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Continuous Corn by the No‐Tillage and Conventional Tillage Methods: A Six‐Year Comparison 1
Author(s) -
Shear G. M.,
Moschler W. W.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1969.00021962006100040012x
Subject(s) - tillage , agronomy , loam , conventional tillage , phosphorus , environmental science , mulch till , bulk density , soil compaction , strip till , no till farming , mathematics , soil water , chemistry , soil fertility , soil science , biology , organic chemistry
Corn ( Zea mays L.) was grown on a loam soil on the same plots annually for a period of 6 years, comparing no tillage, tillage in alternate years, and conventional tillage. Equal annual applications of phosphate mixed in the tilled soil and applied to the surface of untilled soil resulted in more available phosphorus accumulation in the upper 5 cm of the untilled soil. The total amount of available phosphorus for the upper 20 cm of soil was greater in untilled soil despite the fact that available phosphorus was lower than in tilled soil in two of the 5‐cm increments below the surface layer. Potassium availability was not affected by tillage or method of application. Soil compaction after six years as based on bulk density showed no difference related to tillage. The maintenance of high yields of corn in successive years without tillage was shown. There was no benefit from tillage in alternate years as compared with no tillage. An average increase in corn grain yields and equal or better stover yields from no tillage as compared with conventional tillage was found. The need for more frequent liming with the no‐tillage method was demonstrated.