Dennis Baker, Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent
The objective of this trial was to determine the effect of tillage on corn yields when following soybeans in a rotation. Farmers in the area have suspected yield decreases due to tillage.
| Cooperator: | Darke County Farm | Fertilizer: | 75#/A 0-0-60 broadcast | |
| Nearest Town: | Greenville | 125#/A 18-46-0 broadcast | ||
| Major Soil Type: | Miami | 150#/A N with herbicide | ||
| Drainage: | Tile | Herbicides: | 5 qt. Extrazine | |
| Previous Crop: | Soybeans | 1/4 pt. Banvel | ||
| Soil test: | pH 6.4 | Hybrid: | Pioneer 34G81 | |
| P 34 ppm | Planting Rate: | 30,000 seeds/A | ||
| K 164 ppm |
A replicated study using six replicates in a randomized complete block design was planned to determine whether tillage affected corn yields when following soybeans. Individual strip plots averaged 30' x 1,045' in size. The field had been in a no-till corn and soybean rotation for the past four years. The tilled plots were prepared using a chisel plow and disk unit followed by two passes with a conventional disk. Pioneer 34G81 was planted on May 15 into adequate moisture and with adequate rainfall to activate herbicide and move nitrogen into the soil.
| Treatment | Avg. Yield (Bu/A) |
|---|---|
| No-till | 106.10 |
| Chisel | 138.18 |
F = 124.5 Very significant differences among treatment means at P = 0.01, CV = 4.1% | |
Emergence was uniform in all plots but as the corn grew, there became a very visible difference in corn height with the no-till being as much as 18 inches shorter. There was a significant yield increase when using tillage on this particular site when planting corn after soybeans.
For additional information, contact:
Dennis Baker
Ohio State University Extension, Darke County
700 Wayne St.
Greenville, OH 45331
(937) 548-5215
baker.5@osu.edu