Clover and Manure Management Strategies for Overcoming the Wheat Residue Antagonism of No-Till Corn

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop residue can negatively affect the growth and development of no-till corn (Zea mays L.). The objective of this study was to determine whether nitrogen management practices including legume cover crops and manure applications used in conjunction with a pre-sidedress soil nitrate test (PSNT) could be used to overcome the observed wheat residue antagonism of no-till corn growth and development. A PSNT nitrogen strategy was effective in maintaining no-till corn grain yield in wheat residue systems equivalent to no-till corn grain yield in no-wheat residue systems in 4 of 6 site years. Similar results were obtained for PSNT plus clover cover crop and PSNT plus manure plus clover cover crop nitrogen management systems. Utilization of a PSNT with manure application equalized no-till corn grain yield in high wheat residue treatments with no-till corn grain yield in treatments without wheat residue in all site years. This can be a recommended practice in the Michigan eco-region.