Crop residue management in dry-land crop production
1945
Mathews, O.R.
The results of experimental work at locations throughout the Great Plains and at two locations in the Columbia River Basin show that, except for the one location where lack of available nitrogen was a controlling factor, moisture storage and yields of crops were about the same under three conditions of tillage and disposition of organic residues, namely, leaving all the residues on the surface, leaving a portion of the residues on the surface, and completely burying the residues by plowing. Cultural practices that leave part of the crop residues on the surface are in general use over much of the area because they are adapted to low-cost, extensive-type farming. Maintaining additional quantities of residues on the surface for greater erosion control is desirable if the protection afforded compensates for certain accompanying disadvantages, such as mechanical difficulties and the greater effort necessary to control grassy weeds. Present indications are that the amount of effort that should be expended in keeping residues on the surface will be determined by the need for erosion control with especial regard to the long-time effects of erosion and the relative cost of tillage rather than by the expectation of materially influencing current yields.
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