Alan Sundermeier, Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent
Matt Davis, Managers, OARDC Northwest Branch Research Farm
Evaluate the effects of tillage on corn yield following either soybeans or wheat.
| Site: | OARDC NW Branch | Fertilizer: | 150-50-75 lbs/A actual |
| County: | Wood | N-P2O5-K2O | |
| Previous crops: | Soybeans and Wheat | Herbicides: | Bicep |
| Soil Type: | Hoytville clay | Planting Date: | May 20, 2000 |
| Tillage: | See Methods | Planting Rate: | 30,000 seeds/A |
| Variety: | Pioneer34B23 | Row Width: | 30 inch |
| Harvest Date: | 10-25-00 |
In the fall of 1999, experiment plots were established in soybean stubble and in wheat stubble in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments consisted of the following eight tillage systems:
Individual treatment plot size was 10 feet wide by 50 feet in length. Corn was planted after spring finish tillage was completed. Hourly soil temperature (two-inch depth in seed zone) was recorded on four tillage systems from April 20 to May 9, 2000. Average soil temperatures were calculated. Soil moisture was determined from two-inch deep soil samples collected on May 9, 2000. This date was considered acceptable planting for strip tillage, row sweeper, and stale seedbed plots. Residue percentage was determined on May 9, 2000. Final corn stand populations were taken two weeks before harvest.
| After Soybean | After Wheat | |||||
| Treatment System No. |
Residue (% in row) |
Soil Temperature (°F) |
Soil Moisture (% water) |
Residue |
Soil Temperature (°F) |
Soil Moisture (% water) |
| 1 | 72.5 c | 19.4 | 19.4 | 99.0 d | 55.7 a | 21.4 |
| 2 | 10.0 a | 18.2 | 18.2 | 15.0 a | 58.1 b | 18.1 |
| 4 | 15.0 ab | 18.6 | 18.6 | 39.0 b | 57.7 ab | 19.6 |
| 5 | 30.0 bc | 19.3 | 19.3 | 50.0 c | 59.2 b | 19.9 |
| LSD (0.05) | 5.6 | NS | NS | 2.6 | 2.2 | NS |
| Means within a column followed by the same letter are not significantly different.
NS = Not Significant. |
||||||
| After Soybean | After Wheat | |||
| Treatment | Final Stand Count (plants/A) |
Yield (bu/A) |
Final Stand Count (plants/A) |
Yield (bu/A) |
| 1 | 24,000 abc | 128.3 | 20,750 a | 64.9 a |
| 2 | 23,250 ab | 124.6 | 24,250 ab | 81.5 abc |
| 3 | 24,000 abc | 131.7 | 23,500 ab | 85.7 abcd |
| 4 | 25,000 bc | 129.2 | 23,500 ab | 78.3 ab |
| 5 | 25,250 bc | 130.1 | 25,250 b | 108.5 d |
| 6 | 26,000 bc | 122.8 | 24,750 b | 83.3 abc |
| 7 | 22,000 a | 128.3 | 24,250 ab | 103.9 cd |
| 8 | 23,500 abc | 130.2 | 23,500 ab | 90.1 bcd |
| LSD (0.05) | 2,605 | NS | 3,533 | 22.8 |
| Means within a column followed by the same letter are not significantly different.
NS = Not Significant. |
||||
Soybean residue, although well scattered, was a thin layer since 1999 was the first year of no-till which may have allowed tillage systems to have no effect on yield even though there was a significant difference in the amount of soybean residue among the four treatments. The results of the soybean portion of the study indicate that no-till will produce the highest net return after soybeans due to fewer trips across the field and reduced labor.
The large amount of wheat residue resulted in cooler soil temperatures in no-till. The no-till soil was also wetter at planting time although not significantly. These soil conditions in no-till are believed to have resulted in lower plant population and subsequently lower yield. The wheat portion of this study confirms that higher corn yields may be achieved when wheat residue is incorporated into soil. No-till corn is not recommended in Hoytville clay soils following wheat based upon this study. Excess rainfall during most of the season may have affected the treatments this season.
For further information, contact:
Alan Sundermeier
Ohio State University Extension, Henry County
104 E. Washington St., Suite 107
Napoleon, OH 43545
419-592-0806
sundermeier.5@osu.edu