Evaluation of strip tillage systems for corn production in Ontario

Abstract

Strip tillage, which involves cultivation of a narrow strip in the row area, has the potential advantages of providing a suitable seedbed for corn ( Zea mays L.) production with minimum energy expenditures, while leaving surface residues in the interrow area to reduce soil erosion. A study was conducted where three rotary tillage implements (Howard Rotaspike, Howard Rotavator, and Lely Roterra, The Lely Corporation, Suffolk, UK) and a former interrow cultivator were modified to cultivate a strip 25 cm wide in the row area. These strip tillage implements were compared with fall moldboard plow, fall chisel plow, and no-till tillage systems for 3 years of continuous corn production on sandy loam, silt loam, and clay loam soils in southern Ontario. The strip tillage treatments left significantly higher amounts of surface residue than either the moldboard plow or the chisel plow and thus provided potential soil conservation benefits. The moldboard plow system resulted in a greater proportion of fine aggregates in the seedbed than strip tillage, and strip tillage generally had more fine aggregates than no-till. Plant growth with strip tillage tended to be delayed compared with the moldboard plow treatment on all three soils. Average strip tillage yields were 10.3 and 12% lower than the moldboard plow treatments for the silt loam and clay loam soils, respectively. On the clay loam soil, differences were not significant between the strip tillage and chisel plow or no-till treatments. On the sandy loam soil, average strip tillage yields were significantly lower than the moldboard plow treatment in 1 year out of 3, equal to chisel plow in all 3 years, and higher than no-till in 2 years out of 3. Among the strip tillage treatments, the Howard Rotaspike and Howard Rotavator often resulted in finer seedbeds, better plant growth, and higher yields than the Lely Roterra and strip-till cultivator. The Howard strip tillage implements tended to compare most favorably with the moldboard plow tillage system.