Tillage Systems for Wheat Production in the Southeastern Coastal Plains
1987
Karlen, D. L. | Gooden, D. T.
Increased wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production has raised numerous questions regarding tillage practices and N fertilizer rates for the Coastal Plain. Therefore, eight field studies conducted on Ardilla (Fragiaquic Paleudults), Dothan (Plinthic Paleudults), and Norfolk (Typic Paleudults) soils are summarized to report N fertilizer and tillage effects. Average grain yield with moldboard plowing was significantly higher (0.4 Mg ha⁻¹) than with disking in four of five studies, but it was significantly higher than chisel plowing (3.09 vs. 2.48 Mg ha⁻¹) only once. No-till yield was significantly lower (0.5 Mg ha ⁻¹) than yield with disking in two of four studies. Nitrogen response was significant in five of six studies, but the tillage ✕ N interaction was significant only once. Head number and weight were increased by plowing or higher N rates. Poor soil-seed contact presumably caused erratic stands and lower no-till yields because seedling emergence was not reduced by the equivalent of 10 Mg ha⁻¹ of corn (Zea mays L.) residue. Approximately 100 kg N ha⁻¹ was sufficient for conventional tillage, but chisel or moldboard plowing should be used rather than disking. For no-till wheat, drills must provide good soil-seed contact and N rates may have to be increased.
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