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Long‐Term Effect of Five Tillage Systems on Corn Response and Soil Structure
Author(s) -
Vyn T. J.,
Raimbult B. A.
Publication year - 1993
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/agronj1993.00021962008500050022x
Subject(s) - tillage , plough , penetrometer , chisel , agronomy , loam , environmental science , mulch till , no till farming , soil water , soil science , soil fertility , geography , biology , archaeology
Tillage systems need to be compared over an extended period of time to determine their transitional and long‐term impacts on crop growth and soil properties. A 15‐yr experiment established in 1976 compared reduced tillage systems with conventional fall moldboard plowing for production of continuous corn ( Zea mays L.) on a Maryhill silt loam soil (Typic Hapludalf). Corn plant growth and yield and soil properties were compared for five tillage systems: fall plow (fall mold‐board plow + spring secondary tillage), fall chisel plow (fall chisel plow + spring secondary), spring plow, spring plow/secondary (spring plow + secondary), and no‐till. No‐till consistently resulted in slower plant growth than most or all of the other tillage systems. The fall plow and spring plow/secondary treatments resulted in grain yields averaging 5% more than fall chisel plow, 9% more than spring plow, and 16% more than no‐till yields. From 1976 to 1983, no‐till yields tended to increase relative to fall plow; from 1988 to 1990, however, no‐till yields were much less than fall plow. No‐till resulted in the lowest proportion of aggregates <5 mm in diameter, highest bulk density, and greatest penetrometer resistance. Penetrometer resistance of the spring plow plots increased at a slower rate with depth than the fall chisel plow system. Among soil properties measured, the proportion of aggregates <5 mm in diameter was most often significantly correlated with yield.