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Crop Yield as Affected by Rotation and Nitrogen Rate. III. Corn
Author(s) -
Peterson Todd Andrews,
Varvel G. E.
Publication year - 1989
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/agronj1989.00021962008100050007x
Subject(s) - agronomy , crop rotation , sorghum , loam , monoculture , crop , biology , soil water , ecology
Corn ( Zea mays L.) is a widely grown crop in the USA that responds positively to crop rotation. This study compares yields of corn grown in continuous monoculture with that of a (i) 2‐yr soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.1‐ corn rotation; (ii) a 4‐yr soybean‐grain sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moenchj‐oat + clover [ Avena sativa L. interseeded with 80% Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam., 20% Trifolium pratense ] corn rotation; and (iii) a 4‐yr oat + clover‐grain sorghum‐soybean‐ corn rotation. Interactions between crop rotation and N rate were also determined. The study was conducted for 4 yr on a Sharpsburg silty clay loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Typic Argiudoll). Continuous corn produced less grain (5.5 mg ha −1 yr −1 ) than corn grown in rotation (7.6 Mg ha −1 yr −1 average). Corn following a legume in rotation produced maximum grain yield with 90 kg N ha −1 , while continuous corn required at least 180 kg N ha −1 for maximum yield. Corn following oat + clover produced maximum yield in a year of above‐average precipitation, but this rotation was vulnerable to soil‐water deficits. In 3 of 4 yr, corn following soybean in a 4‐yr rotation produced more grain than other rotations.