Long-term corn grain and stover yields as a function of tillage and residue removal in east central Minnesota

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Abstract

Because the adoption of conservation tillage requires long-term evaluation, the effect of tillage and residue management on corn (Zea mays L.) grain and stover yields was studied for 13 seasons in east central Minnesota. Three primary tillage methods (no-till (NT), fall chisel plow (CH), fall moldboard plow (MB)) and two residue management schemes (residue removal versus residue returned) were combined in a factorial design experiment on a Haplic Chernozem silt loam soil in Minnesota. No significant effects on grain yield were seen due to tillage treatments in 9 out of 13 years. The NT treatment resulted in lower yields than CH and MB treatments in years 6 and 7, and lower than the MB in year 8, indicating a gradual decrease in yield over time with continuous use of NT. There were differences due to residue management in 8 out of 13 years. The residue-returned treatments contributed about 1 Mg ha−1 greater yields in intermediate level dry years such as years 3 and 6, which had cumulative growing season precipitation 20 and 30% below the 9-year average, respectively. In excessively dry or long-term-average years, residues resulted in little yield difference between treatments. The most pronounced effects of residues were with the CH treatment for which yields were greater in 8 out of 13 years. The ratio of grain to total dry matter yield averaged 0.56 and did not vary with time or between treatments. These results apply primarily to soils wherein the total water storage capacity and accumulated rainfall are insufficient to supply optimum available water to the crop throughout the growing season. Under conditions with deeper soils or in either wetter or drier climates, the results may differ considerably.

Introduction

The effect of tillage and crop residue management on corn (Zea mays L.) yield has been studied extensively over many years. Much of the research has involved short-term studies that suggest what would occur over the course of 1 or 2 years (Cassel et al., 1995), but fell short of indicating what might happen under long-term continuing management practices. Short-term studies also do not account for variable weather conditions over extended periods. Tillage and residue management variations create a complex association of soil and surface conditions that both directly and indirectly influence the performance of a crop such as corn. For example, crop residue coverage has been observed to decrease yields because of poor weed control, excessively wet and cold soils, and poor seed placement and stand (Swan et al., 1994). On the plus side, residues are credited with improving yields through retention of essential nutrients, protection from raindrop induced crusting (Blevins et al., 1983), and soil water conservation (Doran et al., 1984). Under most midwestern USA cornbelt conditions, the benefits and risks of residues vary depending on seasonal climatic conditions. These benefits and risks often change with time as management practices are continued year after year (Griffith et al., 1988). Only long-term studies can assess management options over a wide variety of climatic inputs. By continuing treatments over a long period, soils approach equilibrium conditions based on a particular management scheme. The objectives of this 13-year study were to provide information on: (1) the effect of tillage and residue management on corn biomass and grain production, and (2) to assess the time course of treatment effects.

Section snippets

Experimental site

A long-term field experiment was established in 1980 on a Waukegan silt loam (Typic Hapludoll) at the University of Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station located at Rosemount, MN (Gupta et al., 1983; Clay et al., 1989; Clapp et al., 2000). The soil is a Haplic Chernozem (FAO) of about 60–90 cm depth overlaying neutral to calcareous outwash gravels and sands. The somewhat shallow soil depth is typical of glaciated regions and is often observed to limit yields through water stress. The climate

Tillage and nitrogen treatment effects

During the first 5 years of this study no trends were observed due to tillage or N rates (Fig. 1). The CH treatments appeared to have lower yields than either MB or NT treatments; however, yields were not significantly different even at the 10% level. Yield differences began to appear after 5 years and continued through year 13. After year 5, the MB treatment resulted in significantly greater yields than the NT treatments, with CH resulting in yields intermediate between the two. The 13-year

Conclusions

The continued use of NT over 13 years resulted in a gradual decrease in grain and stover yields after the first 5 years. The effect of the management of residues on corn grain and stover yields did not change over time but rather was affected by the amount of rainfall received during the growing season. The removal of stover in marginally dry years (PWD deficits of 10–30 cm) showed a tendency to result in lower grain yields. These differences were most pronounced with the CH treatment for which

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