Abstract
A large-scale dryland cropping systems research and demonstration project at the Southwest ResearchExtension Center near Tribune, Kansas, evaluated two summer crops (corn and grain sorghum) along with winter wheat in crop rotations varying in length from 1 to 4 years. The rotations were continuous grain sorghum, wheat-fallow, wheat-corn-fallow, wheat-sorghum-fallow, wheat-corn-sorghum-fallow, and wheatsorghumcorn-fallow. The objective of the study is to identify cropping systems that enhance and stabilize production in rain-fed locations to optimize economic crop production. Averaged across the past 7 years, wheat yields ranged from 22 to 25 bu/a and were not affected by length of rotation. Corn and grain sorghum yields (7-year average) were about twice as great when following wheat than when following corn or grain sorghum. Grain sorghum yields were almost twice as great as those of corn in similar rotations.
Highlights
The change from conventional tillage to no-till cropping systems has allowed for greater intensification of cropping in semi-arid regions
The objective of the study was to identify whether more intensive cropping systems can enhance and stabilize production in rainfed cropping systems to optimize economic crop production, more efficiently capture and utilize scarce precipitation, and maintain or enhance soil resources and environmental quality
This project evaluates several multi-crop rotations that are feasible for the region, along with alternative systems that are more intensive than 2- or 3-year rotations
Summary
The change from conventional tillage to no-tillage cropping systems has allowed for greater intensification of cropping in semi-arid regions. In the central High Plains, wheat-fallow (1 crop in 2 years) has been a popular cropping system for many decades. This system is being replaced by more intensive wheat-summer crop-fallow rotations (2 crops in 3 years). There has been increased interest in further intensifying the cropping systems by growing 3 crops in 4 years or continuous cropping. This project evaluates several multi-crop rotations that are feasible for the region, along with alternative systems that are more intensive than 2- or 3-year rotations. The objectives are to 1) enhance and stabilize production of rainfed cropping systems using multiple crops and rotations, using best management practices to optimize capture and utilization of precipitation for economic crop production, and 2) enhance adoption of alternative rainfed cropping systems that provide optimal profitability
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