Net returns from eight nonirrigated cropping systems on clay soil.
1995
Wesley R.A. | Heatherly L.G. | Elmore C.D. | Spurlock S.R.
Considerable research has been conducted on the agronomic relationships of cropping systems adapted to the clay soils of the lower Mississippi River floodplain (30 degrees - 37 degrees North latitude); however, only a few studies included the determination and evaluation of net returns. An 8-yr study (1984-1991) was conducted on a Tunica clay (clayey over loamy, montmorillonitic, nonacid, thermic Vertic Haplaquept) to determine net returns above specified costs from eight nonirrigated cropping systems. The cropping systems included 1) monocrop corn (Zea mays L.); 2) monocrop soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]; 3) monocrop grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.]; 4) biennial rotation of corn and soybean; 5) biennial rotation of grain sorghum and soybean; 6) continuous wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-soybean doublecrop; 7) biennial rotation of corn and wheat-soybean doublecrop; and 8) biennial rotation of grain sorghum and wheat-soybean doublecrop. Cropping systems that included grain sorghum as a component produced the highest average net returns. Average net returns per acre from grain sorghum-soybean ($76), grain sorghum and wheat-soybean doublecrop ($64), and monocrop grain sorghum ($60) systems were significantly higher than from the monocrop soybean ($25), monocrop corn ($-9), and corn and wheat-soybean doublecrop ($16) systems. Average net returns per acre from the wheat-soybean doublecrop ($48) and the corn-soybean ($42) systems were similar and in the intermediate range. Data indicate that monocrop corn and soybean systems and the corn-wheat-soybean system are not profitable when grown in nonirrigated environments on clay soils in the lower Mississippi River alluvial plain.
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