Influence of Long Term Tillage, Crop Rotation, and Soil Type Combinations on Corn Yield
1976
Van Doren, D. M. | Triplett, G. B. | Henry, J. E.
Studies to compare the relative ability of a wide range of tillage and crop rotation combinations (3×3 factorial) to sustain corn (Zea mays L.) production on several soils typical of Ohio were initiated in 1962. Soils were a well-drained Wooster silt loam (Typic Fragiudalf), an imperfectly drained Crosby silt loam (Aeric Ochraqualf), a very poorly drained Hoytville silty clay loam (Mollic Ochraqualf), and a very poorly drained Toledo clay (Mollic Haplaquept). Tillage treatments were no-tillage; plow and then plant; and plow, disk, and plant. Rotations were continuous corn, corn-soybeans, (Glycine max L.) (2 year), and corn-oats (Avena sativa L.)-meadow (3 year) with each crop appearing each year in each rotation. Results are reported only for plots having equal plant density within a site-year combination, and adequate weed control. Corn yields were remarkably insensitive to tillage. The two plowed treatments had equal yield for virtually all years at each site within the same rotation. The no-tillage treatment averaged 975 kg/ha or 13% lower yield than the average of plowed treatments on the Mollic Ochraqualf soil for 10 years of continuous corn, but had the same yield as the plowed treatments for the other two rotations. The no-tillage treatment averaged 750 kg/ha or 10% greater yield than the average of plowed treatments on the Typic Fragiudalf soil for 11 years of continuous corn or corn-soybeans rotation. Otherwise tillage treatments generally produced the same corn yield within site-rotation combinations.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by National Agricultural Library