Double and Monocropped Wheat and Soybeans Under Different Tillage and Row Spacings1

Abstract

AbstractIn wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) Thell] producing regions with adequate frost‐free days to permit double‐cropping, water is often the most limiting factor in producing the second crop. To more fully utilize climatic resources and land after the harvest of wheat grain, a field study was conducted on a Wynona silty clay loam (Cumulic Haplaquolls) to analyze the effects of tillage and row spacings on soil water content and yields of monocropped (MC) and double‐cropped (DC) wheat and soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.].Double‐cropped wheat (DCW) yielded 2,210 compared to 2,530 kg/ha for monocropped wheat (MCW). Conventional tillage double cropped soybeans (CT‐DCS) in 50‐cm rows yielded 1,610 compared to 1,460 kg/ha in 75‐cm rows. No‐tillage double‐cropped soybeans (NTDCS) in 50‐cm rows yielded 1,730 compared to 1,550 kg/ ha in 75‐cm rows. Conventional tillage monocropped soybeans (CT‐MCS) in 50‐cm rows yielded 2,010 compared to 1,880 kg/ha in 75‐cm rows.Water content in 120 cm of soil profile was not significantly affected during the soybean growing period by tillage and row spacings; however, lack of moisture in the soil‐seed environment resulted in poorer stands and lower yields for CT‐MCS in 1976. Water storage efficiency under wheat from the fully ripe stage of growth to late September averaged 28% for MCW. More grain production and more effective use of annual precipitation and soil stored water were achieved when wheat and soybeans were DC.