Rye–Corn Silage Double-Cropping Reduces Corn Yield but Improves Environmental Impacts
2012
Krueger, Erik S. | Ochsner, Tyson E. | Baker, John M. | Porter, Paul M. | Reicosky, Don C.
Recent proliferation of large dairies has prompted concern regarding environmental impacts of associated corn silage production and high-rate manure application. Our objectives were to compare environmental impacts and forage production of monocrop corn (Zea mays L.) silage and rye (Secale cereal L.)–corn silage double-crop systems with multiple corn planting dates and high-rate manure application near Morris, MN. From 2007 to 2009, corn for silage was seeded into a silt loam as a monocrop in early and mid-May and as a double-crop after rye in mid-May and early June. Manure was fall applied annually at average total N and P rates of 393 and 109 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. Double-cropping reduced total forage dry matter (DM) yield 2 of 3 yr and reduced corn DM yield 15 to 25%. Soil NO₃–N to 90 cm accumulated at an average rate of 71 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ with monocropping, but accumulation was not observed with double-cropping. Soil organic C concentration from 0 to 5 cm increased in the monocrop (18%) and double-crop (26%) systems over 3 yr. Average soil solution NO₃–N concentration was high with monocropping (52 mg L⁻¹) and double-cropping (37 mg L⁻¹), but estimated leaching load averaged only 8 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Fall and spring ground cover was often less than 10% with monocropping but was usually greater than 30% with double-cropping. The primary environmental concerns identified for monocrop corn silage were soil NO₃–N buildup and inadequate ground cover. Double-cropping addressed each concern but often decreased forage production.
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