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Conservation production systems in the mid‐southern USA: III. Zone tillage for furrow‐irrigated soybean
Author(s) -
Bryant C.J.,
Krutz L.J.,
Reynolds D.B.,
Locke M.A.,
Golden B.R.,
Irby T.,
Steinriede R.W.,
Spencer G.D.,
Mills B.E.,
Wood C.W.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
crop, forage and turfgrass management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.29
H-Index - 10
ISSN - 2374-3832
DOI - 10.1002/cft2.20057
Subject(s) - tillage , strip till , agronomy , loam , mulch till , conventional tillage , environmental science , minimum tillage , water use efficiency , cover crop , yield (engineering) , productivity , irrigation , no till farming , agroforestry , mathematics , soil fertility , soil water , biology , economics , soil science , materials science , macroeconomics , metallurgy
Mid‐southern U.S. soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] producers are frequently encouraged to adopt no‐tillage systems to capture the associated environmental benefits; however, adoption is minimal due to the need for raised seedbeds for irrigation and drainage purposes. This research was conducted to determine if zone tillage systems, with and without a tillage radish ( Raphanus sativus L. var. longipinnatus) cover crop, can maintain yield, profitability, and water use efficiency relative to that of a conservation tillage system with subsoiling. The effects of conservation systems on soybean grain yield, net returns above specified costs, and water use efficiency were investigated near Stoneville, MS on a Dubbs silt loam (Fine‐silty, mixed, active, thermic Typic Hapludalfs). Relative to a conservation tillage system with subsoiling, switching to a zone tillage system with or without a cover crop had no effect on soybean grain yield ( P = .4986), net returns above specified costs ( P = .3724), or water use efficiency ( P = .5652). Our data indicate that mid‐southern U.S. soybean productivity and profitability are maintained in zone‐tillage systems.