded soils. Data obtained from this study may be used in establishing soil management groups for corn production.

Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilizer Rate Verification for a Corn–Wheat–Soybean Rotation System in Tennessee

“…Additionally, lower R 2 values from using individual plot data indicate that factors other than fertilization (e.g., rainfall) may affect crop yields and that fertilizers alone may not account for all the yield variations. Fertilization alone may account for more variation in yield in extremely nutrient deficient soils, but Tennessee soils are not extremely deficient in P and K, as reported by Buntley and Bell (1976) and Graveel et al (1989). Our study was conducted under rainfed conditions; therefore, soil moisture status might also have contributed to the variations in yield responses.…”

Studying Crop Yield Response to Supplemental Irrigation and the Spatial Heterogeneity of Soil Physical Attributes in a Humid Region

“…They found a relatively stable spatial pattern of yield over time, although yield and soil properties had stronger relationships during dry seasons than wet seasons. Graveel et al [6] studied the response of corn to variations in soil erosion and sandy and silt textured profiles in west Tennessee and found a substantial difference in yield.…”

Using Soil Moisture and Spatial Yield Patterns to Identify Subsurface Flow Pathways

“…Too little or too much water can cause plant stress, which subsequently reduces photosynthesis and yields. Sinai et al (1981) found that under arid conditions, soil moisture contents were highly correlated with the curvature of the soil surface, while Graveel et al (1989) found that corn grain yields were more variable on steep slopes. Although landscape position, soil properties, and climate influence plant‐available water, little is understood on how subsurface water flow pathways may contribute to within‐field yield variability.…”

“…Sinai et al (1981) found that under arid conditions, soil moisture S oil water content influences both crop production contents were highly correlated with the curvature of and water quality. However, there is substantial unthe soil surface, while Graveel et al (1989) found that certainty in determining the impacts of hydrology at corn grain yields were more variable on steep slopes. scales larger than small plots (Simmons et al, 1979; Although landscape position, soil properties, and cli- Sharma et al, 1980; Council for Agricultural Science mate influence plant-available water, little is understood and Technology, 1992).…”