Corn Residue Particle Size Impacts Soil Properties

Crop residue removal may degrade soils and their productivity. However, soil properties may not respond linearly to increasing levels of crop residue removal, suggesting an additional influence on soil properties beyond residue quantity. Mechanical operations during harvesting of grain and/or residues can influence the size distribution of residues remaining on the soil surface. Crop residue size distribution may be an important factor in moderating C and N dynamics in systems where crop residue is mechanically harvested. In an article recently published in Agricultural & Environmental Letters, researchers report on the potential for corn residue particle size to influence microbial respiration and to produce persistent changes in soil C and N dynamics.