Alan Sundermeier, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent
Matt Davis, OARDC NW Branch Manager
To evaluate the effect of tillage systems on yield of corn.
| Cooperator: | NW Branch | Soil test: | pH 5.9, P 42 ppm |
| County: | Wood | K 189 ppm | |
| Nearest Town: | Deshler | Fertilizer: | See Methods |
| Drainage: | Tile, well-drained | Planting Date: | May 29, 2002 |
| Soil type: | Hoytville, clay | Planting Rate: | 30,000 seed/acre |
| Tillage: | See Methods | Row Width: | 30-inch |
| Previous Crop: | soybeans | Herbicides: | Harness Extra 2.4 qt/A, |
| Variety: | Pioneer 34B24 | Atrazine 1 pt/A, | |
| Roundup 26 oz/A | |||
| Harvest Date: | October 23, 2002 |
The entries were replicated four times in a randomized complete block design. Plot size was 10 x 70 feet, each entry. After the 2001 soybean harvest, the following fertilizer was applied: 100 lbs/A of 0-46-0 and 150 lbs/A of 0-0-60. On 11-05-01, fall tillage was performed on the soybean residue: strip-tillage, Aer-Way and Harrow, Zone-builder, and disk and field cultivator (stale seedbed). The remaining entry was untouched for no-till. No further tillage was done, and corn was directly planted into soil as is in the spring (no spring tillage). At corn planting, 20 lbs/A of 46-0-0 was placed 2 x 2. Sidedress application of 43 gal/A of 28-0-0 was coulter injected in June. Harvest data were collected from the center two rows.
Table 1. Corn Yield by Tillage System.a
| Tillage System | Corn Yield |
| Bu/ac | |
| Zone builder | 63.1 a |
| Aerway | 66.3 a |
| No-till | 68.6 ab |
| Strip till | 71.4 ab |
| Disk,field cultivator | 79.5 b |
| LSD (0.05) | 12.5 |
| F-test | 1.5 |
| a Means followed by the same letter in same column are not significantly different. | |
Table 2. Temperature and Rainfall Averages for 2002 and 30-Year Average (Normal), Northwestern Branch, Ohio Agricultural and Research Development Center, Custar, Ohio.
| Date | Temperature | Rainfall | ||
| 2002 | Normal | 2002 | Normal | |
| ————°F———— | ———inches——— | |||
| January | 32.8 | 24.2 | 1.90 | 1.82 |
| February | 33.2 | 27.2 | 2.61 | 1.61 |
| March | 35.6 | 36.7 | 2.82 | 2.51 |
| April | 50.9 | 48.9 | 3.76 | 3.25 |
| May 1-15 | 53.7 | 56.9 | 3.15 | 1.47 |
| 16-31 | 57.4 | 62.6 | 1.50 | 1.97 |
| June 1-15 | 68.3 | 67.8 | 1.98 | 1.91 |
| 16-30 | 75.2 | 71.2 | 0.15 | 1.63 |
| July 1-15 | 75.3 | 72.6 | 0.03 | 1.75 |
| 16-31 | 76.7 | 73.0 | 3.25 | 2.04 |
| Aug 1-15 | 70.4 | 71.1 | 0.00 | 1.51 |
| 16-31 | 67.0 | 70.1 | 2.92 | 1.65 |
| September | 67.7 | 64.0 | 3.68 | 2.71 |
| October | 50.2 | 52.5 | 1.18 | 2.05 |
| Total | — | — | 25.68 | 25.64 |
Yields were extremely low due to late planting (May 29) followed by a lack of rainfall during the summer growing season. For that reason, no meaningful conclusions should be derived comparing the tillage systems.
Zone builder tillage (subsoiler) may have allowed the soil to dry out more than the other systems due to its 12- to 18-inch deep shank penetration, thus resulting in lower yields. This was consistent with results from other research at the same site in 2002.
Disking and field cultivation in the fall was in the highest-yielding group of treatments, but it also had the least amount of surface residue for soil protection from erosion.
For additional information, contact:
Alan Sundermeier
Ohio State University Extension, Wood County
440 East Poe Road
Bowling Green, Ohio 43402
sundermeier5@ag.osu.edu