Crop Response following Tall Fescue Sod and Agronomic Crops

Abstract

Sod‐based production systems have been successful in the southeastern and mid‐Atlantic regions of the United States as an alternative to conventional tillage systems. However, research comparing these systems in North Carolina is limited. Therefore, research was conducted at four locations in North Carolina to compare corn (Zea mays L.), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield when these crops were strip tilled following 4 yr of continuous tall fescue (Shedonorus phoenix Scop.) vs. 4 yr of either corn or cotton grown in no tillage or strip tillage. Cotton yield was higher following tall fescue compared with yield following agronomic crops. In contrast, yield of corn was lower following tall fescue compared with agronomic crops while peanut and soybean yields were not affected by previous cropping history. Additional treatments in peanut included conventional tillage following both cropping systems, and pod yield was lower when peanut was strip tilled into either tall fescue or residue from corn or cotton compared with conventional tillage systems. No major differences in soil bulk density at depths of 0 to 8 cm or 8 to 16 cm were noted when comparing tall fescue or agronomic crops either in strip tillage or nontilled zones. Populations of soil parasitic nematodes were often lower in peanut following tall fescue than when following agronomic crops. These experiments indicate that sod‐based systems may be an effective alternative to reduced tillage systems, especially for cotton. However, yield benefits were not observed for peanut or soybean and corn was negatively affected by tall fescue.