Steve D. Ruhl, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent
Future Farm Bills may have more conservation compliance associated with payments. Strip tillage would assist in preventing soil erosion and conserving carbon in the soil. To be adopted, it must also be productive relative to existing practices. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of strip tillage on corn yields compared to the use of fall chiseled tillage.
| Cooperator: | County Commissioners | Fertilizer: | 120 lbs/A of N |
| County: | Morrow | (20 gal/A of 28% at | |
| Nearest town: | Mt. Gilead | planting and at sidedress) | |
| Drainage: | Random tiled | Herbicide: | |
| Soil type: | Centerburg silt loam | PRE | 3 qt/A Degree Xtra |
| Tillage: | Strip tillage and | (plus Gramoxone 1 qt/A | |
| fall chisel | on strips) | ||
| Previous Crop: | Soybeans | POST | Distinct 4 oz/A |
| Variety: | DKC 60-08 | Planting Date: | June 1 |
| Soil Test: | pH 7.0, P 44 ppm, | Planting Rate: | 26,000 seeds/A |
| K 90 ppm | Row Width: | 30-inch | |
| Harvest Date: | November 18, 2002 |
The plot was laid out in alternating strips with five replications. Each individual treatment was 12 rows wide and approximately 3/4 acre in size. The entire area was harvested and weighed using a weigh wagon. The strips and chisel plow areas were completed during November. The strips were developed using a Yetter Strip Till Tool. The six-row mounted unit was pulled at 4 to 5 mph using a 135 hp tractor. The strips were 11-inches wide. The mole knife was running 7-inches deep, and the strips were 5-inches tall in the fall. The strips were the same height as the adjoining soil in the spring.
Table 1. Corn Population and Yields.a
| Treatment | Population | Yield |
| plants/A | bu/A | |
| Strip tillage | 21,580 a | 45.9 a |
| Fall chisel | 23,380 b | 58.1 b |
| LSD (0.05) | 1,626 | 7.9 |
| F test | 9.4 | 18.1 |
| a Means followed by the same letter in the same column are not significantly different. | ||
The 2002 crop year was a poor one for tillage comparisons. We had a very wet spring, which prevented planting until June 1. The strips built in the previous fall were completely settled down, and weeds made it difficult to keep the planter on the strips. The strips were void of residue, which was the only way to determine where the strips had been built. The wet spring was followed by a very dry summer.
Our plot design using alternating strips was not the best choice. We measured areas using tapes and flags and should have used a completely randomized block design for our plot layout. In future years we will mark the whole field with the strip till tool using the markers and leave the tool in the transport position in the areas we want to chisel.
This year’s plot was more of a comparison of no-till vs. chisel. We did achieve a higher population and yield on the chisel areas. Due to our plot design and weather problems in 2002, this study will be repeated in future years.
The author would like to thank Monsanto for the seed, herbicide donation, and the use of the Yetter Strip Till Tool. Thanks are also extended to the Morrow County Commissioners, Tom Weiler, Bob Barker, and Dan Barker for their assistance in this study.
For additional information, contact:
Steve Ruhl
Ohio State University Extension, Morrow County
871 W. Marion Rd., Suite 102
Mt. Gilead, OH 43338
419-947-1070
ruhl1@postoffice.ag.ohio-state.edu