Evaluation of Corn Growth and Productivity with Three Conservation Tillage Systems1

Abstract

AbstractThis study was conducted to provide needed data comparing corn (Zea mays L.) growth and productivity for several conservation tillage (CT) systems. Such data will provide necessary information to better evaluate the economical potential of CT systems in the Northern Corn Belt. The tillage systems used in this study were till‐plant (TP), chisel (CH), no‐till (NT), and conventional (CN) tillage. The study was conducted on a Griswold silt loam soil (fine‐loam, mixed, mesic Typic Argiudoll) at Arlington, WI, and a Plainfield loamy sand soil (sandy, mixed, mesic Typic Udipsamment) at Hancock, WI, over a 3‐yr period. Final plant emergence and growth and yield parameters were measured. The final plant emergence was higher with the CT systems compared to CN at Arlington, while the final plant emergence of the NT system was lower than other tillage systems at Hancock. Plant height, leaf area, and dry matter per plant early in the growing season, for both locations ranked: CN > TP ≷ CH > NT, and in most cases were significantly different. However, at the end of the growing season, these growth parameters were not significantly different. Days from planting to 50% silking for the NT system were significantly delayed by 2 to 3 and 4 days at Arlington and Hancock, respectively. No‐till had the highest grain moisture content. Grain yields with CT systems were equal to or greater than CN tillage at both locations. No‐till grain yield at Hancock was 18% greater than CN when rainfall was below normal in 1983. Three‐year grain yield averages for the silt loam soil were 8.75,8.78,8.97, and 8.49 Mg ha 1 for CN, TP, CH, and NT, respectively. Three‐year grain yield averages for the loamy sand soil were 6.48, 6.48, 6.44, and 6.79 Mg ha 1 for CN, TP, CH, and NT, respectively. The results from this study showed no serious growth and yield reductions with CT systems compared to CN tillage in the Northern Corn Belt.