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Corn Hybrids Response to Four Methods of Tillage 1
Author(s) -
Hallauer A. R.,
Colvin T. S.
Publication year - 1985
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/agronj1985.00021962007700040010x
Subject(s) - tillage , agronomy , plough , hybrid , mulch till , environmental science , germination , minimum tillage , conventional tillage , grain yield , no till farming , biology , mathematics , soil water , soil science , soil fertility
Conservation tillage methods are becoming more widely used in corn ( Zea mays L.) production because of energy costs and soil losses due to wind and water erosion. Changes in tillage methods, however, create different environments for the germination, development, and maturation of the corn plant. The objective of our study was to determine if single‐cross corn hybrids responded differently to tillage methods. A 5‐yr continuous corn study was conducted that included 14 single‐cross hybrids and four tillage methods (fall‐plow, striptill, spring‐disk, and no‐till). The soil was a mesic Typic Hapludoll. There was no significant interaction of hybrids by tillage methods, but significant differences were detected among tillage methods for yield, stand, and grain moisture. Hybrids planted in fall‐plow or spring‐disk conditions had greater yields, better stands, and lower grain moisture than when planted in strip‐till and no‐till conditions. Hybrids performed similarly for the fall‐plow and spring‐disk treatments, but spring‐disk had significantly greater plant residue cover (54.5 vs. 7.8%). Our results suggested that it was not necessary to test hybrids for different tillage methods.